Soul Devotional - May 22, 2014

Are any among you weak or sick?

As I'm having my devotions, reading out of I Corinthians 11:17-22, these words seem to jump off the pages..."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 toexamine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment..."

So, as we receive communion, we should be examining our hearts...is there jealousy, greed, hatred, bitterness in us? The list could go on.  It's not to condemn ourselves (Romans 8:1-2) or to be perfect when partaking of communion, but to be aware of these "joy" stealers and repent! We are the ones who make the decision of whether or not we hold on to grudges, tragedies and somehow wander into apathy.  When left unattended, these things we don't deal with somehow become our way of dealing with life & people.  The saying, "Hurt people, hurt people," is so true.  This is not God's heart for you.  In Him there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).  

Is it time to ask someone for forgiveness and to move on into the life God has planned for you?  As difficult as that might be, wouldn't you rather walk in freedom without avoiding people, being sick with different health issues...which many are caused by our poor choices & taking communion in remembrance of what Jesus did on the cross for us without bringing judgment on ourselves.(v29)  

God's grace is sufficient for you, His love is never ending, He is waiting for you to come to Him & sit at His feet... Come freely to the One who knows every detail of your life...good, bad & beautiful.  You were created for NOW!  There is purpose to & for your life, it wasn't an accident. Next time you take the bread & drink in remembrance of Jesus, know that this is a symbol of what was done on the cross for you & it's His purity going in to you.  Make a decision to hold on to or to let go of the stuff that has you bogged down & caused suffering in life...let it go & let Jesus' take it all.  It's your choice, make the right one that will bring healing to every part of you... He's waiting.

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Gerry Michalski
Lead Pastor | Soul Sanctuary
info@soulsanctuary.ca