IS EVERYTHING JUST MEANT TO BE?

Is God Really Orchestrating Everything In The World?

(To listen to His Word podcasts, use the “Podcasts” tab above. They’re all under 5 minutes with a separate link making them easy to share with others.)

One of my recent podcasts is titled, Is God Really Testing You? Sometimes instead of saying God is testing them, people say that God brings bad things to you in order to bring you something good. Similar phrases include, “God has a reason, ” and, “everything is just meant to be.”

Phrases like that indicate that whatever difficulty presents itself, it is something that came from God. That kind of thinking doesn’t agree with the Bible. I John 1:5 says, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” In that same epistle it says, “God is love.” It says in Chapter 1 of the book of James, that God cannot be tempted with evil and neither does He tempt any person.

I certainly believe God can close one door and open another door. You can see that in the Scriptures many times. I’ve seen that happen in my life. And I must admit that on a few occasions, I ignored a closed door, and the results were not very pleasant.

But on the other hand, God does not

HIS WORD: A NEW PODCAST FOR ’22

My New Podcast Is Now Available!

Join me in sharing
God’s Word!

My New Podcast Is Here!

His Word is a new and unique podcast! Unique for three reasons:

  • They are short! Really short – under 5 minutes!
  • They are about topics you or someone else may have questions about.
  • Easy to share with someone.

His Word is now available for free and listed on many platforms (See the list below)

Subscribe to His Word on whatever platform you use to listen to podcasts and you’ll get notified of each new episode.

Share any episode with someone you think might get blessed listening to it. At the end of each podcast I mention this blog where there are dozens of in-depth teachings available. I’m hopeful some people may end up here as a result of listening to  His Word podcasts. So, join me in sharing God’s Word with others!

Listen to ALL episodes here.

Or, pick any of the platform links below to listen to His Word!

Buzzsprout:  https://hisword.buzzsprout.com

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0RJH4qKhrrCmbmoE46oz5T

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xOTAxOTU5LnJzcw== 

Amazon:  https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/da81f13f-3401-4e23-8c14-be9b25e29ac9/his-word 

iHeart:  https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-his-word-91241573/ 

Podcast Addict:  https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/3771666 

Podchasher:  https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/his-word-3787726 

Pocket Cats:  https://pca.st/7mgh5cd0 

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/3286132 

Listen Notes:  https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/his-word-mike-a-verdicchio-UJRNtnygFPT/ 

Player FM:  https://player.fm/series/his-word 

Podcast Index:  https://podcastindex.org/podcast/4683991  

 

O Holy Night

The History of this Song is Amazing!

The song, “O Holy Night” is special to me for three reasons. First, Nat King Cole’s version was my dad’s favorite holiday song. Secondly, the amazing history of the song itself, including it being the first Christmas song ever played on the “air waves.”  Thirdly, the first verse of the song is so impactful. (words below)

Enjoy reading the history of this song, and enjoy your holiday season!

The History of the Song, “O Holy Night.”

In 1847, Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant in France, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for the Christmas Eve service. He wrote the words to, “Cantique de Noel” (“Song of Christmas”).

He then asked his friend, Adolphe, who was of the Jewish faith to write the music, and the song was performed for the congregation on Christmas Eve. The French people loved it. Sometime later, Placide left the church, and then it was discovered that the composer of music was not of the Christian faith, so Church leadership banned the song from its services throughout all of France. However, the French people continued to embrace it.

Ten years later, an American abolitionist, John Sullivan Dwight, heard the carol and loved its vibrant message of hope. His English translation quickly became popular in the North during the American Civil War.

Legend has it that the French Catholic Church finally allowed the song back into its services after an encounter in 1870 between French and German troops during the Franco-Prussian War. During a lull in fighting, a French soldier began singing it. The Germans were so moved that they responded by singing one of Martin Luther’s hymns. This little “songfest” encouraged the soldiers to honor a truce for 24 hours on Christmas.

Fast forward to early 1900’s, and the invention of radio. After some trial testing with voice over telegraph, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian, via telegraph, alerted several ships of a special Christmas broadcast scheduled for 9pm on Christmas Eve. They had no idea it was not going to be dots and dashes coming over the telegraph.

When that 9pm broadcast happened, on Christmas Eve, 1906, the telegraph operators were stunned to hear a man’s voice! Everyone said this was impossible. Reginald was the first voice ever heard on the radio.

After giving a resume of the program, he played a recording of Handel’s, “Largo” on an Ediphone. That was the first recording ever played on the air. Then he played, “Oh Holy Night” on his violin, and sang the last verse as he played. It was the very first Christmas song ever heard on the radio!

His wife and secretary had promised to read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible, but they were speechless; mic fright. So, Reginald took over and read the story of the birth of Christ. He then concluded the broadcast by extending Christmas greetings to his listeners and asking them to write to him to let him know if they heard it. He didn’t know if it was going to work for sure. He received numerous responses.

The history of this song embodies what this season of Christmas is really all about – God’s love in sending His Son for all people. It was written by a wine merchant, set to music by a Jewish composer, banned by overzealous church leaders, but then kept alive by true believers. It was then adopted by an American abolitionist inspiring hope for those enslaved. It was sung by troops at war in the trenches and inspired at least 24 hours of peace. It was broadcast live by invisible radio waves – a new medium that would soon be instrumental in getting the message of the Good News all over the world.

One is perhaps reminded of the most popular verse in the Bible. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” “Whosoever!”

Whether someone is a wine merchant, of a different belief, a religious zealot, a slave, bond or free, male or female, that night in Bethlehem, God sent His Son, the prince of peace, to make available everlasting life to anyone and everyone who accepts Jesus Christ!  He is lord of all people, and God raised him from the dead!

O Holy Night
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

[Verse 2]
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

[Verse 3]
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim

THANKSGIVING 2021

Forget Not All His Benefits

Psalm 103:2 says, Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. We all have much to be thankful for.  Below are some verses about giving God the thanks and praise He deserves.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with Psalms.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing.

Psalm 116:17 I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalm 147:7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

I Chronicles 16:8, 34
:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people
.
:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy name.

Psalm 30:4, 12
:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.

:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever.

Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High:

Psalm 97:12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.

Psalm 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.

Psalm 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Psalm 103:2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Give A Gift Of God's Word!

The holiday season is fast approaching!

In season or out of season, giving a gift of God’s Word is always a great idea!

Once again this year, I have 7 great holiday gift ideas you might find interesting.

> No hype. No hard sell. Just 7 great holiday gift ideas! <

Check out the link below to see if there’s something there for someone you know that you think might their life.

And be sure to order by December 6 for guaranteed delivery by December 23.

7 Great Holiday Gift Ideas

I’M A MEMBER. ARE YOU?

There are members of all types of groups and organizations.  I have a number of different memberships, including a credit union, and a shopping warehouse. Basically, a membership allows you to take advantage of what is offered to members.  That’s the whole point of being a member, right?

Perhaps you are a member of a group or organization.  The criteria to join might be anything from paying a monetary requirement, having achieved a certain accomplishment or status, or some other requirement in order to become a member.

Being a member of a certain group or organization affords its members certain privileges that non-members do not have.  Certain benefits and privileges are strictly for, “members only,” and non- members cannot access those benefits and privileges.

The Bible speaks of those who are born again as being members of the Body of Christ, with Jesus Christ as the head. That sounds like a

GOD BLESS THE USA!

Independence Day, 2021

Have You Read These Quotes?

There are some in the United States of America working hard to rewrite our history, and, in the process, denigrate the founders of this country, and even Christianity itself.  It’s quite stunning to see Christians embrace a political movement that has atheism at it’s core.  But in the quotes below, some you may have never read before, observe the founders’, and others, love for God and belief that He had a hand in the forming of this great country.

In the troubled times we face today in the United States of America, may those who are Christians see and respond to the need for fervent prayer for our nation. May we continue to petition the God of all wisdom to guide those in all positions of leadership, responsibility, and influence. And, may we look past all the smoke screens, generated by emotional hysteria, and love one another.

Following this rather lengthy list of quotes, you will see, The Bill of Rights.

May God bless you and your family, wherever you may live, and, for those of us here in this nation, may God continue to bless the United States of America!
Mike Verdicchio July, 2021

Some Quotes

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.
George Washington

No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.
George Washington First Inaugural Address, Thursday, April 30, 1789

It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable.
George Washington – Thanksgiving Proclamation 1789

God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever..
Thomas Jefferson

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!
Thomas Jefferson

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.
Thomas Jefferson

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.
John Adams

The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity. The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.

The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.
John Adams

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.
John Adams

Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.
John Adams

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
John Adams

We recognize no sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus.
John Adams and John Hancock

Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.
John Hancock

Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshiped.
Benjamin Franklin

It is a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own.
Benjamin Franklin

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
Thomas Paine

And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace.
Samuel Adams

We have this day [Fourth of July] restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His Kingdom come.
Samuel Adams

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.
Samuel Adams

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Patrick Henry

The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!
Patrick Henry

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here. The Bible … is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.
Patrick Henry

We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.
James Madison

I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We accept them as the words of God Himself.
William Penn

By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced.

The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement ‘for the sins of the whole world,’ and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.
John Jay

Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is their duty – as well as privilege and interest – of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.
John Jay, First Chief-Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.
Resolution passed by Congress, 1782

By Law the United States Congress adds to US coinage: “In God We Trust”-
United States Congress 1864

Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of The Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian…This is a Christian nation
United States Supreme Court Decision, 1892

The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made ‘bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’ (Isaiah 52:10).
John Quincy Adams

And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.
Abraham Lincoln

I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.
Ronald Reagan

But in this country, we don’t look to career politicians for salvation. In America, we don’t turn to government to restore our souls – we put our faith in Almighty God!
Donald J Trump 2020

BILL OF RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

MEMORIAL DAY 2021

Monday, May 31, 2021 is Memorial Day. I am again this year posting 3 very moving videos.

Sometimes people get confused – Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember everyone who has served our country, at any time in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War. Later, it was extended, after World War I, to honor all American military who died in all wars –  we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Take some time this weekend to thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country – because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and keep the freedoms we enjoy, because how quickly liberty and freedoms can evaporate!  Continue to pray for our country, and pray for those in government positions who truly love our country and constitution, for God to give them wisdom and courage to speak and do that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessingS on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very thankful we are for the ultimate sacrifice made by our Lord Jesus Christ – he gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!

PENTECOST – THE BEGINNING

It Was A Really Big Deal!

On Sunday, May 23, many Christians will celebrate, Pentecost, remembering
the events recorded in Chapter 2 of the book of Acts.  But what’s it really all about?

Have you noticed it’s not even included on most printed calendars?  Some Christians don’t understand the great significance of what took place that day. And yet,  just 8 days before it happened,  Jesus specifically spoke about about it right before he ascended.

So what exactly are we remembering that warrants celebrating?  Some say it’s all about the Apostles receiving the holy spirit.  Some say it was a unique event relevant only for those at that time.  Others say that it is something about speaking in tongues.

But could that event have an even greater significance than most realize? Is it possible it was the greatest event to date in the history of mankind? What is the real significance of what occurred that day?

Perhaps after reading this article, you might consider that what happened on that day, recorded in Acts Chapter 2, is a big deal; a really big deal!

What Happened In The Garden?

In order to gain a greater appreciation of what occurred on the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2, one needs to understand what happened with Adam and Eve in the Garden. God had told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and if he did, he would surely die. If you’re familiar with the record in Genesis 2 and 3 then you know both Adam and Eve ate of that fruit.

God had said, “In the day you eat, you will surely die,” meaning that very day. Yet, if you continue reading, they both lived for many, many years. Was God wrong?

In taking a closer look at how God originally designed human beings, one can see that Adam and Eve were formed, made, and created with two life forms: soul life, and spirit life.

The absence of life is indicated by the word, “death.” What died that day for Adam and Eve was the spirit life God intended for all human beings to have. They lost spirit life.  It was the spirit life that enabled them to have a close personal relationship with God.

When they lost spirit life, they still had a physical body and soul life. But they lost their connection with the Creator. And, this loss of spirit life was passed on to all men and women. This was a cataclysmic event, with devastating consequences on all of mankind.

Through the centuries there have been hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, wars and other devastating events, including the pandemic that came upon the world last year.  But what happened in the Garden when Adam sinned was the worst disaster for human beings that has ever happened.

Even though there were only two people immediately affected, the consequences would be felt by billions and billions; the consequences would affect every single human being ever born, with the exception of Jesus Christ.

God’s Plan

Not understanding what happened when Adam sinned is one of the main reasons there is a lack of understanding the great significance of what happened on the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts, Chapter 2.  People fail to see the connection. But after the fall in the Garden, God set in motion a plan to redeem mankind, which would include restoring His spirit to human beings.

During the process of God’s plan, you can read in the Bible about how God gave certain individuals His spirit on a temporary basis; but it was not available to any and all human beings. For God to restore what Adam lost, it would require the completed work of Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind, to fulfill all that was necessary.

God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who willingly did His Father’s work in carrying out God’s great plan of redemption.  He laid down his life, a ransom, a full payment for the sins of the whole world.  And God raised him from the dead to die no more.

Jesus taught his followers on many occasions about the coming of holy spirit. It was a major topic at the last Supper.  The first time he got together with his disciples, after he was resurrected, he talked to them about receiving the holy spirit. On the day of the ascension, right before he left, the very last thing he talked about was receiving the holy spirit.

A New Beginning!

In Acts Chapter 2, after the twelve received the holy spirit and began manifesting one of the nine manifestations, namely speaking in tongues, Peter stood up and preached.  He taught them about Jesus Christ, the savior, and how God had made Jesus both lord and Christ, and that God raised him from the dead.

Peter also talked about holy spirit. He concluded his message by exhorting those listening to, “repent” (change their minds), get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and that they too would receive “the gift holy spirit.” About 3,000 accepted the invitation.

Part of the great significance of that day was that it was the beginning of holy spirit available for all of mankind. That was the day when God officially made His holy spirit available to anyone who accepted Jesus as lord and believed God raised him from the dead. Peter in fact, later referred to that day as, “the beginning.” It was truly a new beginning for mankind!

And while Adam and Eve could and did lose the spirit of God, this time around, God made it permanent. He has given those who believe in Jesus (that he is lord and that God raised him from the dead) eternal life, which means you cannot lose it. The reason God wants everyone to have His spirit is so that we could not only live forever, but also have a close personal relationship with Him by way of His spirit in us, just like He had with Adam and Eve in the Garden before the fall.

God Has Leveled The Playing Field!

Today we hear a lot about equity, equality, advantage, disadvantage, privilege, etc.  But beginning on that day of Pentecost, God leveled the playing field for anyone who believes in Jesus.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

God is offering tremendous advantage and privilege to “whosoever!”

In the Old Testament, only certain people had the spirit of God.  But today, each and every born again believer has the spirit of God, and the ability to operate all 9 manifestations of the spirit.  God made that reality available beginning on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts, Chapter 2.   No wonder Peter later referred to that day as “The beginning.”

In the Old testament, the bloodline from Abraham, were God’s people, by His choice, and He promised to be their God. And we can read about some absolutely astounding things God did for His people.

But since that day of Pentecost recorded in Acts, Chapter 2, there is a new arrangement.  The Bible clearly states that for those who are born again, God Almighty is not only our Father, but He is our God.  That day marked the beginning of what is called, “the Church of God.”  It is God’s Church!

What a great day in the history of mankind that day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts Chapter 2, really was!  God opened the door for anyone and everyone to receive His gift of eternal life, His gift of holy spirit, and, all the rights, privileges and abilities that go with it.

We can choose to read and believe what God has written to us in the New Testament Church epistles about who we really are and all God has freely made available to us.  It’s up to us to learn how to utilize and operate this gift of holy spirit that God has freely given to each one of His children.

Talk about having privilege!  God’s children, the born again ones, are truly the most privileged people on the face of the earth!   That day of Pentecost really was a very big deal!  It truly was the greatest event to date in the history of mankind!


If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean?  Click Here

Check out my YouTube channel;  recent video zoom teachings and over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!  Thank you!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

rose - 1Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!

In these days of cultural upheaval, I’m glad there is still a day set aside to honor moms.  And we should.  That’s why I’m once again  re-posting the following for Mother’s Day 2021, because Mom’s are very, very special!

If you like it, share it with someone!

MOM

Some governments use the word “ministry” to describe various functions, like ministry of finance, or ministry of education. The word “ministry” means service. Therefore, the minister of education would be one who serves the country with regards to education.

I believe being a mom is a ministry, a very, very unique service.

No woman can ever study hard enough or prepare long enough to be