I have truly terrible second-hand embarrassment. There are scenes in my absolute favorite movies and TV shows I will straight up skip or cover my eyes for if I know my least favorite part of the story is coming. It’s the impending doom and dread I can’t stand, watching an oblivious character walk back into the mistake or trap that they’ll later wish they could have avoided.
This is probably why I avoid rereading Genesis 3 at all costs. I don’t want to relive the most painful moment when the trajectory of humanity was forever altered. I ache reading any part of this story, but the words of verse 5 are the most gut-wrenchingly deceptive to me.
In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
—Genesis 3:5
Adam and Eve had only known pure intimacy, love, and belonging with their Creator. They had wandered this glorious garden with Him, conversing and caretaking and maybe even cracking a joke or two. And that’s something the serpent preyed upon—the desire to be like their perfect, wonderful God and attain His wisdom.
But the problem is, Adam and Eve fell to the lie that the one-bite method would be the most effective and efficient way to be like God.
When I try to find an instant holiness formula, or when I think my way through life has some shortcuts God just doesn’t know about, I find my heart wandering in that spiritual east-of-Eden land. I feel cast out of God’s presence, wondering how to get back into paradise. Though I can praise God that those feelings aren’t true in Christ, they do soberly remind me how much I value being with God. Is going against what God has instructed—even if it seems best, logical, fun, desirable, or gratifying to me—truly worth the cost? Do I value intimacy with God so little that I would see my way as a worthy trade for the closeness that comes when I follow what my Creator says is best?
God’s way is the way of the garden—the way where we move at His pace and are molded according to the true potter’s hands. That process takes time, patience, and stillness to allow God to create His wisdom within us. And it requires reorienting my priorities to be about being with Him, rather than doing for Him. As you contemplate what it means to be with Him today and as you ask for what you need from Him to resist sin’s allure, I’m praying you find “the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ,” because it has truly “overflowed to the many” (Romans 5:15).
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149 thoughts on "The Temptation and the Fall"
I have a lot of questions and sometimes not finding the answers keep me in the loop! All I know is that I believe in God, his first creation, and Jesus Christ as my ransom sacrifice! I intend to keep my faith and always trust and believe.
we’re born sinners and can’t be enough to be invited to heaven or do enough to be accepted by God, but because his grace and love we get to go to Heaven. “ it’s not about doing for him but being with him” we can’t do anything for God. He is the king of kings and Lords of lords!
Eye opener for sure.
M
I can hate myself for the slow progress that I’m making
I love this. Asking him what we need to resist sin’s allure. So good.
A great song to go with this day: Good (Adam & Eve) by Matthew West and Leigh Nash from the album Music Inspired By The Story
I pray that God would reorient my priorities to be about being with Him, rather than doing for Him.
Something else I wanted to share by theologian Howard Thurman that relates to this particular reading that just makes my heart rejoice. “Only a woman becomes a part of the experience of creation”. I don’t know about you She’s but I do know I am so glad God made me a woman and blessed me with all the wonderful things that come with this gender! I am proud to be a part of group that Jesus so intimately valued when the world didn’t and that God covered when sin entered the garden!!!
“And it requires reorienting my priorities to be about being with Him, rather than doing for Him.“ this section stood out to to me I always keep a to do list and at times put that over spending time with God and doing my devotional. I got behind yesterday and made myself make it a priority for tonight to catch up. Lord help me to crave reading your word and spending time with you more than my other distractions.
I’m very new to studying the Bible and faith in general but I’m eager to learn. If God is the creator of all, he then created Satan? And if sin is what separates us from Him, why didn’t he start over? I don’t know much about it.
Good question!
Yes, God created everything, including Satan – a fallen angel. Here’s an excerpt from gotquestions dot org:
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Satan’s fall from heaven is symbolically described in Isaiah 14:12–14 and Ezekiel 28:12–18. While these two passages are referring specifically to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, we believe they also reference the spiritual power behind those kings, namely, Satan. These passages describe why Satan fell, but they do not say when the fall occurred. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, witnessed Satan’s fall, and He mentions it in Luke 10:18: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” We know that the angels were created before the earth (Job 38:4–7). Satan fell before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1–14).”
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My response cut off.. but what I am so thankful for is the Lords love for us and that for Jesus’s sacrifices.. Genesis is a reflection for me of our Fathers love for each and everyone of us.. even when we may mess up.
Good afternoon, She’s! I have spent most of the evening busy so I am just now getting to my readings here on the West Coast.. but still.. I made it! Like others have mentioned, reading Genesis is HARD. It makes me so sad that Adam and Eve were given such a beautiful start with boundaries set by the Lord and temptation came and changed it all.. it’s cringy to read.. but then again isn’t this what a lot of us have faced at some point in our lives? Maybe not us living in Eden. But maybe we did something that our parents encouraged us not to do and then we had to suffer with the consequences.. or even worse.. maybe we did something that would upset our Heavely Father
Why would knowing good from evil be a reason to keep someone from living forever? Is the only way to not sin by not knowing good from evil, so since humans were thereafter destined to sin, they should not be made to live in/with their sin forever?
Great question!
From the Faithlife Study Bible:
“Adam and Eve had to be driven from the garden. To remain in God’s presence and eat of the tree of life would have resulted in them becoming immortal, thus thwarting the penalty for their transgression (2:17). Cut off from God’s presence, immortality was unavailable—they would eventually die.
“God’s statement here does not indicate whether Adam and Eve were eating from the tree of life before their sin and thus it is unclear if they were immortal (compare 2:16). God could be concerned that they will start eating from the tree of life or that they be prevented from continuing to eat from it. However, several factors seem to hint at their immortality prior to their sin. The tree of life was probably intended to perpetually sustain all life in Eden, in order to sustain its ideal state (2:8–9). In addition, God’s original command hints that Adam and Eve knew what death was but were currently experiencing an immortal life in God’s presence—the source of life itself (2:16). Adam and Eve also were allowed to eat from any tree but the tree of knowledge of good and evil (2:17).”
Why would knowing good from evil
Did God know that Adam and Eve would sin?
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It just goes to show how easy it is to fall into sin and what you think is best rather than listen to what the lord has in store for you. I’m glad I’m growing closer to god to learn to not fall into sin so easily and to follow what he guides me through HIS way.
I love pairing these passages of Genesis with Romans because it makes the parallels so apparent. The sin of Adam and Eve brought death to our world. One mistake separated us from God forever, but just one sacrifice changed everything. Jesus’s death on the cross ended the suffering and separation that had always been our reality. When you pair these passages side by side, God’s ultimate plan is so easily spotted. I thank the Lord for his plans that are greater than our mistakes.
Amen! Praise God for His goodness and mercy.
I love this.
God graciously refrained from striking Adam and Eve dead for their great transgression. Instead, He deferred judgement for later, that’s great mercy.
I never thought of it this way
God told Adam and Eve that if they touched the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good & evil, they would die! But instead of killing them , he showed mercy and grace by casting them out . He could’ve just ended humanity there and we would all cease to exist . But he let humanity go on so he could fulfill the prophecy and his destiny to die on the cross so we could once more be shown grace and mercy. We now get a choice to serve God . It’s a privilege and honor !
Such a great read! Super excited to continue on reading his word each day and see all the different perspectives from everybody
He let humanity go on for the same reason He created them. He wanted to. So since, was, and would always be part of the story because God wanted love, not robots or beings that had to do anything
God never said they couldn’t TOUCH the Tree, only that they couldn’t EAT its fruit. That was part of Satan’s deception: telling a half truth. What they gained from eating the fruit was an experiential knowledge of good and evil, rather than just an intellectual knowledge. They lost their innocence, which angels still have, because they have never sinned (except the ones who followed Satan.)
I keep singing the song, “better is one day in your courts, than a thousand elsewhere.” I want to seek God’s presence every day and every moment of the day. Where his presence is there is love, peace, wisdom and life! ❤️
Great song! Thanks for the reminder:)
God clothes them even just after their divisive act. God still cares
I noted that, too! Such a loving act.
Hey Heather! It’s going to be ok :)
I see not God’s anger, but His mercy and protection. If God hadn’t driven them out of the Garden, they would have eternal life with sin and death present forever. Yet, he protects them from returning to the Garden. They have consequences to their actions, yes, but God always had an ultimate plan. He didn’t want us to live with death forever, so He gave us Jesus, so we could be made holy and be free from death forever.
I hope this makes sense,maybe?
That helps me
This is my first time reading/studying the Bible. I am trying to become closer to God! And starting from the beginning has been really great to read! I never understood how scary that moment could have been to know that they went against Gods command.
Welcome and glad you are here to learn and grow in your faith journey alongside SRT sisters
Hello Shes
I watched “The Tree of Life” video from The Bible Project. “Grounding” the story of a tree from Adam to Moses to Jesus. God knows how sinful we humans can be. But He is the God of second chances.
I’m currently reading Tim Keller’s book Every Good Endeavor, which touches a lot on the effects of the fall on work. I found it really insightful, so I wanted to share some of what I’ve read.
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Gen 2:17 – God was saying, “I want you to do something for me, not because you understand why, not because you can see whether it would benefit you or disadvantage you. I want you to obey me, simply because of who I am, simply because you love me and trust me more than anything.”
It was an opportunity for the human race to voluntarily make our relationship with God the primary value of our lives and to obey his Word simply because it was his due. When Adam and Eve disobeyed this command, they put themselves in God’s place; they took upon themselves the right to decide how they should live and what was right and wrong for them to do. For them to become “like God” in this way was catastrophic. We were designed to know, serve, and love God supremely and when we are faithful to that design, we flourish. But when we instead chose to live for ourselves, everything began to work backward.
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Gen 3 – as soon as Adam and Eve sinned against God, they experienced internal shame, guilt, and brokenness. They suffered the natural consequences of working against their design.
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As we have seen in Genesis 1 and 2, work was part of God’s perfect design for human life, yet now we learn that work becomes, under sin, “painful toil” (v.17). work is not itself a curse, but it now lies with all other aspects of human life under the curse of sin. “Thorns and thistles” will come up as we seek to grow food (v.18). When we remember that gardening is representative of all kinds of human labor and culture building, this is a statement that all work and human effort will be marked by frustration and a lack of fulfillment. “Part of the curse of work in a fallen world is its fruitlessness.” This means that in all our work, we will be able to envision far more than we can accomplish, both because of a lack of ability and resistance in the environment around us. The experience of work will include pain, conflict, envy, and fatigue.
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Genesis 3:18 tells us not only that “thorns and thistles” will come out of the ground but also that “you will eat the plants of the field.” Thorns and food. Work will still bear some fruit, though it will always fall short of its promise. Work will be both frustrating and fulfilling, and sometimes, just often enough, human work gives us a glimpse of the beauty and genius that might have been the routine characteristic of all our work, and what, by the grace of God, it will be again in the new heavens and new earth.
Thank you for sharing this:)
Thank you for sharing this!
They knew it was wrong to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but were persuaded to do it anyways. That was how the lord learned about our sinful nature.
Katelyn Pierce and other SHES have already mentioned a song that often comes to mind with this passage: In the Garden. I took down our Christmas tree last night and found my plaque with this song on it. I had placed it behind the tree when decorating. Then I come here this morning and I am reminded of it.
This note on the text is from hymnary dot org:
“This text was written by C. Austin Miles in 1912. By his own account (as given in George Sanville’s Forty Gospel Hymn Stories), he saw a vivid dream after reading John 20, and was then inspired to write this hymn about the first encounter between Mary Magdalene and her risen Lord.”
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From Warren Wiersbe on Genesis 3:15 –
“God’s words to Satan are called the “protevangelium,” (“the first gospel”), because they are the first announcement of the coming Redeemer found in the Bible. To the Old Testament covenant people, this verse was a beacon of hope (Gal. 4:1–4); to Satan, it was God’s declaration of war, climaxing in his condemnation (Rom. 16:20); and to Eve, it was the assurance that she was forgiven and that God would use a woman to bring the Redeemer into the world (1 Tim. 2:13–15).
Both Jesus and Paul pictured false teachers as pretenders, vicious wolves disguised as harmless sheep (Matt. 7:13–15; Acts 20:28–31). Satan the counterfeiter has always had his children ready to oppose the people of God. The end of the age will culminate in the battle of Christ versus Antichrist, Satan’s counterfeit masterpiece (2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13). At the cross, Satan “bruised” Christ’s heel, but because of His death and resurrection, Christ “bruised” and crushed Satan’s head and won a complete victory over him (Eph. 1:17–23; Col. 2:14, 15). Back at the moment of the fall of humanity, God already knew what He was going to do for us.”
It’s the stillness and just “being” that challenges my busy mind. To truly take time, close my Bible and request the presence of my Savior for however long HE desires. I will forever be practicing this non rushed state. I’m so thankful HE knows me and will walk it out with me. ♥️
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GOOD MORNING sweet She’s!!! I woke up past 6 AM meaning I only had time to get dressed for work! I slept over nine hours! I did not hear my alarm. Just wanted to say good morning and I’ll have to read the later. I made it to work five minutes late, but it’s a good thing cause I’m always the first one here
Smiling!
This is my first time studying Genesis and to be honest, it intimidates me. It’s hard for me to picture an angry God when it’s easier to picture the loving God in the New Testament. It’s hard for me to come to terms with this story, since we know our creator is always more powerful than the serpent. I know that even in his anger with Adam and Eve, he provides them clothes and loves them. I related to the devotional when she said it’s a part she wants to cover her eyes, since it makes me feel guilty reading it. Thoughts???
Maybe it would help to think of God as a loving parent, heartbroken by his children’s sin. Sure, we get angry when our children disobey us, but at a deeper level, we are heartbroken because we know what is best for them. At least when we are parenting well. God always parents well.
Amen, Margaret..❤️
Hi Heather. I totally agree with you. I always blame eve for doing that, falling prey to the serpent. But I thank God that even in his ‘anger’, he still showed mercy towards them by clothing them.
Like many of you, I journal daily while reading SRT. This year, I decided to read through last year’s journal (i.e., Jan 7 on Jan 7)before starting the day’s reading/writing. It will be interesting to see changes in perspective or reminders of foundational beliefs, etc.
Just an idea I wanted to share…
Although I don’t keep a journal, sounds like a great idea for those that do!
Happy Tuesday. Praying for you all.
Happy Tuesday Kimberly ❤️
Love the reminder that the way to holiness is the long-game, not a quick fix!
Thank God for the long game since we fail daily..but by the grace of God, we are given new mercies every morning. How great is our God.
A long obedience in the same direction
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“Just one tiny bite—what harm could it do?” The Bible doesn’t record these exact words, but I can easily imagine the serpent whispering something similar to Eve. And how often have I fallen into sin with that same mindset, convincing myself that a little compromise is harmless? It’s humbling to realize how easily we can be deceived, especially in this day and age of instant gratification.
Lord, give us all wisdom to recognize temptation for what it is and strength to resist it. Help us rely on Your truth and not our own justifications. Guard our heart and guide our steps so we may honor You in all we do. Amen.
Great reflection and I agree with you.
Amen! ❤
Amen!❤️
“Prone to wander….” comes to mind. Oh, how quickly I too can be deceived and I’m sure old enough by now to know most often full well, that my sin, my choice, my response, my way was wrong. And, yet I also truly know my hearts desire is to be in communion with my Father.
Thank you, Heavenly Father for your great sacrifice and grace; that you don’t leave us naked and afraid in the garden. Thank you that you made the way and that “where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:20-21″…”take my heart Lord, take and seal it” to slowly, intentionally walk in the garden with you. Amen
Welcome to so new names joining SRT. This community offers encouragement, challenge, edification and insight. Christ be magnified.
Amen ❤
Well said, Wendy! ❤ Great song reference and a hint of one I planned to mention! ❤
Wendy B, I love that song! ❤️
Amen ♥️
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I am reminded Jesus spent some of his final moments communing with God in the Garden of Gethsemane. I absolutely loved what Katelyn Pierce said in her comment,”We need to walk with God in the garden.” Wow! Even Jesus was in the garden with God and he used so many horticultural metaphors like,” I am the vine and you are the branches.”
Jesus’s garden experience was a night of anguish but also a night of surrender.Jesus chose God’s will not his for all of humanity.
“Jesus’s garden experience was a night of anguish but also a night of surrender.Jesus chose God’s will not his for all of humanity.”
Beautiful, Tanya! ❤
GM She’s,
My first thought is WHY? Why do we not cherish walking and being in the presence of the Lord, in time and deed, and living for him. Our society has drifted so far from God, and happily, obliviously living in sin, although we don’t phrase it that way. We are just doing life, living our truth. I think it takes the extreme to kinda open our eyes to sin around us. You know, a REAL sin. Murder, rape, hurting a child…those get us riled up and say, yeah, there’s evil in the world. But what about just the act of NOT spending time with God, wanting to commune and be in relationship with him?
The closer our relationship with God, through Jesus, the more we desire to walk with him daily. What we value shows in our life, our priorities take our time and attention. Oh I wish I would have followed Christ much earlier in my life (although I have always been a Christian, it only showed in part of my life and actions!)
Yes Rhonda! ‘Why’ is such a great follow up question to my thoughts on where are you.
And 100% age with your last paragraph! ❤
Have you ever read “Respectable Sins” by Jerry Bridges? He talks about what you’ve just described…all the ways we justify our impatience, self-righteousness, anger, etc because we don’t actually think of those behaviors as being sinful. So good and SO convicting.
Rachel, thanks for the rec on the book! We have used his books in lifegroup, but not that one. ❤
You got me thinking Rhonda!
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Appreciate your thoughts Rhonda and the “Why?”❤️
Agree so much with this Rhonda. And as the serpent draws Eve to sin, I think we need to be careful who we spend time with. It is so hard because my own family is neutral. My husbands kids don’t believe at all from what I can see. I feel so alone in my faith sometimes. It is so sad that so many could “care less”. How they want to live is more important to them. They have been mislead and lied to by the “serpent”.
That must be hard. My brother doesn’t believe yet. I don’t believe my parents ever will
When I read Genesis 3, I’m always reminded that we (humanity) were trying to do things our way, be our own god or a better god in an act of disobedience and rebellion. We desperately need the way of Jesus. Praise God there’s hope: “He will strike your head..” (Genesis 3:15). And not to mention the glimpses of God’s grace, mercy, and love despite the actions of Adam and Eve, that He “looked” for them in the garden (I’m sure He already knew), asked questions, and covered them with animal skin (the first animal sacrifice). That’s the same God who seeks us out even when we fall short. That’s good news. ❤️
What a beautiful way to remind us of God’s grace! Thanks for sharing!
God is abundant, He has provided us with so much…The enemy knows if he can get us to focus on lack (the one thing we don’t or can’t have) then he can deceive us to turn away from our creator. God warns us to choose do what is right otherwise sin is waiting to creep in. Focus on the good, talk to God and not the devil. Ignore the distractions of satan.
So true Tiffany. If the enemy can get me to focus on the lack then our focus is off God. I needed to hear that this morning as I woke up feeling anxious and the “here we go again” feeling. I need to put my focus back on God and gratitude for all He is.
While reading this devotion this morning, I was instantly singing the hymn In the Garden.
“I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known”
He tells me I am His own. The joy we share when we are walking with Him is what we are seeking. Often, in a busy world, we look to other things to fill the void. But we need to walk with God in the garden.
My grandmother used to sing thus hymn. Thanks for reminding us we need to return to the garden experience made possible through Jesus.
Ahhh…beautiful reminder of this song. Thank you for that❤️
❤ beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Katelyn
Katelyn, I, too thought of this song and planned to mention it in my comment! ❤
That is a beautiful song and I have heard it so often, but the line that stuck out to me today when I read your post is “I come to the garden ALONE”…not with my phone, a sink full of dishes, my to do list in one hand, or a basket of laundry to fold. While we can worship any time, too often I try to multitask and not devote my time to God alone, which always results in being distracted!
Yes, CMS!
Emphasis: ALONE
Multi-tasking, not.
Yes! He wants all of our attention and I too have been guilty of multi-tasking.
My brother, who just passed away a month ago used to sing that song. Before he passed, there had been no response from him for two days. The song was playing in his room and he started singing along with the song. Such a tender moment and one of his last responses.
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ONE -BITE method stuck with me – how often I am antsy for His answer to my request; for instant knowledge and gratifications. This will stick with me as a necessary reminder for patience and know it is His pace that is right.
Amen
so here’s what struck me today — and I’ve read Genesis a million times! Verse 21! “The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.” EVEN immediately after THE big sin, God was providing!
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I also noticed this today too and couldn’t help but to be reminded and thankful for the grace and provision of God
This stood out to me from today’s reflection:
‘God’s way is the way of the garden—the way where we move at His pace and are molded according to the true potter’s hands. That process takes time, patience, and stillness to allow God to create His wisdom within us. And it requires reorienting my priorities to be about being with Him, rather than doing for Him’.
And then I was struck by God calling out to Adam and Eve: “Where are you?” Of course God knew where they were. But He wanted to know and hear from them themselves.
Maybe that’s the question God is always asking us? Where are you? After all we’re always seen by Him. But maybe He’s asking me to think about where I am in relation to Him. In which direction am I walking – toward Him or away from Him? Am I taking that time, patience and stillness for intimacy with Him, as Kayla said, to grow in knowledge and love of Him?
‘Where are you?’ speaks to me of God’s longing for me/us. And what an extraordinary, precious thing that is! God LONGS for us, to walk with us to be near us, to be fully in our lives!
Father, thank you that you care about where we are. Thank you that you desire that intimate closeness with us. Please help us to answer your longing with a deep longing of our own to grow in ever deeper closeness to you. Amen
Thank you for this, Vicki. I appreciate your thoughts and perspective on “where are you?” and I think it’s a good question to ask ourselves
Yes, this is so good, Vicky. What great thoughts, thank you for sharing them. God wants me to recognize where I am in regards to following Him, being with Him.
I love this Vicki, spot on!
❤️. Great perspective about the question “where are you”?
Great perspective and reflection.
“Where are you?”
Oh, Vicki! You opened my eyes today.
Thank you, Vicki, for sharing this! Amen to your prayer! ❤
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Your comment reminded me of a question I have often asked one of my kids: What are you doing. I knew what they were doing since I was looking right at them, but I wanted to draw their attention to their ‘mistake’.
I once met a guy whose name was God’s way.. that is deep!
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Where are you? My earthly fathers last words to me as I tried to get to him before he was called home..
There is something in that question, isn’t there..
I love how you put it Vicki, God longs for us..ahh, Father God forgive me for being so lapse about our relationship.. help me do better, please God..
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Great thoughts Vicki. I copied them into my notes:)
Lord, I need you…every hour of every day!
I need Thee, oh I need Thee.. every hour I need Thee.. I love this song.. thank you forvthe reminder.. Mari G..❤️
Amen
One bite method….it’s never worth it. Microwave, instant holiness is no holiness at all. God’s ways are always best and highest!
I was reminded again as I read Genesis 3 that Adam and Eve were in perfect communion with God in the Garden, yet the Serpent STILL deceived them! After this came the Law, where communion with God was reserved for those who entered the Holy of Holies. Only after Jesus came and gave His life may we again have that communion with God. Yet we still are constantly deceived by Satan, with the same phrase…”Did God really say?”We are deceived because we want to be like God. As I think about all the blatant sin that is running rampant in our World today, those sins are exactly this. Humans wanting to BE God. When I hear Christians twist God’s Word to make it fit their own wants and desires, it hurts my heart. I want to live my life looking TO God and allowing Him to rule my life. I want to bask in the communion I can have with Jesus as my Savior. Amen.
So good Laura!
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Amen
Free gift – these words just
There is so much goodness in this devotional today–thinking about how to move at His pace and not my own, resting in His promises and faithfulness.
I was reading a book the other day and came across a new perspective about knowing good and evil in v5–Adam and Eve already knew good because they were created in God’s image so they ate the fruit to know evil. And that really struck me because I’d never thought of it in that way. How grateful I am that we get to know the end of the story and for the work of Jesus in us.
That’s a very interesting perspective. Something to chew on. Thanks for sharing it.
In doing a deep study in Genesis I have read many commentaries and the one thing that has just resonated and stuck with him is that with one tree sin entered into the world, and through the second tree grace came abounding that would give us full access to the third tree (the tree of life) that was in the garden all along – Revelation 22:1-2. This is an idea explored more by Courtney Doctor in “From Garden to Glory”. And what has struck me so hard in this reading, and while I have known this my heart now sings the praise, that our loving and amazing God had the plan all along!
Amen!
Wow! Thanks for sharing this.
I love how Kayla reminded us, through God’s Word, that He wants us to be at His pace as in the Garden of Eden. To walk slowly and patiently, reading and meditating on His Word; taking His commandments and living them. Enjoying time with Him. Lord, may I live slower this year. May I bask in Your Word longer and take the time needed in prayer with You. May I long for time with You over everything else. And may my children see You more in me. Pointing them to You everyday. It is only through You. In Jesus Name, Amen
Amen
Tara, I agree with you; Kayla’s perspective on this text was different than I have heard before! Aren’t we all in a world that encourages us to rush?! May we be patient as we allow His will to be worked out in our hearts and lives!
Amen! I’m saving your prayer. This is my prayer for the new year. Thank you for sharing!
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Amen
Amen!!
Amen., Tara, Amen..❤️
I’m running late this morning and scratching my head wondering how I’m the first comment on the website (at least when I began typing). There are 3 on the app already, not sure if they will sync here?
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In case they don’t sync, here’s part of what Nicky Winterton said, “Crikey – …. I feel devastated for God, and the betrayal hurts my heart. But then I realise the scale of redemption through “one man’s obedience” and it makes me want to shout Jesus from the rooftops!”
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This is always painful to read (as Kayla said). What form did the serpent take that Eve would give him a second look, much less listen and act on what he said? Why did the serpent approach Eve first? Why did Adam listen to her? They both attempted to pass around the blame, but did they ever admit it was their sin and ask forgiveness?
I’ve thought more than once, why, why, why did y’all do that? But if not Adam and Eve, it would have been someone else … we already know what’s coming right around the corner with Cain and Abel. And we know the struggles we have to make the right choices and walk with God – SO SO thankful for Jesus!!!
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Loved yesterday’s comments, especially the new and old “faces” to study with ❤️
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for you, Jeff, the church and the young couple leaving. My heart hurts for you and Jeff. Agreeing with other sisters’ comments from yesterday. Praying the couple finds another church home and examines their own hearts in the process. I’m sure y’all are curious, as am I, where did they want or think the church should be going? Is this couple genuinely seeking something or trying to avoid a close look at themselves? And I don’t have any insight on what the younger generation thinks these days … are there other young people with similar thoughts?
Ahh, my dear searching, i was running late this morning too, only i couldn’t stop.
Absolutely with you in how thankful i am for Jesus..❤️
“ God’s way is the way of the garden—the way where we move at His pace and are molded according to the true potter’s hands. That process takes time, patience, and stillness to allow God to create His wisdom within us.” This spoke to me because I want to see growth yesterday! I get frustrated with myself and others when I don’t see immediate change. As Kayla said, there is no instant holiness formula. The song “Give it Time” by Terrian comes to mind. Lord help me to slow down and trust Your perfect gardening skills.
Amen ❤️
KAYLA great reflection on the motives of our hearts. Thank you.
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“Do I value intimacy with God so little that I would see my way as a worthy trade for the closeness that comes when I follow what my Creator says is best?”
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Fantastic question to consider when Satan whispers in my ear, “Did God say…”
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying the Lord comforts you and Jeff and gives you peace about this couple’s departure. Also continuing to pray for Natalie’s healing.
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Welcome to the new ladies joining us for this study. We hope you find the time well spent.
Amen.
“Fantastic question to consider when Satan whispers in my ear, “Did God say…”
Smart move, Kelly!
A holy “earworm”.
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Oh Lord Jesus, thank You for making a way back to our Father’s Grace and Mercy! Amen
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