Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 2: Why Easter Matters

This is our reading for Friday, 4/11/14. It comes from Hebrews 10:11-14.

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

S: Hebrews 10:11-12: And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.

O: I borrowed this explanation from a Commentary.
Every priest stands daily ministering. Christ offered his sacrifice “once for all,” but Levitical priests (Levitical Priesthood-in Jewish tradition, a Levite is a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi) offer daily their sacrifices which can never take way sins. But this man. Jesus, after … one sacrifice, himself on the cross, sat down, which implies that he needs to make no more offerings. On the right hand of God. Honored forever. (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/johnson_bw/pnt.pnt1910.html)

A: I was raised Roman Catholic. We were taught to go to confession, confessing our sins to our priest and he would decide what the punishment should be. You walk into a box, close the door and say "Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been (x amount of time) since my last confession."

Now, I confess my sins directly to Jesus. In a conversation. When I pray at night. That's how I pray. I talk to Jesus just as I would anyone else. "Jesus, I really messed up today..." That works just fine for Him. As long as I stick to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! lol

P: Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I know that You died to take away those sins. Forgive me of whatever is not of You in my heart. Bless our priests, pastors, ministers as they listen to our confessions. We know that You are the only one who can ultimately give forgiveness and mercy. 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 1 "Why Easter Matters"

This is the reading for Thursday, 4/3. I have been using "The Message" version of the bible as it seems easier to understand. If you have noticed the red print, I have been using that when Christ is speaking. You will see a few versions of bibles where Christs' dialogue is in red. 

READ: Luke 22:17-22

Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, “Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I’ll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives.” Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.” He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you."

S: Luke 22:19-20

Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.” He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you."

O: I was raised Roman Catholic. These verses are the same ones that were read every Sunday before Communion. That is because the bread and wine are symbolic of Jesus' sacrifice for us. We are being reminded of that Last Supper that Christ shared with his disciples. He wanted a way for His disciples to remember Him. 

A: Once a month we have communion at our church. It is usually the first Sunday of the month. We have a tray with broken Mahtza crackers and small cups filled with grape juice. We take the communion together all at once. We are reminded that these are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ.

The catechism is ingrained in me. I bow my head and recite, silently, the prayers from ages ago. "Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed." As well as "Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us." (repeat), then "Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world. Grant us peace." This is my way of remembering my Catholic teaching and also as a way of honoring Jesus Christ. 

P: Lord Jesus, each time we take communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice You made for us. It is more than bread and wine. It is Your body and Your blood which was shed for our sins. It is a sacrifice with which we will never be worthy of. Help us to be contrite and humble when we take communion. Cleanse us of our sins. "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name,for our good, and the good of all his Church." Amen.