MMMR

The action words on Christ's part have been noted in prior posts. The action that Jesus requests from us is "This DO in remembrance of me." Midge

Participating in communion is a special time of remembrance and renewal for me. Eating and drinking the bread and wine as the pastor or celebrant says "Take and eat, the Body of Christ" and "Take, drink, the blood of Christ" fills me with thankfulness that Christ lived and died in my stead so that now He can live IN me. The bread & wine become a part of me physically and I am now to be Christ to others. (I can't do this, obviously, but the Spirit of Christ must live in me if I am to reflect Christ in my daily living.) The physical act of eating & drinking is so common and ordinary; and our lives in Christ should be that too...daily, common, what we are and what we do. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we live as witnesses to the faith we share. And yet, the sharing of The Lord's Supper is anything BUT common and ordinary. It is filled with power and the love of God for all of us. "This do in remebrance of me." Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow! Midge

Hezekiah trusted God to answer his prayer; he however, reminded God that he was loyal to Him thus pleaded that God would hear him. Our unrighteousness can block the blessings God would shower upon us. An illustration is that of the open, giving hand. God says to share with others so that He might bless us. When we do, our hands are open in love and concern and He then can refill them. And He does, many times over. When they are tight-fisted keeping all we have earned to ourselves, His blessings pass us by as we are not in a position to receive them. Many blessings are not material but emotional, spiritual, things like love and friendship, health, family, etc. All good things are from God; we must be open to receive them. Praying to God in open trust, knowing His nature, we then are in a position to receive His good gifts.

The significance of Hezekiah's spreading the letter before the Lord is that it is his way of revealing his total dependancy for help in a tangible way; this letter is an affront to the living God; nothing Hezekiah can do but give it over to the Lord. The significance for us is to learn to do the same thing: hand our troubles, problems, challenges to the Lord and then follow his direction; seek his will and follow through with action. We have this need to be in control; feel out of control, especially if we have said "yes" to what seems like too many requests for help, yet if these are activities that God would have us do, then He will be there with us and give us the strength & energy to do His Will. He will also provide the financial resources to provide for our needs when we are generous with others who have needs that we are aware of. This is something that I struggle with frequently. The underlying principle is "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Commit your way to the Lord and He will bring it to pass." When I forget this, I become "stressed" and unproductive.