– Scripture:

So, my friends, when you come together to the Lord’s Table, be reverent and courteous with one another. If you’re so hungry that you can’t wait to be served, go home and get a sandwich. But by no means risk turning this Meal into an eating and drinking binge or a family squabble. It is a spiritual meal—a love feast. I’ll respond to the other things you asked about in person when I make my next visit.

                               1 Corinthians 11:33–34 MSG

 – Reflection:

                 It’s About More Than a Meal

When we celebrate, we often forget to honor the one who created us and instead focus on ourselves. I have been to many gatherings where we started the celebrations before everyone arrived because people were hungry. Our relationships with God are more important than the food we eat. It’s about connecting with the people we share our lives with or the bond between two people becoming one. The meal is what brings everyone together, but the real message comes through the fellowship. If the food is the most important thing to you, then maybe it’s better to celebrate alone at home. Most of the time, a dinner invitation is about much more than just having a meal.

Where do we go from here?

This passage relates to what Paul has been teaching the Corinthians about the Lord’s Supper. He chastised them for missing the point of the feast. When the church comes together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, it’s not supposed to be like any other dinner party. It’s not about the menu; people eat without any consideration for others who have not yet arrived. They drink to excess at the Lord’s Supper! They fail to recognize the community at the heart of the feast. They fail to recognize how the feast brings them into communion with one another and with the Lord. As you prepare your hearts to come to the feast, take time to consider what it means to you, what it means to us, and what it means for the world. By doing so, we know the abundant love God has for us all. Now that’s something worth celebrating! 

Our Prayer for Today

Father, we thank you, for the feast you have prepared for us all. As we break bread and share the fruit of our labor, may we come into deeper communion with one another and with you. We pray through Jesus, the bread of life. Amen. 

– Scripture:

When a gentle southerly breeze came up, they weighed anchor, thinking it would be smooth sailing. But they were no sooner out to sea than a gale-force wind, the infamous nor’easter, struck. They lost all control of the ship. It was a cork in the storm. We came under the lee of the small island named Clauda, and managed to get a lifeboat ready and reef the sails. But rocky shoals prevented us from getting close. We only managed to avoid them by throwing out drift anchors.

                             Acts 27:13–17 MSG

– Reflection:

                   A Storm At Sea

When all hope had been given up of being saved, the captain decided to stop fighting the storm, lowered the sails, and let the wind blow them. But when they shipwrecked on the island of Malta, Paul shared the good news with the islanders, and many were healed and became believers. What looked like a setback in God’s plan for Paul was actually a divine detour to move him to people in need. God promised Paul that he would stand trial before Caesar in Rome, but the ship he was on was caught for fourteen days in a huge storm with hurricane-force winds. Before doing something GOD told us to do there may be other work more pressing that needs to be completed first.

Where do we go from here?

We can stand against sickness, addictions, and abusive situations, there are some storms and troubles that are leading to where God wants you to go. You have to quit trying to make it work out your way. Sometimes a spiritual detour may happen. If you fight it, you’re not going to win. What you can’t see is that trouble is transportation, moving you into your purpose, perhaps into a position to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that the winds and waves that we face today cannot stop Your plan for our lives. Thank You that our purpose is firmly and securely anchored in You. We believe and declare that the storms and detours cannot defeat us and are pushing us into our destinies. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

– Scripture:

“Now be on your way. Gather the leaders of Israel. Tell them, ‘God, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I’ve looked into what’s being done to you in Egypt, and I’ve determined to get you out of the affliction of Egypt and take you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, a land brimming over with milk and honey.” ’ “Believe me, they will listen to you. Then you and the leaders of Israel will go to the king of Egypt and say to him: ‘God, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness where we will worship God—our God.’ “I know that the king of Egypt won’t let you go unless forced to, so I’ll intervene and hit Egypt where it hurts—oh, my miracles will send them reeling!—after which they’ll be glad to send you off. I’ll see to it that this people get a hearty send-off by the Egyptians—when you leave, you won’t leave empty-handed! Each woman will ask her neighbor and any guests in her house for objects of silver and gold, for jewelry and extra clothes; you’ll put them on your sons and daughters. Oh, you’ll clean the Egyptians out!”

                               Exodus 3:16–22 MSG

– Reflection:

                 Transfer Is On The Way

Egypt had more wealth and affluence than any other country. As the Israelites were leaving Egypt, they didn’t leave empty-handed. A transfer took place. The Egyptians had oppressed them for years and forced them to work without pay and in unfair conditions. While their oppressors lived in nice homes with whatever they needed, the Israelites had suffered lack, not having enough. But the time came when God said, “I’m going to take from those who are not using their resources for the right purposes and transfer them into the hands of My people.” The Israelites went into the desert loaded with wealth from their oppressors. Those actions in the Bible mean that we can’t just wait for something to be transferred over to us. There had to have been a stage of work that brought this transfer into reality. The slaves worked their butts off, so when the transfer of riches happened, sure, they were surprised but also ready to receive some payment for the services they had performed for so many years.

Where do we go from here?

Even though they had worked and prepared for the transfer of some of the wealth of Egypt, I am not sure they knew how to handle what they had received. The story says that they were only a few miles away from the promised land but were made to wander around in the desert for 40 years because of perversions, idol worship, and lawless bunches of people. God knows how to transfer resources, influence, and abundance. We have to ready ourselves for all that he is doing behind the scenes of our lives. You may be in a situation that looks as though you’re stuck, you’re at a disadvantage, you’re not being treated right. My encouragement is to stay in peace and keep doing the right thing. You will get there in God’s time.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for being a God of justice and for keeping records of all your people. Thank you for the time when you say “enough is enough” and it’s payday. I believe that things are about to shift in our favor and that a transfer is on the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

– Scripture:

Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

                               John 20:29 MSG

– Reflection:

                Don’t Rely on Signs

When Thomas heard that Jesus had risen from the dead, he said he wouldn’t believe it unless he saw physical evidence. Even though you haven’t seen it, you continue to believe. God says that because you believe without a sign, blessing is coming, healing is coming, victory is coming. Don’t be like Thomas and say, “God, show me a sign, open this door, change my circumstances, then I’ll believe.” God is looking for people who believe without a sign, who don’t need evidence to prove to them that He is working.

Where do we go from here?

It’s important to be open to signs, but it’s also crucial not to rely solely on them. Instead of asking for proof, we should demonstrate our faith in difficult times and prove that we won’t waver in the face of challenges. Our faith should kick in even when there’s no evidence, and we should stand firm in our beliefs regardless of the circumstances.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for being worthy of our unconditional trust. There are things in our lives that we don’t understand and situations we want to see changed. However, even if things don’t happen the way we hope, we are still going to trust you. We choose to stand in faith and be blessed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

– Scripture:

The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hell-bent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb preaching, of all things! to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself both Jews and Greeks Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tiny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.”

                              1 Corinthians 1:18–25 MSG

Key Verse – Human wisdom is so tiny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.

– Reflection:

Can we appreciate the way God chooses to reveal himself in our world. It’s like an ongoing riddle, where God consistently shows up through the weak and foolish. May you be open today to recognizing God’s presence in unexpected places. Riddles encourage us to think outside the box and see the real potential of things beyond face value.

Where do we go from here?

The passage from 1 Corinthians shows us that what may seem foolish and weak in the eyes of the world actually embodies the spirit of Christ. When we embrace the seemingly foolish act of giving without expecting anything in return, we are embodying Christ’s spirit. Also, when we show what may appear as weakness, such as serving as a greeter or offering forgiveness and mercy, we are actually reflecting the life of Christ. Still, when we welcome and support the weak and marginalized, we are truly seeing the face of Jesus.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, Please slow our mouths and open our ears that we might listen for your presence among us. Allow us to see the ways of your kingdom and the values of your world that we might join along in the foolishness of faith. Amen.