The Beauty on the Cross

 

by Barbara Latta

Each year beauty pageants are conducted all over the world with hopeful contestants vying for a prized crown. From the cradle to college, girls groom themselves, work on talent competitions, and perfect their platforms with aspirations of being declared the most beautiful of them all.

The Passover Lamb and the Eternal Change that Took Place in Jesus

by Barbara Latta

God had to show us choosing the lamb was personal.

Something so precious had to die so something so ugly could live.

Before the first Passover, the Hebrews were commanded to choose an unblemished lamb on the tenth of the month (Exodus 12). They were to take it home, nourish it, cherish it, feed it and let it live with them until the fourteenth of that month. By that time, the animal would have bonded with the family and become a pet.

Now it was time to kill it.

Sin is Gone

Death entered the garden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Genesis chapter 3) because the wages of sin is death. God  covered them in animal skins (Genesis 3:21) resulting in the first animal to be killed.

God foretold he would provide a way for man to be redeemed of his transgression (Genesis 3:15).

Until the Seed appeared people had to make an animal sacrifice to cover their sin with blood. But an animal sacrifice could never wash away the sin, it was only covered for a time (Hebrews 10:4).

God provided His own flesh to be the sacrifice on the altar (Hebrews 10:10).

Here are a few prophecies from the Old Testament about the Messiah and the New Testament fulfillment. 

           

Messiah would be born of a virgin: Prophesied in Isaiah 7:14; Fulfilled Luke 1:26-31

Heir to King David’s throne: Prophesied in Isaiah 9:7;Fulfilled Romans 1:3

Messenger would prepare the way: Prophesied in Isaiah 40:3-5; Fulfilled 

Luke 3:3-6

Be declared the Son of God: Prophesied in Psalm 2:7; Fulfilled Matthew 3:16-17

Hands and feet would be pierced: Prophesied in Psalm 22:16; Fulfilled John 20:25-27

Bones would not be broken: Prophesied in Psalm 34:20; Fulfilled John 19:33-36

Resurrect from the dead: Prophesied in Psalm 16:10; Fulfilled Matthew 28:2-7

Seated at God’s right hand: Prophesied in Psalm 68:18;Fulfilled Mark 16:19

Be a sacrifice for sin: Prophesied in Isaiah 53:5-12;Fulfilled Romans 5:6-8

There are many more scriptures to verify Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies, but because

of space I cannot list them.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10 NKJV).

Rejoice in Resurrection Day because your sin has been done away with.The payment has been made, but you must accept the gift for the benefit of life to be yours. If you haven’t accepted this payment into your own life, now is the time to make that decision.

Leave a comment and let us know about your decision or what Resurrection Day means to you.

Signs of the Times

  by Barbara Latta

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of God, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).

Sound familiar? All we have to do is pick up a newspaper or watch a television report of the latest happenings and these verses come to life. In the wake of the recent German airliner crash, we are reminded again about the catastrophes that can happen in the earth.

Attitudes are contagious

Attitudes and values, as the above verses portray, are another sign of the end times. This week the news was inundated with the Religious Freedom Laws, particularly in Indiana and Arkansas. Some politicians are caving to the demands of homosexuals because the elected officials think they are being tolerant and fair to all. The truth is when these laws are changed the verbiage will be nothing but another way to persecute Christians; because we will be the only ones NOT protected by the law when it passes.

Jesus will return to earth soon

Even though all these things have been happening to some degree since the beginning of time, never before have we seen such atrocities, catastrophes and blatant hatred as we have in the last decade or two. The clock is ticking and all signs point to the return of Christ and the end of the age as we know it.

But as terrible as these things are we, as the body of Christ, are not to be fearful. Jesus told His disciples when they asked about the signs of the age, to rejoice because it means our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).

It would be easy to get discouraged if we let our minds focus on the evil in the world. But our remedy is:

• Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)
• Don’t conform to this world (Romans 12:2)
• Know that He will complete His work in us (Philippians 1:6).

He lives!

We can voice our stand on social issues to our representatives because we do still have that constitutional right. But our elected officials are not our savior. Our faith has to be in God.

The next time you hear an evil report of any kind, shine the light of God’s Word on it and rejoice, look up, and know your redemption is near.

How do you stay focused on God and not the world? Join the conversation and have a Happy Resurrection Day. Because He arose, we are redeemed.