DAY 7 — COMMUNION AND REST: Moving Forward Together in the Father's Love

Hebrews 4:9-10 (KJV)

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (KJV)

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

This week has invited you to leave unfruitful patterns behind and move forward in love, holiness, obedience, and prayer. Communion brings you back to the Father's love in sending His Son and to your union with Christ. Your next steps rest upon His sacrifice, rather than an effort to earn fellowship with God through personal achievement. Remember what Jesus has accomplished before considering what remains ahead.

Resting in His finished work gives you a foundation for covenant living. You can receive His love, respond to correction, and care for others without treating those responses as a payment for His grace. Bring your regrets, grief, and concerns before Him with thanksgiving. Receive this time of remembrance as an opportunity to rest in Christ and continue with Him.

I declare with thanksgiving that Jesus gave His body and shed His blood for me. His sacrifice is the foundation of my fellowship with God. I rest in His finished work and receive the Father's love with gratitude. In Christ, I belong to His body and can move forward in faith.

Prepare a small piece of bread and a small cup of juice. Quiet your heart, move from striving to receiving, and partake deliberately.

Before partaking, receive the guidance of 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 by examining your heart and discerning the Lord's body. Bring sin, resentment, and careless treatment of others honestly before Him, honoring Christ's sacrifice and the people who belong to Him. This examination is a response to grace, not a way to earn worthiness. May the Lord prepare your heart to receive with reverence, gratitude, and renewed love for His family.

The bread directs your remembrance to the body of Jesus, broken and given for you. Remember the Father's love expressed through His Son and the union you share with Christ. Remember also that you belong to His body alongside other believers, and that your choices affect the family. Receive with gratitude, asking that your continued walk would reflect His kindness and love.

Partaking Declaration: "Lord Jesus, I remember Your body given for me. Thank You for the Father's love and for joining me to Your body. As I take this bread, I remember You and worship You."

The cup directs your remembrance to Jesus' shed blood and the New Covenant. As you receive it, turn your attention from rehearsing past failure to the sacrifice on which your fellowship with God rests. Thank Him for His completed work and receive with a willing heart. Let this remembrance strengthen your response of love, holiness, and obedience.

Partaking Declaration: "Lord Jesus, I remember Your blood shed for me and the New Covenant. I receive with thanksgiving what You have accomplished. As I take this cup, I rest in Your completed work and worship You."

Father, thank You for Your love and for teaching us to move forward in unity, holiness, and intimacy with You. Help us leave unfruitful patterns behind, receive Your care in sorrow, and reflect Your kindness in our relationships. Show us what we need to repent of and what You are asking us to do. Guide our prayers for our families, our nation, and Israel, and reveal Jesus to those searching the Scriptures. Teach us to hear Your voice, treasure what You reveal, and continue in faith, resting in Christ as we walk in Your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.