Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Remembering with Thanksgiving and Purpose

Bible Reading:  Colossians 1:1-14 

Key verse:12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins
 
DEVOTION

Paul begins his letter to the Colossians  by expressing consistent gratitude for the Colossian believers. His prayers are not mere formalities but are characterized by a mindful recollection of their faith in Christ Jesus and their demonstrable love for God’s people.. The foundation of this thanksgiving lies in the assured hope reserved for them in the heavenly realm, a hope that serves as a wellspring of enduring encouragement.
This act of remembering with thanksgiving serves as a catalyst for understanding and embracing divine purpose. Paul recognizes that the gospel has reached the Colossians and is actively producing spiritual fruit and experiencing growth, mirroring its impact throughout the entirety of the world. Their individual expressions of faith and love are not isolated occurrences but integral components of God's expansive work in the world. This awareness imbues their personal journeys with a profound sense of belonging to a larger, divine design.

Furthermore, Paul offers a prayerful petition that the Colossians might be filled with a comprehensive understanding of God's will, encompassing all spiritual wisdom and insight. The intended outcome of this spiritual enrichment is a life lived in a manner befitting the Lord, characterized by complete obedience and pleasing devotion. This prayer underscores the vital connection between remembering with gratitude and the diligent pursuit of God's intended purpose for our lives. It is not sufficient to simply acknowledge the presence of goodness; rather, we are called to actively embody that goodness through fruitful actions and a continually deepening knowledge of God.
Therefore, let us intentionally cultivate a practice of remembering with sincere thanksgiving the manifestations of faith and love that we observe in our interactions and communities. May this heartfelt gratitude inspire us to diligently seek God's will with wisdom and spiritual discernment, leading us to live lives that are purposeful, impactful, and ultimately pleasing in His sight.

 

PRAYER

Gracious God, we thank You  for rescuing us from the dominion of darkness, bringing us into the kingdom of Your beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Grateful hearts acknowledge God's rescue into light and freedom through Christ's redemption

Anish Thomas 
Mar Thoma Church of Greater Washington

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