Category Archives: Traditions / Holidays

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Peace / Rest, Sabbath / Rest, Traditions / Holidays

Remember the Sabbath

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Sabbath can be a very interesting topic to study within the Bible. YHWH had a lot to say to his people about the Sabbath. In fact, a seventh-day rest is recorded from the beginning, with the example of YHWH as he completed creation. We can also perhaps see where Sabbath rest foreshadows the rest we find in Yeshua as Messiah, for it is through him and his death and resurrection that we are saved. We need not try to be made righteous through our works, though our works should still be righteous. We can also see the foreshadowing of the rest we find when we die and go to be with the LORD, and also when the LORD returns and begins his millennial reign on Earth. Further, the Sabbath is a part of the holy days of YHWH set out in Leviticus 23 and was intended to be part of our relationship with him, and was intended to help us.

Sabbath is rich in meaning, but unfortunately, today most Christians act as if Sabbath is obsolete and has no meaning. I have seen it disappear in my lifetime. Where businesses were shut down for the Sabbath in the past, albeit on Sunday, now most are open. People no longer rest but rather remain very busy on basically every day of the week. People go about their agenda in their own way. They have lost the Sabbath.

My family and I rediscovered the Sabbath in recent years and have started setting it aside as a day of rest. It is a significant change and may even seem inconvenient at times as you adjust, but it is genuinely worthwhile to pursue. It is important to YHWH, and he created it for our benefit rather than his own.

We can, and perhaps should, have a robust discussion about how to celebrate Sabbath today, but let us take time today to simply review some of what YHWH has said and demonstrated about Sabbath. Once we help to establish its importance, I encourage each of you to continue studying Sabbath and seeking to begin living it in your own lives. Keep growing and learning on this subject. There is much that has been lost for which we should endeavor to recover.

A good and simple place to start as you read through scripture is to recognize that the main theme is that his people should not work and should not cause others to work on the Sabbath. It is to be kept as a sign of our covenant with him, and he created it for us. Interestingly, I can not find instructions specifically to go to synagogue or temple (or church) on the Sabbath day; however, it was clearly an accepted custom that even Yeshua demonstrated.

YHWH set an example for us from the very beginning as part of creation to observe a day of rest on the seventh day, after our work has been done.

Gen 2:1-2       1Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. 2By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

Did YHWH say anything about when his people should stop celebrating the Sabbath?

Exod 31:16-27 16‘So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’ 17“It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”

YHWH gave guidance to his people to work in the first six days and rest on the seventh, which is consistent with his example during creation. (The seventh day would be Saturday by our current calendar.) He also instructed us not to cause others to work.

Exod 20:8-22    8“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. 11“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

Leviticus 23:3    3‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings.

YHWH intended us to recognize Sabbath even during pressure to get work done or accomplish an important task (like handling Yeshua’s body after he was crucified).

Exod 34:21    21“You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.

Luke 23:54-56     54It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

YHWH intended the rest to be more than just not doing the work for which we get paid. One can have quite an engaging dialogue in defining “work”, recognizing that some of the literal activity which YHWH specifically called out in scripture could arguably not really feel like work in today’s environment/technology. (e.g., lighting a fire, etc.) He also specified not buying things offered for sale on the Sabbath

Nehemiah 10:31 31As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the sabbath or a holy day; and we will forego the crops the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.

When does Sabbath begin?

Leviticus 23:32 32“It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your sabbath.”

This would be consistent with the Hebrew calendar observed by God’s people in Biblical times, where a day started with sundown and ended with sundown. In today’s calendar, this would be Friday night at sundown through Saturday night at sundown. (Learn more at Hebrew4Christians.com or 119Ministries.com.)

Is Sabbath casual or important to YHWH? You can probably already tell it is important based on how much YHWH had to say about it to his people and the fact that he set the example during creation.

Exod 20:8    8“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

Ezekiel 20:20 20‘Sanctify My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’

Deuteronomy 5:12    12‘Observe the sabbath day to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.

Exodus 31:13      12The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13“But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. 14‘Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. Tell the Israelites, “Surely you must observe my Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Why is the Sabbath important to YHWH?

Exod 31:17 17“It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”

What example did Yeshua set for proper observance of the Sabbath?

Luke 4:16  16And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.

Matthew 12:9-15

      9Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him. 11And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12“How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

      15But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all,

John 9:13-14   13They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. 14Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.

Mark 2:23-28       23And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28“So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

In order to make the Sabbath day a day of physical rest, we must prepare ahead of time. The sixth day was referred to as the day of preparation.

Exodus 16:5 5“On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

Exodus 16:22-26       22Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, 23then he said to them, “This is what the LORD meant: Tomorrow is a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.” 24So they put it aside until morning, as Moses had ordered, and it did not become foul nor was there any worm in it. 25Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. 26“Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none.”

Mark 15:42-43   42When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

Luke 23:54-56     54It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

For whose benefit is the Sabbath? Man or God?

Mark 2:27   27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

We should prayerfully reflect on what the Lord has to say about the Sabbath and how we should observe it still today. Invest time to continue studying and begin trying to adjust your lifestyle to incorporate Sabbath. Don’t be overwhelmed trying to “get it all right” and do so overnight. Instead, allow yourself to learn and apply, and then continue to learn more and apply that, and so on.

I am convinced the Lord is pleased when his people pursue living according to his instruction by pursuing something in our lives as important as the Sabbath.

Some additional resources to consider:

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to embrace Your concept of Sabbath joyfully. Give me the courage to turn away from the world’s ways and toward Yours. Thank You for creating Sabbath for us! Amen. 

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Father / Yahweh, Parenting, Traditions / Holidays

Guided by YHWH: Embodying the Qualities of a Good Father

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Good fathers should pursue Christ and be spiritual leaders in their families. They should put YHWH first, their wife next, and then the children in their priority list, and then actually live their lives according to that standard. YHWH has said much about what it means to be a good father. It need not be a mystery.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Psalm 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Luke 11:11-12 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?

Joshua 24:14-15 “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Perhaps some scripture does not explicitly call out “fathers”, but as in Joshua 24:14-15, he demonstrates the role of a good father as a strong leader for his family committed to serving YHWH even if others refuse to do so. Psalm 127:3-5 shows a good father feels blessed to have received the gift of children.

There are many more such scriptures. I encourage you to do an internet search for “Bible scriptures about good fathers” and invest time to dive deeper. In fact, YHWH gives us the metaphor to think of Him like a Father, and He is perfect. Thus, we can learn much about being a good father from studying how He relates to His people.

Good fathers are not perfect… There is only one perfect Father. On behalf of all those fathers out there who are trying to lead, protect, and provide for their families, we appreciate your grace and forgiveness when we get it wrong, and we welcome your prayers and encouragement on our behalf so we may become better and better at what YHWH has called us to be… fathers.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for the righteous fathers who strive to lead their families in Your ways. Please help and encourage fathers to actively lead and love their families. Help fathers reflect Your character traits and be a light to others who do not know You and a godly example to their children. Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Consequences of Sin, Grace / Forgiveness, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Traditions / Holidays

The Ultimate Act of Love: Reflections on Memorial Day

As we recognize Memorial Day, it is a good time to reflect on and appreciate those who have laid down their lives for the rest of us to be able to live free in the United States of America. It is a good time to pray for those who are actively serving, have served, or are surviving family of those who have died in service to our country. God gave us this unique nation based on Judeo-Christian values and heritage. Many have served and died protecting it.

Yeshua demonstrated and taught that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. He laid down His life for all those who choose to follow Him and submit to Him. We can be thankful for sure that our sins can be forgiven because of Him. We could never pay that debt.

Yeshua also encouraged His disciples to show this kind of love for one another as well… to lay down their life for one another. So, too, are we encouraged to lay down our lives for one another. At times, we may face a situation where we literally must make that choice in an instant. Other times we lay down our lives by how we live for others rather than living for ourselves.

As we read, we should not overlook that Yeshua said that “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” This is clearly important, but a different context in our relationship with Him vs. relationships with each other that we may consider friends. We should obey Yeshua to be His “friend”. We do not need to obey each other to be friends.

John 15:12-17

Disciples’ Relation to Each Other

12“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14“You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17“This I command you, that you love one another.

Take time to pray for those who risk their lives or lose them for others. Pray also for their families. Of course, not everyone in uniform is righteous or acts with righteous motives, but many have sacrificed none the less to protect our country and our freedom. Pray also for the leadership in our government so that they would lead well and not recklessly. Further, pray for the people of our nation that they would hold in high regard those that serve to protect our nation and risk their lives to do so.

Take time to also pause and reflect on our Savior, Yeshua, who laid down his life for us so we could be forgiven and reconciled with the Father. Give thanks to him. Do not let that offer be wasted. Rather, submit to him, turn from your sin, and seek him. Let him be Lord of your life. You will find greater joy and peace in this world and after.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You that You sent Yeshua to lay down His life for me, so that I could be forgiven and reconciled to You. Thank You for the people that have sacrificed personally to protect and build up our nation as a free nation built on individual liberty and not dominated by tyrants or a ruling class that controls the people. Please help protect and maintain that nation based on Your principles and ideals from those who would change it for something else, like socialism or simply giving up more and more individual freedom to government control. Please raise up the righteous and bring restoration to the land that we would be a light for the world to bring You glory. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Sabbath / Rest, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

The Deep Roots and Rich Significance of Pentecost

Pentecost is not just a date on the Christian calendar—it’s a celebration of the moment the Holy Spirit made a transformative entry into the lives of the early believers.

Beyond its historical significance, Pentecost connects deeply with the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, a time celebrated by our Jewish forebears to mark the wheat harvest and traditionally, the giving of the Torah at Sinai. This dual significance enriches our understanding and invites us to explore how ancient traditions illuminate our modern faith experiences.

Body: Pentecost and Its Biblical Roots:
Acts 2 captures the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit, a pivotal moment that transformed ordinary followers of Christ into powerful witnesses of His gospel. This event is not just a miraculous narrative; it’s a fulfillment of a promise and a continuation of a legacy that began with the observance of the Feast of Weeks.

Connecting Old and New Testaments:
The Feast of Weeks, celebrated seven weeks after Passover, was originally a harvest festival but also came to be associated with the giving of the law at Mount Sinai. Similarly, Pentecost, falling 50 days post-Resurrection, marks not only the indwelling of the Holy Spirit but also a new kind of harvest—a harvest of souls and the spread of God’s word across nations.

The Cultural and Scriptural Significance:
As recorded in Leviticus Leviticus 23:15-21, Leviticus 34:22-24, and Numbers 28:26-31, the Feast of Weeks was a time of offering and holiness, a theme that transcends into the celebration of Pentecost with the offerings of the early church’s first fruits in faith and community. The scriptural mandate for a holy convocation and cessation from labor mirrors our call to reflect, celebrate, and revere this holy day.

Contemporary Observance and Application:
Today, as we embrace Pentecost, it’s crucial to reflect not only on the historical and spiritual implications but also on the personal call to each believer. The Holy Spirit’s descent is a reminder of our empowerment to live out the gospel, to be active participants in the ministry of reconciliation, and to foster a community bound by love and driven by divine purpose.

Call to Action:

  1. Reflect and Pray: Spend time in Acts 2 and the related Old Testament scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your understanding and connection to this historic and spiritual event.
  2. Celebrate Thoughtfully: Observe Pentecost as a day of spiritual renewal and commitment. Consider how you can incorporate elements of both the Feast of Weeks and Pentecost in your personal and communal worship.
  3. Study and Share: Dive deeper into the significance of the Feast of Weeks and its New Testament fulfillment. Share these insights with your community to enrich your collective appreciation and celebration of Pentecost.
  4. Live Empowered: Let the reality of the Holy Spirit’s dwelling within you inspire you to live boldly and lovingly as a witness of Christ’s love and power.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we remember Pentecost, we thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who empowers, guides, and transforms us. Help us to hold sacred the deep roots of this day, drawing from the rich history of Your workings among Your people. May we live out the truths of Your Word with passion and integrity, continually seeking Your wisdom and spreading Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Learn More: You can study more about the creators calendar using sites like Hebrew4Christians.com, MessianicLight.com, or Psalm119Ministries (select Time: Our Creators Calendar to see collection of videos available). You can learn about what the scripture says about these holy days, when they occur, why God told us to celebrate Shavuot, and traditions.

There is some debate amongst different sources as to the date of the Passover and thus Shavuot/Pentecost each year. Don’t let this discourage you from getting started celebrating and studying God’s holy days.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Parenting, Traditions / Holidays

Celebrating Mothers: Beyond Just One Day a Year

Once a year, the world pauses to say “Thank you, Mom,” often accompanied by gifts and flowers. This is good, but what if we chose to live every day with that same spirit of gratitude and respect for mothers? Let’s explore what the Bible teaches us about the enduring role of mothers and how we can honor them not just annually, but every day.

Mother’s Day is a special occasion indeed, and worthy to be celebrated as a special day. However, the Bible suggests that honoring our mothers is an ongoing commitment, deeply rooted in love and respect. The scriptures provide us with profound insights into the significance of mothers in our lives, guiding us to appreciate and support them in ways that go far beyond conventional celebrations.

Biblical Guidance on Honoring Mothers: Deuteronomy 5:16 reminds us of the command to honor our parents so that we may prosper and live long in the land given by the Lord. This isn’t just about obedience; it’s about recognizing the foundational role mothers play in our lives.

The Proverbs 31 Woman – A Model of Strength and Devotion: Proverbs 31:13-31 paints a picture of an ideal mother—a hardworking, compassionate, and wise woman who cares deeply for her family and community. From managing a household to extending a hand to the needy, her life is a testament to the power of a godly woman.

Teaching and Guidance: Mothers also play a crucial role in imparting wisdom and moral guidance as seen in Proverbs 6:20-22. They lay down the foundational values that guide their children throughout life.

Joy and Rejoicing: Children are called to live righteously, bringing joy to their mothers, as highlighted in Proverbs 23:22-25. True joy for a mother comes not from material gifts but from seeing her children lead lives of integrity and kindness.

A Mother’s Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 isn’t just about romantic love; it’s a blueprint for the kind of love that should flow in families, especially from and towards mothers. Patience, kindness, and perseverance in love are marks of true affection and respect.

Summary: Mother’s Day should be more than a once-a-year occasion; it should be a daily celebration of gratitude and biblical love. Good mothers exemplify virtues that deserve to be recognized and reciprocated every day.

Call to Action:

  1. Reflect Daily: Each day, take a moment to appreciate the sacrifices and love your mother has shown you. Consider writing her a note or simply telling her what she means to you.
  2. Learn and Share: Dive deeper into the scriptures mentioned above and share your insights with your family or during a Mother’s Day gathering.
  3. Act Continuously: Show love and respect through consistent actions. Help around the house, spend quality time together, and be present—it’s these everyday acts that truly honor and uplift mothers.
  4. Celebrate Community: Encourage those in your community to honor their mothers by setting an example and organizing community activities that recognize and support mothers of all ages.

Closing Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the blessing of mothers who nurture, teach, and guide us. We pray for strength for every mother who tirelessly gives of herself in love and service. Help us to appreciate, respect, and honor them not just today but every day of our lives. Inspire us to support and uplift the mothers in our community, showing them the love and respect they so richly deserve. In Your holy name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Children, Parenting, Traditions / Holidays

Embracing Our Spiritual Family This Mother’s Day

Not all family is bound by blood—some of the strongest bonds are formed through obedience to the Word.

Key Verse:
“But He answered and said to them, ‘My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.’” —Luke 8:21 (NASB)

Background Context:
In the midst of His ministry, Yeshua (Jesus) was told that His mother and brothers were waiting to see Him. His response may seem surprising at first. Rather than stepping away to greet His biological family, He used this moment to emphasize a greater spiritual truth. His family, He said, includes all who hear God’s Word and obey it. This does not negate the value of earthly family—after all, honoring our parents is a biblical command—but it expands our understanding of who we are called to love and care for as family in the body of Christ.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Luke 8: 19-21

  19And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” 21But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

Reflection on Luke 8:19–21:
In our rush to study scripture or prepare for holidays like Mother’s Day, we can sometimes miss the deeper spiritual treasures waiting just beneath the surface. Yeshua’s words here are a powerful reminder that the family of God is not defined by genetics but by shared obedience and devotion to the Father.

This passage invites us to view those in our faith community through a new lens. It challenges us to see fellow believers as mothers, brothers, sisters—as true family. And just like with our earthly families, we are called to extend grace, love, forgiveness, and practical support. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Yeshua, who showed that true kinship lies in shared submission to the will of God.

Application:
This Mother’s Day, honor the mothers in your life—both physical and spiritual. Reach out to those in your church or community who may need extra support or encouragement. Be intentional: make a call, send a note, or simply ask how you can help. If possible, organize opportunities for fellowship and refreshment, such as a meal or small gathering, and commit to ongoing support throughout the year. Let your actions reflect the truth Yeshua taught: that the body of Christ is a true and lasting family.

Closing Prayer:
Father, we thank You for the gift of earthly mothers and for the greater spiritual family You have given us in Christ. Help us to honor both, and to love our brothers and sisters in the faith with compassion and purpose. Teach us to obey Your Word and to walk together in unity and support. May we see each believer through Your eyes—as precious family. In Yeshua’s name we pray, amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Protector / Deliverer, Purposeful / Intentional, Traditions / Holidays

Remember What God Has Done (Exodus 13:1-16)

After God brings you through something difficult, how do you keep from forgetting Him once the season changes?

Key Verse:
“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth…” —Exodus 13:9 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 12, God delivers Israel from Egypt through the Passover and brings them out exactly as He promised. The people leave bondage behind and begin their journey toward the land God promised them.

Now in Exodus 13:1–16, God immediately gives instructions about remembrance, consecration, and teaching future generations. Deliverance was never meant to become a forgotten event—it was meant to shape how His people lived going forward.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 13:1-16

Consecration of the Firstborn

      1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.”

      3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten. 4“On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth. 5“It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. 6“For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. 7“Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. 8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

      11“Now when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you, 12you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD. 13“But every first offspring of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15‘It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16“So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

Reflection on Exodus 13:1–16:
After bringing Israel out of Egypt, God immediately tells them to remember.

This is significant.

God knows how quickly people can forget His faithfulness once the crisis has passed. In moments of desperation, people often cry out to God intensely—but once deliverance comes, it becomes easy to move on and slowly lose sight of what He has done.

So God establishes reminders.

He tells Israel to consecrate every firstborn to Him because He spared their firstborn during Passover. This was meant to create a continual reminder that their deliverance came from God alone.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is also reaffirmed—not simply as ritual, but as remembrance.

Again and again, God emphasizes:

  • remember this day
  • teach your children
  • tell future generations
  • keep this before you

This reveals something important about spiritual life.

Faith is not sustained by occasional emotional moments alone.

It must be intentionally remembered and reinforced.

God was building rhythms of remembrance into the lives of His people so they would not drift spiritually after deliverance.

Moses repeatedly says:
“It is because of what the LORD did for me…”

This makes the deliverance personal.

Not just:

  • what God did historically
  • what God did for the nation
  • what God did for others

But:
“What God did for me.”

This passage also shows that deliverance leads to consecration.

God did not rescue His people merely so they could continue living exactly the same way they had before.

They now belonged to Him in a special way.

The firstborn being set apart symbolized that their lives were now connected to God’s purposes and ownership.

This principle still matters today.

God’s work in our lives is not meant to produce temporary gratitude alone—it is meant to produce transformed living.

We also see repeated emphasis on future generations.

Parents were to explain:

  • why these practices existed
  • what God had done
  • and why it mattered

Faith was meant to be shared intentionally.

This passage challenges us with an important question:

What are we doing to remember God’s faithfulness?

Because without intentional remembrance:

  • gratitude fades
  • spiritual complacency grows
  • and people slowly drift

God knew Israel would need reminders.

And so do we.

The moments where God has carried us, delivered us, provided for us, and changed us should not become distant memories. They should shape:

  • our worship
  • our obedience
  • our identity
  • and the way we teach others

Deliverance was not the end of the story.

It was the beginning of a life centered on remembering and following God.

Application:

  • Regularly remember and reflect on what God has done in your life.
  • Build intentional habits that keep your focus on God’s faithfulness.
  • Allow God’s deliverance to lead to deeper obedience and surrender.
  • Share God’s faithfulness with the next generation and those around you.
  • Guard against spiritual forgetfulness after difficult seasons pass.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me never to forget Your faithfulness and the ways You have carried me through difficult seasons. Teach me to remember what You have done and to let those memories shape how I live today. Help me to walk in obedience, gratitude, and trust, and give me opportunities to share Your faithfulness with others. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Knowing, All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Patient, Prophecy, Protector / Deliverer, Traditions / Holidays

Trusting God Through the Process (Exodus 7-12)

Have you ever struggled to understand why God allows difficult seasons to continue longer than expected?

Key Verse:
“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD…” —Exodus 7:5 NASB

Background Context:
From Exodus 7–12, God confronts Pharaoh and Egypt through the plagues, ultimately leading to the Passover and the deliverance of Israel. These chapters reveal far more than a series of judgments—they reveal God’s character, authority, timing, and faithfulness.

Throughout this progression, we repeatedly see the same themes:

  • God makes Himself known
  • Pharaoh resists and compromises
  • Judgment escalates
  • God distinguishes His people
  • Deliverance comes through obedience and trust

This section forms a complete movement—from confrontation to deliverance—and reveals important truths about how God works in our lives today.

Exodus 7-12

Reflection on Exodus 7–12:
One of the clearest themes throughout these chapters is that God wants to make Himself known.

Again and again, God declares:

  • “Then you shall know that I am the LORD”
  • “That My name may be declared throughout the earth”
  • “That you may tell your son and your grandson”

The plagues were not random acts of destruction.

God was revealing:

  • His authority over Egypt
  • His superiority over false gods
  • His power over nature, rulers, and nations
  • His faithfulness to His covenant promises

And He was doing so in a way that would be remembered for generations.

At the center of this story stands Pharaoh.

Early on, Pharaoh hardens his own heart repeatedly. He sees God’s power, hears clear warnings, and still refuses to submit. Later, Scripture tells us that the LORD hardens Pharaoh’s heart—not by forcing him into a new direction, but by confirming and sustaining the path Pharaoh had already chosen.

God allowed Pharaoh’s resistance to continue so that His power and glory would be revealed more fully.

This reminds us of an important truth:

God is sovereign even over opposition.

What appears to be delay is often God unfolding a greater purpose than we can yet see.

Another major pattern throughout these chapters is compromise.

Pharaoh repeatedly tries to negotiate with God:

  • partial obedience
  • delayed obedience
  • limited surrender

But God does not accept compromise.

Again and again, we see that partial obedience is still disobedience. God was not calling Pharaoh to negotiate—He was calling him to humble himself and obey fully.

This same temptation exists in our lives today.

We may want to follow God while still holding onto control, comfort, or areas we do not want to surrender. But these chapters remind us that God calls for wholehearted obedience.

As the plagues continue, judgment intensifies.

What begins with discomfort grows into devastation. Yet even in judgment, we repeatedly see God’s mercy:

  • warnings before plagues
  • opportunities to respond
  • distinction between Egypt and Israel

God was not acting recklessly.

He was revealing Himself clearly and giving opportunity after opportunity for repentance.

Then comes Passover.

This is the turning point of the entire section.

The difference between judgment and deliverance was not human strength, status, or effort—it was the blood of the lamb applied in obedience to God’s instruction.

Where the blood was present, judgment passed over.

This points directly to Yeshua, the Lamb of God, through whom deliverance from sin and judgment is provided (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

We also see throughout these chapters that God’s timing is perfect.

The deliverance from Egypt was not an afterthought or sudden reaction. God had spoken of it generations earlier to Abraham (Genesis 15:12–14). After hundreds of years, God fulfilled His promise exactly.

What may have seemed delayed was never forgotten.

This is deeply encouraging for us.

There are seasons when we:

  • do not understand God’s timing
  • feel stuck in difficulty
  • wonder whether God is still working

But Exodus 7–12 reminds us:

  • God sees
  • God remembers
  • God acts
  • and God fulfills His promises perfectly

These chapters challenge us to ask:

Will we harden our hearts like Pharaoh?
Will we try to compromise with God?
Or will we trust Him fully, obey Him completely, and place ourselves under what He has provided?

God was not only delivering Israel from Egypt.

He was teaching His people who He is.

And He is still doing the same today.

Application:

  • Trust that God is working even when His timing feels slow.
  • Respond to God with full obedience rather than compromise.
  • Take seriously the warnings and instruction God gives.
  • Remember that God’s deliverance comes through what He provides, not through human effort.
  • Reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past to strengthen your faith in the present.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Word and through Your faithfulness. Help me to trust You even when I do not understand the timing or the process. Keep me from hardening my heart or compromising with what You have called me to do. Teach me to obey You fully and to rest in the deliverance You provide. Thank You for always keeping Your promises. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Holy / Set Apart, Purposeful / Intentional, Salvation, Submitted / Servant, Traditions / Holidays

Do You Truly Belong to God (Exodus 12: 42-51)

Is your relationship with God based on true commitment—or just proximity to spiritual things?

Key Verse:
“There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.” —Exodus 12:49 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 12:29–42, God brings judgment upon Egypt and delivers Israel exactly as He promised. The Passover becomes a night to be remembered throughout future generations.

Now in Exodus 12:42–51, God gives further instructions concerning who may participate in the Passover. The focus shifts from deliverance itself to covenant identity and what it means to truly belong to God’s people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ordinance of the Passover

      42It is a night to be observed for the LORD for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for the LORD, to be observed by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations.

      43The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: no foreigner is to eat of it; 44but every man’s slave purchased with money, after you have circumcised him, then he may eat of it. 45“A sojourner or a hired servant shall not eat of it. 46“It is to be eaten in a single house; you are not to bring forth any of the flesh outside of the house, nor are you to break any bone of it. 47“All the congregation of Israel are to celebrate this. 48“But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. 49“The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you.”

      50Then all the sons of Israel did so; they did just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51And on that same day the LORD brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.

Reflection on Exodus 12:42–51:
“This is a night to be observed for the LORD…”

God begins by emphasizing remembrance.

What happened in Egypt was not meant to become a distant historical event. It was to remain central in the identity of His people. Future generations were to remember how God delivered them and what He had done on their behalf.

But then the focus shifts.

God gives instructions concerning who may eat the Passover meal.

At first, the instructions may seem strict or exclusionary. Foreigners and those outside the covenant were not automatically permitted to participate.

Why?

Because Passover was not just a cultural celebration.

It was a covenant meal.

Participation represented identification with God’s people and submission to the covenant He had established.

This is important.

God was teaching Israel that belonging to Him was not casual. It was not merely about living near His people or observing their practices from a distance.

It involved commitment.

At the same time, we also see something beautiful in this passage.

Outsiders were not permanently excluded.

A foreigner who desired to join himself to the covenant could do so. If he and his household embraced the covenant fully, he could participate in the Passover and be treated “like a native of the land.”

This reveals an important truth about God’s heart.

God’s covenant was not ultimately about ethnicity—it was about belonging to Him.

There was not one standard for Israelites and another for everyone else.

“There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger…”

God’s standard was the same for all.

This points forward to a greater truth fulfilled in Yeshua. Salvation is offered to people from every nation, tribe, and background—but it is not based on casual association with faith. God calls people into true relationship, commitment, and surrender to Him (Galatians 3:28–29; Ephesians 2:11–19).

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts.

It is possible to be around spiritual things without truly belonging to God.

We may:

  • attend church
  • know Scripture
  • grow up around believers
  • participate outwardly

And yet never fully surrender ourselves to Him.

God does not call us into shallow association.

He calls us into covenant relationship.

The chapter ends with a beautiful statement:

“Thus the sons of Israel did; they did just as the LORD had commanded…”

Again we see the right response:

Obedience.
Trust.
Commitment.

Deliverance was not meant to end in freedom alone.

It was meant to lead to belonging.

And the same is true for us today.

Application:

  • Examine whether your relationship with God is based on true commitment or mere familiarity.
  • Remember that God calls us into covenant relationship, not casual association.
  • Recognize that God’s invitation is open to all who truly come to Him.
  • Respond to God with obedience and surrender.
  • Reflect regularly on what God has done and allow it to shape your identity.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling me into relationship with You. Help me not to settle for outward association without true surrender. Teach me to belong fully to You with a heart of obedience and commitment. Thank You for Your invitation to all who come to You in faith. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Traditions / Holidays

The Blood that Saves (Exodus 12:1-28)

What makes the difference between judgment and deliverance?

Key Verse:
“The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you…” —Exodus 12:13 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 11, God declares that one final plague is coming—the death of the firstborn—which will break Pharaoh’s resistance and lead to Israel’s release.

Now in Exodus 12:1–28, before judgment comes, God gives His people specific instructions. This moment is not just about deliverance from Egypt—it establishes a lasting ordinance that points to something far greater.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 12:1-28

The Passover Lamb

      1Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2“This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you. 3“Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household. 4‘Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb. 5‘Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6‘You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. 7‘Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8‘They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9‘Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire, both its head and its legs along with its entrails. 10‘And you shall not leave any of it over until morning, but whatever is left of it until morning, you shall burn with fire. 11‘Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’S Passover. 12‘For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD. 13‘The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Feast of Unleavened Bread

14‘Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. 15‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses; for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16‘On the first day you shall have a holy assembly, and another holy assembly on the seventh day; no work at all shall be done on them, except what must be eaten by every person, that alone may be prepared by you. 17‘You shall also observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt; therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a permanent ordinance. 18‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19‘Seven days there shall be no leaven found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is an alien or a native of the land. 20‘You shall not eat anything leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’”

      21Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. 22“You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.

A Memorial of Redemption

23“For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you. 24“And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. 25“When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite. 26“And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ 27you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” And the people bowed low and worshiped.

      28Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Reflection on Exodus 12:1–28:
Before the final plague, God does something remarkable.

He prepares His people.

He does not leave them uncertain or unprotected. Instead, He gives clear, detailed instructions—what to do, when to do it, and why it matters.

This is important.

God’s deliverance is not random—it is intentional and revealed. Those who listen and obey are brought under His protection.

The instructions center on a lamb.

Each household is to take an unblemished lamb, keep it, and then sacrifice it at the appointed time. The blood of the lamb is then placed on the doorposts and lintel of the house.

This is the defining act.

The blood becomes a sign.

God says, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

This is the difference between life and death.

Not effort.
Not status.
Not identity alone.

The blood.

This points to a deeper truth that echoes throughout Scripture. Deliverance is not based on who we are or what we have done—it is based on what God has provided and whether we respond in obedience.

The people are also instructed to eat the lamb in a specific way—prepared, ready, with sandals on their feet and staff in hand.

This is not just a meal.

It is preparation for departure.

Deliverance is coming, and they must be ready to move.

God is not only saving them from judgment—He is leading them out of bondage.

He then establishes this event as a permanent memorial.

“This day will be a memorial to you…”

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is instituted so that future generations will remember what God has done.

This is not meant to be forgotten.

God’s acts of deliverance are to be remembered, retold, and passed down.

This connects to something we have seen before—God’s work is not only for the present moment, but for generations to come.

Finally, we see the response of the people.

“They bowed low and worshiped.”

And then:

“The sons of Israel went and did so…”

This is the right response.

They did not debate.
They did not delay.
They obeyed.

This passage is one of the clearest pictures in all of Scripture of salvation and deliverance.

A substitute is provided.
Blood is required.
Judgment is coming.
Protection is given to those who obey.

And it all points forward to Yeshua—the Lamb of God—whose sacrifice brings ultimate deliverance from sin and judgment (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

The question this passage leaves us with is simple and profound:

Are we covered?

Because when judgment comes, only what God has provided will stand.

Application:

  • Trust in what God has provided for your deliverance, not in your own efforts.
  • Respond to God’s instructions with obedience, not delay.
  • Live with readiness, knowing that God is leading you forward.
  • Remember and share what God has done in your life.
  • Place your faith in Yeshua, the Lamb who takes away sin (John 1:29).

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for providing a way of deliverance. Help me to trust fully in what You have done and to respond with obedience and faith. Remind me to live ready, prepared to follow where You lead. Thank You for the sacrifice that brings life and protection. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.