Yom Kippur:  The Day of Atonement

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            For Christians, Yom Kippur celebrates the atonement of Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection.  Through His atonement, the price for our sin has been paid, and we are reconciled to God.  

            The first step in receiving that atonement is repentance.  Repentance involves a heart change in direction and in life, from sin and self-centeredness to holiness and God-centeredness.  Repentance is the first step toward God, and  involves a permanent change of mind and direction. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)”  When we have truly repented, we think God’s thoughts about the nature sin rather than our own thoughts.

            In the atonement, we enter into a new covenant with God the Father.  In scripture, Jesus is called “the last Adam.”  1 Corinthians 15:45 (NKJV) “ And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”  Because Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins, we can walk in fellowship with God just as Adam did before Fall.  The atonement has made that possible because of the Holy Spirit who resides within us.  

            1 Corinthians 15:48-49 (NKJV)  “As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”  Because of the atonement, we can be like Jesus, full of the fruit of the spirit:
^“22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)”

            In our renewed minds, we then perceive the commandments of God, not as impossible restrictions in our lives, but as the pathway to the abundant life.  We perceive the commandments as beatitudes:  

1.  Happy are those who worship God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 

2.  Happy are  those who do not allow anything to become more important to them than God is.

3.  Happy are those who understand who God is and do not misuse His name.

4.  Happy are those who keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Happy are those who honor their Christian heritage.

6.  Happy are those who do not allow hatred and unforgiveness to control their lives.

7.  Happy are those who are faithful to their commitments to God and to one another.

8.  Happy are those who respect the property of others.

9.  Happy are those who do not make false or unfounded accusations against others.

10.   Happy are those who are thankful for the blessing of God in their lives and who do not desire what others have.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the atonement of Jesus Christ that allows me to live in victory over sin and the sorrow it can bring into my life.    I worship You on this Yom Kippur.

Nothing But The Blood by Robert Lowry

What can wash away my sin

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

What can make me whole againNothing but the blood of Jesus

 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.

Shared post

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.