Passover 2016 has great meaning for each of us

       Our Jewish friends are celebrating the remembrance of their deliverance from slavery.  Both solemn and joyous, these days are Passover, called Pesach on our calendar. 

What do we learn from Passover?

1. We are surrounded by sin, unbelief, ungodly dictators.
2. We are slaves to a system that is big, strong, and bad.
3. The only way to freedom is obedience to God. 
4. Our personal belief and our trust in Almighty God gives us the way to demonstrate       our obedience.
5. Our obedience to God brings freedom and empowerment. 
6. Our acceptance of this truth brings a wonderful reality of true love, peace, joy from God that is not found anywhere else.  Eternal life with Him awaits us! 

Here’s a few interesting facts that go with these main points.

•   The Jewish people were living in an area of Egypt.  They were forced into slavery.
•   God called a man named Moses to lead them to freedom, to their own land.
•   God sent 12 plagues on Egypt, but each time Pharaoh rejected the call to free them.
•   Passover was the night to sacrifice a lamb, place a mark of its blood on the doorpost of each of their houses, and the people ready to leave Egypt.
•   On Passover the first child of every family died, unless the blood was on the doorpost.
•   God provided the way out and the protection they needed to cross the Red Sea on dry land, and journey to the Promised Land.

In Deuteronomy 6:20-25  Moses reminded them to obey God. 

A Miracle of My Own

Budding branches stir in the warming sun
   on stark tough trees
fragile beauty along the streets
   tenderness on the breeze

Springtime display of new birth
    happens again every year
but we hurry by with jaded eyes
    unaware of the miracles here

O God of more than I can understand
     Designer of blossoms I see
forgive my careless ways
     rebirth wonder and joy in me

You provided the Passover Lamb
    the sacrifice for man
Life and death and resurrection
   salvation's awesome plan
 
A miracle is what I need
   uproot unbelief and fear
plant faith to grow and ever bloom
   in purpose strong and clear

                -by Elaine Hardt ©1991

Passover Teaches Us Love

In days gone by, slavery held them,
But they were challenged to trust and obey,
Passover’s innocent lamb was given
And is remembered and celebrated today.

The Soft, Little Stuffed Lamb on the Table

      A little lamb in their backyard waits for Passover, but a little stuffed lamb sits on my table, waiting for “Easter.” Many people choose decorations of cute rabbits and baby chicks, baskets of fake green straw and candy, I want my family to focus on the fuller meaning of the day.
      What is Passover? In the Bible we read about this event and the powerful results of obedience to God. (See Exodus 12:1-13, Deuteronomy 16:1-8).

The Clouds in the Sky Speak to You and Me

Magnificent moods of the clouds in the sky
Alerted my attention when they caught my eye.
“Look up! Look past your familiar place,” I could hear them sing,
“We’ve seen another amazing, earthquaking thing!”