poetry

The Week of His Passion

The Week of His Passion

Now the week of His passion
They surely wanted Him dead
How to carry out this evil
Keep the crowd going ahead

They wanted to avoid a riot
trying to cover up their scheme
It was the Passover celebration
Thousands gathering, the crowd could turn mean

Jesus went about cleansing the temple
And delivering all the woes
They desired even more,
His life to simply dispose

He gave attention to last details
Instructing His disciples to follow
Unleavened bread, bread of affliction
Isn’t He called the Man of sorrows

The last supper, Passover meal
He stood and did boldly proclaim
He uncovered the way and the plan
His body and blood our claim

Jesus said, “This cup is my blood
Blessed and poured out for you
When you drink it remember
for as often as you do.”

They seeking to take His life
How foolish could they be
It wasn’t theirs to take
He would lay it down willingly

Through all the pain He didn’t speak
His life was not His own
He and God did make this plan
His will and His alone

Behold I make all things new;
His heart and mind steadfast
But they didn’t understand
they needed Him gone, and fast

Thinking to do away with Him
And get this hushed away
Only later to realize,
Behold, Salvation’s Way

Through the scourging and berating
brutality and pain,
for the joy set before Him
At the Cross, He endured the shame

The week of His Passion
Free will offering poured out
He laid down His life gave His all
Now we know without a doubt

His perfect work was finished
And we do have our place
Secured for all who believe
Until we see Him face to face

© laurette laster 2019

Have you ever stopped to consider Jesus Christ’s intentionality when He fashioned the whip?

The purpose, The plans, The Passion of driving out what was not Holy from the house of God. He worked literally and diligently while preparing to cleanse once and for, making propitiation for our sin, placing His blood on the mercy seat in heaven.


He fashioned, working with His hands, with intention, with purpose, making, twisting or braiding a whip where with to drive out the money changers from the temple courts. This gesture was neither weak nor passive. This was intentional and bold!

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ” The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21:10-15‬ ‭

He is able to save all who come to Him!

If you haven’t already, now is the time and today is the day, prepare your heart, be intentional!

Blessings as we enter the remembrance of the Holy season of our Great Deliverance.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette

poetry

The Awe of a Child

The Awe of a Child

Give me the awe of a child
The determination to go all in
Along with the strength of an ox
Show me how to begin

Teach me I am made for this
For challenges yet concealed
Hide me in the cleft of the Rock
Where Your Glory is revealed

Show me again the snapshots
Of the God inside of me
Let glee with wonder and excitement gush
Never tire, surrender willingly

I know what I believe
Like a child oblivious to the trial
Keep me focused on You Lord Jesus
Mile after very long mile

Yes Give me the wonder of a child
Tackling obstacles ahead
Never intimidated by the challenge
Or peering through a sense of dread

Yes, that awe invoking desire
To make it no matter what
The place where champions arise,
Refuse to quit and never give up

© laurette laster February 2021

Praying, I caught a glimpse of a child, looking intently, totally focused, standing in front of a staircase. I remembered I’ve never seen a child that doesn’t immediately attempt to climb stairs or staircases.

What is in the crawling baby or toddler that intrigues them, what or perhaps the question is Who is calling them to the climb? What is it about the challenge; devoid of fear, not understanding the daunting trial that lay ahead, not to mention the fatigue sure to ensue from the immature muscles not yet mastering the motor skills? Why are they so determined? Not only physically incapable, they are not steady enough and certainly cannot comprehend the height, the length, the depth…then I paused, oh!

Oh, this is a truth we need to grasp and begin the climb, or begin again. Look at this challenge with excitement and determination, not dread of failure.

I’m so amazed that children immediately tackle the tough stuff, you know impossible staircases unmoved by the possibility of failure or falling. Unaware they are alone. Not comparing their climb with anyone else’s. With short legs, no instruction, no teaching, and without OSHA available pointing out the dangers, and lack of safety equipment, the endless violations; they climb, over and over and over again!
And then I prayed, Lord Jesus, give me the wonder of a child where faith is concerned.

I remembered Jacob at Bethel, his dream encounter about stairs, angels ascending and descending. Then I sensed, as children we are not unfamiliar with the stairs at all, we are born inherently knowing we are born for the journey.

The message I sense is that no matter how overwhelming the obstacle or calamity of our day, this is our climb, we are made for the obstacles and we are never doing it in our own strength! Over and over is how we gain strength. We’ve climbed before and we will again.

“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭AMP

‬‬God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom. Until next time, thank your for listening with me. Laurette

poetry

Reaching for Hem

Reaching for Hem

Reaching to the hem
Of His garment as He goes
Desperate for an encounter
Drag me don’t let me go

I’ve sought the help of others
Ones who say they know
My eye is on the Hem
This isn’t for a show

Pressing through the crowd
I don’t care what it costs
Let them think what they will
When I touch Him will I be tossed

Punished for breaking the law
Set aside possibly banished
Desperate I no longer care
Healed then I’ll vanish

I know He has all power
There is healing in His wings
I will be made whole with one touch
At the garment hem of my King

© laurette laster Jan 31, 2020

Salvation, all encompassing, made perfect by faith in Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Have Faith in God, and push through in-spite of consequences.

From Isaiah 51:5
My salvation has gone forth…
My salvation
יִשְׁעִ֔י (yiš·‘î)
Noun – masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong’s Hebrew 3468: Deliverance, rescue, salvation, safety, welfare

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette

Blog, photo, poetry

Out For Delivery

When finalizing an online purchase a confirmation email or text Is almost instant including the message, you will be notified when your package ships. Watching our email the day comes and we see and read, good news your package has shipped. Included is a link to track our soon arriving package. We have the option to stay engaged from beginning to delivery. While en route we know the plans, dates, times, and travel of our package. Until we receive the notice your package has been delivered!

Out for delivery
Good news your package is set for delivery today. Exciting news your package is out for delivery today.

Why now this time of travel
I don’t recall mention of this
No it was Hail Mary highly favored
I’ve been sent to tell you this

You shall conceive and bring forth a son
You are to call His Name Jesus
journey to Bethlehem now part of the story
House of bread, now Living He frees us

We can look back now
At traditions we’ve been taught
Have we forsaken reality
Is it exactly as we thought

It really wasn’t so silent
On that starry night
Only those engaged
Were aware of this holy sight

The journey was very grueling
Ninety miles in that day
Was more of an arduous event
For the two who were in the way

The journey had taken a toll
On Mary you know in her condition
She wasn’t really complaining
Perhaps unsettled in the transition

For the two it wasn’t really calm
Many were bustling all around
Gathering into the village
To register each in their own town

As history has painted
Oh A glorious sight indeed
But only to those who had chosen
To bow their ear His Voice did heed

For the two who walked this out
Their commitment was experiential
But to those of us who read
We know every detail very essential

He was working His plan of salvation
God was going to redeem mankind
Indeed the plan had already been written
Having it’s beginning long before this time

A decree was written then issued
requiring that all must register
a census now would be gathered
Could Caesar know about our visitor from heaven

Why now the need to take a count
What better timing of events to record
Written and spoken by the prophets
Not one minute detail should be ignored

Coming up from Nazareth
What did Joseph see
The journey dangerous and hard
Delivering to us, eternity

Wait this is just a business journey
To Bethlehem for the two
But how was Mary feeling
Aware of what was to ensue

Oh this seat we have been given
To view our Masters satisfaction
They however were living this out
Instructed only to follow a lawful action

When the days had been accomplished
Mary’s delivery time had come
All of heaven stooped to watch
The Birth of Jesus her newborn Son

Yes we should keep records
Of such marvelous timely events
We do sit in the stadium of time
Watching and waiting for redemptions ascent

He came to suffer
Our sacrifice born to die
But not once in Heaven is it recorded
This event would make them cry

For all of Heaven rejoiced
The Angels made a proclamation
Because He entered in legally
As God’s sacrifice for salvation

A glorious night yes I’ll say
When shepherds heard the news
Today in the city of David
Good News, God’s gift was delivered for you

© laurette laster

I realize this is exactly how God kept His people engaged and Involved. Normal people who were devout, living by faith and obeying the call of God… Christ was slain from the foundation of the earth so He had to be delivered to us and for us.

Those called and chosen were looking intently for the consolation of Israel through God’s Promised Deliverer and Messiah. God continually updated and notified His people through the prophets. Each step along the way until the day came and angels heralded from heaven, “Good news today in the city of David a Savior is born to you. A host of heavenly angels jammed the airways and only to a certain few came the heavenly announcement! He’s Here! They couldn’t wait to go and tell others all they were told and heard. The Light of God for a dark and lost world has been delivered to you! Immanuel, God with us!

“The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 NIV

God sent word from heaven, His promised delivery, The Messiah, The One foretold through the prophets for centuries had been delivered just as God said. Consolation would come through God’s King born as a babe, and the virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son. Yes just as it was prophesied.

Today we have a marvelous gift, God’s tracking system, available and preserved. The Holy Bible! Scriptures track all the events and allow us to track and see how God Indeed has lived and moved among us, His people from the beginning. He has never left us without hope.

Those willing to ask, to seek, to knock will find, and the door will be opened.

I pray during this season of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior born to save us, we pick up and really read our Bible. The word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Take time in the coming day to research the tracking of the first Christmas Gift given. The first Christmas was the heavenly gift Born to deliver us from a dying world. The gift given by God, who gave His only begotten Son that many would come home for Christmas. Yes that is why we celebrate the season of Christ-mas!

Merry Christmas

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom!

poetry

Peace On Earth

Peace on Earth

““Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Peace On Earth

At this special season
When gifts are normally given
I have my online order ready
I am sending it to You in heaven

Is it too late for first class delivery
From Your heart to their address
You know the ones I pray for
Yes I am partial I must confess

I think they’ll be amazed
When they see it is from You
They’ve been so hurried this season
With all the things, so much to do

Lord what is the perfect gift this year,
Hope and Peace!
Likened to the hush of angels wings
Oh yes their spirits will soar
With hearts set free to sing

You will be delivering the gift in person
Oh no I’m not surprised
Why didn’t I think of this
Placed right before their eyes

Thank You Lord for taking
My online order this late
I know it’s so close to Christmas
I adore how You relegate

Thank You for Special Delivery
Upgraded at no extra cost
Free for returning customers
Wow! Personalized and embossed

When they see their name
Etched into Your palm
May their hearts soak in
Christmas peace and healing balm

The gift that last forever
Offering hope to one and all
Yes Jesus was delivered for us
Peace on earth, Christmas altar call

© laurette laster

Often we find ourselves hurried with last minute shopping and gifts to buy. Making certain no one is without a gift on Christmas Day. I cannot think of anything worse than to have someone in my home or at my gathering that didn’t have or receive a gift. Can you imagine the sting to the one left out? Imagine if you will if that someone were you, or one you loved. Oh our heart would break. We would feel the ache in the heart of one we loved. How much more the Father longs for each of us to receive His gift of salvation. The gift delivered at Christmas is opened at the cross but you must receive to understand and open.

As families gather this year I pray a deep famishing soul hunger engulf those around us. For unsaved or prodigals I pray they realize their spiritual starvation. Like the aroma from the oven I pray a soul hunger is ignited. If there be any in our midst without salvation I pray their soul hungers, sensing the love of Christ-mas. I pray they cry out for their gift, the gift of God’s redemptive love from Christ our Savior. This Christmas let’s not forget the True Gift, the gift of Jesus Christ who came to give light to a dark lost world. I pray we lead others who will pray the sinners prayer. What a gift for our Lord!

Oh yes Father, stir up the gift inside of every believer. Let the aroma of Christmas’ Love cause others to cry out where is my gift? I long for the gift of salvation Lord Jesus! Yes, what a celebration.

Merry Christmas

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom!

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette

poetry

Christmas Altar Call

Christmas ‘Altar Call’

Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Holy salvation
God’s kingdom

Hark the herald angels sing
When bells of Christmas past did ring
Do you hear, can you feel
Christmas joy, tangible, surreal

As a Babe in Bethlehem come
God incarnate Gifted Son
Came to save and seek the lost
What great gain, What great cost

While you think of what to gift
I have a question, perhaps like this;
Do you know, have you seen
Heavens herald, when angels sing
At Migdal Edar, temple Shepherds saw
Heavens first ‘Altar call’

Oh Come and see what God has done
One and only perfect Son
Joy to the world sent to all
Christmas season ‘Altar call’
Bring your hearts on bended knee
God In Heaven has called to thee

This perfect GIFT, not available in any mall
Don’t mistake Christmas-it’s heavens ‘Altar call’
Life eternal, joy ‘Devine
Where it’s CHRIST mas all the time

© laurette laster December 2017

Luke 2:11-14
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and in earth peace to those on whom His favor rest.”

Simeon’s revelation by The Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen The Lord’s Messiah
Luke 2:30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation.

https://int.icej.org/news/commentary/tower-flock

There is so much to the Christmas story. Jesus Christ was and is the most tracked delivery known to man.
Each time we read scripture we clearly see the predetermined origination, the purpose, the appropriation, the destination, the regeneration, the fulfillment, the dissolution, the dread, the fear, the uncertainty, the cross, the death, and the utter abandonment felt by the many who had awaited His arrival. What kind of gift was this, it all fell to pieces. Was this how the gift of Christmas was to end? What happened to the promise? How could this happen?

I’ve felt the sinking disappointment, opening a package believing the picture on the outside was the product inside. The anticipation, the excitement quickly turning to dread realizing the work involved; required study, reading (and following) the directions before having what I saw in the original advertisement.

Yes that is what Christmas is. The Hope! The Anticipated Joy! The Arrival! The Study! The Truth! The Light! The Loss! The Waiting! The Uncertainty!

Yes! The Promise of Christmas is alive and continues to be unwrapped as we go forward with the original tracking device, The Word of God. You should track your gift.

Who do you think could believe such a thing? Well here’s hoping to Heaven you do!

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Merry Christmas

Until next time, thanks for listening with me. Laurette

poetry

Dare to Believe


Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem during the second century B.C., following the triumph of a small group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees, against their oppressors the Greek-Syrians, who had defiled the temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls. In order to rededicate the temple, the Maccabees had to light a menorah that would burn within the temple at all times. However, they only had enough pure olive oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, leaving time to find a fresh supply of oil.

Something seems extra special to me this year. Can you feel it? Actually I don’t feel it at all, but I sense it in my spirit. I sense a newness, something extraordinary, extravagant, exciting, excellent, exceptional, and yet unexplainable because it makes no sense to the human mind.

Stirring inside of me are visions but not of sugarplums. I think this is what it is to have a sense of wonder, true wonder when experienced leaps and dances, adding rhythm to faith, causing faith to whirl and swirl with extravagant expectancy. Yes stirring inside of me is a sense of true wonder. A Wonder that dares to believe then take action.

Will you dare to believe with me? Will you dare to believe one more time? Will you expect to experience an extravagance released from heaven, from Him, from the Holy Spirit of our Savior as we celebrate this season of His birth?

Dare to Believe


The lamp still burning
How can this be
A miracle happened
Hanukkah teaches me


The God of Israel
Is The Light
Our God with us
Is in the fight


Fighting to regain
What the enemy had stolen
A time of rededication
Forward and emboldened


ThIs menorah
With a days measure of oil
Burns brighter today
In darkness and turmoil


A special time to remember
Abounding joy on the horizon
The Light Of Christmas
The miracle still mesmerizes


Behold The Lamp
Behold The Light
Behold The Miracle
A Sacred Sight


Hanukkah beckons
Only receive
Miracles still happen
Dare to believe


@ laurette laster





“His head and his hair were white like wool—white as glistening snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire! His feet were gleaming like bright metal, as though they were glowing in a fire, and his voice was like the roar of many rushing waters.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette

poetry

Miracle of Oil

Happy Hanukkah

2020 date
Sunset, 10 December –
nightfall, 18 December
Miracle of Oil


There was only enough oil
For just this one night
What would be the outcome
When the Menorah did light


Once the flame was lit
Servant candle forever burning
How to fuel the light of God
To this command concerning


What would they do
The dilemma and shortage
Only pure and sanctified oil allowed
Required to cleanse what’s been distorted


What could they do
Yes following God commands
They did light the menorah
Witnessing the miracle of His Hands


For on this night
The abundance of oil did flow
So that all could see
Now all would know


There is a God in Israel,
Miracle seen so all will know
Hanukkahs miracle of oil
Today does still flow


In the faces of all who see Jesus
The Servant light of The Menorah
The Light of God ever brighter
Burning bright straight out of the Torah


Poem written by © Laurette Laster


“After this the Feast of Dedication [of the reconsecration of the temple] was taking place at Jerusalem. It was winter, And Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the temple area. So the Jews surrounded Him and began asking Him, How long are You going to keep us in doubt and suspense? If You are really the Christ (the Messiah), tell us so plainly and openly. Jesus answered them, I have told you so, yet you do not believe Me [you do not trust Me and rely on Me]. The very works that I do by the power of My Father and in My Father's name bear witness concerning Me [they are My credentials and evidence in support of Me].”
‭‭John‬ ‭10:22-25‬ ‭AMP

Revelation 1:10,12-13
It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.


When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.
‭‭

I believe in miracles. I believe this is again a year that witnesses miracles of Christmas in the United States of America.

Miracles flow from His hand and from His heart. Israel is the heartbeat of God and of the world. Standing with Jer USA lem and Israel is why we have the miracle oil of God’s anointing to prosper over our Nation. Protect what God loves and God protects everything we care about.

Hanukkah the miracle of rededicating the God’s temple from the defilement of pagan worship...

Feast of Dedication
The Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament Gospel of John 10:22.
The story of Hanukkah, which tells the origins of the Feast of Dedication, is recorded in the First Book of Maccabees

Do you hear what I hear?

(From Learn Religion)
According to ancient records, King Antiochus IV (who was sometimes called "The Madman") defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and spilling its blood on the holy scrolls of Scripture.

As a result of severe persecution and pagan oppression, a group of four Jewish brothers led by Judah Maccabee decided to raise up an army of religious freedom fighters. These men of fierce faith and loyalty to God became known as the Maccabees. The small band of warriors fought for three years with "strength from heaven" until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from Greco-Syrian control.

After regaining the Temple, it was cleansed by the Maccabees, cleared of all Greek idolatry, and readied for rededication. The rededication of the Temple to the Lord took place in the year 165 BC, on the 25th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev.

Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication because it celebrates the Maccabees' victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple. But Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, and this is because immediately following the miraculous deliverance, God provided another miracle of provision.

In the Temple, the eternal flame of God was to stay lit at all times as a symbol of God's presence. But according to tradition, when the Temple was rededicated, there was only enough oil left to burn the flame for one day. The rest of the oil had been defiled by the Greeks during their invasion, and it would take a week for new oil to be processed and purified. However, at the rededication, the Maccabees went ahead and set fire to the eternal flame with the remaining supply of oil. Miraculously, God's Holy presence caused the flame to burn for eight days until the new sacred oil was ready for use.

This miracle of the long-lasting oil explains why the Hanukkah Menorah is lit for eight consecutive nights of celebration. Jews also commemoratethe miracle of oil provision by making oil-rich foods, such as Latkas, an important part of Hanukkah celebrations.

The Hanukkah menorah, also chanukiah or hanukkiah (Hebrew: מנורת חנוכה‎ menorat ḥanukkah, pl. menorot; also Hebrew: חַנֻכִּיָּה‎ ḥanukkiyah, or chanukkiyah, pl. ḥanukkiyot/chanukkiyot, or Yiddish: חנוכּה לאָמפּ‎ khanike lomp, lit.: Hanukkah lamp), is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holidayof Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), used to light the other eight.

And now we see our tradition and the birth of Christmas celebration. Jesus Christ is The Light of the World. The light has come and the darkness will not overcome His light or those who walk in His light.

More About Hanukkah 

Hanukkah is traditionally a family celebration with the lighting of the menorah at the center of the traditions. The Hanukkah menorah is called the hanukkiyah. It is a candelabra with eight candleholders in a row, and a ninth candleholder positioned slightly higher than the rest. According to custom, the candles on the Hanukkah Menorah are lit from left to right.

Fried and oily foods are a reminder of the miracle of the oil. Dreidel games are traditionally played by children and often the whole household during Hanukkah. Probably because of Hanukkah’s proximity to Christmas, many Jews give gifts during the holiday.

The center or middle candle is called the Helper or Servant candle. In Rev 1 where was Jesus our Messiah standing when John turned to hear the One speaking to him?

“And in the midst of the lampstands [One] like a Son of Man, clothed with a robe which reached to His feet and with a girdle of gold about His breast. [Dan. 7:13; 10:5.]”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:13‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Yes I do still believe, here’s hoping to Heaven you do.

God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.

Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette