Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Family -Celebration of relationships 

Bible Reading: Job 1 :1-5 

Key verse  1


“This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1) 

DEVOTION

In today’s world, busy lifestyles, digital communication, success, instant results, increasing social and economic pressures and individualism have changed the meaning of family and relationships. Many people measure success through personal achievements, financial security, independence, and social recognition, leaving no time to nurture meaningful relationships. The true value of family is not determined by wealth, status or likes but by the quality of relationships built through opportunities to express God’s love for one another.  Here we see a man named Job who is depicted as blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:1). God himself testifies Job’s character even before introducing his family and relationships. In Hebrew, blameless (תָּם tam) meaning ‘ having integrity’ and upright (יָשָׁר yashar) refers to ‘morally right’. This reminds us that the foundation of a meaningful family relationship is not to have a perfect trouble free family but to have תָּם tam and to be יָשָׁר yashar.  Job feared God and shunned evil. Fearing God means living with reverence, awe and humility with a deep understanding of God’s authority. Job’s relationship with God influenced his decisions and shaped him to treat his family members with dignity, patience and compassion. Job rejected the evil that came between him and God. We see in Vs 4, how Job’s children celebrated life together in fellowship. After the celebrations, just as Job brought them before God (Vs 5), we are called to nurture our family relationships through spiritual growth. When our homes become a place of fellowship, prayer and mutual support, our relationships can bear witness to the Triune God.  The questions to us are, ‘Are our family relationships foundationally nurtured like Job?’. Do we forgive and seek reconciliation? Do we share our joys and carry each other's burdens? In a world that often prioritizes individual success, celebrating family calls us to rediscover the importance of togetherness, mutual responsibility, and genuine human connection, making our relationships nurtured in God’s love. 

PRAYER

Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the gift of family and for the relationships that enrich our lives. Help us to follow Job's example by celebrating our family relationships with integrity, reverence, and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen!  

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Let him love his brother, and he will love the same love.” -  St. Augustine of Hippo 

 

Dr. Julie Alex Long Island Mar Thoma Church, Merrick, New York 

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