I Corinthians 11:23-26 ” The Lord Jesus, on the night He as betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you, do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this , whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.’ “

The Eucharist…Holy Communion…the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – these verses are used often to explain and give enlightenment to this sacred act.  But sadly,  the  receiving of Communion is often rushed or so common place that the Believer isn’t allowed the time to truly dwell on what the elements they hold in their hands mean.  Communion is a reminder of  who Jesus is and what He  has done for us.  It’s a chance to ponder where we’d be without Him.  The next time you take Communion…look at the bread and cup carefully…reflect on His goodness and mercy…meditate on what He’s done for you…and declare your thanks.

John 2:4 ” ‘Dear woman, why do you involve Me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’ “

Jesus and His mother Mary had a very special and totally unique relationship.  They shared the traditional Mother-Son bond…but because of the miraculous way Jesus was conceived, Mary had insight into just how life-changing His time on earth would be.  When the wine ran out at the wedding in Cana, Mary knew Jesus could do something about it.  But why did He change the water into wine if His time had not yet come?  He did it because He loved and honored His Mother more than any time-table or schedule.

Psalm 109:4 “In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.”

Taking the high road is often very difficult…especially when your good intentions are met with anger and resentment.  But it’s when we’re attacked and slandered that people are watching us the closest for our reaction.  Do we answer back as the world would…or as Jesus would?

Malachi 3:2 ” But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launder’s soap.”

Evil will no longer be able to prevail here on earth on the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  All wickedness and darkness will be purged from His sight as the Lord comes in His Father’s glory.  In the blink of an eye,  all will be purified and cleansed.

Revelation 3:3 ” Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

In other words…be ready!   Don’t think that maybe next year  you’ll get serious about this God thing…the time is now!  Be ready today, because you may not have tomorrow.  Wake up!   Jesus and the eternal gift of salvation is waiting.

Psalm 133: 1 ” How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”

If Christians can’t find co-operation and devotion to one another in brotherly love…who can?   Understanding, peace, and harmony must start within the Christian body and move out beyond the Church walls…for as Jesus said, “So that they may be one as we are one.”

Galations 2:21 ” I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing!”

To paraphrase in another area of Galations…Is the Law opposed to the promises of God?  Absolutely not!  The Law can’t impart life…only Jesus can give us the gift of eternal life.  The Law is just that…laws to live by, but only Jesus can save us from our sins.

Matthew 5:17 ” Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Jesus Christ came into this world to fulfill every prophecy of the coming Messiah.  By His actions and sufferings each prophecy came to fruition.  But Jesus also came to perform perfect obedience to the Law of God…thus satisfying the requirements of said Law.

Galatians 4: 7 ” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

You are a child of God.  You are loved and cherished as a precious son or daughter.  And with that comes the right to be an heir, and joint heir with Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16: 22-23 ” Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ‘Never Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to You!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’ “

Jesus had just been explaining to His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem…be killed…and then rise on the third day.  But the disciples were having a difficult time putting their heads around such an event, when suddenly Peter audaciously pulled Jesus aside and said, “God forbid!”  How many times do we want to set God right, but our own worldly view of divine workings is so askew that we’re bordering on blasphemy ourselves?