Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Christ, the model of ordained ministry"  

Bible Reading:   1 Timothy 6:11-16  

Key verse:   “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have  confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses”. (1 Timothy 6:12)

DEVOTION

Apostle Paul, while preparing his young protégé Timothy to be a new minister in the Church,  gave him a detailed set of instructions. Paul taught Timothy to be a public testimony of faith and  godliness and to flee from erroneous teaching and greed that can weaken his testimony and  ministry. More significantly, Paul commands Timothy to follow an exemplary testimony in his  ministry. One that is to be modeled after Jesus Christ himself, as He witnessed the “Good  Confession” in front of Pontius Pilate (v13).  
In John 18:37 we read about that “Good confession” that Jesus testified to. Jesus states explicitly  to Pilate the reason why He was born and came into the world - “To bear witness To the Truth”.  Jesus specified that He Himself is the Truth. In the same verse Jesus declares, ‘only those who  are on the side of Truth, listen to Him’.  
Jesus not only testified to the truth, He was bold to testify it knowing what it would cost Him -  His very own life. Paul instructs Timothy that his testimony needs to be likewise - blamelessly  bold, without ever wavering, even unto death!  
That is the model of ordained ministry, to bear witness boldly without spot, of the Truth - of  Jesus, like Jesus. Let’s examine, we who are called and have confessed the good confession, if  we are demonstrating spotless courage and faith to witness our Savior Jesus Christ to the lost  world. 

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, I need your grace each day through the Spirit to testify to the Truth like  Jesus did. Amen.  

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

What is the one big obstacle that holds you back from witnessing Jesus boldly to the lost world  around you?  


Jason David  
Columbus, Ohio (affiliated to St. Thomas MTC, IN)

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 wh...
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 tel...
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