Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Jesus Christ Who Liberates               

Psalm 20
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7)
Devotion
I am always awe struck by athletes who glorify God by way of the sign of the cross, a short prayer or pointing upwards and giving thanks.  Their countercultural action is antithesis to the self-exalting behavior that is promoted in society.  Our innate desire to build our own tower-of-Babel to glorify ourselves is a pride driven, human centric approach that seeks to leave God out.  In Genesis 11 we have read that, man, upon discovering brick-making, set out to build a tower to the heavens to make a name for himself.  Today, we are no different in thinking that our intellect, wealth, power and technology will sustain, provide, secure and save us.  Our desire for this pride-filled arrogance is a path to eventual ruin.
Jesus Christ, liberates us from this self-centered and self-celebrating approach.  His life represents the pinnacle of humility.  Jesus found joy not in praising himself but in knowing and praising the Father.  A wonderful example for us to emulate daily! 
The athletes who publicly give glory to God are witnesses to Christ’s Lordship in their lives.  So, let us also demolish the God-less towers that we may have built in our life and, with humility, invite the Holy Spirit to rebuild it that is God-centered.  In doing so, we join with King David in saying “some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God”.
Prayer
O Holy and Gracious Lord, forgive us for the foolish ways in which we try to build our life without you.  Teach us to forsake our pride and to humbly accept your Lordship in our life.  

Thought for the Day
“Pride is your greatest enemy humility is your greatest friend”. John Stott

Bobe Simon
Carmel Mar Thoma Church, Boston

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