Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Walking in Truth and Justice: A courageous witness

Bible Reading: Exodus 23 :1-9

Key verse:  "You are to bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. "You are not to boil a young goat in its mother's milk." Exodus 23:19
 
DEVOTION

The instruction to bring the first fruits of soil informs us that God deserves not our leftovers, but our best and most valued offering. In that society at the time, this was a powerful act of trust, sharing before seeing the full harvest. It was an offering of faith, accepting that God will provide  provide everything for us. God is asking us to be pure and sincere before him and offer our greatest.
Giving God our best and the first is still important in today's world. Instead of crops, we give our time, money, and talents. This refers to putting God first in our day, sharing  and giving back ourselves, and using our talents that he has blessed us with, to serve Him. It's not always easy but giving up your best offering just shows how much you trust in God and love him. When we give God our best offering, we show that he is the most important part of our lives.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, you are worthy of the best and the finest of my possessions. Allow me to live a life that does not idolize these possessions but puts you before them. Teach me to offer to you the greatest of my possessions, gifts, and talents. In Jesus Name, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 “God deserves the best and finest, not our leftovers”.

Antony Mathai
The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island.

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