Beloved Names of God...series.."Passover Lamb"

 

Passover Lamb

"Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch- as you really are.

For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."

1 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

 

• Name of God the Son
• Jesus is referred to as the "Passover lamb" once in the NIV.
• The blood of a lamb was used to mark the doors of Jewish households so they might be spared on the night God began the plagues of Egypt. This ritual is now celebrated as the feast of Passover.
• In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul wrote to the Corinthians demanding that they deal with a case of immorality in their community, reminding them that Jesus died so they might be born anew. The "yeast" he spoke of referred to the earthly things that distract us from our true spiritual nature.

The original Passover lamb was to be male and without defect. Its death and blood marked the Hebrews and spared them from the plagues God visited on Egypt. The sacrifice of the lamb began the process by which the Jews, as a nation, were reborn- from slavery in Egypt to free people on their way to the Promised land.

Jesus was without defect and His blood marked the possibility of rebirth for each of us. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminded them, and through them us, that because of the sacrifice of God's very own Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, humankind can be born again, free from the slavery of sin, and on our way to a heavenly home.

 

*******************************************************************

~Ok- I just have to add here - on the 3rd point above - it say that the blood was used the night God began the plagues of Egypt- well if I am thinking correctly that actually was part of the very last plague- the last night before they were to leave Egypt. Anyway I just didn't want to put out information that was not correct.

 

Come back next week when we will look at "Diadem of Beauty"

 



God Has Promised...series "Are Your Trials More Than You Can Bear?"

 

Are Your Trials More Than You Can Bear?

"The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His work."

The Ministry of Healing, p. 471

 (in the "God Has Promised" book- they did not put the entire paragraph - I just added the last couple of sentences)

 

 

 "od has a purpose in sending trial to His children. He never leads them otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose that they are fulfilling. All that He brings upon them in test and trial comes that they may be strong to do and to suffer for Him."

Prophets and Kings, pg. 578

 

 "God's love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity;"

The Great Controversy, pg. 621

The rest of the paragraph - I am adding because I think it is very helpful as well:

"but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected."

 

"Seek the Lord for wisdom in every emergency. In every trial plead with Jesus to show you a way out of your troubles, and your eyes will be opened to behold the remedy and to apply to your case the healing promises that have been recorded in His Word. In this way the enemy will find no place to lead you into mourning and unbelief, but instead you will have faith and hope and courage in the Lord... Every draught of bitterness will be mingled with the love of Jesus, and in place of complaining of the bitterness, you will realize that Jesus' love and grace are so mingled with sorrow that it has been turned into subdued, holy, sanctified joy." ~ Selective Message, book 2, pp. 273-274.

 

"The precious Savior will send help just when we need it. The way to heaven is consecrated by His footprints. Every thorn that wounds our feet has wounded His. Every cross that we are called to bear, He has borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace." Colporteur Ministry, p. 116

 

"Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet." The Desire of Ages, pg. 330.  

 

"Those who are finally victorious will have season of terrible perplexity and trial in their religious life; but they must not cast away their confidence, for this is a part of their discipline in the school of Christ, and it is essential in order that all dross may be purged away."

~Messages to Young People, p. 63

 

 "If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him!"

~Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pg. 10.

 

"We need not keep our own record of trials and difficulties, griefs, and sorrows. All these things are written in the books, and heaven will take care of them."
~The Ministry of Healing, pg. 487.

 

 

 "The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat;"

~The Desire of Ages, pg. 490. 

 the rest of the sentence:

  "we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials

Page 493

come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper. "

 



Busy... How about you?

Hello~ so this is gonna be a busy week. And at this point next week doesn't look as full, but this week is only beginning so there is no telling what will be added to next week. Especially since I took my MIL to the Dr today. While there he suggested another test to be done. Looking to see if the heart has improved any since she had a blood clot several months back and lots of pressure was put on the heart. If the heart is alright- he really wants her to brpegin to exercise. He said that when a person is younger and they go into the hospital they tend to bounce back but the older we ge the harder to bounce back. And he told her that in order to build her energy level back up and he capacity of doing things- she would need to exercise. Sadly she has not exercised hardly at all throughout her long life- and seems very resistant to starting now. I tried to share with her that exercising usually isn't something people start don't no because they like don't no it. Most people I know that exercise- started off doing nag it because it was the right thing to do. And usually you are able to find some kind of exercise that you enjoy. There are so many benefits to exercising- it's worth it to use self discipline to start don't no it- you will find that you enjoy it. Some days it's harder than others for me to accomplish exercising for the day. But when I do I find I am happier and glad I did it! I hope my MIL will see the benefits and be will to start putting out effort. Our health doesn't just happen, like many other things, we have to work to make it good. Anyway- so there is a god d chance that I could be taking her for the echocardiogram next week.

So I have begun volunteering at the Emergancy Depot in a nearby town. Right now I'm only going once a week. During weeks that I'm not so busy I may start going twice a week. I am also helping with the food bank at my church. We will be having it tomorrow late afternoon. I am thankful I have the opportunity to help people. It's great to be able to make a small difference in someone else's life.

This week I am also going to be having blood work done. My Dr wants to see how my cholesterol is doing. It had been high. She had wanted me to go on meds, but I wanted to try lowering it by making better choices. The first time we checked after my lifestyle change found most of my bad numbers lowered by 50 points. I'm hoping to see those kinds of differences in my numbers this time as well. I will let you know. I don't see her till next week.

Well I am super tired, so I'm gonna close for now. Hope you are all doing well. :)

Beloved Names of God...series... God of All Comfort

God of All Comfort

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV

• Name of God the Father
• God is referred to as the "God of all comfort" once in the KJV.
• The name God of All Comfort implies that God is the source from which all good things flow.
• In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul was writing to the church in Corinth. He begins by introducing himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God" and then goes on to bless them in the name of the Father of mercies and the "God of all comfort."

No doubt the  young father thought he was sharing the load when he and his family went swimming in the hotel pool. While his wife took their baby into the changing room, he took his two-year-old son with him. He did a good job putting the child's needs first, and he spoke in soothing tones. But despite telling him how much fun it was going to be in the pool, the little boy cried for his mother the whole time. His sobs were heartbreaking. In reality, the mother wouldn't have done anything differently from the father, but her mere presence was a comfort to the child. We have a similar relationship with God. Without Him, we are desolate and no one can take His place.

The young family did have a good time splashing in the pool. Harmony was restored once the little boy was reunited with his source of comfort.

***************************************************************
Next week we will look at "Passover Lamb" Hope you have a happy Sabbath day. :O) 

The Attitude of Gratitude...series Day 5 and 6

Today we will be doing day 5 and 6 assignments - basically because half of day 5 is advertisement.

Day 5:

Today, try to call or write three people on the list you made yesterday, to express your gratitude for their influence and ministry in your life. ....... (advertising her thank you cards)...

Day 6:

Paul instructed the Ephesians believers to "give thanks always for all things...." (Eph. 5:20).

One man of God told of meditating on this verse while he was brushing his teeth one morning. He was challenged by the thought of thanking God for everything! He said, "I began by thanking God for my toothbrush. Then I thanked Him for the toothpaste. Then I realized I had never thanked God for my teeth!" He went on to ask this probing question: "If tomorrow's supply depended on today's thanksgiving, how much would I have tomorrow?"

As you go through this day, try to consciously thank God for all things....small things and big thing!

God Has Promised ....series "Are You Discouraged?"

 

Are You Discouraged?

It is Satan's work to discourage the soul; it is Christ's work to inspire with faith and hope.

~The Desire of Ages, p. 249

 

Satan is ready to steal away the blessed assurances of God. He desires to take every glimmer of hope and every ray of light from the soul; but you must not permit him to do this. Exercise faith; fight the good fight of faith; wrestle with these doubts; become acquainted with the promises.

~Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 629.

 

Christian life is more than many take it to be. It does not consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness. These graces are essential; but there is need also of courage, force, energy, and perseverance. The path that Christ marks out is a narrow, self-denying path. To enter that path and press on through difficulties and discouragements requires men who are more than weaklings. ~The Ministry of Healing, p. 497.

 

Instead of thinking of your discouragements, think of the power you can claim in Christ's name....

Let your thoughts be directed to the evidences of the great love of God for you.

 Faith can endure trial, resist temptation, bear up under disappointment. Jesus lives as our advocate. All is ours that His mediation secures....All experiences and circumstances are God's workman whereby good is brought to us.

~ Ibid., pp. 488, 489.

 

When in faith we take hold of His strength, He will change, wonderfully change,

the most hopeless, discouraging outlook.
~ Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 12.

 

Do not dishonor God by words of repining, but praise Him with heart and soul and voice. .... Do this, and see how smoothly everything will go. 
~Selected Messages, book 2, p. 267.

 

Some look always at the objectionable and discouraging features, and therefore discouragement overtakes them. They forget that the heavenly universe is waiting to make them agencies of blessing to the world; and than the Lord Jesus is never-failing storehouse from which human beings may draw strength and courage.  There is no need for despondency and apprehension. The time will never come when the shadow of Satan will not be cast athwart our pathway... But our faith should pierce this shadow. God calls for cheerful co-workers, who refuse to become discouraged and disheartened by opposing agencies. The Lord is leading us, and we may go forward courageously, assured that He will be with us, as He was in past years.

 ~ Gospel Workers, pp. 265, 266.

 

We are too quickly discouraged, and earnestly cry for the trial to be removed from us, when we should plead for patience to endure and grace to overcome.

~Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 310

 

I have seen the tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great. I saw angels over the saints with their wings spread about them. Each saint had an attending angel. If the saints wept through discouragement, or were in danger, the angels that ever attended them would fly quickly upwards to carry the tidings, and the angels in the city would cease to sing.... And all the angels in the city would weep....But if the saints fixed their eyes upon the prize before them, and glorified God by praising Him, then the angels would bear the glad tidings to the city, and the angels in the city would touch their golden harps and sing with a loud vice...And the heavenly arches would ring with their lovely songs.

~My Life Today, p. 302.

**********************************************

 

Next Week we will look at quotes for "Are Your Trials More Than You Can Bear?"

 

 

 

 

The Special Race We Are In....

Today's post is an excerpt from the book I am reading - "The Answer is Prayer" by Morris L. Venden. Lately I have had a lot of questions about prayer so this has been the perfect book for me to read. I am making my way through it slowly...digesting it slowly.
************************************************************************
"My friend Jay Davis sent me and excerpt from a graduation talk he gave which I have prized and which I would like to share:

There is great interest and excitement these days created by the Olympic games. There is also growing support for a movement called the Special Olympics, a program that gives those specially challenged- the handicapped- a chance to strive, a chance to feel the thrill of putting their best on the line. They are invited to run, all out, to a friend or family member who calls encouragement from the finish line. No matter if the performance is awkward or clumsy. Everyone who finishes is a winner and is given a prize and hugs and glory.

Every time I witness one of these contest, I choke up because, you see, I am handicapped. I have a birth defect. I am a born sinner. And waiting at the finish line of this special race I'm in, reaching out to me and calling to me, is my beloved Father, who loves me- why, I don't understand. I'm slow and clumsy and awkward. My limbs won't work the way I want them to. Sometimes I look away from Him and stumble. I get off course and fall down, embarrassed and ashamed. But I have an Elder Brother beside me who helps me when I fall, who holds me up, and who even carries me.

Now, throughout this race, there is a heckler who delights in browbeating me. He keeps telling me there's no use to keep coming to my Father. He says that my Father at the finish line is disgusted with my performance, that I'm just making a spectacle of myself for nothing. However, when I look in the face of my loving Father, He is always there, reaching out to me.

"But I've shamed You," I cry.

He calls back, "Get up. Just keep coming."

And I am beginning to realize that the others in this special race- all with birth defects - are not my competitors at all. They are running to their Father, just as I am, struggling to finish, because everyone who keeps coming until the end of the race is a winner.

The longer this race continues, the more my attention span lengthens. Distractions grow weaker, and I can see His face more clearly. He does want me to get there~ This is becoming a glorious race, as He keeps reaching out to me, encouraging me to keep coming to Him, even when I falter.

The day is not far off when each one of us can stumble in our awkwardness across the finish line and lurch into His waiting arms. He'll gather you in, and clasp you in His arms, and you''ll know you're a winner- because He kept calling you, and you kept coming to Him. He's there, waiting for you, because He loves you. He really loves you."   

A Special Song For Today

So it seems like every 9/11 I listen to this song at least a time or two. It was a day that changed many peoples lives - even those of us who did not personally lose someone. And I like to take some time every year on this day to ponder where I have come from and where I am going.



So my husband spent 16 days in south Texas - Corpus Christi, Victoria, Beaumont, Bay City, Houston area. I was happy to see him when he got back yesterday! He did not come home empty handed - he brought me these and brought me and each of our boys a bag of beaver nuggets....lol - Something Buc-ee's sells...

Yes my cats have gotten into my roses, can you tell?

 

There is a chance that he and his crew might have to go to the Florida area - we don't know for sure about that.

 

I will check back in when I get a chance - I have some errands I need to run. See you soon. :O)