For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 1 Corinthians 11:26.
The salvation of men depends upon a continual application to their hearts of the cleansing blood of Christ. Therefore, the Lord’s Supper was not to be observed only occasionally or yearly, but more frequently than the annual Passover. This solemn ordinance commemorates a far greater event than the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. That deliverance was typical of the great atonement which Christ made by the sacrifice of His own life for the final deliverance of His people.
This ordinance is not to be exclusive, as many would make it. Each must participate in it publicly, and thus bear witness: I accept Christ as my personal Saviour. He gave His life for me, that I might be rescued from death.
The communion service points to Christ’s second coming. It was designed to keep this hope vivid in the minds of the disciples. Whenever they met together to commemorate His death, they recounted how “he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:27-29. In their tribulation they found comfort in the hope of their Lord’s return. Unspeakably precious to them was the thought, “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” …
Christ has instituted this service that it may speak to our senses of the love of God…. There can be no union between our souls and God except through Christ. The union and love between brother and brother must be cemented and rendered eternal by the love of Jesus. And nothing less than the death of Christ could make His love efficacious for us. It is only because of His death that we can look with joy to His second coming. His sacrifice is the center of our hope.
The Faith I Live By p. 302
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep me in prayer. I’m not feeling well from the a-fib I have been recently diagnosed with and I’m having breathing problems. Rose
—-Please pray for my daughter’s safety at the university. She has a crafty and jealous roommate. Rosemary
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Dear Friends,
When Ronnie Jay was a little boy, I always thought that he would become a zoologist or a statistician. He loved nature. He had a special interest in insects. He also asked questions that made me think that someday he would work with statistics. As we would drive by a lake, he would ask how many fish were in it. Inside I would be thinking, “Who cares?” I did not want to dampen his inquisitiveness, however, so I would explain how scientists would arrive at the approximate number of fish in any given lake.
If my son would look at a tree, he would raise the question, “How many leaves?” Again, I would explain how the scientists would count the leaves in a representative area on the tree and then multiply that by the total area to arrive at the amount. As he got older, he found statistics, any kind of statistics, fascinating. When his interest turned to sports, he knew the statistics of every player, every game.
Do we have as much interest in knowing God’s Word as Ronnie Jay did in knowing the statistics in his various interests throughout his life? Yet, when dealing with spiritual things, we must have more than just a mental knowledge of its truths. Just knowing doctrine will do little good. We must have a vital connection with the One Who gave us the doctrine. Jesus says to us as He said to Nicodemus on that long-ago night, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . .Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:3-5
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:16-21 Think of it! Even though “we ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another, after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:3-8
How vital to our walk with God is meditating upon His Word. Through God’s Word, “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Heb 2:9-11He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! No one can come unto the Father, except through accepting His great Provision.
From Genesis to Revelation, our Dear Saviour is revealed. Therefore, the Scriptures must become a part of our very being. As we read, we are changed by its precepts. As Paul explains, “we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 4:12
How important that we set aside time each day to become better acquainted with our Living Lord. As we read, we will find that the temptations of the evil one hold less of an interest for us. David sang, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psa 19:7-11; 119:9-11
May we daily renew our walk with Jesus inviting Him to be the Captain of our salvation, ever ooking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2 May we daily meditate upon His Holy Word, knowing that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim 3:16,17 May we allow His Holy Spirit to change us into the image of our Dear Saviour by beholding Him in all the Scriptures is my prayer. (Luke 24:27)
Rose
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As Oft as ye Eat and Drink