10 Days of Awe:  Meditating on the Atonement of Jesus Christ

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The ten days between Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are called The Days of Awe.  During those ten days, religious Jews spend time in repentance believing that if they confess all their sins, their names will be written in the Book of Life for another year. 

Because Jesus suffered and died, was buried and rose again, the price of the believer’s atonement has been paid in full.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life for all eternity. Revelation 20:15 (NKJV) 

Our God is an awesome God.  Let’s spend time each day during The Days of Awe, mediating on the atoning work of the Cross.

1, The death of Jesus on the cross allows us to enter into a new covenant relationship with God.  Our covenant in Jesus is greater than the covenant God made with Adam because the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us.   Because of God's new covenant with us, we can come boldly to the throne of grace.  (Hebrews 10: 19-23)

2.  Sin broke the covenant that the Lord had made with Adam and allowed unrighteousness, despair, disease and death to enter in.  When Adam ate the fruit of the tree of worldly wisdom and knowledge, he entered into a covenant with satan. In the Old Testament economy, when two parties entered into a covenant, they exchanged possessions.  Adam ceded his dominion of the earth in that covenant and received all that the enemy had.  Nothing of which was good.  Good things come from God. (James 1:17)

3.  Because God is holy, His holiness prevents Him from coming into covenant with anything unholy.   His holiness within us should prevent us from doing the same thing.  We are not to be unequally yoked. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

This evening is also the weekly sabbath.  In addition, it is also a sabbath Shuva.  This special sabbath occurs on the sabbath during the 10 days of awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  

The Hebrew word Shuva means "returning". It shares a Hebrew root with the word teshuvah, which is typically translated as "repentance". The connection between the two words makes sense, as returning and repentance are closely linked. Teshuvah literally means "return," as if turning back to something that has been strayed from or looked away from. In other words, turning back to where you once were. Have we turned 

away from our first love? If so, is a time for Shuva, for returning.

4.  God is also love.  He created us out of His love.  It is His nature to desire relationship with His creation.  Sin separates us from HIs love.  The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Jesus paid the wage of sin for us.  His atoning death allows us to enter into God's covenant.  When we accept His atonement, nothing in creation can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:38-39)

5.Jesus received our guilt and sin upon Himself. (Isaiah 53:4-6) It was our sin that sent Jesus to the Cross. When I think about this, I am overcome with His love, not only as a part of mankind, but for me as an individual.

6.  Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.  In the covenant God made in Christ, His life is given in the place of our death and eternal separation from God; His righteousness is given in exchange for our sin. (John 3:16) (John 14:6)

7.  Jesus' blood had to be shed because our eternal life is in the sacrifice of His blood.. (Leviticus 17:11)  His blood sacrifice sanctifies our lives.

8.  We must understand fully what we have received in our salvation.  Not only have we been saved from the wages of sin, but we also have received the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), healing both physically and emotionally (Isaiah 53:4-6), and a plan and purpose for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

9.  Jesus' resurrection is the most significant event in history.  Jesus' resurrection signifies Father God's acceptance of His sacrifice.  He is the first fruits of those who are raised from the dead.  (1 Corinthians 15:20)  Because He lives, we, too, shall live. (John 14:19)

10.  Jesus is coming again to receive us unto Himself.  He is the Bridegroom eagerly awaiting the time when He will receive His bride.  

Let’s Celebrate the Lord’s Appointed Times

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

(Yom Teruah / Feast of Trumpets): Sunset, September 11 – Nightfall, September 13, 2026

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): Sunset, September 20 – Nightfall, September 21, 2026

Sukkot (Feast of Booths / Tabernacles): Sunset, September 25 – Nightfall, October 2, 2026

Hoshana Rabba: Sunset, October 1 – Nightfall, October 2, 2026Shemini Atzeret: Sunset, October 2 – Nightfall, October 3, 2026

Simchat Torah: Sunset, October 3 – Nightfall, October 4, 2026 (Celebrated on Oct 2–3 in Israel)

Rosh Hashanah–Feast of Trumpets

Leviticus 23:23-24 "Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation."

Psalm 81:1-3 (NKJV) “Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.”

The Jewish name for this holy convocation is Rosh Hashanah which is usually translated "the beginning or head of the year." Actually the Hebrew word “shana” means to change. Rosh Hashanah implies that something in the spiritual is changing. It is the beginning of a new season in our walk with the Lord. God works in seasons. “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

Ten days after Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Five days later, Sukkoth, the Feast of Tabernacles begins.

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of Adam and Eve and the fall into sin. It is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and mankind. It is a time of new beginnings.

Rosh Hashanah is observed with the sounding of the trumpet. The traditional trumpet is the shofar, the ram’s horn, which also represents the trumpet blast of the coronation of the king. The sounding of the shofar is a call to repentance because Rosh Hashanah is also a reminder of man’s first sin and repentance for that sin. As Christians, we should also be reminded of God’s provision for our sin. Rosh Hashanah begins the "Days of Awe" which end with Yom Kippur.

The shofar also commemorates the sacrifice of Isaac which occurred on the day that God later established as Rosh Hashanah. The sounding of the shofar reminds us that a ram took Isaac’s place as an offering to God. Abraham named the place, "Jehovah-Jirah", God is our provision. Abraham understood that in ages to come God would provide the means of our salvation, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because Rosh Hashanah is the Feast of Trumpets, we should remember the importance of trumpets in our relationship with God. In Exodus 19, people were to wait for the sounding of trumpet before going near Mt. Sinai where God spoke to Moses. (Exodus 19:3b) "When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain." (Exodus 20:18) "Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off." God was beginning a new season as He molded a band of ex-slaves into a mighty army.

It was with the shouting of the people and the sound of the trumpets that God brought down the walls of Jericho and gave the Israelites their first victory in the Promised Land. The defeat of Jericho was a new beginning for the people of God.

The Lord will again bring a new thing with the sound of the trumpet when Jesus returns. (Matthew 24:29-31) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

(1 Corinthians 15:52) "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Remember the Feasts of Trumpets by sounding the trumpet, blowing a horn, ringing a bell. With joy in our hearts, we remember the trumpet soundings of the past and look forward to the sounding of the trumpet when Jesus returns.

Rosh Hashanah is a time for speaking blessings for the season to come. A simple blessing is "Shana Tovah", which literally means "Happy Change” or “Happy New Season " in Hebrew.

Celebrating the Feast Days is not required, but a powerful blessing can come to us when we more fully understand what has been accomplished in our lives and in the Kingdom of Heaven because of the atoning, redemptive ministry of Jesus, our Messiah. Whether our celebration is elaborate or simple, our remembrance should include thanksgiving, worship and joy. God is giving a party and He has invited us.

Shana Tovah! Shana Tovah! Because of Jesus, our new season is blessed. Because of Jesus, we are changed; we are renewed. Let us walk into this new season changed, renewed and recharged for the Kingdom of God.

Baruch HaShem Hamacsiach Yeshua;

Baruch HaShem Adonai.

Blessing in the name of Messiah Jesus.

Blessing in the name of the Lord.

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The Esau Syndrome.

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Google defines syndrome as a group of medical signs and symptoms that happen together. They point to a specific condition, problem, or mental state, even if the exact root cause is still unknown. Keeping in mind, let’s examine the life and struggles of Esau.

Most of us know the story of the struggles Esau endured. Genesis 25 warns of the coming conflict in his life. Genesis 25:21 “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. Genesis 25:22-23: “The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord

The Lord said to her,“Two nations are in your womb,and two peoples from within you will be separated;one people will be stronger than the other,and the older will serve the younger.”

Esau was the older who would serve the younger. This is not an issue that God created. It is an issue that God foretold. God knew the nature that Esau would choose. Jacob was a usurper by nature and the nature of Esau gave room for Jacob’s nature to develop. Both parents enabled the personalities of their sons by playing favorites. Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. The essence is that this family of four each chose to do things their own way instead of choosing God’s way.

The storm escalated. First, because he was hungry from hunting, Esau sold his birthright as first born to Jacob for a pot of lentil soup. Genesis 25: 34 “Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.So Esau despised his birthright.”

Esau’s further rebellion was expressed in his marriages. Genesis 26:34-35 “ When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.”

Years later, with the help of his mother, Jacob tricked his father into giving him a blessing meant for Esau. Jacob already had the birthright, but he wanted the blessing as well. Even though he had despised his birthright, Esau wanted the blessing. Perhaps he thought that through the blessing, the birthright would return to him.

When Esau cried out for a blessing, Isaac gave him the truth. Genesis 27:38-40 “His father Isaac answered him, “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.”

Although both brothers were involved in the improprieties, Jacob repented and Esau did not. Both became rich, powerful and influential. Jacob became an ancestor of our Lord. Esau and his descendants, the Edomities, eventually were absorbed as a recognizable group and vanished from the pages of history.

One distinctive descendant of Esau was Herod who was appointed king during the Roman occupation of Israel. He was the appointed king when Jesus was born. He was appointed, but not anointed. He sought to remain king of the Jews by killing the rightful king. Hence, the massacre of the infants. That horrific incident was set in motion 2000 years earlier when Esau despised his birthright.

Our actions and decisions can set in motion blessings or cursings. Repentance and forgiveness allow us to step out of the Esau syndrome and into the glorious truth and blessing of a life following the Lord.

Walking in the Spirit of Jabez

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Although his story is told in only two verses in scripture, Jabez’ message is powerful, life altering and filled with world-changing hope.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10:

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name [Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain. ”And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested”

I Chronicles 4 lists the descendants of Judah. Judah was the fourth son of Jacob. As Jacob lay dying, he prophesied over each of his 12 sons.  Judah’s prophecy is found in Genesis 49:8-12: “Judah, may your brothers praise you. May your hand be in the neck of your enemies. May your father's sons bow before you. Judah is a lion's whelp. My son, you have gone up from the prey. He stooped, he crouched like a lion; and like a lioness, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of the peoples to him. Binding his foal to the vine, and his ass's colt to the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. His eyes shall be sparkling with wine, and his teeth white from milk.”

Judah’s tribe will be victorious over their enemies. The scepter signifies the kings in the line of Judah.  David is the first; Jesus is the last.  The feasting and the wine speak of prosperity.

Jabez was born into the tribe of Judah, the tribe of kings. Both Rahab and Ruth married into the tribe of Judah. David was a descendant of Judah. Joseph, Mary and Jesus were members of the tribe.

In spite of the promises that had been declared over the tribe of Judah, Jabez’ mother saw little hope for her son. He had been born in pain. She expected that pain to continue. Jabez means “he will bring pain and sorrow.”

We must be mindful of what we speak over our children and grandchildren.  Likewise, we need to know who we are in the Lord and not take to heart what the world may say about us as Christians.

Jabez did not let the words of his mother limit his life expectations. He called on the God of Israel not only to bless him, but to bless him INDEED. He asked for a big blessing. He asked God to increase his territory, to increase his sphere of authority, to increase his ministry. Jabez knew that he could not move effectively in his increase without the covering and protection of the Lord. He asked for guidance (God’s hand.) He asked the Lord to keep him from evil. Remember that the Lord Jesus taught us all to pray for the Lord to deliver us from evil.

Jabez’ purpose for his increased territory and for the Lord’s intervention in his life is that he would not cause pain, that he would not walk in the curse that his mother had spoken over him. Jabez wanted to be blessed in order to bless others.

 

We can learn from Jabez.

--No matter what our background might be, no matter what others may have spoken over us, God still has a plan to give us a future and a hope.

Jermiah 29:11-12: “For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you shall call on Me, and you shall go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” 

--We cannot walk effectively in blessing without submitting to God’s authority over our lives.

Psalm 37:3-4:  Trust in God, and do good; you shall dwell in the land, and you shall be fed on truth. Delight yourself also in God, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 

--Our desire must be a determination to walk away from evil—evil in both thought and action.

James 4:7-8:  Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones. 

--The purpose of our enlarged territory must be to accomplish our calling without purposefully harming others.

We must ask ourselves some pertinent questions.

--Why do I want my domain to be increased?

--Am I willing to forgo my plans and to submit to God’s plans and purposes?

--Am I desirous of walking away from evil thoughts, conversations and actions?

--Can I honestly say that I do not wish pain on others?

God’s purpose is that we shine forth the glory, power, authority and holiness of our Creator.

Isaiah 60:1- 2: Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the LORD will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.”

Because He loves us and wants the best for us, God desires that we walk in the spirit of Jabez.

 

On Being 84

By Rev,Lonnie C. Crowe

Thank you for all the lovely birthday greetings.  I was blessed beyond measure. As I contemplate my 84 years, blessed is certainly the word to describe my life.  In spite of times of trial, overall, my life has been blessed. My greatest blessing is my walk with the Lord, I loved my career as a teacher.  I loved being a pastor.  I love the family God has given me. I love the many wonderful people who have walked with me through the years.

Psalm 84 is my psalm for this year.  (Longing for the courts of the Lord, does not mean that I am longing to die.  It means having a great desire for fellowship with the Lord wherever. Afterall, my body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who dwells in my heart.)

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you ]Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka (weeping),
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.