In this episode we look at how we can best partake of the Lord’s supper, as we continue in the series “Highest and Best”. Jesus, Himself, instituted the Lord’s supper while He was still on earth. Matthew 26:26-28 reads, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,  for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins””. He would then go on to be crucified as a sacrifice for all the world’’s sins. The apostles would then tell all the disciples what Jesus had told them: take the bread and the cup to remember His body and blood. The Lord’s supper serves as a memorial to the greatest of all sacrifices. So we come together each Sunday (the first day of the week) to participate in this memorial. We are given specific instructions as to what we are to partake (bread and the cup (containing wine, essentially grape juice)), we take only these two things, take them together, we don’t overindulge, and we do it each and every Sunday.

We continue in the series “Highest and Best”, looking this episode at how we can best pray. Prayer is part of a two-way communication we have with God. He speaks to us through His word, that is, the Bible. He has said all that He is going to say to us in this life. The next time we will hear Him is when we meet Him in judgement. Be ready! Until then, we can speak to Him in prayer. He doesn’t NEED us to speak to him (Acts 17:25), he WANTS us to speak to Him. Why? Have you ever tried to have a relationship where only one party spoke? That’s not a relationship, rather that’s a monologue. God desires to be in a relationship with His children (Ez. 37:27; 2 Cor. 6:16), and that requires a dialogue. He wants us to speak to Him, to ask Him for things, to petition Him for help for ourselves and others. But He does not hear the prayers of those living sinfully (1 Pet. 3:12). In today’s lesson, we’ll look at how we can better our prayers by using the 5 w’s (plus an ‘h’); who, what, where, when, why, and how. It’s worth our time to consider how we can best serve God in all areas of our lives, and today we’ll look at how we can sharpen our skills in communicating with our Creator!

The phrase ‘highest and best’ is used in economics, particularly in real estate, and it means, “the reasonably probable and legal use of vacant land or an improved property that is physically possible, appropriately supported, financially feasible, and that results in the highest value.” To put it simply, “what’s the highest value and best use for this piece of property.” I like to use this in thinking about how we go about serving God. On an individual level, someone should ask themselves how they can serve God to their utmost best, given what talents and abilities they currently have, and how they can better serve Him by continually improving themselves. This could apply on a group level as well, as with a church. A church is made up of individuals, each with their own area of talent and expertise. How can we best utilize each one in order to realize the highest functionality of the church? To get the most out of this philosophy, we must be willing to both constantly reassess ourselves and be willing to make improvements. Resting on our laurels is a sure-fire way to stagnate and then decline. This is a biblical principle as well. Consider Paul in saying, “…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead…” (Phil. 3:13-14).

Today, we look at ‘the rest of the story’ (as Paul Harvey used to say) of Saul and his dealings with the Amalekites and their king, Agag, as told in 1 Samuel 15. We know from last week’s lesson (What's This Bleating In My Ears) that Saul did not utterly destroy the Amalekites, as God told him to. The rest of the story is that Samuel had to step in and complete the job by executing Agag. The command to slaughter these people, even their livestock, may seem harsh, but that was what God wanted done. After all, the Amalekites had killed some of the Israelites as they were making their way toward Canaan, and God promised that He would punish them for it. God is all sovereign and He determines how He wants His will accomplished. Our duty is to accept His commandments and follow them. Saul fell short in this. And, like most people would do, tried to blame others for his mistakes. But God’s promises are always kept. So God used Samuel to pick up the slack Saul had left. Rest assured, God’s purpose will ALWAYS come to fruition! We may not like it, or see it, or be a part of it…but it will happen. Why not lean forward and let God use you as He sees fit? Have the same attitude as Isaiah, “ Here I am (Lord), send me.” (Is. 6:8)

King Saul was told to utterly destroy the long-time enemy of Israel, the Amalekites. He didn't. Instead, he chose to only do some of what God told him to do. There are some great lessons to be learned from this story. Take a listen!

Sometimes Christians are insulted by being called "narrow-minded". But in some cases, being narrow-minded is a good thing! Listen to this lesson to hear what it means to be "narrow-gate-minded".

According to the Bible, repentance is a prerequisite for becoming a child of God. What does repentance mean, exactly? Listen to this lesson to find out.

Christians are called to live a life that brings glory to God. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus expresses it as letting your light shine before men. This lesson looks at what our Lord says and offers some ways that we can indeed let our lights shine.

A lesson for fathers. What does the bible say about how men ought to act? What traits are they to have and/or develop? Who is the ultimate example that men should follow?

God is unchanging! And what a blessing that is. Everything else is subject to change and does. We need to hold to God but appreciate that change is a part of life. Without change no one would turn from a life of sin to a life lived to God.