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Daily devotion

3/5/2020

  Communion
by Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: I Corinthians 11:23-34
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Scripture Quote: “As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God’s blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, Take it and eat 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 said, each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many. Matthew 26:26-28 (NLT)

            As Jesus’ time on earth was nearing an end, He instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night of the Passover meal. Just as Passover celebrates deliverance from slavery in Egypt, so the Lord’s Supper celebrates deliverance from sin by Christ’s death and resurrection.

            All Christians basically believe that partaking of Communion is an important element in the Christian faith and that however we understand it, Christ’s presence in us strengthens us spiritually. So it is important that we partake as often as possible. It is also meant to remind us of our Savior and what He gave for our freedom from sin.

Meditation for today: “There existed from all eternity a perfect love between the Father and the Son and between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. All that God created is an extension of that love.” Jonathan Edwards

Memory Verse: “Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized Him as He was breaking the bread. Luke 24:35

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Daily devotion

3/4/2020

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Charity Instead of Vengeance
by Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Genesis 26
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Scripture Quote: “So Isaac prepared a great feast for them, and they ate and drank in preparation for the treaty ceremony.” Genesis 26:30 (NLT)

            Isn’t it sad that the most common response to poor treatment from others is to plot something bad to befall them? We automatically seek vengeance to sooth our inevitable pride. We seek public sympathy and privately think hateful things. This kind of behavior really has no place in the life of a follower of Christ.

            Actually, if we are honest, we can think of as many wrongs that we have dealt with others as have been dealt with us. We like to rationalize these facts away in the midst of our indignant tempest. Isaac, who had good reason to be bitter, didn’t respond with anger. Instead, he showed mercy and charity to King Abimelech who had previously been jealous of Isaac’s wealth. He had Isaac’s wells filled with dirt and drove Isaac away. Still, Isaac chose Christ’s peaceful way to treat King Abimelech.

We can be just as receptive to those who want to make peace with us. Often, God’s influence in our lives draws others to us, even enemies - We can take those opportunities to reach out to them with God’s love.

            Isaac compromised for the sake of peace. Would you be willing to forsake your pride to keep the peace? Is it hard for you to humble yourself in front of others?

Meditation for the day: The trouble with taking revenge when we are mistreated is that none of us can claim complete innocence.

Memory Verse: “We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we decided we should have a treaty, a covenant between us.” Genesis 26:28

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Daily devotion

3/2/2020

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Blessings And Peace Be With You
by Toi Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: John 20: 19-23
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Scripture Quote: “Jesus said to him, because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:29 (NASB)
            How many times has fear turned into delight when we recognize the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives? When Jesus miraculously came through locked doors and blessed His followers with peace, fear was completely negated. The nail prints in His hands, and the spear scar in His side, proved to them that Jesus had defeated death and had risen once again. What a sight that must have been!
            Jesus’ transferred the job of proclaiming peace and blessings to His disciples, then and now. His peace is now our peace, and it’s ours to share with those we come in contact with in our everyday experience. Christ’s teachings were meant to continue through each believer.
            It’s sometimes scary to step out in faith and talk about the gospel to nonbelievers. Some of us are not very brave when it comes to the possibility of confronting rejection from others. But we have been given a job that will enrich those we approach. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to turn a heart toward Christ, but it is our job to offer the suggestion and extend the invitation because God’s blessings and peace are too wonderful to be stingily hoarded for ourselves simply because we may feel a little awkward.
Today’s meditation: Risk sharing the blessings and peace you have been given with someone new.
Memory Verse: “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”         Psalms 34:14 (NASB)

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Daily devotion

3/2/2020

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  Blessed Wealth
by Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Ruth 2
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Scripture Quote: “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.” I Corinthians 1:26 (NLT)

            No amount of money can replace, purchase or bypass Christ’s work on the cross. If it could, only the wealthy could buy their way into eternity – God forbid! No, those who cling tightly to their acquired wealth, store it up in vain.

            In Ruth’s story, we see a wealthy man, Boaz, who understands his responsibility to the poor. Ruth humbled herself by following the harvesters and picking up any left over grain she could find. This act of Ruth’s, called gleaning, was set up by Israelite law as a means of providing for the poor who were willing to humble themselves and also willing to work. The rich owners of the field were grateful for all the wealth they had accumulated from their grain and rather than hoard it all, they shared with those less fortunate. Their ability to share made them blessed.

Meditation for today: It is always wonderful to see people with a good deal of money spread it around by giving to others in need. Their wealth is truly blessed when they know its source and they have a joyful heart full of gratitude that is demonstrated in generosity.

Memory Verse: “And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 (NLT)

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