Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Stones of Unity: Remembering God’s Acts Together 

Bible Reading: Joshua 4:1-11 

Key verse:  “tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it  crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people  of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:7 

DEVOTION

Joshua 4:1-11 describes how after over 40 years the Israelites have finally reached Canaan! The Israelites  must have been eager to enter the promised land especially with preparations for their families and all  belongings on their mind. But first, they needed to remember how they got there. When Joshua obeys  God’s command to gather one man from each tribe, he is honoring the faithfulness God showed not only  the Israelites who traveled the last forty years, but also God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the promises made  to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Though each of the twelve men represented different tribes, together, they  represented the constant love and justice shown to the Israelites by God. Each stone they lifted up was a  sign reminding all people of the miraculous Exodus journey and of God’s great work. In the same way, as  Christ's representatives on this Earth, we must live in unity with one another so that everything we do is a  sign to those around us of what God has done for us. We will always have preparations to make for  church and our families. But how much more powerful will it be when, first, we come together to honor  God and then, do His work. When the Church unites, the world can see what a loving, compassionate, and  merciful God we serve. 

 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for the faithfulness that you have shown all your people, from Abraham and Jacob,  to our grandparents, parents, and us. Thank you for your unchanging nature and that you are the same  God, today, yesterday and forever. I pray that we can continue to honor and remember your faithfulness in  all that we do. Despite whatever busyness may fill our days, I pray that we can take a step back and spend  time worshipping you, with our brothers and sisters, so that your name can be lifted up and your Body  grows. Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today, remember that as members of the Body of Christ, we each have a responsibility to remember the  Lord’s good works, in order to build His church. Before checking off the next item on your to-do list  today, think about how you can honor God today, with your brothers and sisters. Doing this not only  brings greater fellowship between believers, but invites others to join God’s family. Let our unity be the  sign of God’s power, faithfulness, justice and grace, for those around us, and the generations to come. 


Angelica Varughese 
St. Stephen’s Mar Thoma Church, East Brunswick NJ

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

-
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

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