Holy Communion with the Passover Lamb 4-21-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Living Word, speak to my heart. ... "While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, He broke it, gave it to His disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you in My Father's kingdom' " (Matthew 26:26-29). On the night You gathered with Your first disciples to share the Passover meal, You revealed that You are the fulfillment of the Passover (Matthew 26:19). The bread is Your body; the wine is Your blood. You are the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:21; Mark 14:12). You are the Lamb of God, slain for us, who takes away this sins of the world (John 1:29). And as we join together to celebrate the fulfillment of the Passover through the Lord's Supper we "come together as a church," as one body in our Lord (1 Corinthians 11:18). We come together in this Holy Communion with seeking hearts and trusting faith to be filled afresh with the living Presence of the living Christ -- to become one with You, one with each other, one in ministry to all the world. We proclaim Your sacrifice of love for us and remember the covenant of Your eternal love for us (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is more than a memory of something that happened two thousand years ago; it is a means of Your grace for us today. You fill us with Your Spirit and remind us of Your love and our calling to love others with Your love that now fills our hearts. "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Sunday morning we finished our Alpha retreat with a time of Holy Communion, experiencing a deep encounter with You as You filled all who asked with Your Holy Spirit. Then I joined with other friends Sunday afternoon to celebrate the Passover meal in the tradition of the Jewish sedar, but with the eyes of our hearts opened to see our Messiah through the words and actions of our meal. What a wonderful day of remembering who You are, what You have done, and all You desire to do in me and through my life in communion with Your Spirit and the body of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, we're already hearing some amazing testimonies of God's presence and power in the hearts of many during our weekend Holy Spirit retreat on the Alpha Course. Thank you for your prayers and I pray for a fresh move of God's Spirit in your heart and the heart of all those in your spheres of ministry. God bless you! Our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner is May 2nd to celebrate stories of God's glory, hear our calling, and join His vision! Please come and bring some friends who may have a heart for the vision of our ministry -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God." RSVP by 4/25 to Marilyn Walker at 859-317-1591 or DirOfMinistries@aol.com (reservations required). Please spread the word and God bless you for joining with us to accomplish our calling and fulfill our destiny! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org