Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Jesus Christ Who Liberates               
Acts 16:16-18
…In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her…(Acts 16:18)

Devotion
Acts 16:16-18, is about liberation of a women who was spirit possessed, a slave and one who was exploited by her mercenary masters. We might want to conclude that as a woman of that time in history she was marginalized but verse 14 tells us about another woman Lydia, who worshipped the Lord, enabling her to open her mind to pay attention to what Paul was saying. We see Lydia take the initiative to invite Paul to stay in her house. In this passage the woman is not given a name and this may be to emphasise the point that most women of the time were like her, slaves to physical and spiritual bondage. Her story resonates with the experiences of many women today, grappling with societal expectations, systemic injustices, and personal struggles and in a constant state of self-pity.  The only way to break away from this conundrum is to seek the Lord.  Acts 16:16-18serves as a powerful testimony to the liberating power of Jesus Christ. It encourages us to get over the brokenness and bondage around us by pursuing the Lord. Just as this lady pursues Paul until healed let us also be in relentless pursuit of the Lord to feel liberated.
 
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our freedom from the illegitimate bondage of the evil one.  We pray that you continue to give us the strength to confront sin and utilize our freedom to fight for the weak and defend the rights of the oppressed.

Thought for the Day
..He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18

Dr. Pushpa Robin
Baroda Parish of The Mar Thoma Church

Fatehganj, Vadodara Gujarat 

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