We are in the middle of Passover week. Included in this week is the celebration of First Fruits or the day of the resurrection of Yeshua/Jesus. This is Nisan 16 on the Hebrew calendar. In 1 Corinthians 15:20 He is called "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." The New Living Translation says, "But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So, you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when He comes back." (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
 
For life to spring forth we must first have death. This was demonstrated with Jesus who willingly went to the Cross to take our sicknesses and diseases, pain and sorrow, sin and guilt on His body. During the three hours between noon and three p.m., He felt the pain of His spiritual separation from His Holy Father because of what He was bearing. The first two verses of the prophetic Psalm 22 is a look at what Jesus would say as He hung on the Cross. "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving Me, so far from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer, by night, and am not silent." 
 
The "groanings" of Messiah are followed by a statement of truth and comfort in verse three of Psalm 22. In this Psalm there is a move from despair to faith in the truth of who God is. "But You are holy, enthroned in the praise of Israel." (NKJV) "Yet You are enthroned as the Holy One; You are the praise of Israel." (NIV) The word "enthroned" or "inhabits" in the KJV is the Hebrew verb "yashab" which means to remain or dwell. God is everywhere! Psalm 139:7-10 makes this clear. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."
 
As we contemplate Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, we should see a call to worship the Lord. That message began as Moses went to Pharoah to obtain the release from slavery for the children of Israel. "So, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, 'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me.'" (Exodus 10:3) Today our enemy, the devil, does everything he can to stop us from worshiping the One True God. Just as God broke the bondage of slavery for the Israelites, Christ broke the bondage of sin and sickness for us on the Cross. He was resurrected on the third day with a message of victory over death and a call for us to come near to worship Him.
 
Rabbi Jason Sobel tells us that "Passover reminds us that without God's intervention, Israel would still be in bondage." After the Exodus, Moses realized that what is most important for God's people is His presence. Moses said, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here...What else will distinguish us from all the people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15, 16) This question is still for today. We should be defined by the presence of God. That comes as we open our hearts to worship Him. Today we glory in the resurrection of Christ and His promise of eternal life for those who believe in Him. Let us make today and the weeks to come ones of His Presence through extravagant worship! 

​On the same day (Nisan 10) that every Jewish household was choosing their unblemished, spotless lamb for Passover, God brought Jesus into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey to present His Son as the pure, spotless Lamb of God. Large crowds met Him there and "took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!'" (John 12:13)
 
Four days later Jesus joined His disciples in an upper room for a Passover Seder. He was being obedient to the Scripture in Exodus 12:14 that says, "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance." At this Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."  (Luke 22:15) God's plan was for His people to remember how He set them free from slavery in Egypt. He also knew that through the retelling of the Passover story, a connection would be made that His Son, Yeshua, is the Passover Lamb. He shed His blood that would be applied to the doorpost of our hearts for eternity. The blood of the lambs that was applied to the doorframes of the homes of the children of Israel was for protection from the death of the firstborn.
 
There has always been a battle over the power of the blood. It was Emperor Constantine who legalized Christianity but forbid the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus during Passover. The Church in Rome joined the battle and tried to stamp out Passover and pronounced a curse on Christians who celebrate it. Satan hates Passover because he knows the power of the blood. He also knows that it points to Jesus as being the Passover Lamb. The first time Jesus was introduced this way was by John the Baptist who said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
 
On the original Passover night, the head of every household stood at the door of his house with a basin containing the blood of the lamb. He used a hyssop branch to dip into the blood and smeared it on the two doorposts and the lintel over the door. In doing this, he was making the sign of The Cross. The applied blood redeemed each family from the power of the death angel. Deliverance comes by the Cross of Jesus and by His shed blood!
 
At today's Passover feast there are four cups to drink. The first one is called The Cup of Sanctification, which represents the power of the blood to take away sin. The second cup is called The Cup of Judgment. Before drinking this cup, a drop of juice is taken out of it ten times and dropped onto a napkin—one for each plague. We are to remember that by the stripes of Jesus we are healed. The Cup of Redemption is the third one. Jesus said, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many." (Mark 14:24 - NKJ) The third cup would become the center piece of communion and spoke of the greater redemption and deliverance that humankind would experience through the forgiveness of sin from the Lamb of God. The final cup is called the Cup of Praise and is the one to remind us to rejoice because of our promised future. Truly, the Passover table was the birthplace of the Communion table.
 
The deliverance of the children of Israel came at the first Passover in the land of Goshen in Egypt. From this Passover table, a nation was born. The Passover table is a place from which one is sent out and the beginning of an annual reset as this is the time that God ordained to be the beginning of a new year on the Hebrew calendar. Yeshua, Jesus, reminds us of His position as the Passover Lamb at the Passover table and draws us into a new year of intimacy with Him. As Israel used the Passover feast to reset their year, Let us remember that God delivered us from the bondage of sin so that we can pursue a more intimate relationship with Him. Praise the Lamb!

​There is a picture of an open Torah scroll making rounds on social media that should make us pause and think about God. As demonstrated by this picture, He speaks to us in a multitude of ways that will direct our attention toward Him. At the beginning of Israel's "Operation Lion's Roar" a missile came into Beit Shemesh, in Israel, and killed nine people and injured many more. These people were sheltering in the basement of the town's synagogue. Those who helped clear through the rubble found an open Torah scroll with a shard of metal from the missile that was stuck at the reading for the week.
 
The Parasha (Torah portion) to be read for that week is called "Zachor," which means remember. This Scripture commands us to remember the attack that Amalek made on the Israelites after they left Egypt. It would have been read on the Sabbath before Purim and comes from Deuteronomy 25:17-19. "Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. When the Lord your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!" With the placement of the missile fragment directly beneath this Scripture, God was speaking to His people.
 
The missile fragment seemed to be reminding the Jewish people, as they prepared to celebrate Purim, how connected the past is to the present and future. How is this so? Along with the weekly Torah portion, there is also a selected reading from the "Prophets" to be recited in the synagogues. This is called "the Haftarah." It is meant to relate to the Torah portion. The haftarah that connects to Deuteronomy 25:17-19 comes from 1 Samuel 15:2-34. It is the story of King Saul's battle against Amalek and his failure to destroy King Agag as instructed by God. Because Saul spared the life of Agag, years down the road Haman arose and continued the battle against the Jews during the reign of Queen Esther. Haman was a direct descendant of King Agag. (Esther 3:1) However, God always gives us an opportunity to redeem our situations. Just as Haman was a direct descendant of Agag, Mordecai, Queen Esther's guardian, was from Saul's tribe, Benjamin. Therefore, Saul's descendants had the opportunity to accomplish what he failed to do.
 
This uncanny position of the shrapnel from an Iranian missile under the "Parashat Zachor" highlights the importance of doing what God instructs: "Remember," and "Do not forget!" Isn't it interesting that the missile that struck the Torah scroll came all the way from Iran whose name was Persia where the story of Purim took place about 2,500 years ago? God uses every means at His disposal to speak to us and guide us in all truth. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

​The prophetic significance of this time in history must not be missed. A "blood moon" or total lunar eclipse is expected to occur on March 3, 2026. I believe it is no accident that this will happen on the Jewish holiday of Purim. When the earth passes between the sun and a full moon it blocks the direct sunlight and casts a reddish shadow on the moon's surface.
 
Many in the prophetic circles see the blood moon as a symbol of judgment against the enemies of Israel. Isn't it fascinating that on Saturday morning both the United State and Israel began a joint military operation against Iran, which used to be called Persia? This campaign will be continuing through Purim. The blood moon is seen as a sign from God that He is intervening in the affairs of the Middle East, and that He will turn against the evil forces surrounding Israel. It is also a signal from God for the Jewish people to return to Him. 
 
How remarkable it is that Israel and the United States joined forces to strike the Iranian regime and remove it! When we look at the story of Esther in the Bible, we are reminded that Haman's plot to destroy the Jews in the Persian empire was destroyed on Purim. There was a complete reversal of the decree by Haman, the evil second in command to the King of Persia. That gave the Jews the upper hand. Could this be happening again for the Christians and small Jewish population in Iran?
 
The United States calls their battle against Iran "Epic Fury," while Israel calls theirs "Operation Lion's Roar." It appears like the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is roaring with epic fury against the evil regime in Iran and that they are being removed. This will be a time of mixed emotions for the people of Iran. There have been many casualties to their communities over the years. However, at the same time, the Christian community, called the largest underground church in the world, is being set free to worship God without fear of persecution. The small community of Jews remaining in Iran will also be able to worship in their synagogues.
 
The most interesting part of the story of Esther and the Jewish people in Persia is that God is never mentioned in it, yet He is undeniably at work in the affairs of His people. Just as Esther and the Jews trusted God to help them, may the people of Iran, Israel, and the United States rely on His faithfulness. Purim is always celebrated on the 14th and 15th days of the last month on the Hebrew calendar, Adar. Esther's cousin, Mordecai, who had been given the king’s signet ring, sent letters to all the provinces of the king establishing the yearly celebration on these dates. Adar 14 and 15 became days "on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month that was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor." (Esther 9:22 - NKJ)
 
In a post sent out on February 26, Lou Engle Ministries suggested prayer and unified decrees for us that follow:

• Plead the blood of Jesus over our nations and the Jewish people.
• Restrain the Spirit of Haman and its murderous intent.
• Pray for the removing of the veil of deception and antisemitic ideologies.
• Declare Jeremiah 49:35 - the breaking of the bow of Elam (Iran) and freedom for the Iranian people who are living under this oppressive regime.

Let us join in these prayers.

​The Hebrew month of Shevat is here. It is the eleventh month in the religious calendar and means "to strike or lash," which refers to the heavy rains of the season in Israel. It is meant to be a time of spiritual renewal and divine instruction. In the book of Deuteronomy, we can read the final words of Moses to remind the Israelites of God's lessons in the wilderness. "In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded him concerning them." (Deuteronomy 1:3)
 
The month of Shevat was one of preparation for the children of Israel. They were about to enter the Promised Land with their leader Joshua ahead of them. God was doing a "new thing" with them as it is declared in Isaiah 42:19. "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being, I announce them." At the beginning of the new year, we should be seeking the Lord for the new thing He will do with us in the year to come. It is His desire that we operate in righteousness so that we can be fruitful. He is positioning us for victory in the battles we may need to fight in the future.
 
As we meditate on God's Word, we grow in righteousness. The letter from the Hebrew alphabet associated with this month is TZADIK. It symbolizes the "righteous one." One of the names of God is Yahweh Tsidqenu, "The Lord Our Righteousness." The prophet Jeremiah foretold the coming of the Lord. "'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In His days Judah will live in safety. This is the name by which He will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.'" (Jeremiah 23:5, 6) Jeremiah's prophecy would be confirmed in the writings of the apostle Paul. Paul tells us how we can join in that righteousness. "It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
 
It is through our faith in Jesus Christ that righteousness comes to us. (Romans 3:22) Our goal is to become like Him so that we are in right relationship with God and with others. There is a promise in Matthew 5:6 that we should grab hold of, especially during this month. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Jesus came as the only one who could provide us with redemption from the curse of sin because of His perfect life. 1 Peter 2:24 explains it well. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed."
 
The vine that we connect to when we received Jesus Christ by faith is the vine of righteousness. Like the root of a plant that brings nutrition and sustenance to the plant, the root of the Vine that we attached to brings us righteousness and holiness so that we become who Christ is--"The righteousness of God in Christ Jesus." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
 
Since we are in the beginning of a new year and in the month where the Lord wants to do a new thing in us, let us focus on our identity in Christ and remember who we are in Him. Praise God that we became the righteousness of God because of our union with Christ. May our spirits awaken to the revelation of these truths.

​The "when" of Christ's birth is certainly not as important as the "why," but it is interesting to investigate. Most scholars agree that Christ would not have been born during December. The Bible gives us hints as to the season when His birth took place. Luke 2, verse 8, tells us "there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." This suggests that Jesus may have been born when the weather was warm and conducive to having flocks of sheep out at night. Shepherds kept their flocks in a shelter at night during Israel's cold, rainy Decembers. Next, we read that Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem for a census. It is likely that the Romans would not have taken a census in the winter when traveling conditions were difficult. Those who traveled in December dealt with cold temperatures and roads that are in poor condition.



We know from Luke 1:24-36 that Jesus was conceived while Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother, was in her sixth month of pregnancy. Zechariah, John's father, served in the Jerusalem temple with the priestly division of Abijah. While he was on duty, burning incense, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, telling him that he would have a son. Historical calculations indicate that Zechariah's service took place in mid-June. He would have returned home immediately after his service. If we assume that John's conception took place at the end of June, he would have been born at the end of March.



Luke 1:35 and 36 tells us that Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Mary conceived. This being the case, it is likely that Jesus was born at the end of September. Perhaps he was born during the Feast of Tabernacles when it is said that Messiah tabernacles with us. However, December 25 was selected as the date for celebrating Christ's birth by the Church in Rome during Constantine's reign. December 25 was the date that the pagans celebrated the birth of the sun, so the Church decided to celebrate the birth of The Son, Jesus, at the same time.



Now let’s look at the “why” of Christ’s coming. The prophet Isaiah makes this clear in Chapter 53, verses 5 and 6. "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Verse 10 of Isaiah's discourse on why Jesus came to earth goes into more detail. "Yet it was the Lord's will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering; He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hands." 



Our Messiah came to earth fully human and yet fully God. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulder. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever…” (Isaiah 9:6, 7) This Christmas let us ponder what Christ did for us when He gave up the majestic splendor of heaven to come to earth. He came to give us salvation and reconcile us to God. He came so that we might "participate in the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4) He came to demonstrate the love of God that is beyond comprehension. He came as the Prince of Peace and Immanuel, God with us. He is worthy of our praise and worship. Have a blessed Christmas.

​As Christians, we need to be aware of how Hanukkah and Christmas have similarities. Neither celebration is found directly in the Bible. However, in John 10:22 and 23 there is a reference to Jesus observing Hanukkah or the Feast of Dedication. "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade." There is a footnote in my Complete Jewish Study Bible that says, "Not only did Yeshua celebrate Hanukkah, but He observed it in the same Temple that had been cleansed and rededicated just a few generations earlier under the Maccabees."
 
Basically, Hanukkah is a celebration of the deliverance of the Jews by God. It also became a time to express their hope of a coming Messiah. Jesus used His time at the Temple during Hanukkah to reveal His identity to the Jews gathered around Him. "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly," the Jews shouted. Jesus gave them the answer in His Hanukkah message. "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in My Father's name speak for Me, but you do not believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:25-28)
 
Hanukkah recalls a military victory for the Jews. If Antiochus had succeeded in his campaign to destroy the Jews, there would have been no birth of a Jewish Messiah to a young Hebrew couple. The first miracle had to take place for the second miracle to come about—the incarnation of Christ Jesus.
 
Hanukkah demonstrates how God provided the miracle of light in the middle of dark times. Christmas brought us The Light of Christ. He was born into a world riddled with brokenness and darkness. Father God is the One who provided the Light from heaven to shine into our world. "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4)
 
It is miraculous that the Maccabees could conquer the Syrian army. Then the miracle of light came about as the Temple Menorah remained lit for eight days with only enough oil for one day. But the miracle of Christmas topped the Hanukkah miracles. We have a virgin birth of the Son of God. That birth brought forth "The Light of the World."
 
At the heart of both Christmas and Hanukkah are miracles from God. He brings us opportunities for new beginnings and for life everlasting with Him. He brings restoration and hope. "...The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5) Why not make this entire season a time for remembering and celebrating the goodness of God? He is The One who brings us victory through the miraculous and The Light of Life through His Son.

​The ninth month on the Hebrew calendar, Kislev, is called the month of miracles. This is because of the miracle of the oil that occurred during the second temple period. The altar of the Lord had been overtaken by Greek invaders led by Antiochus Epiphanes. That altar was desecrated when Antiochus decided to sacrifice a pig on the altar of burnt offering in 167 BC. In addition, he erected a statue of the Greek god, Zeus, on top of the altar. Then he looted the temple treasure and burned copies of the law.
 
Hundreds of years before this event occurred, the prophet Daniel wrote about it, calling it "an abomination of desolation" in Daniel 11:31. A priestly family of Israelites called the Maccabees would not sit still as their temple was being defiled, and so went to war against the invaders. After three years of battle, they overcame and recaptured the temple. The first order of business for this priestly family was to cleanse and rededicate the temple. Thus, we have the celebration called Hanukkah which means "Dedication."
 
A new altar was built and the temple restored. The priests remade the holy vessels and brought back the lampstand. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred as the Maccabees searched for oil to light the lampstand. Only one vial of oil was found that had been approved and sealed by the high priest. This would only keep the lampstand burning for one day. The priests decided to light the lamps anyway. To their delight, that one vial of oil kept the lampstand lit for eight full days, the amount of time needed to prepare more oil. It should be noted that the number eight is the number of new beginnings. How significant! This miracle happened during the month of Kislev. The celebration of Hanukkah begins on Kislev 25 on the Hebrew calendar. In 2025 that is December 15 on our Greek-based calendars.
 
The lampstand that was used in the temple had seven branches. The Menorah used today has nine branches, one for each of the eight days that the lampstand was lit and one center candle called the "Shammas" or "Servant" candle. It is the middle candle that is used to light the other eight candles. Those of the Christian faith should see the significance of the Servant candle and its position above the other candles on the Menorah. For us, it represents the Light of the World, Jesus. He made His identity clear in a declaration from the Temple. "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
 
When Joseph and Mary came to the temple to bring a sacrifice of two turtle doves and to introduce Jesus, they encountered Simeon. The Bible says he was "just and devout," and was waiting to see the Lord's Christ. When he saw Jesus he took Him in his arms and said, "Lord, now You are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word: For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32 - NKJ)
 
It is revelation that turns on the light. As the "Servant candle," Jesus/Yeshua, came to light the world. He lights one candle at a time with the oil of His Spirit. As the Maccabees rededicated the temple, we must rededicate our temples. The world is becoming increasingly darker, which gives us the opportunity to shine even brighter. We have an unlimited supply of oil from the Holy Spirit that is meant to be used to glorify God and show the love of Christ to those around us. Jesus said, "You are the light of the world..." (Matthew 5:14) Why not be a part of this miraculous month by letting your light shine?

It was during this month, the eighth month on the Hebrew calendar, that God implemented His plan to cleanse and restore the earth. He found one man who was righteous at the time when He proclaimed, "I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created...for I regret that I have made them." (Genesis 6:7) He gave instructions to Noah to build an ark for himself, his family, and two of all living creatures, male and female. Then God said, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation." (Genesis 7:1)
 
The story of Noah's obedience to God should be an example for us. As he and his family followed God's instructions concerning the building of the arc, they bore witness to the righteousness of God. Noah's behavior reflected Matthew 5:16. "...Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Let us remember that Jesus warned His disciples about the days before His return, saying that they would be like the days of Noah. "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all." (Luke 17:26 and 27)
 
Would you not agree that our society today looks very similar to the one from Noah's days? So, it would be a suitable time for us to proclaim the righteousness of Christ. And why not do so in the month that Noah and his family entered the arc, the eighth month of Cheshvan? It is interesting to note that there are no Jewish feasts or fasts during this month. The Jews say this month is reserved for Messiah. Perhaps this is the month in which Messiah will return. Regardless, our responsibility is to declare the righteousness of God while we still have time. He could return any day!
 
Floods are usually devastating for those who live through them. Yet God used the flood of Cheshvan to bring about cleansing and restoration. He used Noah as an instrument of redemption for the world so that all humankind could be saved. This shows us that God's plan for humanity never changes. God was repositioning humankind to be "fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth." (Genesis 1:28 - NKJ) Is it not appropriate that Cheshvan is the eighth month when the meaning of eight is new beginnings?
 
We, as Believers in the Lord, have been made heirs to Him. This truth means that we have authority in the earthly realm. Our assignment is the same one given to Adam and Eve: to be fruitful, multiply, subdue, and have dominion over the earth. Are we living out God's plan for our lives? We must realign ourselves with the plans and purposes of our Lord and Savior. Like Noah, we want to demonstrate the righteousness of the Kingdom of Heaven in the hope that others might join the family of the Lord. 

​Did you know that every year since 2022, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Bible is read on our Capitol steps? According to our state legislator, Stephanie Borowicz, an "amazing group comes and reads the Bible in like seven days...They said every time they read at each State Capitol, crime goes down." Breaking Christian News reports that this year "Pennsylvania state legislators Stephanie Borowicz and Doug Mastriano spearheaded a move that now declares September 12 the 'Day of the Bible' in Pennsylvania."
 
With America's 250th anniversary about to begin, our two legislators introduced in Congress a resolution to recognize this day nationwide. Mastriano says, "We are the rock that dropped into the lake, and I believe we're taking this land back." Last month there was a celebration at Philadelphia's Independence Square. At Congress Hall in this square, the first Congress of the United States met from 1790 to 1800. As our founders met in this location, the Bible was at the center of their planning.
 
It was on September 12 that the Continental Congress approved the printing of the Aitken Bible. This was the first complete English-language Bible printed in America. Borowicz had this to say: "We're restoring the Bible back. And this is, like you said, this is a battle of good versus evil, right? And we don't fight flesh and blood. We fight principalities and rulers of this dark world."
 
Somehow the intentions of our founding fathers concerning the Word of God have become skewed. The many Scriptural quotations that appear in the writings of our founders let us know that they knew and respected the Bible. According to a web site called "Got Questions," "Our government structure, laws, morality, education, and family values were all founded on principles that came directly from the Bible. The Founding Fathers, Presidents, and foreigners visiting a young America identified the key to the nation's success as the biblical influence embraced by its society. When a nation honors God, it develops a respect for all of God's creation. Where there is no honor of God, a society will fail to respect His creation, and people will suffer as a result."
 
We only need to look at the nation of Israel to see the ramifications of their choices concerning following God's Word. When Israel was following God's laws, their society functioned well, but when they turned away from it, their society had trouble.  We can also look at the history of the United States. Our prideful attitude that we know better than God has left us in tumult. Our words and actions do not reflect the goodness of our Lord. We must remember that when we agree with the kingdom of darkness, we give the demonic realm permission to operate in our lives. This results in chaos and destruction. When we agree with the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Light, we empower the Lord and invite Him to impact our nation.
 
Mastriano points out that "The Word of God helped make a difference in the founding of our nation." He admonishes us: "Study it, read it to your children at night, read a Psalm a day, do something with it, because our foundation, our virtue, our nation, our republic can only be sustained with it." Hebrews 4:12 tells us about the power of the Word of God. "The Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Let us pray that the resolution introduced in our Congress will pass and that Pennsylvania will be a leader in making the Bible a priority in our daily lives again.