Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today's scriptures are about Christ, our Passover. The blood of Christ protects us from the evils of the world. When God’s wrath is upon the earth, we will be passed over, when we're under the protection of the mighty Lamb of God. The first Passover started with Moses, when he was attempting to get Pharaoh to free the people of Israel, from the bondage in Egypt. God was going to cast a plague upon the land that would kill all of the firstborn. He instructed Moses and the Israelites to take a blemish free Lamb, and sacrifice it. It's written: Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. (Exo. 12:7) They then were to cook the Lamb over an open fire, and eat it that night with bread cooked without yeast. When God came through with the plague, He vowed the Passover all of the homes that were marked with blood. This was the beginning of an everlasting ordinance, to mark the day that God freed the Israelites from the enemy.

Does this all sound a bit familiar? As I was reading through this story, I started to think about the things that Jesus said at the Last Supper. It was as similar scenario, but Jesus came to free all mankind from the hands of the enemy. We've been enslaved by evil since the beginning of time, and Jesus was the Sacrificial Lamb, brought here to protect us, when God allows evil to completely plague the earth. Jesus’ blood not only cleanses us from unrighteousness, and grants us eternal life, but it also offers protection under the covenant of God. That's a reason to rejoice!

It's written: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. (Mark 14:22-24) Most Christians practice this ceremony as often as every Sunday, and some once a month. No matter how often you do it, just as God commanded the people of Egypt, you do it as a symbol of God's everlasting love and protection. He shed innocent blood to atone for the sins of the wicked, because He loves us. Be careful to know the commitment you make, and do it with a pure heart. Paul warns us to be true the covenant of Holy Communion.

Now I'm sure many may question, if every Christian is covered under this covenant, why do so many bad things happen to “good people”? There are many explanations, and some we won’t receive until we reach Heaven. Using the old example of the Passover, we have to stay under the protection of those two doorways, which are marked with the blood. Had the people of Israel stepped outside on the day of the Passover, when the plague was coming through, they would’ve fallen victim to it as well. God gave them specific boundaries, and it was up to them to stay within them.

The Apostle Paul explained it best in his letter to the Church of Corinth, that he had written when word got back to him that they had been sinning, and bragging about it. Paul said: Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor. 5:6-8NIV) A little sin could spread into a huge mess, in the life of a Christian, so if you step outside of the covenant of God, into a life of Sin, that blood no longer protects you from it’s effects. It isn't until you repent, and ask for forgiveness that you can come back under total protection of the Lord.

As I look around at the state of our world today, it saddens my heart. I see so many things in a different light. Sin is "the norm" right now, and people actually brag and boast, and even commercialize it for the world to see. With no regard of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave His life to protect us from just that. Sin is a plague, and what could end up killing us, so we must be careful, and ready at all times. If you've already accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, you're halfway there. You must still serve the Lord, and keep His commandments. It isn't that hard to love God with all of your heart, but it most certainly could be if you aren't keeping your eye on Him at all times, preparing for His return.

If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, then you are like the Egyptians; you have no protection from the plague of sin. The Lamb has been sacrificed, so in order to receive that much needed protection, all you have to do is ask Jesus to be your Savior. He's a simple prayer away; so let me know if you need someone to pray with. My favorite verse today is: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455411&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you!