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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 15th
In His time…
But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from
sacrificing to them. Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around
him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe
- Acts 14:18-20
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Today, we continue to focus on the same subject incident in Apostle Paul’s First Missionary journey at Lystra-we had dwelt upon yesterday-though we shall
look at a different dimension vis-à-vis the same episode. Those who had stoned Paul thought apparently
that he was dead but God’s time for the end of Apostle Paul’s ministry in this world had not come as evidenced
in the above-captioned Scripture portion. Let it be said that if we are God’s temple
(1 Cor 3:16)
and that every cell in our body belongs to God, then it is in His hands and His hands alone
to set the time (Psalm 31:15 NKJV)
for our departure from this world.
Do not we notice in Jesus’ life, how many times He unwillingly “diced with death” till He
made his tryst with destiny at the Cross in the manner Scriptures foretold
(Psalm 22:16)?
He had to lay down His life in the cross and no where else
(John 8:20),
because publicly He had to triumph over sin and Satan
(Colossians 2:15).
Had he died in any remote corner when King Herod was after his life
(Matt 2:13-16) or at Nazareth
(4:28-30) or in Jerusalem temple
(John 8:58-59), even then pure, holy, innocent blood would have been shed but how
could Scriptures be fulfilled (Matt 26:52-54)? The atoning death of Jesus in full
public glare was to help the disciples in heralding the Gospel (Acts 26:26),
impressing one and all that Jesus death REALLY took place and it was for a Divine purpose.
So dear children of God…none of us who are fully obedient to Him would die before
his/her time comes (exceptions are of course the likes of flagrantly disobedient Corinthian believers
– I Cor 11:27-30) and when the time to die does come, you would have accomplished what all the good Lord had planned for you.
Prayer:
Prayer: Lord Jesus, our times are in Thy hands. Living or dying enable us to glorify Thee at all times. AMEN..
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