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In more than three decades of my Christian life, I have been blest by 2 types of Daily devos'
(matter not exceeding 500 words) in universal Christian literature. Not only those Devos'
which have a different theme everyday but also the ones which revolve around a certain
theme over a period of time, say a fortnight, have richly edified me. In fact, both
styles have their own inherent advantages. If the former style caters to the varying
spiritual needs of a christian from day-to-day, the latter aims 'to ground'
a child of God in a certain subject in order he derives the full benefits of the
deep insightful study of a certain topic, spread over a fixed span of time.
In my Daily devo page, I have consciously tried to go in for 'a blend of both the
styles' whereby within a constant theme, I would be aiming to focus on different
facets of it which admittedly is a closer imitation of the 'Constant theme' style
than the 'Varying topics' one.
Having dwelt on the topics
- “The Christian journey”
- “ The Conquest of Canaan” and the
- “Lent season”.
in the previous months, now in the months of April and May, considering that
post resurrection of Christ (one of our concluding themes’ you would remember
in the meditations of March, was Resurrection), birth of the Church was a
landmark event in Biblical history, I want to cast the spotlight on the Book of
Acts (which records the birth and growth of the Church). This would ensure to a large
extent continuity of thought albeit under the ambit of new subject.
Once again, let me wish you a happy and an edifying read…
Suresh Manoharan
April 13th
Lighted to lighten
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God….” –
I Peter 4:11
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Today once again because of its high historical import, let’s focus upon
the landmark Peter’s sermon which resulted in nearly 3000 people accepting
the Lord (Acts 2:41)
on the Day of the Pentecost. Even that fact of Peter
taking the initiative to preach the soul-stirring sermon in those moments
frozen in History, has a ring of prophetic fulfillment about it. Didn’t
Jesus say as much in
Matt 16:18-19, which reads thus…'
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the
kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Many years down the line, when the same passionate Peter (by now he would have known
a thing or three on preaching) exhorted the early Church in its preaching mission
(refer the above-captioned scripture) look at his emphasis on the “passion factor”
in preaching. Honestly, it helps to be reminded again and again that we need to
be “ on fire, lightened first and foremost”, before we can be used by Him
to “lighten others”.
Say Preacher “Are you on fire, first?”
Prayer:
Father, we Your humble servants called to be Your spokesmen, despite our many imperfections,
once again commit ourselves into Thy hands to be put on fire for Thee because unless we are passionate, we might as well preach in an empty room. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.
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