Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 FAMILY -  AN EXPRESSION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

1 Peter 3:7-14

 Vs 14:But even if you  should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.     

 Apostle Peter in chapter 3  of  this passage, authoritatively addressing the readers of God's instruction concerning husband -wife relationships. Like every believer is expected to be submissive to the power, wives  are expected to be submisssive to their husbands, which is necessary for the orderly operation of the home.  The greek word used to describe  submission to the authority of government  is used here, in explaining  wife-husband relationship.  Submisssion is not  to be interpreted as inferiority  of the weaker sex.  In continuing the subject in verse 7, it is reminded that women experience the saving grace of God on equal terms with men, and for that matter, spiritual  fellowship with God and one another may be hindered by disregarding the God's instruction in maintaining proper husband-wife relationships.
            It is important and vital that the husband makes his wife a priority, not a project. God commanded men to love their wives  as their bodies as noted in ephesians 5:28 and that a man who shows love for his wife loves himself. It is also an admonition by Apostle that Christian husbands are not to domineer or intimidate their wives, instead to treat them with consideration,  respect and honor.   After this discourse on husband -wife relationships, Peter continued to say  that it is also important  to have unity among God's people. For that matter, everyone should sing to the same tune and stay n harmony :- having compassion, tenderhearted, and courteous to one another. We love one another not only for the sake of Jesus or whose body we are members, but it is for our own sake – by blessing those who wronged us – we will inherit a blessing. 
           In vs:11-13, Peter introduced a quotation from Psalm 34 (12-16). He uses this quotation   for giving reasons for obeying exhortation from God. 1. those who do such things will find life gratifying, 2. their days will be good, 3.God's eyes will be on them to bless, 4. God's ears will be ready to hear their prayer.    To conclude the meditation  from this passage, Apostle in v14 said, “ doing good is often  difficult, evil is rewarded immediately, reward for doing good is often delayed. But rewards for doing good is far  more secure and better than doing evil. Suffering for righteous is a remote possibility, but if does occur, it brings special blessing to the sufferer. Amen.

Prayer
 Lord, we pray that you grant your wisdom to follow your instructions and  admonitions  in maintaining our family relationships and with one another in general. Especially so, in forgiving the people who wronged to us . Bless us  and hear our prayers. Amen.

Thought for the Day

 Natural response to the hostility is retaliation. But the loving response of  dedicated Christians to love their enemies, can break the cycle of retaliation.
Dr.John K.Thomas   Tabor MTC Staten island
                   

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more