by Catherine Visser
As I have been processing a situation in my life over the holidays, I felt to share some thoughts for communion and tie it together.
Some Scriptures:
Proverbs 30:5(TPT) The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain (crushed under a heavy load).
Psalm 103:1-5 (TPT) ” With my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before you, the holy God!
Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me? You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done…My heart needed to know this in a deeper place, my head has known it for a long time! The ‘kiss’ felt like its sealed and done!
He forgives all my sins, version I am familiar with. You healed me inside and out from every disease. You’ve rescued me from hell and saved my life. You satisfy my every desire with good things. You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again like a flying eagle in the sky!”
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG“Are you tired? Worn out? burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 TPT “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”
Amplified: “Come to me all you are weary & heavy burdened by religious ritual (do’s and don’ts, what people think, expectations true and false, etc., boundaries issues).
These last verses really spoke to me, as I received some revelation in my life over the holidays. I had a sense about this already, but this was confirmed when I signed up for the boundaries course before Christmas, which I began January 1st. God is good at setting things up. I have been carrying burdens not intended for me to carry. His yoke is easy, he will not lay anything heavy and ill fitting on me!
I am so thankful for His mercy, grace and unconditional love to me. I am thankful He is close to me and all of us when we are crushed by pain or under a heavy load.
I had been playing the ‘role’ of Saviour in the lives of others by carrying pain that is theirs and was not meant for me to carry. God had not asked me to take that role, it already has been taken care of by himself. Are you trying to control, fix, or rush His plans in someone’s life?
Do your thoughts and actions line up with His? Mine didn’t, I thought He needed my help. So let’s turn our thoughts to the true Saviour,
During this time as we focus on Communion lets look at what this Saviour has done for us! His broken body is enough for my sin, your sin, all the good, bad and ugly. Such good news! My hope is in Him because of His great sacrifice. His sacrifice provides rest as I am in relationship with Him. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely & lightly. It’s truly about relationship/intimacy. In rest we are joining our lives with His rhythm. All that He represents and is to us as our Saviour. Because of His great sacrifice, you and I have all we need.
2 Peter 1:3
“Everything we could ever need for life and complete devotion to God has already been deposited in us by his divine power. Last week I was given the words ‘Blood Transfusion’. “Ok God help me unpack that,” I said. So he did: When we partake of His blood we are given new blood. I feel like I had open heart surgery over the holidays. Pre surgery was painful, the heart was not functioning well. Okay God I give you permission to open me up. I can appear to be doing well on the outside but as the skillful master surgeon Jesus opened me up He found things in there that I had to deal with, and I needed a blood transfusion, as a result of what was found. In a place of surrender as His blood flows fresh through my veins, my arteries get unclogged,( the ‘stinky’ thinking, the lies, releasing burdens, etc., all had to go). I got a reset (reboot) as lies were exchanged for truth, the rhythm of my heart became restful, the rhythm is unforced. Blood pressure returns to normal range. His yoke is easy, His burden is light, He won’t put anything ill fitting on me.
Gethsemane means oil press, as Jesus’ body was broken crushed for us, all of our sin and pain was crushed with Him. Our sins are paid in full, done! He heals all our physical and emotional pain. He experienced all the emotional & physical pain we have experienced and will still experience.
Prayer for the Bread:
Thank you Jesus that you were a perfect sacrifice for each of us. You are enough, your broken body paid the price for ALL our sins giving us wonderful freedom. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!
Eat the bread as a representation of that freedom, you are free my brothers and sisters!
Ezekiel 11:19 MSG
I’ll give you a new heart. I’ll put a new spirit in you. I’ll cut out your stone heart and replace it with a red-blooded, firm-muscled heart. Then you’ll obey my commands, you’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!
Prayer for the Blood:
Thank you Jesus for your shed blood, what a sacrifice, that we are cleansed, forgiven and free from the curse, free from shame and lies, free from torment. Thank you that by your stripes we are healed! So grateful all we need to live this life abundantly is in You. As we drink this cup may we remember to keep our eyes fixed on you Jesus. We align ourselves with you Jesus. Each time we drink your blood we are getting a blood transfusion, your life-giving blood flows through our veins. You have supercharged our lives so we can soar again. THANK YOU JESUS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE!
1 Peter 5:10 TPT This verse spoke to me the morning before our church home group.
“And then after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally restore you and make you stronger than ever.”
Expressions from Summerside Community Church 