Exodus 19-21; Luke 22

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you should labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11 ESV

My pastor asked this question on Sunday, “Am I working for rest? Or am I working from rest?” More often than not, I am working for rest. But, when I take a Sabbath, I am energized to do the work that God has called me to do. When I quiet my heart and mind before Him, I remember that I’m not in control. I don’t have to frantically live my life and worry that I am falling behind. “Rest. in His strength to do it, Rest in His ways above ours, Rest in Him who is with you, in you & is 100% for you.” (Ann Voskamp)

“And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:1 ESV

Am I resting in His care for me?

“And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.” Luke 22:15-18 ESV

When I take communion, I reflect on what God did for me. That He paid the ultimate sacrifice for my sins, because He loves me that much. It strengthens my faith, knowing that His promises will be fulfilled.

Thank you Father for your faithfulness. Thank you that your law is for my protection, because you know what is best for me. Thank you for your grace and mercy. I love you. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

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Hebrews 7-10

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest, who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him.” Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT

I have been a Christian for 40 years, but sometimes I think I still need to do certain things before I can come into God’s presence. I forget that He meets me right where I am at…in all of my messiness, doubt, and confusion. He’s not wanting my perfection. He wants me to cry out to Him even when all I can utter doesn’t seem profound. He cares about my heart.

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

I think of the times that I stayed home and watched church on-line this year. While God met me there, I often felt disconnected from my fellow believers. But, when I was worshipping with them, I was encouraged by their faith. And could feel God’s presence in a powerful way. I have to fight against isolation. Satan would want me to feel disconnected and useless to the body of Christ. When in reality, my presence with them matters.

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith.” Hebrews 10:35-38 NLT

Thank you Father for making a way for me to come into your presence. I never want to lose the wonder of that. I want to trust You more. I surrender to You. I give You all the glory. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

Mark 14:12-15:47

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.” Mark 14:22-25 NLT

This is such a familiar scene that I can miss the significance of it. Images of paintings come to mind of Jesus sharing an intimate meal with the disciples before his death. He is inviting me to the table as well. To sit in His presence and remember His sacrifice. To feast on His goodness.

“And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39 NLT

Dear Father, thank you for making a way for me to enter your presence. You love me with an everlasting love. I pray that I would live from the place of being your Beloved. Amen.

Jesus said, “I Am.” And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:62 NLT

Amy(amyctanner)

Exodus 19; Luke 22; Job 37; 2 Corinthians 7

If you come to my house, chances are you will end up sitting at my favorite piece of furniture, the kitchen table. It’s made of solid black walnut grown and handcrafted in the hills of Arkansas. This table means so much to me; it seems that my family grew up here. It’s nicked and scarred. You can see the indentations left by my children’s pencils as they learned to write and work math problems. Around this table we shared countless meals and stories. It was here that our family identity was forged. If I only had one evening left to live, I would spend it here, breaking bread and listening to the stories of those I love best.

His last evening, shortly before he was betrayed, Jesus went to share the table with those he loved.

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15,16.

They broke bread and shared the Passover story throughout the meal. It was here at the table that his disciples found a new history and a new identity. They became the people of the new covenant. They heard words that would take a lifetime to appreciate.

For I tell you I will not drink again the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me… This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured our for you. Luke 22:18-20

My earthly table is one of life’s pleasures, but will one day be gone. No matter where I go, I am always invited, always encouraged to come to my Father’s table and be reminded of how he sacrificially loves me and whose family I belong to. As someone who loves good food and company, I want to celebrate the wonders of my Father’s table.

Kathy

Ezekiel 45, 46; 1 John 2

 “‘A Message from God, the Master: If the prince deeds a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it stays in the family. But if he deeds a gift from his inheritance to a servant, the servant keeps it only until the year of liberation (the Jubilee year). After that, it comes back to the prince. His inheritance is only for his sons. It stays in the family.’” Ezekiel 46:16-17 MSG

When I was born into this earth, I was given gifts of God because He died for me while I was still a sinner. He offered me grace. I didn’t recognize its worth. I took advantage of it, used it, and thrust it back in His face. It was mine to use, but only while alive in this realm. This gift of unmerited favor was never fully mine.

And then, I was reborn into His Spirit. I became His child and He offered His grace again. I accepted His gift and I was given an inheritance I will never have to return. It is mine for eternity because I am a part of the family.

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 1 John 2:15-17 MSG

The enemy doesn’t want me to walk in God’s grace, even though it is now my birthright. He does everything he can to try to take it away from me. He tempts me with worldly things and lures me into wrong thinking. He invites me to turn my back on my Father, believing that if I do, my inheritance is lost.

Sometimes I trip and fall, but like the prodigal son discovered, my Father will never leave me nor forsake me. Even though I may have run away in sin, when I face Him again with repentance and humility, I am welcomed with open arms and great joy. My position as daughter is redeemed and my inheritance is restored to me.

I am a coheir with Christ. I am a daughter of the King by spiritual birth. I am a princess. I am no longer a servant. When I stepped into the role of sonship, by believing in my heart and confessing with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, I stepped into a new set of rules, the new covenant. When I was a servant I was bound in sin; I had to work to prove my value. Now, as an heir, my value lies in the priceless blood of Jesus. I am forever accepted. My inheritance is eternal grace.

Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!  1 John 2:24-25 MSG

Blessings – Julie, Vadipatti, India