Tag Archives: Christianity

January 31, 2025

Crushed For A Cause

By altarofheaven

There is purpose in pain. Many times, I have been challenged with this truth, but God encourages me through His Word and in hidden treasures of this life such as:

Crushed grapes for wine…

Crushed Olives for oil…

Crushed wheat for bread….

Crushed Savior for salvation

All this crushing brings life, but only One brings eternal life: Jesus Christ. It’s because of Jesus I am equipped to press in and press on. I pray you are doing the same my brethren. 

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

2 Corinthians 4:6-11

*Inspired by time in God’s Word:

Leviticus 24:1-2; Isaiah 53:5;

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December 25, 2024

From Sacrifice to Savior: Understanding the Lamb of God Through the Eyes of Shepherds

By altarofheaven

As a child I was taught the words of John the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world…” I would repeat these words in rote memory, but I didn’t understand what it meant. It wasn’t until I was 33 years old, while reading the book of Hebrews and learning about the sacrificial system, that the truth of those words pierced my heart. My mind was opened to understand and embrace the Gospel, and it brought me to my knees in worship before the living God.

The sacrificial system formally began during the time of Moses when God gave him the Ten Commandments, instructions to build the Tabernacle, and the Levitical Priesthood duties. These detailed which animals were to be sacrificed and for what purposes. Among these, the lamb stood out, symbolizing innocence and purity.

One of the most significant moments in Israel’s history involved the sacrifice of a lamb: the Passover. God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes. This act of obedience protected them from the plague that struck Egypt, sparing their firstborn and signifying their trust in God.

The lamb was also sacrificed for:

  • Daily burnt offering in the morning and evening
  •  The sin offering when individuals wanted atonement for unintentional sins
  •  The peace offering which symbolized thanksgiving or fellowship with God

Raising lambs specifically for Temple sacrifices required shepherds who ensured the animals were without blemish and worthy of offering. In biblical times, shepherds were often teenagers or young adults, much like David.

For approximately 1,200 to 1,400 years, atonement for sin was achieved through these rituals and sacrifices. Then, one night, everything changed. An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem, proclaiming:

“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

God sent His message to shepherds—those tasked with inspecting and caring for sacrificial lambs—announcing that their search for the perfect lamb was over. God Himself had provided the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world.

Jesus Christ IS the LAMB OF GOD. 

The sacrificial system may seem foreign to us in modern times because we no longer make animal sacrifices for sin. It’s a concept that can feel difficult to fully grasp. Yet, this was God’s command in the Old Testament—to offer sacrifices as atonement for sin. These sacrifices served as a vivid reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for a substitute to bear its penalty.

God’s Word tells us, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin” (Hebrews 9:22). This truth points us to the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system: Jesus Christ. His blood was shed on the cross to provide complete and eternal forgiveness for all who believe.

It is through the blood of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, that we are forgiven and reconciled to God. What the sacrificial system symbolized, Jesus accomplished fully and forever.

It is through the blood of Jesus Christ that death PASSES OVER us.

It is through the blood of Jesus Christ that we no longer must give daily burnt offerings.

It is through the blood of Jesus Christ ALL our sins are atoned.

It is through the blood of Jesus Christ we have PEACE WITH GOD. 

Hebrews 10:1-14

Exodus 12:1-28

Exodus 24-25; Leviticus 1-16

Exodus 29:38-42

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December 24, 2024

Living in Gospel Wonder

By altarofheaven

This past Sunday, my Pastor posed a thought-provoking question: “Why do you think people, even Christians, become bored with the Gospel?” It struck a chord with me, as it seems many of us have lost our sense of wonder for the Gospel’s beauty and power.

For me, the reasons are many. Sometimes, I get too busy—like Martha, distracted and focused on the wrong things. Other times, my attention is consumed by the brokenness of sinful people and sin itself. I can also find myself slipping into a routine, going through the motions of life without truly acknowledging God, treating each day as business as usual.

But the cure for losing the wonder of the Gospel is: obedience.

Obedience to step out in faith and walk in the good works God has prepared for me. Obedience to abide in Christ, the true Vine, and live a life dependent on His strength and Spirit. This life of abiding in Christ is an adventure. Yes, it is full of trials and tribulations, but in those sufferings, I share in Christ’s sufferings—knowing, through it all, He strengthens me.

Some of the good works God has called me to involve the ministry of reconciliation through Under His Wings. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing miracles—yes, MIRACLES. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. How can we lose the wonder of the Gospel when we push through our fear and step out in faith instead of lingering on the sidelines? I cannot lose the wonder when I live a life that REQUIRES access to the One True God through Jesus Christ by ONE SPIRIT. Just as I need oxygen to live, I need daily faith to remind me that I have EVERYTHING I need for life and godliness in Christ Jesus.

So, just as God asked Adam in the Garden, “Where are you?”  What assignment has God given you that requires you to push through fear to faith? Have you stepped out in obedience? Do you truly KNOW God, or do you simply ‘know of’ Him?

I pray that you are experiencing the joy and love found in Christ Jesus. Let us live lives that reflect the reality of the Gospel and the wonder of His grace. As the Moravian prayer declares: “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.”

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February 11, 2012

Christianity is not about doing, it’s a state of being.

By altarofheaven

Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Which came first: the fruit or the Spirit?

I used to have a lot of artificial fruit.  What does artificial fruit look like? Well, let’s just say I ‘faked’ Christianity, I acted the way I thought a Christian would act.  Let me give you an illustration…

When I was 16 years old I received a scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association.  To me, it wasn’t just a scholarship; it was the beginning of a relationship.  These people who didn’t even know me invested in my future education and took me to Washington D.C. for a few days, introduced me to a lot of entrepreneurs, and told me how much they believed in me. The sad part is no matter how much they believed in me or encouraged me, I did not think I deserved this scholarship and it was hard for me to accept it. In fact I didn’t even use it for 7 years! Why? Because for those 7 years I tried my hardest to ‘earn’ that scholarship, believing I did not deserve it. This is exactly what I did with my salvation.

I was told by a number of God’s messengers:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17

OK. God loves me.  He gave His Son Jesus as a sacrifice to pay for my sins and now I can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A gift! In 1996, I ‘accepted’ this free gift but for 13 years I did not act like I’ve accepted it as ‘free.’ Instead, I did everything in my own strength and I tried to earn my salvation, revealing my lack of faith.

I tried to be a good Christian by being nice to people, changing what I say, I tried to stop drinking, I began to serve, and listen to Christian music…always talking the talk but not walking the walk—not walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Then in 2008 I began to read the Bible and on February 12, 2009 I surrendered. I stopped doing and started being.

Here are a just few things I’ve learned along the way:

“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:17-20)

I produced bad artificial fruit for so long to try to earn my salvation, to deserve it.  It is true, I don’t deserve it, none of us do. It is by grace through faith I have been saved, not of myself…not what I’ve done or haven’t done, it is a gift of God. I am no longer blinded and now I see!

Do you see? Do you see the Spirit must come before the fruit?

Are you tired of powerless religion? By ‘power’ I mean walking in your strength and not in the power of the Holy Spirit?  I pray you draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Thanks for reading but please don’t take my commentary for it…read the Bible and interact with God for yourself you will taste and see that He is good!

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