Communion and Jesus' Sacrifice by Ann Elaine Broughton

“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19 NIV).
Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who gave their lives serving our country. In the church our memorial is communion. It is a time to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. He gave His life willingly as the ultimate sacrifice. This is something we should remember with a solemn heart.
Our church has communion every Sunday. Some say that it is too often, but I don’t think so. For me it is a very important part of the worship and a very good reason to go to church every Sunday. When I take communion I reflect on what I saw in “The Passion” movie. I see Jesus being beaten with a whip until his back was in shreds. I see the people spitting on him. I hear the nails being pounded into his flesh on the cross. I hear the jeering of the crowd telling him to come off of the cross. Then I am humbled beyond what I can describe to you. He did all that for you and me. He suffered beyond what I could ever endure so that my sins could be forgiven. Then as I meditate on these things, I feel a love fill my soul for such a Savior who would choose to suffer for me. It is a time for me to forget about the cares of this world, and sit and reflect on my Savior’s love for everyone. It is so very meaningful.
But if you take communion in a flippant manner, then you will be guilty of sin. “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:27-28 NIV). You see it is a time of self-reflection. For me it is a time to reflect on the past week and think about if I have behaved in a manner not worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. I repent if something comes to my mind that I need to confess. Then I pray that God will help me during the coming week to not do that particular sin again. We are all human and we make mistakes. Communion for me is a time to confess those sins and then to try to be more like Christ during the coming week.
So as you celebrate Memorial Day, also reflect on Jesus’ great sacrifice for you.
Dear Lord,
Help us when we take communion to take it in a serious manner knowing that the sacrifice of Jesus’ life for our sins was the ultimate sacrifice. Help us to reflect on our lives and how we can strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Our Wonderful Counselor by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Jesus is our counselor. He is always available without making an appointment. You won’t be put on hold when you call on His name.
You won’t have to sit in a waiting room thumbing through magazines for an hour because everyone knows that no doctor or psychologist is on time. You will be counseled by the most perfect person in the world, who was tempted in every way but did not give in to that temptation. What human can say that? He has been ridiculed and mocked so he can relate to you if you are being persecuted by someone. He has known grief when his very good friend, Lazarus died so He understands when you suffer agony over the loss of a friend or loved one. He was betrayed by one that He had chosen to be part of the twelve, a group who He taught specifically to be the ones who formed the foundation of the church. Because of this betrayal He was brutally crucified and yet He forgave all those who participated in it.
So He understands if you have been betrayed by a friend or your spouse. He will help you to forgive and move on with your life.
He knows what it is to be without food for awhile, since He went without food for forty days and nights. He knows your needs and will help you. “So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What Shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33 NIV). Jesus was in agony in the garden when he was praying before he was crucified. He understands how you are feeling if you are facing something that is anguishing: such as cancer or any debilitating illness. He will give you peace. There have been times when I have been in great need and cried out to the Lord to help me. Then I felt a peace flood over my soul that can’t even be put into words. This peace is also available to everyone who calls upon the Lord for help. He is our Great Counselor. He loves you with a love that no human can give. Just trust Him and pour out your hear to Him. He is always available.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes it is too easy just to wallow in self-pity, instead of carrying our burdens and needs to you. We know that you are our Wonderful Counselor who hears our prayers and answers them. Give us peace in the midst of turmoil. Thank you for your peace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

The Good Shepherd by Ann Elaine Broughton

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me……..My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” ( John 10:14, 27-28 NIV).

How can Jesus being the good shepherd relate to you now? At the time when Jesus was living there were many shepherds in the area where he lived. He used the above words because the people who were listening to him could relate to him better when he made a connection of the shepherd and His own purpose on earth. We are in many ways like sheep. Sheep will follow one another everywhere. If one jumps the others will jump even if there is nothing to jump over. They run away and get lost and it is the shepherd’s job to go and find them and bring them back to the flock.

We have a tendency to follow the crowd and do things that aren’t Christ-like. We go astray like the sheep and wander around in a world that is dangerous and full of temptations. Jesus calls us by name but too many times we are caught up in worldly desires so much that we don’t want to listen. "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:3-4 NIV). Jesus our shepherd is calling us by name while we wander in the wilderness of sin and hopelessness. It is up to us to listen to His voice and run to his arms to receive his forgiveness and grace. Jesus is our shepherd who loves us. "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:11 NIV). I like to imagine Jesus holding me close to His heart when I am having struggles with temptations or when life's burdens threaten to overwhelm me. I picture myself in His arms safe and sound, and secure in His love. In order to hear His voice we need to be still long enough to meditate in prayer. Be sure to take time every day to just sit and listen. He is calling your name.

Dear Lord,
The world is full of things that tempt us and there are times when we stray. Help us to hear your voice and come running to you knowing that you are full of grace and mercy.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Our Redeemer by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 NIV).

Jesus is our Redeemer. What does being redeemed mean? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary among the definitions of redeemed is to free from what distresses or harms: as to free from captivity by payment of ransom or to free from the consequences of sin. Jesus came to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He gave His life so that we could some day have eternal life with Him. Before He came the Jews had to make sacrifices all the time for their sins. It was a continuous process. Jesus came to be the sacrifice to end all of the other sacrifices. We owed a debt because of our sins and Jesus paid it for us. He went to the cross willingly knowing what was ahead of him; the agony, the beatings, and the humiliation. He did that because He loved you and I so much that He wanted us to have a part in the Heavenly kingdom. Being redeemed is so wonderful because it is a gift that God has given us with no strings attached. We are to accept it and then live for Him.
When I was a kid my mom saved S&H green stamps. She would get them from purchases and save them up to get items from the S&H catalogue. We would look at the catalog and pick out something that we could save the stamps for. Then after we filled up a bunch of books we would redeem them for our wonderful gift. It was exciting to finally get it because it usually took a bunch of stamps to get it. But in the end it was so worth it. Our wonderful gift that we get from Christ’s redemption is eternal life which is the one gift that is better than all the riches in the world.
What have you done with your Redeemer? Have you thanked Him lately for the sacrifice He gave for you? Are you living a life that is pleasing to Him?
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for redeeming us from our sins. We know that we aren’t worthy, but that it was a gift to us. Help us to remember that sacrifice and live a life that pleases you every day.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen