GOD IN MY WHISTLE

 Now this title is sure to get your attention so let me explain. A couple weeks ago in church during communion time when they passed the bread and juice representing Christs' body and blood we were to hold them both and then take them together with everyone. So I placed the small little cracker wafer in my pants pocket. Well when it was time to retrieve it I couldn't. You see it had slipped down the slot in my whistle which is on my key chain. I kind of laughed at the time. I shook it but to no avail. So I thought, well I guess I will carry around daily a reminder of God's sacrifice for us since the little piece of bread is lodged in my whistle apparently not coming out anytime soon. I felt it was something good to use in a devotion so that is what I am doing. Just like the little 'cracker' reminding me of Jesus' body broken for us is in my whistle it makes me really think of what he did for us.

Do you realize the pain that God went through for you and many times we do not even give him any more time than is absolutely required, that being one single hour on Sunday? He endured the worst death ever. Excruciating pain and torture on a cross but yet never said a hateful word to his accusers or those that crucified him. His was beaten, bruised, crushed, whipped, spit on, and cursed at, yet he said not a word or fought back. The only thing he uttered was "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." (See Luke 23:34). Read the entire account in the book of John chapter 19.

Isaiah 53:5 says "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Examine your own heart first and get right with the Lord. Any jealously, resentment, bitterness, hate or lack of forgiveness in your heart? Confess it and get yourself right with the Lord first.

When you receive the elements at communion time you aren't to partake because it is the thing you should do but really think about what it means. It is not just cracker and grape juice time.

Matthew 5:44 is the key item to get out of what happened to Jesus to use in today's world and that is "Love your enemies and pray for them that persecute you."

So are you daily carrying Jesus with you not in the form of a cracker but in your heart? If not why not ask Him in today?

PRAYER: Lord you paid the ultimate price on the cross so that we might receive the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life once we have asked you into our heart. Help me to think each day of what you have done for me. Give me opportunities to share your love daily with others. In Jesus name.Amen.