Daily Devotions - Body and Blood of Jesus

1 Corinthians 11:17-34  (NIV)
Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent, I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 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.” 25 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.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, 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. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.

 

When do you tend to approach worship or a part of the worship experience too lightly?

 

Precious Jesus, my Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. Thank You that at Shepherd of the Hills, I have the opportunity to take communion every time that we gather. Communion is supposed to be frequent because it is important. There are times when my heart is troubled and I really need to miraculously close to You and taste Your love and forgiveness as I partake of Your body and blood. We never know who in the congregation may be in need of the sacraments in any given week, but because it is available we can come to be filled in those times when we desperately need to be close to You. You are present in the bread and wine. I don't understand how, but I believe it and I take it in faith with reverence and awe.  I feel Your closeness, I feel Your sacrifice. I feel Your presence. I am humbled by Your mercy and grace. But there are other times when I take the privilege for granted. Because it is frequent, it becomes routine and less special. I can go through the motions while distracted about other things, without thinking about the sacrament I am about to receive. That is a sin. Forgive me, Lord. I want to approach Your table as a proclamation of my faith in Your death and resurrection. I want to be conscious of how communion brings all Christians around the world together as one, unified in Your body and blood. Help me to worship you in a way that is right and appropriate and pleases You. Help me to keep my focus on You. Guide me to find my true purpose in worshipping You and enjoying You forever. Amen