A.P.P.L.E Time (Always pray and praise the Lord everyday!)

In first grade we wanted to give you a heads-up about the material we will be covering this week in Bible ( Apple Time:-).  Some of the content in the Bible can be intense for children and adults alike. This week we will be covering a story that can be hard for children to comprehend at first, but in the end they will realize its  amazing message.  We will be looking at the story of the Passover.  The wonderful  thing to remember is that Jesus came into this broken world, a world where Pharaoh's heart was hardened and death and pain occur, and through Him we have all received forgiveness and eternal life.  For a quick review, here are the basics of the story of the Passover.

1.  Moses was a man, chosen by God, to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.  He was sinful and made mistakes just like us, but God still used him and will use us as well!
2.  The Israelites were serving Pharaoh whose heart was "hardened."
3.  Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go so God sent 10 plagues to greatly affect Egypt, the Egyptians, and Pharaoh.  The purpose of the plagues was so all would know that God is the only God and that his power is unmatchable in any other god or any human.  Through all of these, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened.
4.  The 10th plague was the Passover.  The Israelites were commanded to kill a flawless lamb, spread blood over the outside door frame, and prepare the meat to eat.  That night, the Lord sent an angel to the land.  The angel went from house to house.  If there was blood on the door frame, the angel would pass over the house but when it came to a house without blood (Egyptian house) the angel would take the life of the oldest son.  This included Pharaoh's oldest son.  The end all result was that God revealed he is also the God of life and death.    Pharaoh let the Lord's people leave Egypt after this 10th and final plague.
5.  God had and still has, an intense love for His people and he desires that his people remain in him and his love forever.  For this reason, he saved not only his Israelite children, but all of us through the death and resurrection of his only Son.

God is an amazing God and he reveals himself to us through the LIVING, holy Bible.  Thank you God for your mercy, grace and, forgiveness through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.