A Covenant Meal

For most couples that get married, rings are exchanged during the wedding ceremony. The rings are a reminder that you are now in a lifetime covenant relationship with a partner whom each has chosen.

When an individual gives their life to Christ and is resurrected into the spiritual life through baptism, he/she enters into a lifetime covenant relationship with Christ.

For the baptized believer, the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:17-30) is taken as a reminder of Christ’s unwavering commitment, unquenchable love, limitless grace, enduring sacrifice, and forgiveness.

Christ’s endurance through a horrific beating at the hands of a hateful and cruel people is a demonstration that He did not give in, or up when suffering was harsh, extreme, and painful. (Matthew 27:27-44)

Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

The bread and the wine is a reminder of the lifetime covenant relationship believers have with God because of Christ. Any believer who keeps Christ as the centerpiece of their daily life will endure all the extreme and painful sufferings they face.

For those who chose to remember Christ sacrifice through the taking of the Lord’s Supper will be strengthen and renewed. As the wedding band is a reminder of a covenant relationship with a spouse, the Lord’s Supper in a reminder of the covenant relationship we have with God because of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 says, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was 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.”

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Protection

Spending a week at the beach is my kind of vacation.  There is nothing like sitting on the beach in the evening and listening to the waves crash onto the shore.  It is a relaxing feeling that I do not get anywhere else. 

During the day, the beach is full of swimmers, surfer wannabe’s, castle builders, beach walkers, and then there are those who just can’t get tan enough soaping themselves down in tanning lotion just hoping to get that right skin tone.  For me, it is throwing the football with my son, covering my daughter from neck to toe in sand, and walking along the beach with my wife.  

The beach is totally serenity for me! No thoughts but beach thoughts.  It is my heaven on earth…UNTIL…until we leave the beach and begin to dry off and noticed how fiery red my legs were.  Apparently, before going to the beach I did not give my legs the opportunity to explore the outside world and discover the glory of the sun.  Furthermore, I did not give my legs the needed care of sunscreen to protect them from the suns brutal attack.  My day of heaven on earth is now feeling like I just stepped out of the fire.  How could this be?  I still have a few more days of vacation.  I know it wasn’t the suns fault for it was only doing what the sun is supposed to do…SHINE! 

Protection is vitally important, not only for beach bums like me, but also in our daily lives.  The right protection is a necessity to keep us from being “burned” by satanic attacks.  Learning the lessons of sun protection is one thing; but learning the lesson from Satan protection is another.  The Apostle Peter said, 1^st Peter 5:8“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (NLT)  Staying alert is vital for the protection of life morally, spiritually, and ethically. 

One of my mottos is, “the best time to get dressed is before we ever get out of the bed.” The way that we get dressed before we ever get out of the bed is pray on our protection to fight against the brutal attacks from Satan.

Ephesians 6:11 says to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (NLT)  The full armor has many protection abilities to keep us from falling victim to Satan’s attacks:

Belt: Keeping truth securely fitted in ones life will aid in saying no to Satan’s trickeries.

Body Armor: Body armor represent staying right with God even when it is hard to resist.

Shoes: Shoes are the foundational tread to walk through the trials and tribulations of life.

Shield: Protects our faith as different types of sinful testing bombard us. 

Helmet: Keeps our head thinking right and does not allow Satan to twist truth.

Sword: An offensive weapon to use in spiritual combat…the Word of God.

All the armor of God is vital for the ultimate protection of attacks that come from Satan.  We cannot get half dressed spiritually and expect full protection from the evil one.  He will find the weak and vulnerable places and penetrate full force.  It is imperative to spend the time each day dressing for spiritual success.  

The next time I go to the beach, I will make sure I have a FULL bottle of sunscreen and the next time I get ready to get out of bed, I will get spiritually dress by praying for protection for my decisions, my attitude, the places I go, and the responses I give to people.  I will read the Bible to guide me in right living, and I will not hinder the Spirit to do what the Spirit is supposed to do in my life…PROTECT ME!

Remember, Be God Controlled,

Brian

Workplace Behavior

You invest more than one-third of your life at work.  You start the engine at 6:00 a.m. You punch the clock, boot up the computer, eat lunch at noon, but trying to keep your mind and body focused until the buzzer sounds can be difficult. You do that same routine day after day.

How does your relationship with God grow in all this? The temptation is to separate your life into two parts:  At the job and with the church family.   What do others at the workplace expect me to be?  Some practical advice on how to live out Jesus in the workplace:

Let co-workers see your faith in action

Your friends at work know about your faith because...

     You have mentioned that you are involved with a local church family.

     You've told them that you would pray for them as they go through a crisis.

     There's just that "something" about you that is different and attractive.

     They've seen you go through a crisis and still maintain a Christ-like attitude.

Whatever your style, ask the Lord to make your life a "sweet fragrance of Him" 

2^nd Corinthians 2:14.  Look for ways to model your faith and "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  1 Peter 3:15

Stay focused

Do you ever find yourself thinking ...

     "How in the world did I end up here?"

     "I may look like I have it 'all together,' but I hope no one realizes how afraid I am."

     "What do people expect of me? Am I doing a good job?"

     "How do I let my faith show in this place?"

Centuries ago, a woman named Esther shared some of the same lessons. Her life - and yours - can be summed up in Esther 4:14: "Who knows [if God hasn't placed you here] for such a time as this?" God is always walking with you no matter the events in your life so that you will always trust Him.   As you head off to work tomorrow, believe that God is in the workplace with you.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian