Shari

I believe that when Paul talks about sharing the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons he refers to two-timing God. It reminds me today of people who come to Sunday worship in a Christian church, then go consult their psychic or read the horoscope or use crystals etc. It also makes me think of a trend to have people from various faiths pray together. As my pastor says, why on earth would God answer a prayer like that - who would they say "did" the work? Allah or Buddha or your inner light (new age) or God? Look at the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal - in I Kings 18. We need to know who we serve - and it can't be two "gods". When we participate in Communion and also share meals offered to idols, we have mix allegiance and God is a jealous God (Exodus 20). In the Old Testament God called such two-timing prostitution...Israel prostituted itself with false gods. The question for me today is, "Which cups of demons am I drinking from (which idols do I participate with) knowingly or unknowingly?" I recently attended a workshop on "Idols of the Heart" and my friend didn't think she had any - until she heard the lady speak. Idols are not just statues - they are ANYTHING that slips into first place ahead of God in my life - and it's really a heart issue.

Oh my yes, it surely does run the risk of becoming routine!! Just like anything that becomes part of life's "routine". BUT it doesn't have to. I am thinking of marriage (I'm single but still). Most couples get old and stale after awhile. But there are those few who stay madly in love with each other and the relationship stays fresh and vibrant because of the effort both make (I assume). With the Lord's Supper, I find my pastor's way of presenting it helps. He does read the Scripture from I Corinthians, but he will stop in the middle and ask us a question to think about, or he asks us to share what it means. Then he continues. By not using the same exact liturgical sentences for the entire celebration it keeps it fresh. And we do it different each time - sometimes we get a partner and give communion to each other as pastor leads. Or families go together. Or we all do it up front (if small enough group). Or at our seats together. Then there are those awesome things in life that NEVER get old no matter how often you do them. Sorta like me with my house. I LOVE the way the previous owners fixed it and even after 10 years I can walk through it and be totally amazed and love it! I can design to keep the Lord's Supper that way - if it truly means to me what it's supposed to mean, too. Sure, there's a risk with repitition, but it's not a given. So I'll work at it. I won't LET it become meaningless ritual.

I grew up under one belief and am now in a church with the opposite, so this makes me think! When I partake of the Lord's Supper I first of all know I am obeying Jesus. Secondly I am remembering His death - the ultimate sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the whole world. Finally I believe that I am receiving from Him (it doesn't matter HOW it works). My current pastor often spends the whole service focusing on Jesus and His sacrifice before we take communion. Then, he'll spend time, once everyone has the elements, focusing on each one and what it "cost" Jesus and what Jesus gave through each one for us. He'll often ask us to "call out" what the body or the blood means. The Lord's Supper causes me to once again thank Jesus, remember what it cost Him (as best I can understand it), and strengthens my love for Him. And it allows His Spirit to move in me. Praise Him!!