Good morning! The Lord is so good. He makes all things new. Even His mercies are new every morning. Today we will continue our reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 11, verses 23-26 with Paul reminding the Corinthian church and us of the importance and meaning of the Lord’s Supper (see yesterday’s devotion). Join me as we continue to read 1 Corinthians. 

Bible Verse – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NLT

“²³ For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread  ²⁴ and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.^[f] Do this in remembrance of me.”  ²⁵ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”  ²⁶ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”

Reflection

Generally, on the first Sunday of the month churches serve communion, which is in remembrance of the Lord’s supper (Eucharist). The Oxford dictionary defines communion as:

1. the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.
2. the service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared.

The word communion reminds me of a common unity that the church and its members share. A unity because of Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross so long ago, and His blood that was shed to save those whom He gave His life for (you, me and all those who believe/ will believe).

The call to remember Jesus Christ’s selfless sacrifice on the cross, the blood that was shed and the cleansing and forgiveness of our sins is what we are called to do/ remember until He returns. Without the shedding of blood there could not be forgiveness from sin and through which the cleansing and a new relationship with God was made.

Sisters and brothers, the body that was broken for us (represented as the bread) and the blood that was shed for us (represented as wine/juice) will never lose its’ power to save. We should always remember that the Lord came for you, me and the rest of this world. While we know Jesus’s abundant love for us took Him to the cross, our personal sins nailed Jesus to the cross, we also know that salvation is only possible because of His perfect sacrifice provided forgiveness of our sins. While we are not perfect, we know God is and in His perfections he sent his one and only son Jesus to save us – He is perfecting us daily.

Sunday begins a new month, but today is a new day to fall in love with the One who loves us the most. Let us live in community, remembering Jesus and His love for you and your neighbor (e.g., family, friends, community and the world).

Question: This Sunday, is the first Sunday will you remember Christ through communion, through the message of the cross?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for today. Thank you for the forgiveness of sins and for the opportunity to be reconciled to you. Lord, we don’t want to forget who you are and what you’ve done for us. Lord, we don’t want to be selfish with the message of your love and forgiveness. Lord, forgive us for the times when we have been too self-absorbed to remember You and what You did and continue to do for us. Lord, forgive us for the times when we turned a blind eye toward the hurt, loss and needy. Lord, we want to be a living and loving example of you. Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit within us and let it overflow into our homes, our relationships, the streets, our schools and jobs. Lord, be with us today as we seek to serve you and love others. Continue to perfect us daily.

Lord, we ask for prayer and healing for the two men who have cancer – a neighbor and a father. We ask for three women battling cancer – two friends and a niece. Lord, we also pray for each person around the world who is battling cancer. Lord, bring forth an affordable and less evasive treatment, and make it available to everyone with cancer. Lord, you are the One who can heal everyone. Lord, heal them in Jesus name. Lord, heal the sick, broken, loss, least, last – and left out. Lord, while your word says the poor will also be with us, your word also says that you are The provider, comforter, sustainer, refuge, peace, and way-maker. Lord, you are the Truth – be everything for our communities, families, and nation that your word says you are. Provide stable and permanent employment for those in need. Heal marriages – husbands and wives from the enemies financial, physical, emotional, and mental attacks. Lord, be with those who are in school and help them to remain committed and consistent. Help them with their class assignments, etc. LORD, heal relationships and make them healthy – help us to establish healthy boundaries that glorify you and give us knowledge and wisdom to release relationships that are harmful and manipulated. Lord, poor out your peace as we trust you with everything in our lives.

In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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Bible Study

Each Thursday for the next 6 weeks we will meet via Zoom from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PST. We are studying One in a Million written by Priscilla Shirer. This study is in-depth and filled with insightful Biblical context. Come join us. For more information or for the Zoom link send an email to:contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Board and Volunteer Meetings:

Here’s the schedule for our bi-monthly meetings, on the second Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m.:

• March 14
• May 9
• July 11
• August 8
• October 10
• December 12

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. 

Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

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