by Les | Apr 18, 2022 | Click Date to Respond
A few days ago Helen was in a grocery store and entered into a conversation with a Spanish speaking woman who spoke broken English. In the course of their conversation Helen asked her how she said Easter in Spanish. The woman’s reply was ‘feliz dia del conejo’ which translates as happy day of the rabbit.
A Spanish translator would likely have replied with Pascua de Resurrección. When translating languages you cannot always use a literal translation of words. Pascua de Resurrección is the proper phrase meaning Easter but the literal translation would be more like Easter/Passover related to the Resurrection. The Spanish word Pascua, is derived from the Greek word Pascha and Pascha is derived from the Jewish (Hebrew) word Pesha. One of the old Hebrew translations for Pesha is ‘offering for transgression’.
All of this language twisting brings us to the question of what does Easter have to do with Passover? The simple answer is everything. On the night that Jesus was betrayed he had celebrated the Passover meal, The Last Supper, with his disciples. The Passover meal, the Seder, is a tradition of the Jewish people to emphasize both history and hope. It is to remind them that God led them out of slavery in Egypt and restored them as a nation of his people. The Passover is to remind them that there was an exodus from dark times and that God remembered them and provided for them.
The Passover is largely about the exodus from Egypt and Easter is largely about the Passover. As the blood of lambs had been placed on the doors of the Jewish people on the night that God’s angel passed through Egypt (Passover), it was the sacrificed blood of Jesus, the paschal lamb, that saved those who believe in Him from the penalty of sin. Our celebration at the communion table is a symbolic reenacting of the last supper.
We celebrated the resurrection of Christ yesterday. As we continue in our faith journey it is well for us to remember that Easter is our Christian Passover because Christ’s blood has saved us from our sins. Jesus was the utmost offering for our transgressions.
by Les | Apr 14, 2022 | Click Date to Respond
George Muller was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, now a part of Germany, in 1805. Before his death in 1898 he had become a well known evangelist, missionary and the director of the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England. During his lifetime, records show that he cared for 10,024 orphans, providing them with educational opportunities that led to him being criticized for ‘raising the poor above their natural station’ in British society. Muller also established 117 schools which offered Christian education for more than 120,000 students.
There is so much more that could be shared about Muller’s life and his work for the Lord and I encourage you to either research him on the Internet or to read a book about his marvelous life.
The story I wish to share is about Muller’s faith, in practice, that he exhibited while he was the director of Ashley Down Orphanage. This story is posted on the christianity.com website, as well as other web locations and published in books. You can read it at https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/church-history-for-kids/george-mueller-orphanages-built-by-prayer-11634869.html but I have copied, and have pasted it here for your reading. I give full acknowledgement to the online source where it can be found.
George Mueller, Orphanages Built by Prayer
“The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat,” the housemother of the orphanage informed George Mueller. George asked her to take the 300 children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. George knew God would provide food for the children as he always did. Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “last night I could not sleep. Somehow I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in.”
Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk. It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.
I marvel at Muller’s faith that the children would not go without a meal, a faith so strong that he thanked God for the meal even when there was not yet a meal to place on the tables. I am grateful for those who remembered this story in Mueller’s life; who told it, and it having been retold until it reached our eyes and ears.
I am hopeful that this story from George Mueller’s life will encourage each of us to practice greater faith.
by Les | Apr 11, 2022 | Click Date to Respond
A triumphant entry was not denied,
Upon a donkey’s colt He did ride,
A journey made to turn the tide,
Against death He would preside.
Upon a cross He was placed,
Nails in hands and feet to debase,
Laid in a tomb in great haste,
Jewish leaders, their joy misplaced.
Three days passed, the women went,
To anoint His body, their intent,
Within the tomb His body absent,
A risen Savior, as God had meant.
His father’s will He did obey,
God’s loving grace He did convey,
His sacrifice would ultimately display,
Death’s hold on us has fallen away.
by Les | Apr 4, 2022 | Click Date to Respond
Matthew 21:4-5
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The prophecy in Matthew 21:5 is cited from Zechariah 9:9 and Isaiah 62:11.
Jesus IS King!
The people of Israel were looking for a military leader, one who would lead them against Roman oppression. They badly misunderstood God’s plan for their people. God instead sent the world his son who would be victorious over death.
As Holy Week begins, think of the greatness of why we celebrate the week. Christ made the ultimate sacrifice that we can be set free from death.
In this Holy Week ahead, may God direct our thoughts and attention towards what matters most, Jesus Christ our King.
by Les | Mar 28, 2022 | Click Date to Respond
Uncertainty is a familiar human condition. We all have periods of lacking direction and being without a compass to guide us.
One thing that I have learned in my Christian walk is that if God sends you to do something then you had better commit to the task with all of your ability. If God is for it, if it is his will and you devote yourself to the task then he will open doors before you. On the other hand, if you enter into His will with half hearted effort or uncertainty then be prepared for a great deal of frustration. God does not appear to reward our lukewarm effort towards any of his goals.
Pastor Dick’s series on Elijah, and how he boldly acted upon God’s instruction, reflects a proper response to the most high God. Jonah is a good example of running away from what is expected of us. Yes, Jonah did eventually submit to God’s will, but it took some unique encouragement from God before Jonah was ready to yield.
Be courageous and follow God’s will as he reveals it to you.
by Les | Mar 21, 2022 | Click Date to Respond
1 John 5:4, ‘…for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.’
This morning while thinking about Pastor Dick’s message, “On to Victory”, I decided to Google ‘victory in Christian life’. The Internet search led me to an article on the medium.com website. The article is a part of a series on ‘The Victorious Christian Life’. Below are a few of the items that caught my attention as I read through the article.
“… the victorious life is a gift received from God by faith. Our salvation was a gift. We did not deserve it or earn it in the least. Victory is also a gift. We cannot obtain it in our strength.”
“Faith does nothing; faith lets God do it all.”
“Victory is in trusting, not trying.” (Pastor Dick’s message series on Elijah have illustrated this point.)
“Do not rely on past victories for future victory. Always rely on Christ alone. Rest in the Lord consistently. Victory can be only ours as we obey all the commands of the Spirit to us personally.”
To read the entire article, visit….https://medium.com/christian-family-line/the-victorious-christian-life-f4c5447db0cd
