Come to the Table

This past weekend a wonderful group of women (39 to be exact) spent time together in Cocoa Beach for St. Paul's annual women's retreat.  Our theme was "The Bread of Life", and many of our discussions revolved around family meals and the family table.  On Saturday evening we had a beautiful worship service right on the beach.  The Pastor reminded us that Jesus often met with his disciples, as well as others such as the tax collector, Mary and Martha, etc., at the table.  It was a time for nourishing the physical body but also a time of being refreshed in the Word.  A time of encouragement to continue to fight the good fight and keep our eyes on the prize at the end of the race. Hebrews 12:1 ...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  He encouraged us as women to not forget the importance of the table.  Our homes should be a haven from the outside forces of the world, a little piece of heaven here on earth.  The family table should be a place to come together (putting all technology to the side) to talk about the day and encourage one another in our race for the prize, which is redemption in Jesus Christ.  We are going to have trouble, John 16:33 says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

The world is a harsh place.  Satan is free to roam the earth like a hungry lion. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to  Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  The Father of Lies is allowed to use his wiles to place doubts in the minds of humans about the trustworthiness of our Heavenly Father.  Are you really good enough to get into heaven?  Do you really think that God can love a sinner like you? He even tempted Jesus in the wilderness, offering Jesus the world if He would bow down to him. Luke 4:5-7 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.  The good news is that Jesus did not bow down to Satan because He knew God's plan, He loves us that much, and He knew He had a major role to redeem the world.  What are we believing?  Are we listening to those doubts? God has a plan for our lives too!  Each and every one of us has a role to play and it involves bringing Him glory.  Thankfully God did not leave us on our own.  He has given us His Holy Spirit as a deposit.  Ephesians 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession -- to the praise of his glory.  The Holy Spirit is ready to encourage us or lovingly convict us.  Are we trusting our Heavenly Father?  When Jesus returns will He find faith? Join us in worship and at the communion table to be refreshed and reminded of our Savior's deep love for us.  Come and be encouraged to fight the good fight, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Hebrews 12:2