Have you ever heard the term genetically modified food? Or GMO? Well if you pick up a processed food item at your grocery store, you will most likely be eating a genetically modified food (GM) food. That's because over 70% of processed foods contain GM ingredients.
What is genetic engineering? Back in the mid-1970's, scientists discovered that they could transfer genes from one species to another. This was an unprecedented breakthrough in technology. Of course through normal sexual reproduction, parents contribute thousands of genes to their children. Genetic engineers however, force a gene (known as a transgene) into the DNA of organisms that could never acquire it naturally. They break the species barrier by creating completely new organisms. Genetic engineering began so that scientists could implant specific traits into different species, creating crops resistant to pesticides and diseases, foods that can deliver vaccines, and livestock that have more omega-3 fats or other nutritional attributes, among many others. What makes this frightening is that scientists are manipulating animal and plant DNA to create abnormal life forms reminiscent of Frankentstein. For example, they inserted spider genes into goat DNA so that they could milk the goat for spider web protein to use in bullet proof vests. Jellyfish genes have lit up pigs' noses in the dark and Arctic fish genes gave tomatoes and strawberries tolerance to frost. Human genes are also being manipulated. Amazingly, pharmaceutical companies have inserted human genes into bacteria, turning them into living factories to produce drugs. Innovative technological creations? Yes. Things that are safe to introduce into the human food chain and environment? Probably not!
The following statistics are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agriculture Statistics Service in 2006 (that was 5 yrs ago):
89% of the soybeans planted in the US were GM varieties
83% of the cotton planted was GM
61% of the corn was GM
Unlike in Europe where processed GM foods must be labeled if any ingredient includes 0.9% of genetically modified organisms (GMO) or more, here in the US, GM foods are not labeled.
Out of the four major GM food crops currently being produced (soybeans, corn, canola, and cotton), along with the smaller GM crops (zucchini, crookneck, squash, papaya, alfalfa, and tobacco), nearly three-fourths have been engineered to survive applications of a specific herbicide, and nearly one-fifth of them are designed to produce their own pesticide! Further, more than one out of ten GM crops can do both! These products are highly contaminated.
The process of genetic modification easily results in thousands of mutations. Some risks from GM products containing mutations are as follows:
- Causing overproduction of toxins, allergens, carcinogens, or antinutrients
- Reducing nutritional quality of the crop
- Changing the way that the plant interacts with its environment
And because of our limited understanding of DNA, no one knows what the additional consequences to human health and the environment will be. What is extremely important to understand about GM foods is that neither the FDA, nor any other regulatory agency, is monitoring the potential consequences of these creations. They do not require extensive evaluation of the mutations, despite the fact that the few studies that have analyzed GM crops already on the market reveal significant problems, including:
- Containing scrambled DNA, incomplete genes, or multiple fragments of the inserted
gene
- Gene fragments in GM corn that were suppose to be in a different GM crop
- Significant nutritional differences between GM and non-GM crops
The testing done in animals have had horrible results changing their blood, liver and kidneys and even reporting black patches in both the intestines and liver of some animals, as well as enlarged bile ducts. The only human feeding study ever published showed soybeans, that had been genetically modified to make them herbicide-tolerant, spontaneously transferred out of food and into the DNA of human gut bacteria! This means long after we have given up eating GM soy, which is widely available on the market, the bacteria inside our intestines may produce the herbicide-tolerant protein inside of us!
GM corn and most GM crops are also inserted with antibiotic resistant genes. The American Medical Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), and organizations worldwide have expressed concern about the possibility that these might transfer to disease producing bacteria inside your gut, creating new, antibiotic-resistant super-diseases.
There are so many potential problems resulting from GM foods. Even rats fed GM potatoes for 10 days had horrible results. They had smaller brains, livers and testicles. White blood cells responded to a challenge more slowly, indicating immune system damage. Organs related to the immune system, including the thymus and the spleen, showed adverse changes. And the animals had enlarged pancreases and intestines and partial atrophy of the liver! Do you want to be eating stuff that causes this?!?!
We should do our best to purchase whole foods such as fruit, veggies and meats. However in the instance that you need to purchase processed food make sure you read the label for corn or soy. If a product is not organic and contains either one of these or its derivitives than it most likely contains GM organisms and should be avoided at all costs. The only GM free processed foods most times are organic. Just being aware is half the battle. Let's strive to eat real foods the way God made them and in doing that preserve our health and that of our future generations.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Fluoride - The Real Truth
Fluoride is something I have been suspicious of since I was a young teen and interested in health. I was told that fluoride was necessary to prevent dental decay but I was not convinced. Several years ago after reading and research we decided to purchase a water filter which would remove the fluoride from our drinking water. And just a little over a year ago we got rid of the fluoride toothpaste and switched to toothpaste that had xylitol (something I have found very beneficial in preventing cavities!). And the last two times my children went to the dentist and had a fluoride treatment they were sick with a horrible cold or a stomach virus within 24-48 hours. After realizing the connection I became very opposed to this drug!
I would like to share with you some things I have read from Dr Mercola's research concerning this drug that is put in our water without our consent. Imagine a drug prescribed to the entire U.S. population with no consent, no way to track dosage or the individual's reaction or vulnerability to the drug. It sounds insane, but that is exactly what is happening in the United States with water fluoridation.
Fluoride has been added to the U.S. water supply for over fifty years in order to "prevent dental decay". Not only is this practice unsafe, but it is also ineffective. Data compiled by the World Health Organization shows absolutely no difference in tooth decay in countries that use fluoridated water compared with countries that don't use fluoridated water. Several studies have found that tooth decay rates do not increase when water fluoridation is stopped, and in some cases, the rates even decrease! The dental community now nearly uniformly believes that fluoride's benefits result from topical application, no when it is swallowed. Despite the dental community's belief and fluoride's apparent ineffectiveness, it continues to be used in the United States, but not without consequences. The fluoride that you ingest from the water supply and from the number of other sources such as toothpaste, mouthwashes, processed foods, some vitamin tablets, and beverages like fruit juice, soda, and tea is associated with a number of negative health effects. Lets look at some of them.
- Accumulates in your bones, making them brittle and more easily fractured
- Accumulates in your pineal gland, which may inhibit the production of the hormone
melatonin, which helps regulate the onset of puberty.
- Damages tooth enamel and may lower fertility rates.
- Has been found to increase the uptake of heavy metals such as aluminum and lead
into the brain and bloodstream.
- Depresses your immune system by inhibiting antibodies from forming in the blood.
- Confuses your immune system, causing it to attack the body's tissues. This can
increase the growth rate of tumors in people prone to cancer.
Noting these and other health risks and the obvious ethical issue of medicating an entire population without their consent, many European countries have banned water fluoridation. To put it simply, fluoride is not the beneficial additive that is purported to be. This is why, if you look on a tube of fluoride toothpaste, you will see a warning label. There is enough fluoride in a typical tube of toothpaste to kill two small children if they consumed the entire tube all at once. Clearly not something that you want to be ingesting regularly!
I would like to share with you some things I have read from Dr Mercola's research concerning this drug that is put in our water without our consent. Imagine a drug prescribed to the entire U.S. population with no consent, no way to track dosage or the individual's reaction or vulnerability to the drug. It sounds insane, but that is exactly what is happening in the United States with water fluoridation.
Fluoride has been added to the U.S. water supply for over fifty years in order to "prevent dental decay". Not only is this practice unsafe, but it is also ineffective. Data compiled by the World Health Organization shows absolutely no difference in tooth decay in countries that use fluoridated water compared with countries that don't use fluoridated water. Several studies have found that tooth decay rates do not increase when water fluoridation is stopped, and in some cases, the rates even decrease! The dental community now nearly uniformly believes that fluoride's benefits result from topical application, no when it is swallowed. Despite the dental community's belief and fluoride's apparent ineffectiveness, it continues to be used in the United States, but not without consequences. The fluoride that you ingest from the water supply and from the number of other sources such as toothpaste, mouthwashes, processed foods, some vitamin tablets, and beverages like fruit juice, soda, and tea is associated with a number of negative health effects. Lets look at some of them.
- Accumulates in your bones, making them brittle and more easily fractured
- Accumulates in your pineal gland, which may inhibit the production of the hormone
melatonin, which helps regulate the onset of puberty.
- Damages tooth enamel and may lower fertility rates.
- Has been found to increase the uptake of heavy metals such as aluminum and lead
into the brain and bloodstream.
- Depresses your immune system by inhibiting antibodies from forming in the blood.
- Confuses your immune system, causing it to attack the body's tissues. This can
increase the growth rate of tumors in people prone to cancer.
Noting these and other health risks and the obvious ethical issue of medicating an entire population without their consent, many European countries have banned water fluoridation. To put it simply, fluoride is not the beneficial additive that is purported to be. This is why, if you look on a tube of fluoride toothpaste, you will see a warning label. There is enough fluoride in a typical tube of toothpaste to kill two small children if they consumed the entire tube all at once. Clearly not something that you want to be ingesting regularly!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
What Being A Mother and Keeper at Home Means To Me
Its been awhile once again since I have posted. I have been dealing with motherhood in a very real way.. morning sickness! Well actually thats not a very accurate word in my humble opinion. I would call it all day and night sickness. Thankfully I will be 12 weeks on Monday and constant nausea and horrible feeling should be starting to wind down very soon. I have tried not to complain too much as I am just grateful that Yahweh has blessed us with another child and that He has sustained him/her in my womb during this time. I know there are many others out there who would do anything to have all day sickness. I am truly blessed and praise Yahweh for the fruitful womb that He gave me.
This time of sickness has caused me to really reflect on what being a mother and a keeper at home means to me. When I am pregnant I notice right away how easy it is to give up junk foods or things that would not be the best nutrition for my body. I am willing to sacrifice anything in the world for my baby. Obviously being sick for days and nights on end for months WILLINGLY is another thing that being a mother means to me.
I am amazed that Yahweh has decided to bless me with the privilege of motherhood. Motherhood has taught me alot about unconditional love and self-less living. My time is no longer my own and I am on call 24/7. I am responsible for nurturing these blessings. Through my love they can see the love of their Abba Father. This is a huge responsibility and something that I often fail at. I ask Yahweh every day to help me be His hands and feet on this earth to my children. I have learned that giving my time to my children is more important than an empty kitchen sink before I go to bed. I have learned that a kiss from mommy on any boo-boo is magical. I have learned that being a mother is not about what can I GAIN, but about what I can GIVE.
Being a mother means that I get to train my children up in the fear and admonition of Yahweh. I get to talk with them about Him when they sit down, when they walk beside me, when they rise up and when they go to bed. I have the privilege of educating them in academics at home and in doing that it allows me to make Yahweh part of their teaching every single moment. Home educating my children has been a lesson in patience, meekness, self-control and love. I thought I would teach my children tons of things, but turns out they have taught me way more! I would never be the mother I am today without the opportunity to home educate them. I am grateful for that and for my husband's complete support in raising our children at home.
I wouldn't trade being a keeper at home for anything in the world! I was the first to see them walk and talk. I was the first one to comfort them when they got their first boo-boo. I was the one to teach them their ABC's and teach them who Yahweh is and how special they are to Him. I was the one who was able to sit on the couch with my son and teach him to read. One letter, one sentence and then one page at a time. I was there to listen to him share his thoughts, his dreams and his imagination. I was there to build blocks and read book after book after book. No, I didn't get to go to the gym every day. I made due with one car many times. I didn't have new clothes. I couldn't get a manicure or a pedicure. I couldn't get a massage when I was stressed out or head to the local spa to pamper myself on a rough day. I couldn't go out to eat much and had to learn to plan meals and cook from scratch. I didn't get to go to a job where I was recognized by the boss, given pay raises and made to feel important. But you know what? I dont regret anything! I wouldn't want to trade being a keeper at home for all the money, comfort and recognition in this world. I am happy to hear "I love you mommy!" from my children. I am happy to tuck them into bed each night and greet them when they wake up each morning. I am happy to discover the world right along with them.
One day they will be all grown up and I wont be able to tuck them in bed anymore or greet them when they wake up. They wont be sitting on my lap letting me read them books. I wont be kissing their boo-boos or teaching them how to read. I will hopefully be watching them grow up to be men who fear Yahweh and raise strong families for Him. Watching them support their wives in being keepers at home. That is my prayer. A life of sacrifices but with no regrets! Thats what being a mother means to me!
Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
This time of sickness has caused me to really reflect on what being a mother and a keeper at home means to me. When I am pregnant I notice right away how easy it is to give up junk foods or things that would not be the best nutrition for my body. I am willing to sacrifice anything in the world for my baby. Obviously being sick for days and nights on end for months WILLINGLY is another thing that being a mother means to me.
I am amazed that Yahweh has decided to bless me with the privilege of motherhood. Motherhood has taught me alot about unconditional love and self-less living. My time is no longer my own and I am on call 24/7. I am responsible for nurturing these blessings. Through my love they can see the love of their Abba Father. This is a huge responsibility and something that I often fail at. I ask Yahweh every day to help me be His hands and feet on this earth to my children. I have learned that giving my time to my children is more important than an empty kitchen sink before I go to bed. I have learned that a kiss from mommy on any boo-boo is magical. I have learned that being a mother is not about what can I GAIN, but about what I can GIVE.
Being a mother means that I get to train my children up in the fear and admonition of Yahweh. I get to talk with them about Him when they sit down, when they walk beside me, when they rise up and when they go to bed. I have the privilege of educating them in academics at home and in doing that it allows me to make Yahweh part of their teaching every single moment. Home educating my children has been a lesson in patience, meekness, self-control and love. I thought I would teach my children tons of things, but turns out they have taught me way more! I would never be the mother I am today without the opportunity to home educate them. I am grateful for that and for my husband's complete support in raising our children at home.
I wouldn't trade being a keeper at home for anything in the world! I was the first to see them walk and talk. I was the first one to comfort them when they got their first boo-boo. I was the one to teach them their ABC's and teach them who Yahweh is and how special they are to Him. I was the one who was able to sit on the couch with my son and teach him to read. One letter, one sentence and then one page at a time. I was there to listen to him share his thoughts, his dreams and his imagination. I was there to build blocks and read book after book after book. No, I didn't get to go to the gym every day. I made due with one car many times. I didn't have new clothes. I couldn't get a manicure or a pedicure. I couldn't get a massage when I was stressed out or head to the local spa to pamper myself on a rough day. I couldn't go out to eat much and had to learn to plan meals and cook from scratch. I didn't get to go to a job where I was recognized by the boss, given pay raises and made to feel important. But you know what? I dont regret anything! I wouldn't want to trade being a keeper at home for all the money, comfort and recognition in this world. I am happy to hear "I love you mommy!" from my children. I am happy to tuck them into bed each night and greet them when they wake up each morning. I am happy to discover the world right along with them.
One day they will be all grown up and I wont be able to tuck them in bed anymore or greet them when they wake up. They wont be sitting on my lap letting me read them books. I wont be kissing their boo-boos or teaching them how to read. I will hopefully be watching them grow up to be men who fear Yahweh and raise strong families for Him. Watching them support their wives in being keepers at home. That is my prayer. A life of sacrifices but with no regrets! Thats what being a mother means to me!
Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Life of Surrender, Faith and Trust
These past few months have been quite on a journey on many levels. I have studied the Bible more than I ever have in my entire life. I have re-evaluated my beliefs based on what I had been taught versus what the Bible says. I have learned alot and of course have alot more to learn. I will never arrive.
At the end of March my husband called me from work one morning and said some things a wife never wants to hear, "Honey, I got fired and I am on my way home". Amazingly enough God had prepared my heart and mind for something like this and I was not filled with fear or panic at all. It was a miracle. Hubby came home from work and filed for unemployment, fully prepared for his company to fight it. It has been a miracle but they have not fought the unemployment at all! Yes the money he makes now is like $800 less a month than what he was making before, but because we are in foreclosure we do not have a housing payment (until we are kicked out) and so that has actually been a blessing in disguise.
Andrew has applied for school at HACC and is looking into getting a certificate in Computer Repair Technology. He wants to have more employment options than just warehouse jobs. His placement test is this Friday to see what classes he will have to take in order to begin. We are taking it one day at a time. The program will take two years to complete if he does it full time and during the summers. However, I am sure we will get the notice to leave this property before two years are up. We have already gone a year without a notice and the average time we were told was 12-18 months. Once we get that notice we of course will have to move somewhere that has a rental fee which means he wont be able to do school anymore.. or at least not more than one class a semester. So we are relying on God to lead us wherever He chooses. We are very open to moving out of the area and even out of the state. We are seriously considering a very big move and if God opens the doors, we will follow.
About a week after he was fired we found out that I was expecting blessing #3! I guess some people would be worried and wonder what they were going to do, but once again God gave me a peace that passes all understanding and I was not worried at all. Where God guides, He provides. I trust that He will provide for this little one's every need and our family as well. Of course medical insurance ended for us on April 1st and this is something much needed for a pregnant mama. I applied for medical assistance and just heard from them on Friday that I was approved. So once again, God has provided for our every need. God has also provided us with so many new friends who have not only prayed for us, but have put love into action and given us money to help with the little things that have come along. We have never seen such love in action from other brothers and sisters and it has renewed our faith and encouraged us to know that there are genuine Believers out there.
We are not sure where the path that God has for us will lead us but we are willing to follow wherever that leads to. We have learned alot about faith and surrender in these past few months and we have learned what trusting in God really looks like. Its been quite the journey and I look forward to what the rest of the journey has in store for us. I have learned so many life lessons and I am so grateful that God has used these circumstances to mold my character. I look forward to Him molding me more and more into His image. He is the Potter and I am the clay.
At the end of March my husband called me from work one morning and said some things a wife never wants to hear, "Honey, I got fired and I am on my way home". Amazingly enough God had prepared my heart and mind for something like this and I was not filled with fear or panic at all. It was a miracle. Hubby came home from work and filed for unemployment, fully prepared for his company to fight it. It has been a miracle but they have not fought the unemployment at all! Yes the money he makes now is like $800 less a month than what he was making before, but because we are in foreclosure we do not have a housing payment (until we are kicked out) and so that has actually been a blessing in disguise.
Andrew has applied for school at HACC and is looking into getting a certificate in Computer Repair Technology. He wants to have more employment options than just warehouse jobs. His placement test is this Friday to see what classes he will have to take in order to begin. We are taking it one day at a time. The program will take two years to complete if he does it full time and during the summers. However, I am sure we will get the notice to leave this property before two years are up. We have already gone a year without a notice and the average time we were told was 12-18 months. Once we get that notice we of course will have to move somewhere that has a rental fee which means he wont be able to do school anymore.. or at least not more than one class a semester. So we are relying on God to lead us wherever He chooses. We are very open to moving out of the area and even out of the state. We are seriously considering a very big move and if God opens the doors, we will follow.
About a week after he was fired we found out that I was expecting blessing #3! I guess some people would be worried and wonder what they were going to do, but once again God gave me a peace that passes all understanding and I was not worried at all. Where God guides, He provides. I trust that He will provide for this little one's every need and our family as well. Of course medical insurance ended for us on April 1st and this is something much needed for a pregnant mama. I applied for medical assistance and just heard from them on Friday that I was approved. So once again, God has provided for our every need. God has also provided us with so many new friends who have not only prayed for us, but have put love into action and given us money to help with the little things that have come along. We have never seen such love in action from other brothers and sisters and it has renewed our faith and encouraged us to know that there are genuine Believers out there.
We are not sure where the path that God has for us will lead us but we are willing to follow wherever that leads to. We have learned alot about faith and surrender in these past few months and we have learned what trusting in God really looks like. Its been quite the journey and I look forward to what the rest of the journey has in store for us. I have learned so many life lessons and I am so grateful that God has used these circumstances to mold my character. I look forward to Him molding me more and more into His image. He is the Potter and I am the clay.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Another Sabbath Rest
Its been awhile since I have posted on this blog so I thought I would write a little to share what the past few weeks have been like. We were blessed with an opportunity to travel to KY to visit some dear friends and their sabbath keeping fellowship. It was a wonderful and encouraging time. I learned so much in visiting them. After a few days in KY we headed down to Jackson, TN where we once again were blessed with a family who paid our way to the Passover event there. It was an AWESOME experience! I can't even put into words what its like to observe the feasts that Jesus Himself observed! Its incredible! The Bible came alive for us. And the Passover is not just some little historical event.. its a remembrance of the Messiah who was the PERFECT Lamb! He gave His life so that we might live! The Passover was followed by a week of Unleavened Bread and I have to admit that being pregnant and nauseated that was a challenge. However, getting rid of sin in our lives is never easy and we must constantly die to self and deny ourselves. This was a wonderful lesson to me. Also we ate unleavened bread each day as a symbol of taking in more of the Messiah each day. Once we accept Him as our Passover Lamb, then we seek to rid the sin our of our life and seek to take in more of Him. We are now counting the days till Pentecost which will be celebrated on June 12. What an awesome year this has been so far. We feel so blessed.
Tonight was another Sabbath, another reminder that one day we will rest for eternity! I cannot wait for that day! We blessed the bread and the juice tonight and prayed together as a family. Daddy played the guitar and we sang one of my favorite songs, Days of Elijah! My favorite part, "Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds, shining like the sun, at the trumpet call. So lift your voice, its the year of Jubilee. Out of Zion's hill Salvation comes!" I am so excited that He is coming back again! He is coming to SAVE us! What a day that will be! I love how Yahweh shows us how to rehearse for His rest in the millennial kingdom! He instituted a seventh day rest every week! I look so forward to that. And He even told us to rest our land in the seventh year! Woven through the pages of scripture are object lessons for us to do that have a spiritual application as well. That is what Sabbath and His feasts are all about! Its incredible!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Feast of Unleavened Bread
The Feast of Unleavened Bread (ULB) is the second spring festival beginning in the fifteenth month of Nisan (Lev 23:6; Ex 12:15-17). When the Isrealites fled from Egypt they took the dough before it had time to leaven. On the next day when they baked it, it was unleavened bread. The fermenting nature of leaven is commonly used as a metaphor for sin. In remembrance of this event, Yahweh commanded His people to eat only pure, unleavened bread for seven days every year.
During this week long feast, nothing with leaven in it may be eaten. Leaven is removed from all houses before the Passover feast. Abstaining from unleavened bread for seven days is symbolic of Yahweh's people separating themselves from sin and becoming a holy (set-apart) people and experiencing a holy walk with Yahweh.
Spring cleaning has its roots in the Passover preparation. Thirty days before the festival, the women of every household began removing all leaven from their homes. According to Lev 13:7, as long as leaven remains in the house one cannot celebrate Passover. It is a spiritual as well as a physical cleansing. If one does not examine their hearts and life for sin and come before Yahweh with a pure heart, then that person cannot celebrate Passover. (1 Cor 5:7-8)
The matzah is a wonderful reminder of the Messiah. The bread with without leaven (sin), striped, pierced and bruised. He was wounded and bruised for our sins. The feast of ULB speaks of sanctification. The Messiah was set apart. His body would not decay in the grave.
The unleavened bread is also a visual lesson instructing us how Yahweh wants us to change through Yahshua (Jesus). When we accept Yahshua as the Passover Lamb who died for our sins, our position before Yahweh changes to sinless (without leaven) because Yahshua took on our sins. We are righteous through Yahshua. As believers in Christ we are to put off the sin nature within us. (Eph 4:22-24)
The symbolism in the feast of ULB is incredible. The Israelites fed on bread without leaven (sin) and believers on Yahshua, the Word, without sin. Unleavened bread is used for consecration and separation and believers in Christ are to be consecrated and separated to live a holy life.
To me these spring feasts represent the process of salvation and sanctification in a believers life. First we accept the Messiah as our Passover Lamb and His blood gets put on the door posts of our heart. Then we seek to turn from our sinful ways and purge the junk out of our lives, this is ULB. And finally we then begin to really study Yahweh's Word and we start in the beginning which is the Torah. From there we seek obey Him by observing all He has written for us (this is Pentecost). I will explain more about the feast of Pentecost in another blog post. But for now I just wanted to show how the spring feasts from Passover to Pentecost show the journey of a Believer's life.
My family and I are so eager to celebrate these feasts this year. What an awesome way to make the Bible come alive and to even further understand the road map that Yahweh has laid out for His children to become set apart for Him!
During this week long feast, nothing with leaven in it may be eaten. Leaven is removed from all houses before the Passover feast. Abstaining from unleavened bread for seven days is symbolic of Yahweh's people separating themselves from sin and becoming a holy (set-apart) people and experiencing a holy walk with Yahweh.
Spring cleaning has its roots in the Passover preparation. Thirty days before the festival, the women of every household began removing all leaven from their homes. According to Lev 13:7, as long as leaven remains in the house one cannot celebrate Passover. It is a spiritual as well as a physical cleansing. If one does not examine their hearts and life for sin and come before Yahweh with a pure heart, then that person cannot celebrate Passover. (1 Cor 5:7-8)
The matzah is a wonderful reminder of the Messiah. The bread with without leaven (sin), striped, pierced and bruised. He was wounded and bruised for our sins. The feast of ULB speaks of sanctification. The Messiah was set apart. His body would not decay in the grave.
The unleavened bread is also a visual lesson instructing us how Yahweh wants us to change through Yahshua (Jesus). When we accept Yahshua as the Passover Lamb who died for our sins, our position before Yahweh changes to sinless (without leaven) because Yahshua took on our sins. We are righteous through Yahshua. As believers in Christ we are to put off the sin nature within us. (Eph 4:22-24)
The symbolism in the feast of ULB is incredible. The Israelites fed on bread without leaven (sin) and believers on Yahshua, the Word, without sin. Unleavened bread is used for consecration and separation and believers in Christ are to be consecrated and separated to live a holy life.
To me these spring feasts represent the process of salvation and sanctification in a believers life. First we accept the Messiah as our Passover Lamb and His blood gets put on the door posts of our heart. Then we seek to turn from our sinful ways and purge the junk out of our lives, this is ULB. And finally we then begin to really study Yahweh's Word and we start in the beginning which is the Torah. From there we seek obey Him by observing all He has written for us (this is Pentecost). I will explain more about the feast of Pentecost in another blog post. But for now I just wanted to show how the spring feasts from Passover to Pentecost show the journey of a Believer's life.
My family and I are so eager to celebrate these feasts this year. What an awesome way to make the Bible come alive and to even further understand the road map that Yahweh has laid out for His children to become set apart for Him!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Passover
Yahweh (God) has given us seven annual feasts, or festivals on which to worship and honor Him. By observing them according to His Word, we can understand His ultimate plan for humanity. Leviticus 23 lists all of Yahweh's commanded festivals in order.
The very first festival is called Passover. It comes from the word "Pesach" which in Hebrew means, "passing over" or "protection". Passover, which falls in early spring in the Holy Land, is a reminder of how Yahweh took the lives of all the firstborn Egyptian males (Ex 12:7, 26-29) but passed over the Israelites' homes because they had placed the blood of a sacrificed lamb on their doorposts. The blood of the lamb foreshadowed the sacrifice of Yahshua (Jesus), which spares mankind from eternal death. In the New Testament, Believers come to understand that Yahshua is the true Passover Lamb (compare Ex 12:21 with 1 Cor 5:7). Yahshua was sacrificed on Passover.
It cannot be overemphasized as to how foundational Passover is in Yahweh's redemption plan. It is on the 14th day of the month of Nisan. Only Nisan can be the first month in Yahweh's calendar. Though other cycles and other aspects of life in Yahweh are important, it is the sacrifice of the Lamb that gives it all meaning. Except for the sacrifice of Passover and the blood on the doorposts, all Israel would have suffered the same fate as the Egyptians. The promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would have then become void. With no Passover sacrifice and with no blood on the doorposts, then no Torah could have been given and no other celebrations would have followed. We would have no hope and remain dead in our sins; however, the command was obeyed and deliverance was accomplished. Indeed, for us, this is most certainly the first of all the months, the first month of the year. This is the real beginning of all spiritual life.
Yahweh instructs parents on this special night of the year, to pass down His story of the Exodus from Egpyt. This night not only looks back on the miraculous story of Yahweh delivering His people, but it also presents the promise of Messiah's death and resurrection. It is an exciting experience centering on a mixture of ritual foods. The matzah (representing Yahshua's sinless body), bitter herbs (representing the bitterness of bondage), wine (representing His blood) and other things provide a lasting link through the march of history.
Scriptures through the Bible on Passover being remembered:
Numbers 9, Deut 16, Joshua 5:10-11, Ezra 6:19-20, 2 Chron 30-32, 2 Kings 23, 2 Chron 35, Ezekiel 45:21-24, Luke 2:41-52, Matthew 21 -28, 1 Cor 5:7 and Acts 12:3
The very first festival is called Passover. It comes from the word "Pesach" which in Hebrew means, "passing over" or "protection". Passover, which falls in early spring in the Holy Land, is a reminder of how Yahweh took the lives of all the firstborn Egyptian males (Ex 12:7, 26-29) but passed over the Israelites' homes because they had placed the blood of a sacrificed lamb on their doorposts. The blood of the lamb foreshadowed the sacrifice of Yahshua (Jesus), which spares mankind from eternal death. In the New Testament, Believers come to understand that Yahshua is the true Passover Lamb (compare Ex 12:21 with 1 Cor 5:7). Yahshua was sacrificed on Passover.
It cannot be overemphasized as to how foundational Passover is in Yahweh's redemption plan. It is on the 14th day of the month of Nisan. Only Nisan can be the first month in Yahweh's calendar. Though other cycles and other aspects of life in Yahweh are important, it is the sacrifice of the Lamb that gives it all meaning. Except for the sacrifice of Passover and the blood on the doorposts, all Israel would have suffered the same fate as the Egyptians. The promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would have then become void. With no Passover sacrifice and with no blood on the doorposts, then no Torah could have been given and no other celebrations would have followed. We would have no hope and remain dead in our sins; however, the command was obeyed and deliverance was accomplished. Indeed, for us, this is most certainly the first of all the months, the first month of the year. This is the real beginning of all spiritual life.
Yahweh instructs parents on this special night of the year, to pass down His story of the Exodus from Egpyt. This night not only looks back on the miraculous story of Yahweh delivering His people, but it also presents the promise of Messiah's death and resurrection. It is an exciting experience centering on a mixture of ritual foods. The matzah (representing Yahshua's sinless body), bitter herbs (representing the bitterness of bondage), wine (representing His blood) and other things provide a lasting link through the march of history.
Scriptures through the Bible on Passover being remembered:
Numbers 9, Deut 16, Joshua 5:10-11, Ezra 6:19-20, 2 Chron 30-32, 2 Kings 23, 2 Chron 35, Ezekiel 45:21-24, Luke 2:41-52, Matthew 21 -28, 1 Cor 5:7 and Acts 12:3
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