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Day 11
Counting the Omer
Resurrection Harvest

“You are not forgotten, for you have been chosen and destined by Father God. The Holy Spirit has set you apart to be God’s holy ones, obedient followers of Jesus Christ who have been gloriously sprinkled with his blood. May God’s delightful grace and peace cascade over you many times over!”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God’s people pushed out, expelled, liberated; wait! They are free but dependant. Like newborns babes.. (1 Peter 2:2), helpless, in constant need. The need for food, water, comfort and provision is beyond their grasp. Obedience is crucial. Their destination is marked. Now completely at the mercy of the God of their fathers. The I Am.
God’s people, His children, called to be a holy nation, a kingdom of priests a holy priesthood, according to His foreknowledge (Genesis 15). The groaning, the travailing, God heard their groanings, like a woman in the throngs of labor, He came down to rescue and deliver them, (Exodus 3:8).

Concerned for them, the time had come, the hard labor, unbearable. The tight place, The Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzrayim, which translates as “tight place, narrow, straights, blockages. This place has caused them grow, to increase in number, but the time of slavery must end.

The newly born Nation of Israel, the children of Israel are in more danger, vulnerable, at God’s sovereign mercy, fragile covered in blood, by the blood, protected and extremely loved; more than they could think or imagine.

On their way to Mount Sinai. The Law of God awaits. The meeting place. This great deliverance still talked about today. The Exodus, the judgement against Pharoah, pushed out with mighty signs and wonders, the Greatest power shown…

That Is Until…
Until the resurrection of Christ. From a borrowed tomb Christ lifeless body is raised to life, raised to immortality by the Power of God!
Hope! Expectancy! New Life! The Resurrection Power of our God is here! But there is more. Wait for it.

Tarry here in Jerusalem. Do not leave Jesus said, until you be endued with power from upon high. Would Yahweh share His great power, His resurrection power…
Fifty Days. Feast Of Weeks! Counting the Omer! Pentecoste!

The Firstborn! The First fruits!

Oh the excitement is brewing but the journey had struggles, trials, temptations; oh but the hope!

Excerpt from

Carpe Diem
He Made a Way

In brokenness and despair,
I fell to my knees,
I cried out to My Savior,
“Oh Jesus save me!”

Do not become hopeless
If you are broken or sad
He is in the waiting
Not angry, nor mad

He made a way
Though not easy or trite
He knows your victory
Is seized by the fight

I’ve come to tell you
To pick up that bible
Read it for yourself
It is totally reliable

Ready to take root
His word is alive and powerful
Planted securely in your heart
Growing where allowable

Our Lord willingly gave His life,
The shame and pain
The Cross He endured,
His blood for our gain.

So I say to you
Carpe Diem-and get ready
Because God has a plan….
The victory is won already!

© laurette laster May 2018

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
(Pluck the day [for it is ripe], trusting as little as possible in tomorrow.)
Horace, The Odes of Horace

“But the truth is, Christ is risen from the dead, as the firstfruit of a great resurrection harvest of those who have died. Even as all who are in Adam die, so also all who are in Christ will be made alive. But each one in his proper order: Christ, the firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ in his presence.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:20, 22-23‬ ‭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.

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

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

Happy Hanukkah

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

The Gift of Christmas 


Why get so busy and hurried
Purchasing gifts for under the tree
This is Christmas’ Holy arrival 
Emmanuel, God with us for eternity


A Gift so Holy awe inspiring 
A Gift more valuable than gold
Money can’t buy and man can’t make
A Gift human hands can’t mold


The Gift for hearts and minds made new 
This is why Christmas came
It is life and power to our spirit
This Christmas Gift changed everything 


Stop for a moment take a deep breath
Ponder and think about why
Silently pray and listen
As we hear the Christmas lullaby 


Behold the angel said
I bring good news that will be great joy
He has come, Emmanuel God with us
Better than any trinket or toy


Today hearts can be made new
Today broken dreams revived
All because God chose
To come and die and make us alive


Oh Yes the Gift of eternity 
The Gift so amazing and Divine 
Stop for a moment this Christmas 
Hear how Christmas came alive


© laurette laster 2019


“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

 And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him.”
 ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭2:6-7, 14, 40‬ ‭NIV)

What a wonderful time to focus on The Gift, The Love, The Delivery, delivered for us, to bring deliverance for us. The Gift from heaven that caused the heavenly host to proclaim in the highest heaven, “Glory to God in the highest”‬‬

At just the right time Emmanuel, Christ The Lord, as a babe born in Bethlehem, named Yeshuah by God, came into the earth, born of a virgin named Mary. Could there be a better time than now to worship God for His precious Gift freely given to all who will receive? Yes Christmas is about The Perfect Gift; The Gift from God to man. Religion is man reaching for God; at Christmas God reached down and gave of Himself, touching the world giving The Greatest Gift; Himself; Emmanuel God with us; Oh what a glorious night.

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