At this time of year, Easter is celebrated throughout Christendom, an occasion second only to Christmas in popularity.
Despite this, there are many misconceptions about the date.
Passover is a Jewish festival. Its name, “Easter”, comes from the Hebrew word Pesach which means “to pass over”, a reference to the episode of the Tenth Plague narrated in the Old Testament when the angel of death “passed over” the houses of the Jews in Egypt and did not enter.
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Rabbits, eggs, and other accoutrements were added to the Easter event by popular belief and superstition.
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In none of them to kill the firstborn. The reason was that the Israelites had sacri ficed a lamb, at the command of Moses, and sprinkled its blood on the doorposts and thresholds.
Upon seeing the blood, the angel of death “passed” that house. That same night the Jews left Egypt free after more than 400 years of slav ery.
Moses then instituted the “Passover” feast as a memo rial of the event.
On this feast, which became the most important annual feast of the Jews, a lamb was sacrificed and eaten with bit ter herbs and unleavened bread.
Jesus Christ was betrayed, ar rested, and killed during the celebration of one of them in Jerusalem.
His resurrection took place early Sunday morning after the Passover Sabbath.
As his death almost certainly took place on a Friday (there are those who defend Wednesday), the “Friday of the Passion” entered the Christian liturgical calendar during the Middle Ages as a holy day.
On Thursday night, before he was betrayed, while Jesus, like all the other Jews, was eating the Passover lamb with his disciples in Jerusalem, he determined that the disciples should begin to eat, no longer the Passover, but to eat bread and drink wine in memory of him.
These elements symbolized his body and blood that would be given for the sins of many – an early reference to his death on the cross.
Therefore, Christians do not
celebrate Passover, which is a Jewish festival. For us, it was symbolic of the sacrifice of Jesus, the lamb of God, whose blood keeps the angel of death from destroying us eternally.
Christians eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of Christ, and this not only at this time of year, but throughout the year.
Easter, too, is not a holy day for us. For Christians there is only one day that could be called a saint – Sunday, for it was a Sunday that Jesus rose from the dead.
The focus of events happen-
ing to Jesus during Easter week in Jerusalem is his resurrection on Sunday morning. Had he not been resurrected, his death would have been in vain.
His resurrection from the dead proves that Jesus is the Son of God and that His death has power to forgive the sins of those who believe in Him.
Eventually, rabbits, eggs, and other accoutrements were added to the Easter event by popular belief and superstition. They have nothing to do with the meaning of the Jewish Passover or the Lord's Supper celebrated by Chris-
tians.
In practical terms, Christians can take the following actions towards the Easter celebrations so popular in our country:
(1) reject them completely, because of the errors, misconceptions, superstitions, and commercialism that have contaminated the occasion;
(2) accept them normally as part of Brazilian culture;
(3) use the occasion to redeem the true meaning of Passover. ◙
His resurrection from the dead proves that Jesus is the Son of God and that His death has power to forgive the sins of those who believe in Him.
Musician Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian composer and violinist born in Venice on March 4, 1678.
His father was a violinist at the Ducal Chapel of San Marco, Venice.
In 1703 he was ordained a priest. Due to the red hair, he wore, he was known by the nickname of il Prete Rosso (The Red Priest).
Unfortunately, a strange disease at the time (probably asthma) that lasted his entire existence, prevented him from exercising the priesthood.
He was professor of violin and composition, concert, and choir director at the Ospedale della Pietá between
1703 and 1740.
During his work as director of that school, he developed an original method of writing concerts, where instrumental music obtained colors and drama like that achieved with the opera.
On his frequent travels, he moved to Vienna in 1740. However, the popularity of his music went into a rapid decline, and he died poor and obscure in Vienna on 28 July 1741.
At the beginning of the 20th century, interest in his music returned, perhaps due to the rise of Baroque music, with Vivaldi being, since then, deservedly recognized as one of the great master composers of the Italian pre-classic. ◙
Musician Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian composer and violinist born in Venice on March 4, 1678.
"ALL THINGS"
- Sometimes this tremendous word is too much heavy for our faith.
Most of us are strong enough to accept the fact that "some unfortunate things" that happens in our lives may work for our good - BUT ALL? No! There are occasions that it seems too much.
However, the Apostle Paul, who penned these words, lived it himself. He served his God faithfully and yet he was arrested and prevented from continuing his work.
In Philippians 1:12-14 he explains that even this situation worked
for his good, as many prisoners were able to hear the gospel and others were encouraged by their experience to stand firm in their difficulties.
He went through very difficult situations, but in 2 Corinthians 1.9 he makes it clear that this also worked for good: “In fact, we already had the sentence of death upon us, so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead” .
It is very difficult to understand the unfolding of situations, but the end of the problem will proclaim loud and clear: “That was better”.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8.28)
The Apostle Paul, who penned these words, lived it himself.
Joseph had to suffer injustices, but all of this led him to become the second most important man in Egypt.
Moses lived forty years in the desert, but this experience helped him to be the great leader of the people of Israel.
When he lost his family, the theologian and poet Paul Gerhard wrote the hymn: “Commit [to the Lord] your way and all that makes you sad”, which is still sung today and serves as a consolation to many people.
John Bunyan spent twelve years in prison, which is why we can now enjoy Pilgrim's Progress, one of the bestknown books in the world.
It is very difficult to understand the unfolding of situations, but the end of the problem will proclaim loud and clear: “That was better”.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' ◙
A few days ago, I happened to meet a young man I knew from the neighboring town.
I didn't remember his name. We had the opportunity to talk for some time. When he revealed his name, I soon remembered who he was, I remembered his family, an active family in the church and consecrated to God.
I asked him how he was doing in the life of faith.
“I'm living in another city now and my church or the same denomination doesn't exist there, so I don't go to services, and I don't have time either”, said the boy.
I was very sad and advised him to join another church where the word of God is faithfully preached, according to Holy Scripture.
That's when he revealed what was really going on and what's sadder. The choice he made!
He said: “The Bible says we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), so I decided to live my life in this world and its amusements. I don't want to have one leg on one side (God) and the other leg on the other side (world)”.
I warned him, even implored him, to return to God before it was too late.
“Deep in my heart I am hearing the call of God, I know that I must return, God is waiting for me”, he said.
I'm praying for this young man to obey God's call, to make the right choice before it's too late. And you, dear reader, young or perhaps older, God is calling you too, through this message. Make the right choice.
We really cannot serve two mas-
ters, so make up your mind too, stay on God's side, accepting Him as your Lord and Savior.
Who is by your side in this life, in happy moments and in difficult moments. And what is more important, you will be at God's side in eternity, and you will enjoy true joy and happiness.
Don't wait until it's too late. Make the right choice today. I am praying for you. ◙
We really cannot serve two masters, so make up your mind too, stay on God's side, accepting Him as your Lord and Savior.
And with almost no time in the rush of everyday life, we feed ourselves with whatever is easier for us.
We don't think about what we might be losing with such wrong and vicious habits.
We even know that this whole routine is wrong, but we don't always act so that we can change all of that.
Let's try to eat light, balanced foods avoiding fats, salt, refined carbohydrates, and sugar.
Whenever you have the chance eat a colorful meal, use red, green, yellow, white etc.
Every day when we wake up the first thing, we do is think about what our food will be like during the day.
We don't think about what we might be losing with such wrong and vicious habits.
Don't drink anything while eating.
Do not put the saltshaker on the table.
Eat slowly, chewing very well.
Always prefer to eat at home, if this is not possible, look for a reliable and clean place to have your meals.
Because what you don't see is precisely what will make you feel bad.
Make your meals moments of pleasure and joy, never eat too much so that you can't
meal.
even get up from your chair, listen to your body.
Your body knows what it really needs, try to listen to it and pay attention to the fact that you will soon get used to this dialogue.
Health is Fundamental preserve it. ◙
Whenever you have the chance eat a colorful
other person grow.
The home does not survive if each one lives for himself and uses the other to gain advantages.
FAMILY IS A NON-PROFIT SOCIETY.
The attitude of donation must prevail in family relationships, where each one asks:
What can I do for the other?
Instead of demanding and criticizing, there must be a constant effort to help the
FAMILY IS A TRAINING CENTER FOR LIFE.
Characters are formed in the family environment, values
The home does not survive if each one lives for himself and uses the other to gain advantages.
that will guide people's con duct are defined.
Hence the importance of a healthy, balanced, and constructive climate in the home. In a very high proportion, people reproduce in the different environments in which they live what they learned at home.
FAMILY IS A LABORATORY FOR EXPERIENCING FAITH.
Perhaps there is no more difficult place for a person to express their faith in Christ than in the family environment and this often generates the
anomaly of a double life.
It is so common to find people who, to the external public, appear to be very "consecrated", but at home they are unrecognizable as believers.
A faith that does not manifest itself in family relationships is a farce and needs to be rethought.
FAMILY IS AN EMOTIONAL REFUELING STATION.
Life in a highly competitive, inhuman, and depersonalized society generates high levels of stress and anxiety in people, thus, human beings need a space where they can relax, find peace and remake themselves for the daily struggle.
The family needs to be this refuge, this place to recover energy, motivation, and joy.
Has your family been like this? ◙
In a very high proportion, people reproduce in the different environments in which they live what they learned at home.
A faith that does not manifest itself in family relationships is a farce and needs to be rethought.
Of all the Pesach celebrations (the Jewish Passover), only one was true. It took place over 34 centuries ago, when the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was making preparations to deliver His chosen people from slavery in Egypt.
The Lord had sent Moses and his brother Aaron to Pharaoh to demand that the Israelites be allowed to go into the wilderness to worship Him.
Pharaoh refused to give permission. So God attacked Egypt with nine devastating plagues. Even so, Pharaoh still refused to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt.
Then God spoke to Moses, “Yet one more plague will I bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Then he will let you go from here; when he leaves you, he will surely drive you out completely” (Exodus 11:1).
God, as always, did as he had
promised. The tenth plague is key to the Passover holiday because it involves the paschal lamb.
The tenth plague was the death of all firstborn males, both human and animal.
And unlike the previous nine plagues, which never affected Goshen, where the Israelites lived, this plague would affect everyone.
The Lord also used the tenth plague to teach the Israelites the biblical principle of redemption through a substitute.
He said to Moses: “Consecrate to me every firstborn; everyone who opens his mother's womb among the children of Israel, whether man or beast, is mine” (Exodus 13:2).
If the Israelites failed to follow God's instructions, these firstborns would die, along with the firstborn of the Egyptians.
If the Israelites failed to follow God's instructions, these firstborns would die, along with the firstborn of the Egyptians.
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God told the Israelites to choose a young male lamb or goat (one per family) on the tenth day of the month Ni san and observe their lamb for three days to make sure it was "without blemish" (Exo dus 12:5).
Then the instructions were: “And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and the whole as sembly of the congregation of Israel shall slay it in the eve ning twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it” (Exodus 12:6-7).
The Lord also told them: “On that night you will eat the meat roasted over the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. You shall not eat any of the animal raw, nor boiled in water, but roasted over the fire: the head, the legs and the entrails” (Exodus 12.8-9).
God was not interested in their personal preferences regarding food preparation.
The lambs were to be prepared according to what God spoke, and none of the animals were to be kept. “You shall leave nothing of it until the morning; but what remains until morning, you shall burn” (Exodus 12:10).
That night, with the blood on the lintel of their doors, the Jewish people sat in their houses and ate the paschal lamb.
They should not leave the houses. When God saw the blood on the gates, He protected that family from the destroyer who passed through the land at midnight (Ex. 12:29).
Where there was no blood, the firstborn males of those
families in Egypt, including Pharaoh's, died.
The judgment gave victory to the God of Israel and exposed the powerlessness of Egypt's idols and false gods.
The key elements of the original Passover were the roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread.
Today's seders (Easter suppers) are very different. The lamb is replaced with the shin bone (part of the leg below the knee) of a lamb, called zerah in Hebrew. Bitter herbs remain, as does unleavened bread (matzoh).
But other elements were added, and the holiday was transformed from a sober time of apprehension into a joyous celebration of liberation.
Although today's Pesach is substantially different from the original observation, it still clearly points to God's deep love for Israel and the physical deliverance He provided for the Jewish people. The main message of Pesach, of course, is redemption. It's about God's plan to redeem Israel from slavery. However, it contains wonderful paral-
Jesus was carefully observed during His three years of ministry on earth and was declared innocent by the Ro-
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1. THE LAMB WAS OBSERVED FOR THREE DAYS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS PERFECT, WITHOUT ANY BLEMISHES.
Where there was no blood, the firstborn males of those families in Egypt, including Pharaoh's, died.
That night, with the blood on the lintel of their doors, the Jewish people sat in their houses and ate the paschal lamb.
man governor, Pontius Pilate, who stated, “ I find no fault in him” (John 19:6).
John the Baptist, a Levite, said of Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!' (John 1.29).
2. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PASSOVER, THE SEVEN-DAY FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD IS CELEBRATED.
In the Bible, yeast represents sin. Therefore, during these seven days, Law-observant Jewish people refrain from eating all products that contain a leavening agent, such as yeast.
Scripture teaches that Jesus, the God-Man, was perfect –without blemish, without sin – becoming the perfect sac-
rifice to a holy and righteous God.
3. FINALLY, COMES THE HOLIDAY OF FIRST FRUITS (FIRSTFRUITS, LEV. 23:9-14).
According to the Bible, this feast was to be observed “on the day after the Sabbath” (Leviticus 23:12).
Although there is some disagreement as to what this instruction means, the Feast of First fruits clearly falls during Pesach.
In Christianity, this feast is associated with the resurrection of Christ. As the Apostle Paul wrote:
“ But indeed Christ has been raised from the dead, the
firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Since death came through a man, also through a man came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Although today's Passover is substantially different from the original observation, it still clearly points to God's deep love for Israel and the physical deliverance He provided for the Jewish people. It is also a beautiful picture of His love for mankind through the provision of God, who is Jesus, the Passover Lamb, whose death, and resurrection bring spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin to all those who place their faith in Him. ◙
The main message of Pesach, of course, is redemption. It's about God's plan to redeem Israel from slavery. However, it contains wonderful parallels for Christianity.
(THOMAS C. SIMCOX ISRAEL MY GLORY CHAMADA.COM.BR )
Costa Rica is one of the most prosperous, peaceful and sustainable countries in Latin America.
Although the Central Ameri can country is located in one of the most insecure and un stable regions of the world, the small country has man aged to protect its peace and democracy. At the same time, the Ticos (the common name for people from Costa Rica) have made it prosperous.
The country has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
All this despite the fact that
before independence, Costa Rica was one of the most insignificant and underdeveloped parts of the Spanish colonial empire.
But how did the small Central American country manage to develop so much?
And what can other countries learn from Costa Rica?
Here are three of the most important points.
Schoolbooks instead of Firearms
Costa Rica won its independence without violence in 1821. However, the counCONTINUES ON PAGE 16
Costa Rica went its own way: without an army, but with investments in education and health, a sustainable economy and an open society, Costa Rica became a model state in Latin America.
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try was not spared conflicts thereafter.
Repeated wars and civil wars broke out. For example, the American William Walker tried to conquer all of Central America and establish a slave state there under the influence of the USA.
Under the leadership of Costa Rica, however, the states of Central America were able to defeat William Walker.
The turnaround came with Costa Rica’s last civil war in 1948. At the end of the war, the army was abolished and since then Costa Rica has lived in unarmed neutrality. This makes Costa Rica one of the few countries in the world without an army.
COSTA RICA IS A ROLE MODEL IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Costa Rica is one of the most sustainable countries in the world and a model of nature conservation.
The country obtains almost 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy and is a global pioneer together with countries such as Ice land and Norway.
In 2017, the country went a full 300 days without fossil energy in its electricity gen eration. Costa Rica is so suc cessful with its sustainable energy that it can even ex port electricity to neighbour ing countries.
The country also has one of the largest biodiversities in the world. More than 5 percent of all known animal and plant species are native to Costa Rica, and this despite the fact that tiny Costa Rica makes up only 0.03 percent of the land area of our planet.
By comparison, Austria is home to only about 0.53 percent of the world’s biodiversity, even though the country is almost twice the size of the Central American nation.
This is not by chance. Costa Rica has made great efforts to protect its nature. Until the 1980s, the country was affected by heavy deforestation and only about 30 percent of the land was covered by forest.
Costa Rica then launched a massive campaign to reforest the country. Today, almost 60 percent of the country’s territory is covered with forest again. Instead of spending money on weapons, Costa Rica invested in education and the health system.
The result is impressive: Today, the Ticos have the highest life expectancy in Latin America and even do better than the USA.
In education, Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates and one of the highest percentages of university graduates in Latin America. This has led to a strong civil society and a successful economy.
Costa Rica has not only promoted peace in its own country, but has also worked for the peaceful resolution of conflicts throughout the region.
The country successfully acted as a mediator in the civil wars in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. For this commitment, the then Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sánchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. ◙
SOURCE: SCOOP.ME
At the end of the war, the army was abolished and since then Costa Rica has lived in unarmed neutrality.
More than 5 percent of all known animal and plant species are native to Costa Rica.
It is said that a watchmaker worked for many years in the manufacture of parts for a large clock.
But before putting them together to make the clock, he had to move out of the house where he lived.
On the way, one of his horses spooked and hit the basket containing the pieces, sending them flying in all directions.
How great was the watchmaker's surprise when he saw the pieces fall together and reunite, forming a clock already wound up and giving the right time.
This is how many people think the universe was formed.
A great explosion joined the atoms and formed the stars, the planets, the water, the plants, the animals and, finally, the man. They call this the big bang.
We must respect these people; however, we are not obliged to accept such an absurd and baseless idea.
Just because scientists are smart people, we have to believe everything they say? They also make mistakes.
All things were created by God, as recorded in the Bible: "The Lord with wisdom founded the earth, and with understanding he prepared the heavens" (Proverbs 3.19). Today, dedicate yourself to appreciating the wonders that God has created.
They were not created by chance. Every detail was meticulously planned and cleverly constructed.
All things are perfect and demonstrate the glory of God.
Even take a moment to analyze the most perfect of all works: The human being. ◙
How great was the watchmaker's surprise when he saw the pieces fall together and reunite, forming a clock already wound up and giving the right time.
Anxiety is the most democratic disease of our generation. It affects poor and rich, young, and old, doctors and illiterates, Christians, and atheists.
Anxiety is preoccupying you with a problem that is not yet happening.
It is to suffer in advance. It is to stop living fully today in fear of tomorrow. Anxiety is the strangulation of the soul, the suffocation of emotions, the prison of hope.
Let's examine three important points about the subject at hand:
FIRST, THE CAUSES OF ANXIETY.
Here are many causes that trigger anxiety. We will highlight a few:
FIRST, THE INHERENT WEAKNESS OF OUR HUMAN NATURE.
We are dependent. We are
extremely weak and vulnerable.
We can be overcome by a virus or a bacterium smaller than a speck.
SECOND, ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES.
We don't know the future or manage the circumstances around us.
The reins of our life are not in our hands. We are subject to the weather and adversities of life.
THIRD, TURBULENT RELATIONSHIPS.
People make us suffer more than circumstances. People let us down and we let people down.
FOURTH, CARE FOR MATERIAL THINGS.
We are anxious about what we will eat, drink, or wear.
Preoccupation with material things consumes us and makes our future bleak.
Anxiety is preoccupying you with a problem that is not yet happening. It is to suffer in advance.
SECOND, THE NATURE OF ANXIETY.
Anxiety is not just a disease, but above all, a sin. Anxiety is useless, as we cannot change circumstances by being anxious.
In fact, as anxious as we are, we cannot add a day to our life. Anxiety is harmful, because instead of helping us to solve the possible problems of tomorrow, it weakens us to face the real problems of today.
Anxiety is still an evident sign of unbelief, for those who do not know God are the ones who are concerned about what they will eat, drink or wear.
We must seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, knowing that other things will be added to us.
We get anxious because we doubt God's faithfulness and think we can manage our own lives.
THIRD, THE CURE FOR ANXIETY.
The apostle Paul says that we should not be anxious about anything.
His solution is to face anxiety with worship, petition, and thanksgiving.
To worship God is to proclaim who God is. Asking God is trusting what God gives and giving thanks to God is announcing what God does.
Most of our problems stem from the fact that we don't know God enough.
The prophet Daniel says that the people who know God are a strong people. If God feeds the birds of the air and
clothes the lilies of the field, how much more is he able to care for his children!
Instead of living dominated by anxiety, we should experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Our heart is a territory that is never empty. It's always full of something. It will be populated by anxiety or filled with peace.
If we try to draw all the care of our lives to ourselves, we will be overcome with anxiety, but if we lay all our anxiety at the Lord's feet, we will be flooded with the peace of God, the peace that surpasses all understanding.
ANXIETY IS A DISEASE AND A SIN.
For the disease there is a cure; for sin there's forgiveness. We don't need to live strangled today, suffocated by the fear of tomorrow.
We can experience God's best today, knowing that the future holds even greater blessings.
Our life is not a boat adrift in the sea of life, but a ship governed by the Lord, which even sailing through rough waters and beset by stormy storms, will arrive safe and sound at the port destined by God, on the golden shores of eternity. ◙
Anxiety is harmful, because instead of helping us to solve the possible problems of tomorrow, it weakens us to face the real problems of today.
Instead of living dominated by anxiety, we should experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Psalm 23
Psalm of David
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He markets me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he guided me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup rennet over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.
Matthew 11:28