Hosanna In the Highest

Most mornings God wakes me with a song in my heart. Approximately 40 days prior to the passing of my first born son, God woke me up with a song in my heart and the fragrance of heaven in the room. 

Ancient Middle Eastern Religious tradition holds that 40 days prior to a person's death God drops a leaf from a tree below the heavenly throne, on which an angel reads the name of the person whose soul is to separated from their body. This angel doesn't act independently,  but is only informed by God when time has come for that person's soul is to be separated from their body. The song was James Cleveland's God Has Smiled on Me. The fragrance was like fresh cut roses, rose water, or a rose perfume.

The song in my heart this morning 12/16/20 is Hosanna (Earnest Pugh).

Listen here: https://youtu.be/buobk3XO3Xs. Relevant scriptures are John 12:12-13; Psalm 118:25-28; Rev 7:9-12. In John 12:12-13 and Rev 7:9-12 the people shouted Hosanna and waived palm branches. 

Hosanna is a word from Hebrew that is commonly used as an exclamation of adoration, praise or joy. In the Old Testament, it is applied only in scripture as "help" or "save, I pray." In the New Testament, the word Hosanna appears to be a "special kind of respect" referred to the one who saves (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/hosanna-in-the-bible/).

The palm tree is a symbol of triumph, victory over death. Palms grow in the desert and overcome the arid climate. Deborah sat under a palm tree as a judge in Israel and received the strategy to overcome her enemies (Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012%3A12-13&version=TPT)

Declarations: God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:1). Yeshuah is my Salvation (Matthew 1:21). When this corruptible body has put on incorruption, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54). God gives me wisdom which my adversaries will not be able to resist (Luke 21:15).

Bloodline Cleansing for American Descendants of Slavery

When repenting and saying prayers of renunciation for bloodline cleansing there's likely a whole part of your ancestry that you've completely overlooked- the kinfolk (biological ancestry) who ain't skinfolk (don't look like you and are of a lighter hue). Not only must we forgive them. We must also  repent for the sins of our white ancestors against our black ancestors and others. 

Over the years I've fasted, prayed, renounced the sins of my black ancestors, asked for forgiveness, repented for bloodline iniquities, applied the Blood of Jesus to my maternal  and paternal bloodlines, and trusted God to cleanse my bloodlines. I've seen breakthroughs and received deliverances but its been evident that there were outstanding accusations against my maternal lineage. But what? I'd been trusting God to bring revelation. 

Very recently a familiar spirit appeared to me in a dream as a headless solider dressed in a uniform. It reached for my head. I woke up and rebuked it. As a result of the dream, I received prophetic insight through dream interpretation  from a Prophet of God about the details of the sins committed by black ancestors on my mother's side of the family. But there were no new types of sins for which I had not already  repented. 

My paternal lineage is Nigerian (Yoruba). My paternal great great grandfather was brought to Jekyll Island in 1858 on the Slave Ship the Wanderer. Over the years God has given revelation about the sins of my African ancestors. And I've renounced them and repented. And out of obedience to what God was speaking through God's mouthpiece, yet again I  prayed  the prayers of renunciation and repented for things most people of African descent have in their bloodlines. 

I felt lighter. Sensed a shift and mostly importantly received instructions from God about next steps. I was to visit my parents home, do a short teaching on bloodline cleansing, pray, take communion with them, and listen to scriptures about the power in the blood of Jesus while sleeping. I did and received a powerful deliverance. I went to bed at around 10 pm. I woke up at around 5 and purged for 3 hours until 8 am!  In this moment as I'm typing the Holy Spirit said "All  those numbers are prophetic!" 

During the dream interpretation session prior to traveling to my parents' home the Prophet revealed that I have British and Ghanaian ancestry on my mother's side of the family. Afterwards, this was confirmed through DNA testing.

One of my maternal great great grandparents was Ghanaian (Ewe) and the other was British. So my maternal  great grandfather who came to South Carolina from Haiti was likely a product of rape or some other form of sexual perversion. 

The prophet also identified the uniform of the headless soldier in the dream. It was a Victorian era (British) uniform. God allowed her to go deep and receive lots of details. I'm so thankful. As a result I  experienced another level of deliverance, but knew that there was still something hanging in the balance. There were still outstanding accusations against my maternal bloodline. But what? 

One night as I was journaling about how Ive been harrassed over the years by this familiar spirit assigned to my maternal bloodline, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I've never repented for the sins of my BRITISH ancestors. Ive never repented for the, rape, sodomy (the slave owners raped the men and boys too), murder, injustice, wickedness, lying, deceit, treachery, cheating, oppression, hardness of heart, breaking vows, violence, adultery, robbery, offering human sacrifices, idolatrous practices, rebellion,  scheming, etc.  of my WHITE ancestors! 

This has by far been THE most stubborn bloodline issue in my life!  This spirit first appeared to me in a dream when I was 7 years old. And it  has harrassed me in various ways on and off for nearly 40 years. As American Descendants of Slavery, we spend a lot of time and energy focusing on our African "demons"- and rightfully so. AND we would be VERY well-served to take another look at our multi-national, multi-ethnic, multi-racial foundations. 

A Prophetic Word for the Church at Large November 2020

A Prophetic Word for the Church at Large November 2020

November 2020: Promotion (Psalm 75:6-7), Prophets (Jeremiah 23:9-40) and Promise (Psalm 145:1-13)

Three things the Holy Spirit revealed to me for the Church at Large are:

• God is judging works.

• God is purifying the prophetic ministry.

• God is giving you the desires of your heart.

And the Lords says...

I am judging your works.

• I know your deeds and hard work

• I am rewarding those who have persevered and diligently sought after me

• Testimonies about the deeds and work of the church in Asia- particularly the Underground Church in China have continually come before Me

• You have patiently endured and remained faithful even in the face of persecution

• I am strengthening the works of your hands and releasing resources to you to do the work which I have called you to do

• I will open doors to you for reverse mentorship to minister to churches around the world that are older and more established

• I will send you forth as firebrands to reignite fire and passion in My Church in other places

• And not only am I judging the works of the church in Asia; My eyes are moving to and fro throughout the earth so that I may edify those whose heart is completely Mine

• I am releasing technologies, strategies, weaponry, and resources

• This season looks like downtime to many, but I am performing maintenance and upgrades to My Body

• I am repositioning and realigning many of my sons and daughters   

• Those with an ear to hear and eyes to see perceive there is a great deal going on in the realm of the spirit   

• I am doing a new thing among your generation 

• The resources of heaven are being reallocated and realigned to those who have been found to be faithful

• I am releasing angelic assistance, financial resources and destiny helpers to support you in doing the work that I have called you to do

• You will experience an increase in the acts of my Spirit

• I am raising up sons and daughters with My character and nature who will do great exploits in my name

 • Their character, nature and works  will proclaim My sovereign power over all of creation

• I am releasing special graces on evangelists and evangelistic work to bring in a great harvest of souls from every nation and every tongue

I am purifying the prophetic ministry.

• There are prophets, prophetic voices and prophetic intercessors who have caused My Church to err

• Because you speak imaginations and visions of your own hearts- not out of My mouth

• You have defiled the church in the United States with political ideology, culture, tradition and religion

• Some of you have made these things your gods

• You have exalted  your idols over My justice and righteousness, My Word, My desires, and My redemptive plan 

• You have strengthened the hands of those who divide My church and bring strife and contention among you

• I am calling prophets, prophetic voices, and prophetic intercessors from every nation and tongue throughout the earth who have caused My Church to err to repent 

• As you humble yourself, pray, seek My face and repent I will

• Unlock mysteries and deliver you from strongholds and ungodly mindsets

• I will give you clean hands and pure hearts that you may once again ascend My hill

• It is from this elevated place that you must see, discern, decree and declare My heart and My mind

• Have I not instructed you to not be conformed to worldly patterns

• I am releasing new wineskins to those who humble themselves and repent

• So that your minds may be renewed

• Then and only then  will you know what My good, acceptable and perfect will is  

• Then you will speak My Truth in Love

• As you speak my Truth in Love over the next year and beyond, I will use you to uproot those things that have defiled My Church in the nations where I planted you

• In the U.S. I will use those who speak my Truth in Love to  immediately silence the accusations of greed, rebellion, pride, hatred, injustice and murder which have stood in My courts against your nation from its inception 

• As I restore your identity as My ambassadors who show love one to another 

• You will shine more brightly throughout the earth, in the world systems, and among the nations to dispel the darkness around you

• You will go forth as sent ones to plant and build world systems that align with My  governance 

I am giving you the desires of your heart.

• Cast your cares upon Me;  I care for you  

• You are the apple of my eye- my beloved in whom I am well pleased.  

• I am a good Father; It delights me to bless you  

• Rest from striving, trying to figure everything out, and doing things in your own strength

• Trust Me to fulfill My promises to you

• Take joy in being in My presence

• As you seek My face I will reward you and give you the desires of your heart

• I am placing expectancy in your hearts

• This is a month of hope 

• Place your hope in me

• I am conditioning your hearts to dream again

• I am healing your hearts from disappointment

• Take those prophetic words which are yet to be manifested off the shelf and stand on My promises to you

• Search out My word and stand on My promises to you

• Remember those things I said to you in our times of intimacy together and stand on My promises to you 

• Stand on my promises to you particularly in the areas of family and your identity in me

• I am breaking generational curses, cleansing bloodlines and raising you up as mature sons and daughters 

• Pay attention to your dreams

• I am giving you a peek into your prophetic destiny

• These dreams may seem foolish, impossible or improbable to others, but 

• I will bring My purposes and plans for your life to past

• I have disarmed the works of darkness that have withstood your walking in the course I set before you

• My wind is at your back to push you forward

• The enemy may have come in like a flood, but my breath is putting him to flight

• I am making an open display of the enemy and the works of darkness 

• I am demonstrating my goodness and faithfulness as a Good Father towards my sons and daughters

•  I will draw humanity to me as I am lifted up as a Good Father

My Thoughts About the Vice Presidental Debate

Harris is poised, polished and professional. She's competent, confident,  and a great communicator. It was obvious she was toeing a line. She didnt want to come across and be seen as an angry black woman. This is my life every day in a building with mostly white men. There are only three people onsite who "outrank" me. It's a delicate balance which requires prayer and wisdom. And quite frankly, sometimes its tiring 😔. 

Her smile was feigned- intended to make her look softer. She looked as if she'd stepped in whatever the fly smelled. I have this issue as well. My face always tells the story. It needs deliverance. 😅 Been this way since I was a baby. Wanna know what I'm thinking. Check out my face. No poker face over here.

Harris didn't really get at Pence like she really COULD have and WANTED to. It was painful for her to hold back. I bet you some of the things she wrote on that paper is what she REALLY wanted to say. I've been there. Done that too. Don't nothing nice be on that paper!😅. She went in not wanting to do any harm by alienating the 5% of the voters who can be swayed by a debate. 

Harris either intentionally let Pence  slide or simply missed a few opportunities to go for the jugular. Perhaps she didn't want to seem too aggresive. She was careful and measured- politically correct. The filter was VERY obvious. A large number of the American electorate doesn't respect intentionally changing one's approach not to offend. It comes across as insincerity. Right now there's a huge deal of respect for just being who you are - good, bad or ugly. Americans value those who seemingly shoot straight from the hip and heart- straight up, no chaser. 

Pence didn't answer most questions. Yet, he stirred up his base. He hit the buzz words and hot issues.  He missed no opportunity to say what his supporters wanted to hear- even if it meant he wouldn't have time to actually answer the questions. He did EXACTLY what he needed to do for this debate. He may have even picked up some of the 5% who can be swayed by seeming to be  kind, compassionate, gracious, and thoughtful. 

Don't shoot the messenger.

Prayer Against the Coronavirus

Father, I come before You to renounce and repent for my generational line and myself for all of us who have opened the door to the Coronavirus and/or any other viral epidemic or pandemic through fear.  Lord, I acknowledge Your truth that:

Your perfect love casts out all fear, but there have been times when we have not trusted in that love. Your sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for our healing. You have told us to not be afraid because You are with us. Satan’s agenda is to create fear in order to cause destruction and pre-empt Your righteous agenda to establish Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. 

Lord Jesus, please cause Your blood to encapsulate every cell in my body on the physical, soul and spirit levels. Please set a watch. Guard every vulnerable opening into my body, soul, and spirit, reaching all the way down to the cellular and subcellular levels. Cause my nasal, oral, and ocular openings to be hostile to the coronavirus presence, such that every virion would die in those openings before it can enter my body. 

Cause any coronavirus that has entered my body to be rejected by my body. Cause my cells to be hostile toward infection, such that all cell receptors bar acceptance, reception, and subsequent infection. Block the receptors on my cells so that the coronavirus cannot recognize where to latch on. 

In the name of Jesus and by the power of His blood, I forbid the virus from landing on any cell receptor and the viral membranes from fusing with my cell membranes.

I ask that you, Lord, would dissolve the spikes that make up the crown of the virus, which is necessary for infection as it attempts to enter my body system.  Please de-crown the coronavirus on entry into my body system and activate my immunity to remove its remnants.

Lord, please cause my immune system to recognize the coronavirus and not be fooled by any viral mechanism that shields the virus from detection.

I forbid the ribosomes in my cells from replicating and/or translating coronavirus RNA.

I thank You, Lord Jesus, for your everlasting protection and love. I speak life and health to my body, soul, and spirit, and I claim Your promise that:

You will not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.  A thousand may fall at your side,  ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

I also declare healing to every physical and spiritual area over which God has given me authority; I declare that the coronavirus will cease and desist, for it must submit to the blood of Jesus.

Lord, please heal and protect me and all in my family line from the effects of all strains of coronavirus, including COVID-19.

[1] 1 John 4:18

[2] 1 Peter 2:24

[3] Isaiah 41:10

[4] 1 Peter 5:8

[5] Matthew 6:10

[6] Psalm 91

Source: Aslan Place Ministries.

Know them by Their Fruit

Know them who labor among you. How? By their fruit. Not their works, degrees or spiritual pedigree. 

Why not works? The gifts and calling are without repentance. One can perform works through their gifts and not have an intimate relationship with God. 

Why not degrees? Degrees are not an indicator that one is walking closely with the Lord. In fact, when I earned my doctorate in 2008 I spent a lot less time in fellowship with God than I do now. Why? I simply didn't have the time. There weren't enough hours in the day. 

Degrees don't give you the juice (anointing and grace to bear fruit) . When I was in seminary I saw adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy drunkenness (regularly smelled marijuana in one particular building), and  revelries ON CAMPUS. 

Meanwhile I know some folk who may not always get their subject-verb agreement right but know how to get heaven and earth to agree through prayer. 

I'm not saying one cannot be educated and oily (anointed). I know some REALLY oily professionals- lawyers, doctors (of letters and medicine), publishers, public administrators, etc. What I'm saying is education or lack of should not be a yard stick for assessing the grace of God on a ministers life. 

Why not by their spiritual pedigree? Just because their mentor or spiritual authority/father/mother has the juice doesn't mean they have it also. Many ministers are ordaining people to simply build a network. They're not pouring into or mentoring those they ordain. Or they're only pouring into a select few (sometimes those who make largest financial contributions). They're dead beat dads or moms. They have many so-called sons and daughters but aren't fulfilling motherly/fatherly duties. 

Why by their fruit? Intimate fellowship with God gives us grace- divine enablement, to bear fruit. Fruit of love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, and self control are born out of intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Those who bear this fruit re-present God in the earth realm and are recognized in the realm of the spirit as God's ambassadors. These are the sent ones who show up in the character and nature of God.

Lord Breathe on Me!

Lord breathe on me. Blow on the embers. Rekindle the FIRE.  Holy Ghost Fire burn in me!  Baptize me afresh with your FIRE. 🔥🔥🔥Burn in my mind. Burn in my heart. Burn in my hands. Burn in my feet. Burn!! Burn away what's not like you. Set me ablaze for your glory. Awaken gifts! Let your fire be a catalyst to catapult me out of any form of stagnancy and complacency. Let my life cause others to turn aside, take notice of You , and answer Your call to surrender their lives!

https://youtu.be/1VBnnghI2AM

Heal Our Land

Shedding innocent blood is an abomination. God judges abominations. When innocent blood is shed it speaks and cries out for justice and recompense. Shedding innocent blood brings curses and judgments upon the land. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us what is required for the land to be healed and released from these curses and judgements. In the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) it says "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

As we pray for our nation, ask forgiveness, repent on behalf of the nation, its founders, and leaders. Ask God to raise up godly leaders who will govern according to God's principles and precepts. Ask God to give us godly leaders who will enact laws, policies and practices which honor God. 

Appropriate the blood of Jesus which speaks better things on behalf of the nation. Present the blood of Jesus as a plea in the courts of heaven. Pray that the blood of Jesus will silence the accusations of innocent blood shed that the accuser of brethren is presenting in the courts of heaven against our nation.

Thess accusations include:

1. The blood of Native Americans who were intentionally infected with smallpox and killed in unjust wars cries out.

2. The blood of enslaved Africans who were slaughtered cries out. 

3. The blood of the unborn who reached an age of viability and were aborted when there was no medical need to do so cries out. 

4. The blood of those executed through capital punishment in unfair and unjust manners cries out. 

5. The blood of those who die at the hands of police officers who become judges, juries and executioners on the streets of our nation cries out.

Days of Fire

Images of riot fires in major cities around the county are not what any of us had in mind for Pentecost Weekend. The fires set by protestors responding in anger and frustration to George Floyd's death gives  the term "Days of Fire" a new meaning. I believe the timing isn't by happenstance.

Revival and fresh fire in the church will come when we REPENT for the sins which are at the root of the fruit of hatred, anger, violence, murder, lawlessness, etc. we're seeing. Those same roots bear fruit of strife and  disunity in the Body of Christ. The disunity in the Church fuels and legalizes in the spirit realm  disunity in  society at large. I've been praying about and lamenting about the disunity in the Body for a few years now. It breaks God's heart! 

We must see ourselves as children of God first and foremost- not white or black, not Democrat or Republican- but children of God. OT prophets primarily preached against idolatry, sexual immorality, shedding of innocent blood, mistreatment of the disenfranchised and marginalized, oppression and injustice. In the Body even God's mouthpieces- the prophets, feel like they must choose a side or camp which only addresses 2 or 3 of these things. Why? Parts of the message are seen as the message of the Black Liberation Theology Movement. Other parts are seen as the message of the White Evangelical Movement. No one seems to care that ALL of these things are central to the message of the RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE of God. 

Where are those who will cry aloud and spare not for the God Movement? 

The Idolatry of Political Ideology in America

Christians have made idols of political ideology. We blindly follow partisan politics without speaking Truth to power. God will judge God's house for this if WE don't REPENT! 

Where are Christian republicans who abhor "isms," injustice, and the mistreatment of the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised? The OT Prophets warned God's chosen people about this time and time again. The Israelites were severely judged for these abominations. These things are overlooked today because those who hold power, wealth and influence have shaped the mental lenses through which we read and interpret scripture. 

Where are Christian democrats who abhor abortion of the unborn who have reached the age of viability? If there's no medical necessity to perform these procedures is this not the shedding of innocent blood? Where are Christian democrats who abhor the perversion of the institution of MARRIAGE  which is a HOLY institution created by a HOLY God even before there was the institution of religion? I'm not speaking of civil unions or equal protection under the law  for we are to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. I'm speaking of the use of the term MARRIAGE to describe relationships which don't align with the definition established through the principle of first use in ancient sacred and historical texts.

We're facing unprecedented challenges on many fronts in our society. Republicans are not solution bearers. Democrats are not solution bearers. The children of God who show up in the character and nature of the Creator are solution bearers.  So I encourage you to bow before God and not your idols of political ideology as you seek guidance, revelation, and insight on how to cast your vote in the upcoming elections. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the CHILDREN OF GOD- not republicans or democrats!

Happy Mother's Day!

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29 NRSV

According to The Passion Translation Study Notes: "These valiant and noble ones (daughters) represent the church of previous generations who remained faithful in their pursuit of Jesus. But this final generation will be the bridal company of the lovers of God who do mighty exploits and miracles on the earth."

Let the women arise and take our positions among this bridal company to do mighty exploits and miracles on earth. Let us take that which we've been endowed to bear fruit, advance the kingdom, and govern our spheres of influence in the earth according to God's precepts and principles. Let us re-present the King of kings in the personhood, power and presence of our risen Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Out of Egypt

Too often we think of Christianity as a "white man's religion." Nothing could be further from the Truth. Like Jesus,  Christianity was birthed in Asia (Israel) and nurtured in Africa (Egypt)!  Christianity spread rapidly and intensely in North and Northeast Africa in the first five centuries.  We read about the conversion of the Ethiopian enuch in Acts Chapter 8. 

Church Fathers of African descent were at the forefront of efforts to outline important doctrines such as the trinity. They also addressed heretical teachings and preserved the integrity of the faith. They played a huge role in establishing fundamental tenets of the Church. In fact, we can thank our African brother Athanasius of Alexandria for what we know as the Bible.  Athanasius played a huge role in the canonization of scripture and was the first to develop a list of books which were to be included in the Bible. 

Because the African Church Fathers wrote and spoke in Greek and Latin, they are often referred to as Greek and Latin philosophers and theologians.  But these brothers were Black!  They were African!  And I assure you they also spoke their indigenous African languages.  Why am I sharing?  Knowing the history of our faith helps to dispel myths such as Christianity being a "white man's religion."  Included below is a link to a site with a synopsis of some contributions to Christianity by  several Church Fathers of African descent.  

https://ramonlmayo.com/2018/08/01/7-african-church-fathers-you-should-know/

The Ressurrection: A Person Not an Event

 “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live." John 11:25

The words I am in the Aramaic are a clear statement of Christ’s deity. The Aramaic uses a word for resurrection that is related linguistically to the name Noah, who was symbolically “resurrected” from the flood as the life-giver to those who repopulated the earth. Resurrection is superior to life, for life can be defeated and ended. But resurrection overcomes. Life is the power to exist, but resurrection is the power to conquer all, even death itself. Believers must learn to live in Christ our Life and Christ our Resurrection to conquer all things.

Season of Passover

Jewish Passover ended in Atlanta, GA (USA) at 8:10 pm April 16. In those days, Jesus was arrested shortly after the Passover Meal. He died the following day at 3 pm. He was resurrected Sunday morning at 6 am. Sunday, April 19, 2020, is Resurrection Sunday/Easter in the Orthodox Church which follows the Hebraic/Lunar Calendar.

Springtime signifies the season of Passover. It begins at the sunset marking the start of the 15th day of Nissan which is the first month of the ecclesiastical Jewish calendar.  That is some time between April and May in the modern calendar.  Passover commemorates a covenant between God and the Israelites. Over 3,000 years ago the pharaohs of Egypt enslaved the Jews and forced them to toil in misery.  According to the Book of Exodus, God sent Moses to convince the   pharaoh "to let My people go!" But the pharaoh chose to ignore the request.

God unleashed nine plagues onto Egypt including locusts, hail storms, and disease.  None of them persuaded the stubborn pharaoh.  For the tenth plague, God slayed all first born sons in the land. Moses instructed the Hebrews to slaughter lambs and spread the blood over their front doors so the angel of death would pass over their homes leaving their children unharmed.  From this act came Pesach which is the Hebrew word for passing over.  When the pharaoh's own son was killed by the wrath, he reluctantly agreed to let Moses lead his people out of Egypt into the Promised Land. 

The story of the Hebrew's deliverance from bondage is remembered in ritualistic detail with a meal called the Seder.  The Seder begins the seven day season of Passover.  It is tradition for Jews living outside of Israel to celebrate Passover for eight days with the Seder meal on each of the first two nights.  This guarantees that every Jew around the world can participate in their Seder at the same time with those living in the Holy Land.  Every element of the Seder meal must occur in specific order.  Celebrants read from the Haggadah which is a liturgy written by Rabbis during the 2nd-7th Century B.C.  The Haggadah retells the story of the Jews Exodus from Egypt. 

The Seder begins with a cup of wine which sanctifies the holiday.  A plate is presented full of symbolic reminders of the past.  Horseradish recalls the bitter times Jews suffered in bondage.  Haroset, a thick, sweet mixture of chopped fruit, nuts, wine and spices evokes the mortar slaves used to build the pyramids.  Parsley dipped in salt water represents the tears they shed.  A shank bone signifies the slaughtered lamb whose blood was slathered on doorways.  And an egg symbolizes hope and rebirth.  As the dinner begins the plate is removed from the table.  Bread that has risen or leavened bread is strictly forbidden during Passover season.  Instead, flat matzo bread is served.

 
The three pieces of matzo bread represent the three temples- two which were destroyed and one that will be built prior to the second coming of the Messiah.  Matzo is also a reminder of the Exodus.  Hebrews left Egypt in such a hurry that they couldn't wait for their bread to rise.  As the meal is consumed four more ceremonial cups of wine are served.  The final cup- the cup of Elijah is filled and the front door is opened.  This is an invitation for the Prophet Elijah to enter the home.  The Passover Seder is one of the oldest continuing ceremonial customs in human history.  It is rooted in the day of the pharaohs with the faithful passing down its meaning and rituals generation after generation.   

Blood of the New Covenant

Jesus had arranged to eat the Passover meal with His disciples on the night he would be betrayed and arrested.  During this meal, Jesus instituted  the ordinance of the Lord's Supper.  The Lord's Supper is the name given by the Apostle Paul to the event that commemorated the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.  When the meal was finished Jesus took the bread and the wine and did the following: Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:19-20, NRSV

Matthew records Jesus saying:  “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28, NRSV  One object of the Lord's Supper is to keep Jesus and the new covenant with God in the remembrance of the disciples of Christ.  This is a love covenant between Jesus and each of his disciples, and it seals the affection they have for one another.  The table on which the bread was placed is known as the Lord's table. The Apostle Paul wrote:  “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:21, NRSV

The cup is known as the cup of blessing or the cup of the Lord.  The Apostle Paul wrote:   ”The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16, NRSV  The Lord's Supper is a time when believers remember what Jesus did for them on Calvary's cross. The bread represents Jesus' broken body while the wine symbolizes the blood that He shed on our behalf.

Jesus commanded that believers do this in remembrance of Him until He returns.  Paul wrote:  “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, 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 Corinthians 11:23-26, NRSV

New Life in the Resurrection

Springtime also signifies the season that we put an extra emphasis on the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Spring is a delightful season of year. Grass is green. Flowers are blooming. The trees are budding. One aspect of this season is pollen. Some of us suffer from seasonal allergies. Despite seasonal allergies, I still really enjoy Spring because it reminds me of new life, renewal, and resurrection. It is a season of revival, reappearance, rebirth, rebuilding, recharging, reconstruction, and recovery. It is a season of redevelopment, refreshing, regeneration, rehabilitation, reinforcement, reinvigoration, and rejuvenation.

Spring reminds me of the power in fresh starts, new beginnings, and new life. It is a season of rekindling, renaissance, renewal, renovation, repair, replenishment, and restitution. It is a season of restoration, resumption, resurgence, resurrection, revitalization, revival and revolution.  On Easter Sunday, we put an extra emphasis on the resurrection of Christ.  Friday prior to Resurrection Sunday Jesus was crucified and place in a tomb, like any other person that dies.  Saturday the body was still in the tomb. However early Sunday things completely changed- SUDDENLY! What was once dead was now alive.  The body resurrected!  Death did not have the final say over Jesus the Christ!

The same is true for us when we become a Christian.  We put to death our old selves. We are resurrected as new creations.  We are given new lives in Christ.  And just like every spring when plants that were once dormant come back to life and have a new beginning, we too have a new beginning in our walk with God. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 says “ So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! NRSV

Another great thing about this new beginning is we can continually have this new life.  God is a god of forgiveness and fresh starts.  If we feel like we’ve gone astray or haven’t been walking with God as we should, we can turn back to him and have a new beginning once again. Let us rejoice today and every day in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Death was conquered that day and continues to be conquered in all of our lives every day.  Praise God! “Where, O death, is your victory?     Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55, NRSV

Prayer

I pray that God will cover us with the blood of the Lamb of God which causes death, disease and destruction to pass over. It is the blood of Jesus that repels the works of darkness, washes away our sins and gives us newness of life. I pray that the God of suddenlies will quickly and unexpectedly do that which only God can do. 

May we experience newness in every area of our lives. May we receive new activations and new accelerations of spiritual gifts. May we form new relationships with divine connections, destiny helpers, and covenantal partners.

May we be ushered into new opportunities in our careers, businesses and ministries. May we have a new zeal for life and receive healing in our minds, emotions and bodies. May we receive fresh downloads of witty ideas to make wealth.  

May we know with an assurance that we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. May we walk in the grace and anointing of the Overcomer who overcame death for indeed we are more than conquerors. We are being resurrected from every form of death and defeat.

In Jesus' name. Amen!

Citations:  

1. Brian Simmons. "Study Footnotes John 11:25." BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11%3A25&version=TPT. (Retrieved April 19, 2020).

2.  Don Stewart. “What is the Lord’s Supper?” Blue Letter Bible. https://www. blueletterbible.org /faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_590.cfm. (Retrieved April 17, 2020).

3.  History.com Editors. "Passover." History. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/ passover.  (Retrieved April 17, 2020).

4.  Mike Coghill. “The Resurrection: A Time for New Beginnings.” Choctaw Church of Christ. https://choctaw.church/articles/1996. (Retrieved April 19, 2020).

Still

Regardless of what's going on around us with the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis, remember- its STILL Passover April 8-16, tomorrow is STILL Good Friday and Sunday is STILL Resurrection Day. Why am I sharing the obvious? 

The Blood of Jesus STILL works, STILL protects, STILL covers, STILL shields, STILL removes sin, and STILL causes death, disease and destruction to PASSOVER. Jesus STILL died, STILL descended into hell, STILL disarmed and humiliated satan, was STILL resurrected, STILL ascended to heaven, STILL sits at the right hand of God the Father, and STILL sent back His Holy Spirit Who lives within Believers. 

Regardless of what is going on God is STILL sovereign,  STILL loves you, and STILL promised never to leave you or forsake you. STILL... I love you! Peace.