Have you ever wondered why the church serves Communion once a month and, on the first Sunday?
If you are like me, and were reared in a Baptist church, you are probably accustomed to this tradition.
I would also take the chance to guess that you were taught you should take Communion only in church with the church leader administering the Communion. I was not only accustomed to these traditions, but I was also accustomed to confessing my sins before partaking in the Communion ceremony. Out of respect for God and my church upbringing, I follow these formal traditions of the church today-without question- as I'm sure many of you do. These traditions have helped to shape who I am today. And I thank God for that upbringing.
But as I come more into the knowledge of who I am in Christ, and
learn the responsibility that goes along with my Christian identity,
I have discovered certain rights that God had already ordained for me as part of my Christian duty. And as I continue to commune with God alone, I have become aware that I have more rights than the church has allowed me to experience, particularly, as it concerns Communion.
For instance, I not only take Communion once a month within a church service, and ask for forgiveness for my sins, but I take Communion at home -something the church frowns upon.
The expressed concern of the Church has been many.
One concern is the improper use of Communion, like forgetting
to ask for forgiveness of sins. Another concern is when children
lack spiritual understanding with regard to salvation.
Children were forbidden to participate when the parent and/or the leader believed that a child was not old enough to understand what was spiritually going on.
For the most part, the trust to take Communion outside the church is just not there.
This morning, my daughter and I took Communion together before
dawn-the time we usually pray for you, my church, my family, ourselves and others.
Just like always, Communion is an exhilarating experience!
Communion, in the Greek means to fellowship; it also means to come together; be in the company of; and sup or eat together. It is a union between two or more parties; and agreeing on one accord. This is what happens in Communion in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I do not want to wait until first Sunday or once a month to commune, fellowship, or come together with God. And I do not want everyone else around every time I take Communion.
I do, however, enjoy my fellowship and being on one accord with others during a formal church service. There is much power in corporate gatherings. But my private Communion with God is as serious as my corporate Communion with the church. As I observe the presence of the Holy Spirit, there is a connection which causes me to weep before God. There can be many distractions in a public atmosphere which can break that spiritual connection.
I come to God expecting to hear from Him, and it helps me to concentrate better when others are not present.
Most of all, my time in Communion is not limited to time constraints.
My unconstrained time is when I can hear the most. It is when God speaks creative ideas, helps me to put away all known and unknown sins, gives me an opportunity to just be me. Whatever conviction is needed from the Holy Spirit, I can receive without condemnation. I don't always get it right, and the Holy Spirit
gently embraces me, wipes away my tears, and gives me another chance to get it right before God.
But you know what? There are times when I need more strength, more courage, and that sense of fellowship with someone who understands me. I especially need more knowledge to teach, and Communion is one of the ways I obtain knowledge and wisdom from God. During Communion with God I can release all of my emotions, my senses, my challenges, my hurts and pains, and my attitudes.
This is when I can confess my faults and release all of my negative
thoughts and feelings. Finally, it is a time when I can relax, rejuvenate, refresh, and begin again.
It's a private retreat!
And it doesn't cost a thing.
So, why would I want to wait to Commune with God once a month,
only in a corporate setting, when I can experience all of this and more all of the time? God doesn't have a problem with it. In fact He made provision for us to have regular communion with Him.
The Bible states: "...For as often as you do this, do this in remembrance of me 1Cor. 11:25. This text is repeated in verse 26.
Long before I was recognized as, and ordained a Minister by man, and appointed by God to lead a Ministry, God taught me through the Holy Spirit that I have the blood-bought right to come before Him any time; He taught me that I could Commune with Him, and that He trusts me to listen to His guidance on how to utilize my Communion rights before Him. In fact, taking communion has become a requirement in my relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The requirement still remains, even though I am inconsistent at times; But I do Commune every time I am prompted by the Holy Spirit.
After all it's written in the Bible about how to take Communion (see 1 Corinthians 11: 23-34). The understanding of it all comes from the Holy Spirit, who is my teacher and my guide. "...Give me understanding according to thy word.
"Psalm 119:169 kjv. "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth "Psalm 121:2 kjv.
There is so much we can learn about Communion, and I realize there are Biblical traditions which should be observed, but one of the most important aspects in our new testament life, is that anyone can commune with God in private as well as in a corporate setting -by taking of "the cup and the bread" 1Cor. 11:28. When we observe the presence of the Holy Spirit, and come without sin, we can walk in newness of life.
But here's another reason to consider taking Communion in private: First Corinthians, Chapter 11 and verses 28-30 teaches us about "examining self",
1 Cor. 11:28; discerning the Lord's body, 1 Cor. 11:29; and states that many are weak and sickly among us, 1 Cor. 11:30. Healing comes through Communion with God. When ones heart is in the right place sickness has to cease. Communion sets the heart in the right place. Then healing is manifested.
The last time you and I were together was the Newsletter August 13: "Hearing From God is No Secret".
Although that email is a continuation of the July 30 Newsletter:
"God Has Something To Tell You", we stated that there were "questions to be explored in such detail that we can only address a few..."
Some of the questions in our last email were, "why are people sick; living in lack; and passing away so early?"
Let's examine one of these questions: "why are people sick?"
Unfortunately, we have to quit.
But we will explore this question and more about Communion
in an upcoming Bringing You the Word.
See you next time
A Word to the Wise:
"Let a man examine himself (for sin) 1 Cor. 11:28
Your continued support is needed
Let me introduce my newest
Ministry Partners!
Welcome
Gary and Ladon
from St. Louis, Missouri
(Both have committed to sowing seed continuously to support
this Ministry, and already have sown their first INSTALLMENT!)
THANK YOU!
WILL YOU CONSIDER BECOMING ONE OF
MY MINISTRY PARTNERS TODAY?
MAY GOD BLESS YOU TODAY AND FOREVER!
Min. Wendy Campbell,
Christian Clinical Counselor and Life Coach
P.O. Box 4642
Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208
Western Regional Office
1300 S. Watson Rd. Ste. A114-191
Buckeye, Arizona 85326
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