by Rebekah Harvey
At the beginning of the month of June at Crossroads we received communion and Pastor Doug encouraged us to remember Who the Lord is and to remember the day that we received the Lord. Jesus stood between us and the power of sin so that when we believe in Him and receive Him we can have a relationship with Him.

Pastor Doug also said that instead of observing June as a month of pride we observe it as a month of provision, and that our God provides for us. He has provided a Savior for us and He has given us the opportunity to have a new life in Him. On the Hebrew calendar June 11-13th is the observation of Shavuot, this is when Israel remembers that God gave them the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. They spend time studying and reading these books and the Ten Commandments.

This holiday is celebrated by taking days off work, candle-lit dinners, staying up all night to study the Torah and enjoying other festivities. These first books of the Bible provide us with great insight and foreshadows of our Savior Jesus. Jesus referred to these books in His ministry so we know that they have great value and importance.

Jesus also referred to the Ten Commandments and then gave us a new commandment in John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus was and is the ultimate expression of love, He obediently gave Himself as a sacrifice to redeem us from our sin when we believe in Him.

I encourage you today to remember what Jesus did for you to have a relationship with you. Also, remember what He has provided for you. I know in my own life I can miss many of the blessings He has given me when I am too busy. Take some time and consider what a privilege it is to be able to open and read the Bible and see what God has written for you to know and understand!