Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sharing God’s Gift with Joy

Bible Reading: St. Luke 16:19-31

Key verse:  31

He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. ( St Luke 16:31, NLT)

DEVOTION

Our Scripture Reading today is from  familiar passage in the Gospel of St. Luke of the parable of Rich Man and Lazarus. As we read the passage we observe  two contrasting lifestyles of the wealthy man and the abject poverty of Lazarus. The wealthy man lives in the lap of luxury and pomp while poor Lazarus lives on the crumps of food that fall from the table of the wealthy man and having stray dogs lick his wounds. Now both men die and that is when we read about complete reversal in the situation of both men. We are offered a glimpse in what is in store for whom justice has been denied in this earthly life and the hope that awaits those who have been leading life of oppression and misery. 
I have selected St. Luke 16.31 as the key scripture verse as these verses  focus on eternal reality that transcends all the immense wealth we can accumulate and temporary comforts of the world . 
This gripping parable reminds us of the eternal consequences of our actions , particularly in the denial of justice and mercy towards those who are less fortunate and in abject poverty.  We will be answerable to the lives we lead on judgement day when we will be judged for our actions , words , deeds that we have lived here on Earth.  Jesus through these parables shed light the profound truth of the Kingdom of God, where justice will prevail and the evil and unjust will reap the consequences of living ungodly and unholy life. 

PRAYER

Almighty and Gracious Lord , allow us to live our lives recognizing that we are answerable to God before Judgement Day and there are eternal consequence on the lives we live on daily basis , this we pray in the precious name of Lord and Jesus Christ,  AMEN.

Thought for the DAY

 “The one who judges according to the word and law of the Lord, and forms his judgments by the rule of charity, always begins with subjecting himself to examination, and preserves a proper medium and order in his judgments “ 
Rev. John Wesley  ( 1703-1791)

Abraham Kurien, Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston, Texas.

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