In His presence there is fullness of joy

Previously: The Sabbath, part six

I am so sorry I have been so sporadic blogging the past two weeks. We have just concluded the busiest two weeks in the history of Nothing New Press; thank you! In fact, Christian Book Distributors just started carrying our books in their catalog! So we are excited around here, and very appreciative of you, who have made the Guerber histories so popular among homeschoolers!

Today is Friday, in our house that means try to finish up work by noon, so that the afternoon can be spent cooking and cleaning for our Sabbath dinner Friday evenings, and our day of rest on Saturday. When I started celebrating Sabbath, it was just me. Then my sweet dh joined me. Then one by one, the kids started coming over for dinner on Friday nights. For the past several weeks, all of the kids and grandkids have been here, and a few times a month it has even been the extended family. We have our dinner, followed by a shared loaf and cup of communion together.

We started doing communion because we read in the Torah that the grain offering (which was a loaf of bread) and a drink offering (which was wine) was to accompany the Lord's sacrifice on all the Sabbaths, New Moons, and feast days. And then we realized that Jesus taught us to acknowledge His sacrifice as often as we drink the wine and break the bread of communion. We put two and two together and came up with four, and we acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus every Sabbath, New Moon, and feast day when we share the loaf and cup together.

So what has been happening, is that the sun goes down usually as we are breaking bread and praying over the cup, and the Lord's presence descends upon everyone gathered around the table. Words cannot describe it! He is so wonderful, and more and more people are coming every week, I think because people are just so hungry for Him in their lives, don't you think so?

When the Lord's presence comes among men, bondages are broken, hearts and bodies are healed, blind eyes are opened, captives are set free. On the last new moon day, when we were breaking bread and passing the cup and the Lord's presence descended, my son, whom some of you know has gone through a very rough time ever since his betrothed was killed in a traffic accident several years ago, was completely healed of a broken heart! He has been a changed man ever since! The Lord did another huge miracle for one of my daughters, that she had been crying out to Him about, just last week! Now this afternoon as I am preparing the Sabbath dinner, I heard of another incredible answer to prayer in the life of a family member who attended last week's Sabbath, who is on their way for this evening's.

All I can say is, thank you, Jesus; You are so faithful to Your word. All His paths are peace, and when we walk in His paths, instead of our own or the world's, then that is what we will begin to experience, and it is true!

Shabbat Shalom to you and yours -- Christine

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Update: continued in The Sabbath, part seven

Sabbath Rest