THE WINE AND THE BREAD

It is a beautiful tradition to begin the year with communion, but the purpose of the cup and the bread is the basic reminder of his crucifixion, dying on our behalf, symbolized by the wine, and the bread, which symbolizes our partaking of the bread of life, the Word of God. Let's determine to take Jesus everywhere we go. Let's let him shine through our lives. Let's be the ambassadors of the God of love, he has called us to be. He's not the god of self, but the unselfish love that gives himself for the sake of others. It's a new year, a good time for re-dedication. Exactly how we give of ourselves depends on what gifts he has given us.

Christians are valuable individually, but we also are collectively, as part of the body of Christ. He lives inside of each of us. Each one of us are a part of his treasure in the world. Each one of us is capable of contributing in our own unique way. Each one has his gift to do what it is he has called us to do, to love one another. It is our love that reaches a lost and dying world. Jesus has given us the power of love. He would not have us argue about our relative value, because each is valuable in his own way as part of the body of Christ. Each of you matters. Each of you has been imparted value inthat he has died for your sins individually. As we are reminded of what he has done for us, let's treasure each other as the Lord does, loving one another.