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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 21th
Seizing oppurtunities
“Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.
“People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this?
And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness?”-
Acts 3:12
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While on the subject of the growth of the Early Church, today, let’s look at one
of the attributes of the its pillar- Apostle Peter- which defined his
evangelistic work.
Not only on the Pentecostal day but also on yet another day soon, in the Temple premises we see Peter
cashing in on the opportunity to share the Gospel that came his way, following a stunning miracle
of curing a lame man.
The result of Peter’s enthusiastic initiative? “…many of the people who heard their
(use of a plural, as John too joined Peter in speaking to the crowd) message believed it, so
the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children."
Acts 4:4
Like in a Soccer goalmouth action, in the process of sharing the Good news too about God’s saving grace
through Christ, opportunism (the word is sanctified when used in connection with evangelism) is very vital.
One has to be constantly on the look out for an opportunity and once it arises, it needs to be not so much
taken as grabbed. Would we not be zealous in sharing about a doctor who has cured us of say a deadly disease
like cancer with others, so that they too suffering of the same disease can avail his services? So should
we not exhibit the same fire, in sharing with spiritually sick people, the good news about the spiritual
doctor who has cured us of the worst spiritual disease –SIN, so that they too can be cleansed of their disease?
Remember a Church, which doesn’t evangelize will fossilize! How are we faring on the evangelism front?
Prayer:
Father, in keeping with our call, make us enthusiastic “fishers of men”, who will not forego a single opportunity of
speaking about Thy redeeming grace with the needy souls. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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