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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 23rd
A Badge of honour
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,
for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures.
They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13
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Let’s continue to dwell on the scene we focused upon yesterday. As we noted in our meditation yesterday,
the Apostles were not really World-shakers before the Day of the Pentecost arrived but after the Pentecostal
experience, there was an authority and conviction in their disposition, which was at once unmistakable.
No wonder, the Jewish religious leaders, before whom they stood and spoke-up for their Lord, marveled
at what being with Jesus had done to these “unschooled, ordinary men”!
The fact of the matter is the Apostles’ were products of Jesus’ training, both when He was with them
physically (for three and half years) and WITHIN them in the person of the Holy Spirit since the Day
of the Pentecost. Are the people being amazed on seeing our passion and commitment too, in the same
way the Jewish religious leaders’, were amazed on seeing the fiery zeal in the Apostles. Can the
discerning World observe the fact that the same unchanging Jesus
(Heb 13:9)
is both WITH AND WITHIN US?
If it does, it would be the BIGGEST BADGE OF HONOR adorning our chest!
Prayer:
Father, apart from bringing Thee glory, what else is the purpose of our lives.
Enable us to continue bringing glory to Your Holy Name, by virtue of our inspirational lives,
which would enthuse our brethren. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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