So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. v27

Zach, my son, has not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, so he lets the bread and cup pass him by at church when we celebrate communion.  While it is difficult for me to watch this - I want to see Zach in Heaven - I am adamant that it is his choice to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.   I still love him and I am still proud of who he is.  This in mind, it is appropriate that Zach let the bread and cup pass him by - as anyone should if they are not a professed Christian.  See also John Piper on this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and You softened my heart to believe and accept You as my Lord and Savior - for this I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus for setting me free!  I am not deserving of Your love and the many blessings You pour out on me.  I am selfish, I gossip, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to support and encourage them.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” v29

Those who have yet to believe in Jesus need to see something that gives them reason to believe.  Those who saw Jesus perform miracles and heard His teachings perhaps had more evidence than we have but I believe that today we have as much as those who lived in Jesus' day.  We have the Holy Spirit, The Word, and those in whom the Holy Spirit lives - all providing means for non believers to see Jesus.  

Non-believers should also understand that belief will be strengthened by accepting Jesus as Your Lord and Savor and this is what is meant by John 20:29 - see more here from DesiringGod.com.  God will help our unbelief. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have strengthened my faith - thank You! I am not deserving of the love and blessings You pour out on me.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Matthew 7

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." v13-14

Jesus promises life and life to the full (abundant - KJV, etc.) for those who believe and follow Him (John 10:10).  Believers will demonstrate fruits of the Spirit as well (Galatians 5:22-23) - including
"love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control".

However, there are no such promises of an easy life.  In John 16:33, Jesus tell us that we WILL have trouble. This is to be expected because when we submit our lives to Jesus, we DENY ourselves and put God and others first.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me life to the full - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I am quick to anger and slow to listen - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac; so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had. v8-9

Genesis 28

Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac; so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had. v8-9

Jacob and Rebekah advised both of their sons not to marry Canaanite women - they recognize that we should not be "yoked" with unbelievers.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14

Several commentaries, including this one, I believe rightly point this out as well as the importance of honoring our mother and father.

See also post here.

Lord, please protect Lisa and myself from the world of unbelief and protect Zach and Dustin from this world.  Prepare friends and family for them that are believers in Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed our family with an abundance of believers as friends and family.  Thank You Jesus!  We are undeserving of such love.  I continue in my sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.