IN THE BEGINNING, Part 1

Many people worldwide believe that the world as we know it today and all that is in it, is the result of the 'BIG Bang Theory.' I will make no apologies for NOT believing this is true, because whenever I have seen, heard about or personally experienced anything with a bang, it always caused some kind of destruction, bodily harm or death {consider 9/11}.

Personally, I cannot live my life based on man-made theory: a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. 

Individuals, who put more credit in the big bang theory than biblical Creation are usually inclined to be atheistic. I am totally convinced that the world came into existence from something greater and more significant that a bang theory, which could not create anything by infinite wisdom with beauty and majesty. From the Word of God, I would like to tell you about the inception of the world and the first married couple. 

"In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was without form, and  void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3_KJV)"

Before the earth was created by God, the earth was without form, it was void and dark. God with His very words spoke and created what had not existed before in six (6) days.

Order of Creation in Christian and Jewish Biblical Records
(book of Genesis 1-2) {Website: www.ChristianAnswers.net}

Day One

1. Watery, formless planet Earth suspended in the darkness and the void of space (no sun or any other stars, no moon, no planets yet existed—except for Earth).
2. Light.
3. Separation of light from the darkness—and the first indication that the planet is rotating (day and night cycle produced).

Day Two

4. Formation of Earth’s atmosphere, separating the water into two parts:
         (a) oceanic and subterranean water
         (b) atmospheric water.

Day Three

5. Dry land and oceans.
6. System to water the entire land surface using subterranean waters (involving springs or mist, or both).
7. Vegetation, seed-bearing plants, trees that bear fruit.
8. Garden of Eden (probably).

Day Four

9. Sun
10. Moon—complete with established orbit so as to mark passage of time (months, seasons, and years).
11. Stars and other planets.

Day Five

12. Water creatures of all kinds. (All that had “the breath of life” were vegetarian.)
13. Birds (all vegetarian).

Day Six

14. Land animals (all vegetarian): (a) creatures that move close to the ground (small animals), (b) large animals, and (c) animals of use to man as livestock.
15. First man, Adam.
16. First woman, Eve (formed from Adam)

 Day Seven 

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested  from all his work which God created and made (Genesis 2:1-3_KJV)."

When I consider all that God made and the perfection of all He created, I cannot accept any opinions or speculations about how the world began that differ from the Holy Bible. Even, the Psalmist David wrote: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork (Psalm 19:1_KJV)." There's entirely too much beauty on earth and this perfect handiwork didn't just evolve or result from a big bang. The heavens and earth were created with wisdom, great thought and creativity by the Lord God Almighty!

After God had created the heavens and the earth, He created the first man.

"And God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul {or a speaking spirit}. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed (Genesis 2: 7-8_KJV)."

God gave the man the job of tending {or dressing} the garden of Eden to keep it. You could say he was the first gardener. There were many trees from which to eat and I am sure the fruit was much better then than it is nowadays. Most important was the fact that there was only one tree from which the man was commanded by God not to eat {for his own good}. Although, God was the man's Creator, He was also a natural and spiritual Father to to be trusted, and obeyed for the man had a lot of things to learn about life on earth.

"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17_KJV)."

God saw an immediate need for the man to have a companion {wife}, instead of being alone; so He made plans to create a help meet for him (Genesis 2:18). God called the man Adam, which in Hebrew means 'red,' since he was created from the dust of the earth. Before creating the help meet for the man, out of the ground, God formed every beast of the field and fowls of the air and brought them to Adam to name. Whatever Adam called them was their name.

"And Adam gave names to all cattle, and the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (Genesis 2:20-23_KJV)." 

There is a point of humor that some pastors and Bible teachers often share, when teaching about the first couple. It is said the help meet God created was called woman, because when Adam first saw her, he said: "Whoo man!"

. "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25_KJV)."

With every marriage come challenges and Adam and Eve had theirs-- even living in the Garden of Eden. I will share more about their relationship in part 2. I thank you for taking the time to read my posts; as I enjoy sharing faith-based thoughts that inspire, inform and educate every reader. May the peace of God be multiplied in your life! SHALOM!

COVENANT TYPES

Should I ask, if you were in covenant with anyone, what would say? Most people would probably say no, because they don't associate the word covenant with their everyday lives, when in fact it's more common than you think. If you are married, you have a covenant with your spouse. It you are in business with a partner, you have a covenant that is better known as a contract. So, we see that a covenant is between two (2) people, who decide to come in agreement with each other for a common purpose. Consider the definition below:

COVENANT: noun: 1. an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.

Unfortunately, everyone, who enters in a covenant is not faithful or decides to bail out at some point. It's uncertain if that's because the person can't be faithful; or because he or she doesn't want to be faithful to another! It's important that you really know the person and his/her character; or know someone, who does. Entering into any type of covenant or bond with another person (e,g, an engagement that leads to marriage) is not wise unless, the other person has been honest with you and revealed his or her heart, true character and motives. Today, there are many people, who perpetrate being someone and something they are not. They deceive others just to get something they think they should have; but don't really deserve. 

Covenants don't only play an important in our everyday lives; but also in our spiritual lives. Take a look at the definition below and notice the difference in this covenant. 

COVENANT: noun

Bible.: a. the conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed in Scripture.

• The Scriptures tell us that God was in covenant with ancient Israel; but today He still desires to be in covenant with those, who love and believe in Him and His Son Jesus Christ (Malachi 3:6)! 
• An important element in the ancient covenant was circumcision. Our forefather, Abraham at 99 years old adhered to God's command for all males in his household to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant he had with God. [A side note:  The last time I read about Abraham and his covenant with God, I wondered how he felt at 99 years of age; because they didn't have anesthesia to ease the pain and discomfort of circumcision.]  

Let's continue with covenants: Today, everyone who believes in Jesus won't have to cut themselves to be in covenant with God; because Jesus shed His precious blood on our behalf over 2,000 years ago on Mount Calvary. God loved the world so much {even when it hated Him} that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16-17). Anyone, who believes in Jesus will not perish {eternally}, but have everlasting life. What is everlasting life, you might ask? Let's look at the definition below:


EVERLASTING: adjective: 1. lasting forever; eternal, everlasting future life.

Did you notice that everlasting means forever? This means that we will all have an everlasting future life after we die. Contrary to what many people believe: death is not the final curtain for humanity. We were created in God's image. He is a Spirit and we are spirit-beings or tri-part beings. This means that you are a spirit; you have a soul and you live in a physical body. After you die, your flesh will go back to the dust, but you {as a spirit} will continue to live on. Anyone, who believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved (Romans 10:9-10) and go to heaven, when they die.

"Therefore we are always confident and know that while we at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-7_WEB)."

Preparing for our eternal future is important; but some people put more time in preparing for a trip and don't know if they will even return home, though they expect they will. Do you believe that God loves you with an everlasting love? Well, if you don't, your unbelief with not cancel out that love, for God showed that love to all mankind, when He gave His only Son. God's love for you has been recorded!

HELL: noun

1. 1.

   a place regarded in various religions as a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often traditionally depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death.

 Hell is a real and damnable place that many people prefer not to talk about. But, being ignorant of a thing is what causes fear of it. It's important you know that God created hell for the devil {or Satan} and his angels. Before Satan became a devil, he was an angel of light in Heaven and was named Lucifer. He was music; and he played instruments from his very being. He praised God day and night with heavenly music and praises. In all his grandeur, Lucifer became proud of his status in heaven and sought a spiritual insurrection against God with the help of one-third of the angels. What he said and desired to do was recorded in Scripture and is referenced below:

"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High (Isaiah 14:12_KJV)."   

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit (Isaiah 14:13-15_KJV)."

EDEN was God's original plan for mankind: not hell. Unfortunately, after the fall of Lucifer, hell enlarged itself. Because of Satan's hatred of God, he began to deceive many humans, so they would reject God and His Son and join him for eternity.

"Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst. Therefore Sheol {Hell} hath enlarged its desire,and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory; and their multitude; and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them descend into it (Isaiah 5: 13-15_ASV)."

.
Many people consider God cruel, because Satan has deceived many into believing that God sends good people to hell; but as you can see from the  previous Scriptures, that is NOT the truth! The problem lies with man and what he chooses to believe. Many people believe in God, but they don't believe in His Son Jesus. Sadly, this poses a problem, because Jesus taught in the Gospels and said often: "I and the Father are One." To accept God is to accept Jesus and to reject God is to reject Jesus. One cannot just accept God alone. We must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9-10). Although, the Bible records the birth, life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus; many people consider Him only a prophet. Jesus is much more than a  prophet; He is the Savior of the world, because He suffered, bled and died for the world. He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!

Here's where covenant comes in again. To reject Jesus is to accept Satan by default. No decision about a thing, is still a decision. God doesn't send people to hell; but it IS true that those,who reject His Son Jesus will suffer eternal damnation in HELL with Satan himself. I share this not to put fear in your heart; but to give you vital information and to provoke your thinking. No one on earth will be able to live forever in these flesh houses of clay. We were created from the dust of the earth and back to the dust we will return, when we are buried. 

One day, Jesus will return for the great catching away of His church {the Bride of Christ}, which Christians call the Rapture. No man knows the day or the hour, only God the Father.

"...But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only. And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall be the coming of the Son of man...(Matthew 24:36-39_ASV)

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18_WEB)."

You must decide today with whom you want to covenant. You will either enjoy the benefits of God's covenant or suffer the benefits of Satan's covenant. If you're not in covenant with the Lord; you are in covenant with the devil and he has nothing for you, but death and destruction. Because we are spirits, we will still have our five (5) senses and whatever we experience in heaven or hell will never stop. Satan's primary aim from the beginning of time {Eden} has always been to see mankind destroyed and apart from God's love.

"The thief (Satan) enters {the sheep fold} only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life-indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest (John 10:10_CEB) #Jesus

For years, I lived for the devil and according to the dictates of my flesh; but one day, I had an encounter with Jesus and he saved me from sin and its nature. Everything wasn't perfect after that; but I had the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to help me on my spiritual journey. I am yet journeying {running in this Christian race}, learning and growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have have made some stupid mistakes; but God in His mercy, forgave my sins and cleansed me from all that is unrighteous in His sight (1 John 1:19). I continue to learn to trust God more each day, because He desires to take His children from faith to faith. God has a perfect plan for me; but He also has a perfect plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Will you consider entering into a covenant with Him? You won't regret it if you do it today; but you will regret it, when you discover that you could have made a better decision that can't be reversed.

In your reading, you have learned that COVENANTS are important in both our spiritual and everyday lives; and so I invite you to pray the following prayer and invite Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior:

Father God, I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that He died, was resurrected and is coming back to judge the living and the dead. Father, I repent. Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and make me Your child. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. If you prayed this prayer, you are BORN AGAIN by God's Spirit (John 3:3-6_KJV). #Hallelujah!

Please find a Bible-believing and teaching church, where you may fellowship with others, and covenant with God; as you grow in your faith and the grace and knowledge of God (2 Peter 3:18).

Thank you for taking the time to view and read my post. I pray that you were informed, inspired and persuaded to enter into an eternal covenant with our Creator God! 
Remember that Jesus is LORD!

Understanding Grace | Empowering Change

BOW DOWN

In this diabolical poem, Satan appeals to the appetite and desires of a weak-minded or unbelieving individual as he seeks the worship that should be reserved only for God. His suggestions are meant to cause the person to disregard the Word, renounce God and Jesus’ Name, to question the reality of heaven; and to actually trust him and become one of his followers. In playing the devil's advocate in prose, I show the way the devil speaks to the unsuspecting or those, who choose not to believe in God. It's dangerous to be out of the ark of safety and in a state of indecision, which in itself is a decision. 

Bow down and worship me

I’ll give you whatever you crave

Bow down and worship me

It’s alright to misbehave

You can’t believe the things you've read.

Do you really believe the Word?

Don’t pay attention to what God said.

You’ll be brainwashed and your vision blurred.

Bow down and worship me

I’ll give you influence and fame

Bow down and worship me

Renounce God and Jesus’ Name.

Don’t worry about tomorrow.

Have fun and live for today

Do you really believe in heaven?

That can’t be the only way!

Bow down and worship me

Your future is guaranteed

Bow down and worship me

Just trust me and you’ll be my seed!

~ I don't know who or what you believe in--at this juncture in your life; and whether you even believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But, Scripture tells us: "That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11_AMP)."

You might not choose to bow now, but on the day of the Lord, you will surely bow. It is my pray that you make a decision for Christ today, so when He returns; you bowing will be a joy and not a regret that you will have for all eternity.  

Take a few moments to read the following verses: "...if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation (Romans 10:9-10_AMP)."


If you understand and believe the verses you read, pray the following prayer:

Father God, I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that He died and was resurrected and is coming back to judge the living and the dead. Father, I repent. Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and make me Your child. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please find a born-again church, where you may fellowship with others and grow in your faith.

How I long for the day, when I will join the heavenly host and bow down in the very presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and dwell in His house forever! #Marantha!

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD!

ENCOURAGE: 1 a : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : hearten; b : to attempt to persuade : urge; 2 : to spur on : stimulate

We are surely creations of habit and comfort. We expect and appreciate encouragement from others, when we're at a low point in our lives; or when it seems that things are falling apart.  What do you do, when you need to be encouraged and your personal cheerleaders are not available to urge you on? Should you whine, complain, and beg others to feel sorry for you or just throw a 'pity party?' You don't have to do either one. You can ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD as King David did (1 Samuel 30:6: Read chapters 29 and 30). If you don't know the Lord, you can get to know Him today, because He loves you and gave His only Son for your redemption (Read: John 3:16-17; Romans 10:9-10).

While David and his men were with the Philistines; as they had planned to go to battle with them against their enemies; Ziglag {David's private property}, which means winding was invaded. A troop of Amalekites, ended up taking the women and children captive, carried everything else away and burned it with fire. When David and his men returned to Ziglag and made the discovery, they were completely devastated. It was in that moment, when the people spoke of stoning him that David had to do something besides throw a pity party or lose his life to angry men. Thinking about his two wives, who had been taken captive; DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD and sought the Lord as to what should be done to rescue their loved ones and belongings! God told David to go ahead and pursue the troop that had invaded Ziglag, for with His help David and his men would surely overtake them without fail and recover all (1 Samuel 30:8).

Today, God's children can always go to God for encouragement through prayer and/or meditating on God's Word and specific promises of deliverance out of all our afflictions [Hebrew: rarah -- adversity, calamity, distress} (Psalm 34:19). Although, encouragement usually comes from others; we shouldn't rely on others to spur us on. If we become dependent on others, we can end up in despair, when they fail to meet our expectations. We must look for alternative ways to stay motivated; so we will be ready and equipped to take action, whenever the occasion should arise.

Whenever, I need encouragement: instead of running to people, I will seek God as I encourage myself in knowing that He will never leave or forsake me; that He will direct my steps and keep His promises, which are in Him YEA and AMEN (2 Corinthians 1:20).

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE MONTH OF APRIL

"April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, the fifth in the early Julian and one of four months with a length of 30 days.

April is commonly associated with the season of spring in the Northern hemisphere and autumn in the Southern hemisphere, where it is the seasonal equivalent to October in the Northern hemisphere and vice versa. April is the second rainiest month of the year (after July).

April starts on the same day of the week as July in all years, and January in leap years. April ends on the same day of the week as December every year. October of the previous year starts on the same day of the week as April of the current year as a common year and May of the previous year starts on the same day of the week as April of the current year as a leap year. July of the previous year ends on the same day of the week as April of the current year as a leap year and February and October of the previous year ends on the same day of the week as April of the current year as a leap year. In years immediately before common years, April starts on the same day of the week as September and December of the following year and in years immediately before leap years, June of the following year. In years immediately before common years, April ends on the same day of the week as September of the following year and in years immediately before leap years, March and June of the following year.

The Romans gave this month the Latin name Aprilis but the derivation of this name is uncertain. The traditional etymology is from the verb aperire, "to open," in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open," which is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of ἁνοιξις (anoixis) (opening) for spring. Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to the goddess Venus, her Veneralia being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her equivalent Greek goddess name Aphrodite (Aphros), or from the Etruscan name Apru. Jacob Grimm suggests the name of a hypothetical god or hero, Aper or Aprus.

April was the second month of the earliest Roman calendar, before Ianuarius and Februarius were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. It became the fourth month of the calendar year (the year when twelve months are displayed in order) during the time of the decemvirs about 450 BC, when it also was given 29 days. The 30th day was added during the reform of the calendar undertaken by Julius Caesar in the mid-40s BC, which produced the Julian calendar."

The following is a list of April holidays and events observed in the United States and around the world.

• Autism Awareness Month (United States)
• Jazz Appreciation Month (United States)
• National Poetry Month (United States)
• National Poetry Writing Month
• Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month (International)
• Confederate History Month (southern United States)-April 26
• National Arab American Heritage Month (United States)
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month (United States)
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• April Fools' Day – April 1
• Japanese school calendar also starts from April 1, although Nyugakushiki (entry ceremony for schools) are usually held later, around second week of April.
• World Autism Awareness Day - April 2
• Arbor Day (Korea) – April 5
• End of Tax Year (UK) – April 5
• April 1 is the first day of Japanese fiscal year. Major Japanese companies usually have Nyushashiki (entry ceremony for companies) for new employees those who newly hired after their graduation from schools, on this day.
• Passover (Hebrew:פסח) a Jewish holiday
• World Health Day – April 7
• Buddha's Birthday – Traditional Date – April 8
• Araw ng Kagitingan, also known as "Bataan Day" (Philippines) – April 9
• Vaisakh (Nepal) - April 14
• Vaisakhi (India) - April 14
• Good Friday (Christians) – a Friday between March 20 and April 23, being the last Friday before Easter
• Easter or Resurrection Day (Christians) - celebrated the First Sunday after the first full moon on or after the Spring Equinox, near March 21st (between March 22 and April 25)
• International Trombone Week - varies. In 2012, it was April 1–15
• Beginning of Tax Year (India) – April 1
• Thai New Year in Thailand – April 13
• Lao New Year in Laos – April 13
• Burmese New Year in Burma - April 13
• Khmer New Year in Cambodia – April 13
• Tax Day (US) – April 15
• National Healthcare Decisions Day (US) - April 16
• Boston Marathon – Third Monday
• Zimbabwean Independence Day – April 18 (4:20) – April 20
• Patriots' Day – April 21
• Earth Day – April 22
• Conch Republic Independence Celebration (Key West, Florida) – April 23
• St George's Day Patron Saint Celebration (England, Europe) – April 23
• Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day – April 24
• Liberation Day in Italy - April 25 is a National Holiday that celebrates the end of the Nazi Germany occupation in the Northern Italy.
• ANZAC Day (Australia and New Zealand) – April 25
• Carnation Revolution (Portugal) – April 25
• Confederate Memorial Day (US: Georgia, Tennessee,Florida, Texas)- April 26
• World National Hair Show (US: Atlanta, GA) - April 26 - 27:  http://www.fcanaturals.com/naturalhairshow.org
• Resistance day in Slovenia - formerly Liberation Front of the Slovene People day April 27
• Freedom Day (South Africa) – April 27
• April 29 is a Japanese national holiday, as Shōwa Day since 2007. It has been celebrated as The Emperor's Birthday from 1927 to 1988, then renamed as Greenery Day after Hirohito's death in 1989. It is usually marked as the first day of "Golden Week", a week-long holiday period.
• Formerly Koninginnedag in the Netherlands / Kingdom of the Netherlands – April 30, for the last time celebrated in 2013, now celebrated as Koningsdag at April 27th.
• Arbor Day – last Friday of April in some states in the United States 
• Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Day, usually fourth Thursday (United States)
• London Marathon – usually fourth Sunday (Opening Day) – first Sunday in April
• Independence day (Syria) – April 17
• Record Store Day – usually celebrated on the third Saturday
• Financial Literacy Month (United States)

The "Days of April" (journées d'avril) is a name appropriated in French history to a series of insurrections at Lyons, Paris and elsewhere, against the government of Louis Philippe in 1834, which led to violent repressive measures, and to a famous trial known as the procès d'avril.

Traditional April symbols

• April's birthstone is the diamond.
• The birth flower is typically listed as either the Daisy (Bellis perennis) or the Sweet Pea.

Now that you have read through the syllabus on the month of April {courtesy of Wikipedia}; I would like to share what I consider the most important event in this month: Easter or Resurrection Day. 

"Easter is the day that Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the New Testament. Easter is the culmination of the Passion of Christ, preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance."

Easter customs vary around the world; but the customs I am most familiar with include Easter egg hunts, which I experienced as a child, Sunrise services preceding the regular Easter or Resurrection service; and exchanging the Paschal greeting of Happy Easter or "He is risen; He is risen indeed!"

Scripture tells us that God loved the world so that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus (John 3:16-17) to redeem mankind back to Himself after man's {Adam and Even}fall in the Garden of Eden. So mankind would not be lost forever; God sent His Son to earth to be born of a virgin, named Mary. Joseph, her Mary's husband was a carpenter by trade and taught the trade to his son Jesus --working until he died. On one occasion, when Jesus was 12 years old, He accompanied His parents to the yearly Passover feast. When they were departing to go home, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem and visited the temple, where He sat among doctors listening and asking them questions. When His parents discovered Jesus was not with them, they began to search for Him and found Him in the temple. They were concerned about His safety and well-being; but Jesus was concerned about doing His {heavenly} Father's business. Of course, Mary didn't really know how to take His response and pondered the things she had both seen and heard in her heart.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed the sick, opened blinded eyes, fed the multitudes, forgave sin; and made friends and enemies. He chose 12 men to be His disciples,who He later called Apostles. Many followed Him because of the miracles He performed; but some of those left Him, because they didn't understand His teachings and couldn't embrace what they considered hard things. 

Jesus chose 12 disciples to train and do the work of the ministry; but one of them betrayed Jesus by agreeing to turn Him over for 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, who had long sought to kill him. On the night Jesus and His disciples had their Passover meal, Judas Iscariot completed his mission of betrayal. Jesus was arrested, questioned, scourged and mocked before being led to Mount Calvary carrying His own cross as He was whipped by a Roman soldier every step of the way. The crucifixion depicted in Hollywood movies is just a drop in the bucket compared to what Jesus really endured. Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" comes the closest to depicting the pain and agony Jesus endured before and during His crucifixion. When Jesus was beaten the soldiers used a Cat of nine tails. It was "the nine strap, lead tipped whip embedded with nails, glass and bone." This whip was used for scourging and would literally rip the flesh on the back of the subject. Roman tapered spikes 5-7 inches long were used to nail Jesus' hands and feet to the cross. The Scripture states:

"...There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care...He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed...He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:2-5,7_NLT)."

All those, who hated Jesus during His earthly ministry were glad to see Him crucified, because they considered His message blasphemous. They believed in God, but couldn't accept Jesus as the Son of God. Their religious minds prevented them from understanding the truth of the Gospel of Christ. There were also those, who hated Jesus and had even participated in His crucifixion, who later realized after Jesus {commended His spirit to the Father} died that He was indeed the Son of God.

Easter or Resurrection Day is a joyful celebration for Christians, because Jesus didn't remain in His burial tomb, He got UP {was resurrected} and ascended to the Father in heaven! He did appear to Mary and the other disciples before the Holy Spirit was sent in His place. There were skeptics {the priests, Sadduces and Pharisees}, who refused to believe that Jesus had actually risen as He told them He would. With unbelief and pride, they perpetrated a lie and accused the disciples of stealing the body of Jesus. They refused to believe what Jesus taught and repent. One day, everyone on earth will see Jesus for themselves; and it will either bring them great joy or sadness. Will seeing Jesus on that great day bring you joy or sadness? If you don't yet know Jesus; it's not too late to make Him your Lord and Savior. Read the following Scripture out loud and make it personal:
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. It is my prayer that you will enjoy all the beautiful things that spring brings as well as your favorite holidays and event of the month. Now that you are born again, Easter/Resurrection Day will have a special meaning for you! He is Risen: He is Risen Indeed!

"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 10:9-10_NLT)."  

 Did you make that declaration of salvation? If you did: you are saved or born again and a member of God's family. I welcome you! Now that you are a part of the family of God, you need to get connected to other believers. If you have a church that you had not been attending for a while, please go and tell your pastor that you have accepted Christ. If not, pray and ask the Father to direct your steps to a Bible-believing church, where you can be fed the Word of God and grow in your faith. 

JESUS IS LORD!