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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
39th Lent Day
Prayerful “Dream team”
“Then the apostles returned (after ascension) to Jerusalem from the Mount of
Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs
room of the house where they were staying.
Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip,
Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas
(son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with
Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.”
– Acts 1:12-14
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As I began to pen down my thoughts for today’s meditation centered on the Book of Acts,
I could not but reminisce 1992 Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain where for the first time,
NBA professionals were allowed to participate. Previously the Olympics “embodying the amateur spirit”
had barred them, and then wiser counsel (why should the world be denied seeing the world’s best in action?)
prevailed. The result? There was a “ Dream team” comprising legends such as Michael Jordan and “Magic”
Johnson playing for Stars and stripes flag, which was nothing short of a dream-come- true for any Basketball
fan barring perhaps the opponents of the U.S. team (for them it may have been a nightmare-come-true!!!).
The “Dream team” of Jesus, which turned the World upside down, had no “stars” drawn from any elite or
scholarly group. On the other hand, most of them were simple folk (for instance four of them were fishermen),
whom the Lord used to accomplish astounding feats. Talk of strengths creating competition amongst men and
weakness’ binding them…
Closer scrutiny of Jesus’ team would also reveal the coming together and pulling together of 2 men with
diametrically opposed views. If at one end of the spectrum was Matthew (the erstwhile pro-Roman tax collector)
and at the other was Simon the Zealot (belonged to a party which advocated violent overthrow of the Roman government).
Talk of sinking the differences for the common good cause!
Jesus had asked them to tarry at Jerusalem till the Holy Spirit baptized them with “tongues of fire”
(Acts 1:4-5).
So there they waited and how! BY CONSTANTLY PRAYING! There was no frenzied hurry in their
disposition but only poise borne out of implicit faith, even as they waited for the appointed hour.
Prayer:
Father more than the ability, you had always sought our availability because enablement for any great work would come
from thee, the moment we surrender ourselves to thy will. Here we are putting ourselves at thy disposal.
Use us for thy glory. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.
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