I sure hope that your May has kicked off to a good start. The heat is settling in quick around our parts. We've kicked off May with watching our softball girls win the District. Next week we start another round of ball. It's so much fun to watch these girls and especially our girl, Mallory. She plays centerfield. We were so proud of both teams that played against each other. They all, hand in hand gathered together as one of our girls prayed for the game and also for one of our young men that was in a horrific car accident and fighting. His name is Kaden if you can think to lift him up to our Lord. I had the opportunity recently to speak to a group of women at a ladies luncheon event at a local church. Oh we had so much fun. I wished I had gotten pictures of the beautiful decorations. We had a TEA PARTY and we each kept the cup that we drank out of it. Isn't she just lovely? Easter has come and gone but we sure have a great time with family. We gather each...
Ooh...I love fresh baked bread don't you?
There is no better smell than that of bread baking in the oven.
Except for eating it together with friends.
The early Christians came together regularly for common meals, which included the breaking of bread. In Acts the scripture refers to them having “everything in common,” and this no doubt included sharing meals together, each one receiving from the others what they needed. Acts 2:46 describes them breaking bread in their homes and this was exactly what we done at the home of a sister in the Lord that certainly has the gift of hospitality!
Another observance of "breaking bread" is when we as Christians observe the Lord's Supper. This memorial of our Lord is called "the Lord's Supper" in 1 Corinthians 11:20 and "the Lord's table" in 1 Corinthians 10:21. In 1 Corinthians 10:16 it is referred as "the breaking of bread" and "communion".
I love partaking in the Lord's Supper as it reminds me of what He did on the cross for me. And the Lord did request that we do this in "remembrance of Him", (Luke 22:19).
Another significance of the broken bread is the symbolism of Christ, the Bread of Life, being broken on the cross for our sin. At the first communion in the upper room, Jesus describes the breaking of the bread in these terms: “This is my body, broken for you” (1st Cor. 11:24). Although not a bone of Jesus’ body was broken on the cross ( John 19: 31-33,36;), Psalm 34:20 His skin and flesh were torn and broken by blows with rods and fists, by whippings and scourgings, by thorns, nails, and spears. His body and soul were divided from each other by death, and by that brokenness, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). As His people, we participate in His sufferings and brokenness, being broken by sin as He was broken by the punishment He willingly received for our redemption.
The breaking of bread symbolizes different things for the Christian there is no doubt. But for me with "breaking bread" with friends it spoke other things to my heart about us all! Our spirits was lifted, our load was easier to bear if only for a few hours, laughter was music to the soul and God was honored.
But no matter how much I do love me some fresh baked bread there is nothing better than the Bread of Life...Jesus Christ. John 6:35 says, "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
And lastly...I do love me some fresh baked bread and as a friend of mine said....
"I could polish off that whole loaf. Hot, dripping with buttah, baby! Buttah".
There is no better smell than that of bread baking in the oven.
Except for eating it together with friends.
The early Christians came together regularly for common meals, which included the breaking of bread. In Acts the scripture refers to them having “everything in common,” and this no doubt included sharing meals together, each one receiving from the others what they needed. Acts 2:46 describes them breaking bread in their homes and this was exactly what we done at the home of a sister in the Lord that certainly has the gift of hospitality!
Another observance of "breaking bread" is when we as Christians observe the Lord's Supper. This memorial of our Lord is called "the Lord's Supper" in 1 Corinthians 11:20 and "the Lord's table" in 1 Corinthians 10:21. In 1 Corinthians 10:16 it is referred as "the breaking of bread" and "communion".
I love partaking in the Lord's Supper as it reminds me of what He did on the cross for me. And the Lord did request that we do this in "remembrance of Him", (Luke 22:19).
Another significance of the broken bread is the symbolism of Christ, the Bread of Life, being broken on the cross for our sin. At the first communion in the upper room, Jesus describes the breaking of the bread in these terms: “This is my body, broken for you” (1st Cor. 11:24). Although not a bone of Jesus’ body was broken on the cross ( John 19: 31-33,36;), Psalm 34:20 His skin and flesh were torn and broken by blows with rods and fists, by whippings and scourgings, by thorns, nails, and spears. His body and soul were divided from each other by death, and by that brokenness, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). As His people, we participate in His sufferings and brokenness, being broken by sin as He was broken by the punishment He willingly received for our redemption.
The breaking of bread symbolizes different things for the Christian there is no doubt. But for me with "breaking bread" with friends it spoke other things to my heart about us all! Our spirits was lifted, our load was easier to bear if only for a few hours, laughter was music to the soul and God was honored.
But no matter how much I do love me some fresh baked bread there is nothing better than the Bread of Life...Jesus Christ. John 6:35 says, "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
And lastly...I do love me some fresh baked bread and as a friend of mine said....
"I could polish off that whole loaf. Hot, dripping with buttah, baby! Buttah".
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
What an awesome analogy....teaching a lesson from the everyday. I used to make homemade sourdough...but like your friend, I would eat almost an entire loaf...hot and buttery....yummy! 😊
ReplyDeleteYES mam...I could have eat the whole loaf before making it home with it!
DeleteWhat a fun day! The bread looks amazing and I could polish that off with lots of buttah too!
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteI think I smell that bread!
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
The smell was soooo good Connie!
DeleteCindy, reading your post today brought some tears of joy to my eyes and really touched my heart. It was my pleasure to spend time with all of you ladies and fellowship the way they did "back then' - because we certainly have gotten 'busy' in our lives today and we have forgotten about moments like this and what they really offer us. When I think about baking bread and the core ingredients I cannot help but think of an article I read once in Christian Woman about how there is more to bread making than just mixing the dough. " Bread has been called the staff of life, meaning that it is a main source of nourishment. Bread was a mealtime staple in Bible times and still is for many people today. Bread also serves as a powerful symbol of our need for God. For example, Jesus talks about bread in Matthew 4:4 where he says that, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." And Jesus calls himself the "bread of life" in John 6:35. Tell your children that, just as the bread we eat sustains our physical life, so Jesus and his Word sustain our spiritual lives. Just as we eat bread each day, so we need to read or listen to God's Word each day.
ReplyDeleteHave one of your children measure out the flour, and explain that breads are made from all kinds of grain, which start as seeds that must be planted. John 12:24 tells us that "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."
God wants us to be like those seeds. He wants us to give up our need to be first and to have things our way, and to follow God instead. When we do, we will be able to plant "seeds" of God's love in others.
The grain of wheat in the ground gets new life from God and begins to grow. After we've accepted the new life Jesus gives us, we also need to grow up in Christ and become mature.
Most of the bread we eat in America is made from wheat. The wheat is taken from the fields, then ground into flour. We need to allow God to "grind" away at our pettiness, selfish ambitions, and pride so that he can make us into the "bread" he can use to feed the hungry spirits of people who don't know him.
As you prepare to add the yeast to the mixture, point out the small amount to be used. Several times in the Bible, yeast is used as a metaphor for sin. Just as a small amount of yeast affects the dough, causing it to become larger, so even the smallest amount of sin affects our lives and can cause large problems."
Johnna D.
Johnna, I love the biblical principal here. WOW...this would great to teach to everyone but what a wonderful way to bake bread with the grands!
DeleteI agree Cindy and I plan to utilize it in future classes :-). I read the article a few years ago and it has just stuck with me.
DeleteDelicious post, Cindy, at so many levels: Biblical, spiritual, fellowship, joy, sharing...Lovely. Thank you for your teachings. ~Zuni
ReplyDeleteOh I love that ZUNI...delicious post!
DeleteAnother great post, Cindy! Sharing the Bread of Life with good friends, what a wonderful day!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by to see me!
DeleteDear Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYour posts always warm my heart! I love freshly baked bread, and it is great to share it with good friends and family. The Bible verses you are sharing are very comforting and inspirational, and your photos are lovely. God bless you, and thank you for all you share.
Awe thanks Linda!
DeleteHi Cindy, what a wonderful and delicious post for the taste buds and for the soul. Love your pics. Good friends together enjoying fresh baked bread and fellowship. Doesn't get better.
ReplyDeleteLovely teaching my friend.
Hugs, CM
Thank you sweet lady! I just love your choice of words. You always melt my heart.
DeleteBeautiful post, dear friend. And I could almost smell that bread baking!
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Me and my man just finished off our loaf last night! Gotta make a new batch!
Delete