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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
May 13th
Pray and then prey…
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas,
Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas),
and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer,
the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way -
- Acts 13:1-3
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Yesterday, whilst taking a microscopic view of the three missionary journeys’ of Apostle Paul,
we had observed that actually it was his First missionary journey, which resulted in two other missionary journeys’.
And today, if we go into the “genesis” of his first missionary journey, we are confronted with a wonderful truth,
that Paul along with Barnabas was actually worshipping the Lord, when the Divine call came to “set sail” for the
First missionary journey. Oh how important it is to be first worshipers of the good Lord before we embark on
any work for Him, because only those who are good worshippers’ of the Lord would turn out to be effective workers for Him.
At the heart of worship is the worship right from the heart. Only when we truly enjoy Him, can
we passionately “boast” about Him before others, promptly impacting our audience for Him!
Look at also what the Antioch Church did, after the Divine call came. They “fasted and prayed”
and then only sent the Divinely-ordained apostles’ on their way! Any task well-begun is half done
is an age-old maxim. How true! Undertaking of any important assignment for the Lord should be
preceded by heart-felt worship, fasting and prayer. In the contemporary Indian cricketing context,
can Team India ever lose a match, if its openers (Viru and Gautham) give it a rollicking start!
Ditto the same in the spiritual realm, worshipping, fasting and praying constitute a wonderful
launch pad for any Ministry undertaken for His glory.
Pray then go about preying for souls…
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, how can we ever hope to be entrusted with any of the Kingdom-enhancing tasks
unless we are deeply in love with You. Awed by your personality may we constantly worship You,
falling in love with You again and again. AMEN.
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