BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD!

Purge out therefore the old leaven,
that ye may be a new lump,
as ye are unleavened.
For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore let us keep the feast,
not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness;
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 5: 7-8

Today is the first day of the Feast of Passover on the Jewish calendar. In the last two years I have come to reject the Christian celebration of Easter as I have come to understand that it is a leftover from the Roman Catholic church which was carried over following the Reformation. Unfortunately the Reformation did not go far enough in some of its changes, and some of the traditions of the Roman Catholic church have been brought over into Christian churches.

Easter has its origins in the ancient Babylonian religions, with much of its symbolism having to do with the worship of the goddess Ishtar (from which we get our word "Easter") and her fertility cult (the rabbits and the eggs). The Roman Catholic church syncretized much of this with true Christianity and then claimed Easter for her own, which it has famously done with many pagan traditions. As I have come to understand how Easter came to us it has become one of those traditions that has more negative connotations than positive ones. The Christian life is to be characterized by a life that denies self and takes up the cross daily, not just one weekend a year or for 40 days preceding it in the practice of Lent. (I could say a lot more about that, but maybe I will try to do that on another post, Lord willing).

In the meantime I have been exploring the biblical Feast of Passover and discovering the rich symbolism in it which points us to Christ, the Lamb of God, God's perfect sacrifice for sins slain from the foundation of the world. As a Gentile Christian I don't really think it is necessary for us to practice the Passover the way Jewish believers do, but I do think it is an important part of understanding God's plan for mankind and for our salvation. I have come to appreciate how perfectly the Old and New Testaments fit together, and of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His own in Christ's perfect fulfillment of this feast. It is for this reason that I would like to share a couple of videos I have found on the web that I have found that explain its significance. The one I have embedded below is rather short, but very good for those who do not want to take a lot of time to examine this. The other one I have linked to because it is 40 minutes long and would cause my blog to take a lot longer to load. It goes into much more detail about the significance of each part of the Passover Feast and Christ's fulfillment of each symbol . It is presented by Jews for Jesus, a Christian organization with a heart for evangelizing its own people group.

I want to make one qualification regarding this video and that is regarding the Jewish symbol of the Star of David used at the beginning of it. Through my research I have come to understand that this symbol is a carryover the Jews brought with them following their Babylonian captivity and is actually occultic in nature and is a cultural symbol. It is mentioned in the mystical Jewish Babylonian Talmud in connection with star worship as the Magen David. It is the menorah that is the true symbol of Israel. The "mystery of iniquity" has tried to mark as his own everything he can, and I believe this just another example of Satan's desire to deceive (add leaven) in every area possible. (If you would like to read more about the origin of the Star of David, click HERE and HERE).

I highly recommend this second video, by Jews for Jesus. Click on the following title to view it: Christ in the Passover

Click on the title to read the words and listen to the hymns When I See the Blood (I Will Pass Over You) and Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!, and HERE to read Psalm 113 - 118, which is traditionally read at the end of the Passover meal in praise and gratitude to God for His provision of the sacrificial Lamb.

A FAVORITE NEW HYMN: THE POWER OF THE CROSS

Over the past several years the team of Paul & Krystyn Getty have written a number of new hymns about the Christian faith. Many of them have become favorites of mine. I will likely share others on this site in the coming weeks and months. For now, enjoy Krystyn Getty singing The Power of the Cross.

SCRIPTURE AND MUSIC TO CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION

There are some days when I long for home (heaven) more than others. I have been struggling with a great deal of back pain the last few weeks, and many of these days have caused me to long for release from this pain. Even though I struggle here below, I rejoice that because Christ now lives and sits at the right hand of the Father, that I too, will one day possess a redeemed and resurrected body when that time comes and God calls me home, either in death and the resurrection of the dead, or when the trumpet sounds if I am still alive, to meet Him in the air. Here are a few passages of scripture that have given me great comfort during difficult days. I praise God that since Christ was raised from the dead and given an incorruptible body, so too shall I, on that great day!

Photo courtesy of Freefoto.com. Photographer: Ian Britton

Oh that my words were now written!
Oh that they were printed in a book!
That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH
AND THAT HE SHALL STAND
AT THE LATTER DAY UPON THE EARTH:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold,
and not another;
though my reins be consumed within me.
Job 19:23-27


Beloved, now are we the sons of God,
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:
but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him;
for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2


Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead,
how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain,
and your faith is also vain.
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God;
because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:
whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain;
ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up
the kingdom to God, even the Father;
when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
I Corinthians 15:12-26

There are so many wonderful hymns commemorating the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I just had to post a few more songs today. I hope they will bring you comfort and courage in the days to come.

HANDEL'S I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH


CHRIST AROSE/HE'S ALIVE - LGC SINGERS


CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY - BY TONEDR


I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVES


I couldn't resist including this final one. Although this is not the rendition of "O Happy Day!" that I was looking for (the older hymn version, of which I could not locate a good video), I couldn't resist adding this final one.

Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF'?" Matt. 21:16b

O HAPPY DAY!/JESUS LOVES ME


Click HERE to listen to the original hymn.

GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD BOAST EXCEPT IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM THE WORLD HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED TO ME, AND I TO THE WORLD.

Galatians 6:14

I read a great article today called "The Old Rugged Cross" on Crossroad, a website operated by Andy and Berit Kjos, discussing how the world and the modern church views the cross in these days. It saddens my heart to see the reality that formerly evangelical churches are turning their backs on the only way there is for man to be saved. If they are not outright denying the cross, they are doing it in a practical sense. The article draws attention to what is in store for churches who will not soften their stance on holding tightly to Christ's work on the cross as the only way of salvation, and some of the legal ramifications they will likely face. Click HERE to read the article.

The editors at Lighthouse Trails wrote an article, "Celebrating the Resurrection, but Denying the Atonement", exposing the pathway the emerging church and contemplative spirituality are taking in their practical denial of the cross. Here is an excerpt from that article:

This weekend, people throughout the world are celebrating Christ's resurrection. Even people who don't believe in the resurrection are celebrating the weekend and wishing Happy Easter to others. But while that seems odd to celebrate a day when you don't even believe in it's reason, what is more odd is that so many Christians are celebrating the resurrection but are throughout the year promoting a spirituality that ultimately denies the atonement. Without the atonement, why bother thinking about the resurrection - it would mean nothing.

Some may be saying right now-- my pastor doesn't deny the atonement. Really? Does he ever promote Brennan Manning or Richard Foster? What about the college you attend? Do your professors ever tell you to read Henri Nouwen or Larry Crabb? And what about the women's Bible studies you attend? Do you ever read books by Keri Wyatt Kent, Jan Johnson, or Ruth Haley Barton? And what about the youth group your teens go to? Do they watch Rob Bell's Noomas and read books by Dan Kimball and Brian McLaren? And is your church involved with Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life? You see, the spiritual formation movement (of which category all these authors and leaders fall into) has a core of mysticism. And contemplative mysticism, by its very nature, denies the Cross, the atonement, and the resurrection. So to celebrate the resurrection and yet to embrace spiritual formation is a terrible contradiction.

Now it is true that not all of the people who promote contemplative reject the Atonement, but by their adhering to and promoting the spirituality that does, they in a round about way reject it also. Those who believe in the true elements of contemplative/emerging spirituality say they love the Cross and they consider Christ an example of a great servant who sacrificially gave His life for others, but they deny the idea that He was a substitute - in other words He paid the penalty that we should have because we are sinners. They say that God would not send His Son to a violent death on a Cross to bear the sins of others (see our research on this). They say Jesus is their model but cannot say He is their Lord. By Christian leaders embracing spiritual formation as they are now doing in large numbers, they are inadvertently denying the atonement and are helping to usher in a world religious system that will attempt to snuff out the true gospel. This effort is already knocking at the door.(1)

Click HERE to read the rest of the article on the Lighthouse Trails website.

Here is a video of that old favorite hymn:

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS ON ACOUSTIC GUITAR


(1). http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?cat=41

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT AND RESURRECTION SUNDAY

The traditions of Easter that Christendom celebrates in this day and age are by and large the traditions of men. The ordinance given in Scripture for believers to commemorate the work of Christ on the cross is the Lord's Supper.

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor 11:23-26 RSV)

Central to the gospel is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ, who knew no sin became sin for us, while we in turn receive the righteousness of God through Him. The Lord's Supper, which is a celebration symbolizing this new covenant and a remembrance of His death and resurrection most adequately pictures this. Our contemporary Easter celebrations which take place only once a year are a rather poor alternative to Christ's original pattern, as given to us in Scripture. The Easter our contemporary culture celebrates today has Roman Catholic origins and often includes many pagan elements that reflect the traditions of those who worship the goddess Ishtar, from which Easter derives its name. The eggs, bunnies, and symbols of new life and Spring are some of these which represent the element of fertility so important to worshipers of this goddess. The Roman Catholic church allowed this in order to gain converts, allowing paganism alongside the Roman Catholic traditions.

I do not condemn those who choose to celebrate the festival we now call Easter by attending Good Friday and Easter Sunday services, as many do not understand the origins of the celebration and its many associations with paganism. I prefer to call these days the Day of Atonement and Resurrection Sunday myself, as the term Easter is a derivative of the word Astarte or Ishtar, the pagan goddess. I continue to enjoy many of the traditional hymns associated with Christ's death and resurrection, and I will still be attending the services in our local church. My focus will be on the ongoing commemoration of His death in the Lord's supper and its meaning for me as I partake with our small congregation and sing the hymns associated with these events. I have chosen however, not to participate in the traditions that have pagan origins. It is my hope and desire that the Lord's Supper will take place more frequently within our congregation (which currently takes place approximately once a month), as it is central to my faith. I think its importance has been minimized in many churches in North America and that it does not take place often enough. I think of it as a joyous occasion, with the understanding that I have been allowed to be free from the bondage of sin and its eternal consequences, while soberly remembering what it cost Christ to pay for that freedom. It is a time to examine myself as to whether I am living a life worthy of the calling I have received. In other words, is my life lining up with what I believe, and are there areas that I need to place before the Lord in submission to Him. Am I cooperating with the Holy Spirit as He is working in my life through the process of sanctification, which is to be done with utmost care and diligence on my part.

For those who have chosen to commemorate Christ's death and resurrection during this time of the year, here is a reminder of the true meaning of the events. This is one of my favorite hymns. Although this video is made by an amateur, I admire the fact that this is a father and his sons, joining together to sing this song of praise, and it is being sung from the heart; not for the purpose of entertainment, but for worship and in gratitude. May God bless you as you listen and reflect on God's mercy.

JESUS PAID IT ALL

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Nature's Praise - Part 1
It is Well/In His Time/I Cast All My Cares Upon You

IT IS WELL

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
~by Horatio G. Spafford


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IN HIS TIME

   In His time, in His time
He makes all things beautiful in His time
Lord, please show me every day
as You're teaching me Your way
that You do just what You say in Your time

In Your time, in Your time
You make all things beautiful in Your time
Lord, my life to You I bring
may each song I have to sing 
be to You a lovely thing in Your time
~by Diana Ball

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I CAST ALL MY CARES UPON YOU

I cast all my cares upon you
I lay all of my burdens down at your feet
And any time I don't know what to do
I will cast all my cares upon you
~by Kelly Willard

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Acoustic Guitar by Rory O'Donnell

How Great Thou Art

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed

Refrain:
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art


When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze


And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin


When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim my God how great Thou art!


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How Great Thou Art – The History of the hymn
The history of the hymn How Great Thou Art begins with Mr. Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940). He was a Swedish pastor, editor, and member of the Swedish parliament. Mr. Boberg was enjoying a nice walk when a thunderstorm suddenly appeared out of no where. A severe wind began to blow. After the storm was over, Mr. Boberg looked out over the clear bay. He then heard a church bell in the distance. And the words to How Great Thou Art begin to form in his heart -- O Lord, my God, When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands hath made. . . Can you imagine what Boberg felt as he formed these words? There was such calmness after the fierce storm he could only utter those words of peace.

This poem, titled O Store Gud (O Great God) was published in 1891 in Witness of the Truth, the weekly newspaper that Boberg edited. It was later translated in German. In 1927, it was published in a Russian version of the German text.

How Great Thou Art – Translated by Stuart K. Hine
How Great Thou Art was translated by Stuart K. Hine, the English missionary to Ukraine. He found some version of the Russian text and sang it at an evangelistic meeting with his wife. He then translated the first three stanzas into English, which was sung at an evangelistic meeting in England during World War One. He published the first three verses (in both English and Russian) in 1949 in Grace and Peace, a Russian evangelistic paper which Hine edited. He later wrote the fourth verse as a triumphant message of life eternal.

Of the hymn’s importance he said: “When we reach that heavenly home, we will fully understand the greatness of God, and will bow in humble adoration, saying to Him, O Lord my God, how great thou art.” May we all live in such a way that we will be ready when Jesus Christ appears to receive the saints. Our heavenly home awaits us, all of those who have received Christ in obedience.

Dr. J. Edwin Orr of Fuller Theological Seminary, is said to have brought the hymn to America. After hearing it sung in India, he introduced it to various Christian groups in America. In 1954, Dr. Cyrus Nelson of Gospel Light Publications copyrighted and published the song.

From AllAboutGod.com