Luke 22:19 (NLT)
He [Jesus] took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Do and remember. Remember and do.
God remembered man’s hopelessness and gave His Son.
We remember our sin and repent.
God sees our sin and remembers the blood.
We do good in remembrance of Christ.
Good morning, Lord. Even after all these years, there are times when doubts sneak into my thoughts. I find myself in a pickle and the enemy whispers, “If God was real, you wouldn’t be in this mess.” Or the world seems chaotic and I think, “Obviously, there’s no Great Mind at work here.”
But then, like the psalmist, I remember all my personal God-moments — the rescues, the beauty, the comfort, the divine appointments, the peace — and I think “God has been with me every step.”
After a miraculous victory over their enemy, Samuel gave the people of Israel a memorial to help them remember the day.
1 Samuel 7:12 (NLT)
Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!”
I have a few Ebenezer memorials of my own, treasures to remind me “thus far, the Lord has helped me.”
How about you? Any “stones of help” in your collection of treasured memories?
Good morning, Lord. I thank You for this Lenten season, when we remember Your sacrifice on the cross. It’s so easy, in the busyness of my daily routine, to forget the biggest event in human history. Engrave the truth of Your death and resurrection on my soul as a permanent reminder of my sinfulness and Your grace.
May every breath I take be filled with awe and humble gratitude.
God knows us. He knows we tend to forget. So he helps us remember.
Exodus 12:25-27 (NLT)
When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, “What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.”
God provided ceremonies, traditions and memorials as reminders. Like the Passover celebration.
Good morning, Lord. Unlike St. Patrick, I’ve never been stolen away and forced into slavery. Like Patrick, I’ve had people do me wrong. Let me follow his example and be quick to forgive those who made me feel unsafe, disrespected and isolated. He followed Your lead, dear Jesus — teach me to do the same.
Teach me to love my enemies and bless those who hurt me (Matthew 5:44).
We celebrate St. Patrick with parades and green beer. Doesn’t seem right.
Long ago (fifth century), 16-year-old Patrick was captured by raiders and taken from his British homeland to serve as a slave in Ireland. He later escaped and made his way back to the safety of home. He returned to Ireland to share the good news of salvation in Christ. He went above and beyond Jesus’ command:
Matthew 5:44 (NLT)
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Be like Patrick. 
Good morning, Lord. Here in the midst of plenty to eat and drink, it is easy for me to take the sacrifice of Your body and blood for granted. It is easy for me to start taking credit for all I have and enjoy. Forgive me, O God, for minimizing Your grace. Teach me to magnify Your goodness and maximize my gratitude. Grant me a spirit of humility.
Remind me that without You, I have nothing of value.
Here’s the solution to spiritual famine and drought:
1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (ESV)
When he [Jesus] had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
In remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, be filled.
Good morning, Lord. You’re not fooled by what I give up for Lent. You know which worldly things I hold closely, the things I hold on to through every season, the things I don’t want to give up. Don’t let me fool myself, shine Your light of truth on them, give me humble strength to repent and let go of them–not for a season, but for all time.
Let nothing stand between me and You.
