Text: Genesis 3:1-24
I can picture Eve walking in the garden that day. Unique and beautiful animals all around her, very Snow White-esque. Gold and topaz and diamonds scattered on the ground à la Cartier (Ezekiel 28:13), glorious plants and food, an abundant furnishing for her world. (I’m going with Whole Foods meets the Amazon rainforest here). Gracious provisions and so much more! It is paradise. Perfection.
If I’m honest, I wish that was all there was to tell – that the story would end here.
But then comes Chapter 3, verse 1, and the serpent enters the scene. The musical score gets low and ominous. Calamity is looming. The opponent of Christ, the deceiver of the brethren, a beast of the field, approaches Eve; and all I want to do is shout as if in slow motion, “Nooooooo!”
And the story does continue.
The tempter speaks, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Eve untwists his lie for him, but the evil one continues, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Like God?
All animals and gardens and precious stones become dull to her at this thought. She is no longer content among His plentiful provisions, but only has eyes for one thing. It is the thing she is told she cannot have.
I want to blame Eve for what she does next. I want to be so mad at her! But friends, I stand today just as guilty as she. She knew and I know that there is only one God. We both have everything we could possibly need in Him. But the thought of being in control – of being independent of my need for Him – and calling my own shots? Being the god of my own life? I’m afraid to say I have taken a bite of that same life-condemning fruit. I have been discontent to trust the Lord God in the garden of provision He has made for me.
Guilty.
With Eve’s sin and Adam’s, too, life as they know it is over (Rom. 5:12). Satan’s promise was an empty one. And life as we know it now includes death, pain, disease, sorrow and a deep, apparent need for a Redeemer.
I may have wanted the story to end with Eden, but I’m sure grateful it doesn’t end here.
We are no longer in the Garden, but we do have a Great Provider who will give us all we need when we need it (Matt. 6:25-34).
And the serpent? The serpent is crafty now as ever (2 Cor. 11:3), and the Bible says the thief still comes to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). But we need not fear him, for the doom of Satan has already been sealed (John 16:11, Col. 2:15, Rev. 12:9-10, Rev. 20:10).
And for us today? God’s Word is beautifully clear on that as well.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
Thanks be to God.
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101 thoughts on "paradise lost"
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I'm catching up on days that I missed; I wanted to just give up and hop on the next reading plan, but I felt inclined to go back and read. I' m glad I did. I get angry with Eve, not realizing I do the same things. Eve set herself up for failure by making God's original command more restrictive than it truly was. I see this with the church at times; we create standards and rules that God didn't make and they in turn distract us from God. Secondly, Eve was in the most beautiful environment, why couldn't she just be content? That's just like me. Unable to see how blessed I truly am and just looking for the next thing to complain about! What a revelation! I'm not even gonna mention the serpent because we all know he is a deceiver and liar, but the problem begins with OURSELVES (Eve in this circumstance.) We have to be rid of ourselves, and filled with Him in order to withstand the enemies attacks.
I am never satisfied! I always want more than what I have instead of being thankful for all that God has provided for me. And, in doing so, I am currently at risk for losing it all and I must say, it is this pit that I've found myself in that has me on my knees begging God for his mercy. I am so sorry that I fell victim to the temptations that were and are around me, believing that I held the key to my own success and happiness. I've been a fool, and it hurts me to know that I didn't even have to take this route had I kept looking towards the cloud at my God. My mind is so weak and fragile that I allowed the enemy to tempt me with what looked good that I forgot the importance of a person's heart, and charm has no place in the heart of a man of God. I feel like such a fool, but I am praying that God forgives me and understand that I lost my trust in people, therefore, I lost my trust in everything.
After the post yesterday about rising from dust and being given life from the Lord, today’s post is bittersweet knowing how the rest of mankind came to be on this earth. I’m sad Eve gave into temptation, but also grateful that now there is a great need and desire for God to be in control of our lives. Another reminder to “let go and let God”.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
PTL!!! I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about the last part of this verse…stay strong…resist…he WILL eventually give up. STAY STRONG! GOD IS THERE!! SEEK HIM!!!
I love that the capstone verse says RESIST the devil, and he will FLEE from you. We don't need, ourselves, to defeat him, attack him, yell at him, wail against him, or put forth very much effort at all. All we need to do is RESIST! And that's all it takes for him to not only leave us alone, to walk away, to drop it, but he will FLEE! What a great thing!
As I was reading Genisis 3, I noticed a little tidbit in there that is often overlooked… Genisis 3:21 says,”The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and His wife and clothed them.” That is a beautiful picture of Gods love and mercy. He had just rebuked Adam and Eve for what they had done and was about to banish them from “paradise” and yet, with His own hands, He made them clothes to wear. This is unconditional love! I’ve said it in an earlier post and I’ll say it again… God loves us where we are. He loves us just as much when we’re up to our eyeballs in sin as He does when we’re up on the mountain and in the center of His will. He doesn’t love us any less because of our sin. He is willing and READY to take us or take us back just as we are! There isn’t anything in us or about any of us that is good. What Jesus did is what makes us righteous. God no longer sees our sin, but Christs blood… And it is the Spirit in us who leads us to do anything good. We are human beings and, except for Christ-in Spirit form, living in us, we don’t have any power at all to do what’s right. The times I’ve seen God work the biggest and most in my own life is when I’ve come to the end of my rope, trying to do things in my own power, falling flat on my face and realizing I can’t, and crying out to the LORD to do it because I can’t. I don’t cry out,”LORD do it for me because I can’t by myself…” I don’t have any power, God has ALL power and through His Holy Spirit is the only way I can do anything. Do you get what I’m saying? I’m stubborn so God has had to put me on my face plenty of times to remind me of this. It’s not fun but I’m glad He does because it is a reminder to me that He loves me!
The thing that really stood out to me is that even as sin entered we have the promise that the offspring of Eve would bruise the head of the serpent (which we know to be Jesus) in Genesis 3:15. And as quoted above in Romans 5:12 we see that “by one man sin entered into the world” but if you continue on in Romans 5 we see the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 “Therefore as by the offense of ONE judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of ONE the free gift came upon all men unto the justification of life.” Romans 5:18
This really resonated with me today. I DO sin in the same way as Eve, so very often. Thanks be to God for his forgiveness and love. This has reminded me of the repentance I am called to on what surely needs to be a daily basis.
What does it exactly mean to "submit yourselves to God"? I struggle with this and am trying to be patient to let God guide me thru prayer and faith. But sometimes I still feel off track and/or impatient waiting for a sign of some sort.
As often as we want to be angry with God and not understand the path he has lead us, or circumstances to have happened to us, we must remember to trust in the Lord, and be always be thankful. We so often ask God for this and that, but do we take time to speak to him and thank Him? Not ask him for anything but thank him for our blessings? Matthew 6:25-34 really spoke to me today. Thank you SRT, and Thank You Jesus!
I’m a sinner guilty as charged of trying to be the god of my life, just like Adam, Eve, and each one of us. So grateful for our Lord’s strength, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. The great overcomer! (If that’s a word) I’m enjoying the quick pop up links to the scripture in each day’s devotion and I have followed the lead of our writers to open up my hardcover Bible with this plan instead of using my YouVersion app. Last night while reading, I found a prayer note I had written a few years ago and tucked inside my Bible. The words I wrote seemed oddly familiar. I then opened up my calendar and read a prayer note I that wrote last month and tucked inside my calendar, to read each day when I checked my calendar. The two notes were almost identical and I had not seen the note in my Bible in a long while. I love it when things like that happen! Like a reminder from God to keep praying those same prayers because He is listening and hasn’t forgotten them. Or me :)
Paradise may have been lost here on earth but we are filled with the hope and promise of Paradise in Heaven!
I'm thankful for the hope found in Jesus, and that God doesn't condemn us to death, even though we still have the desire to be like God and to be the lord(-esses?) of our own lives!
Eve’s fall reminds me that no one is perfect, that we need our redeemer and that I am just as guilty as she for disobeying God’s love. We sin and ask for forgiveness, we are constantly tempted by Satan, but we stray. I am not one to judge others for we all make mistakes. I hope to say a prayer and change my mindset every time I judge someone for their folly. I too, can do wrong, and resolve to do right through him.
On my first read-through of this text, I noticed how strong the enemy's deception is here. He is actually redefining death!
When God told Adam and Eve that they would "surely die" I believe that what He meant was that they would experience an immediate spiritual death, and an eventual physical death. Satan intentionally chose to ignore the spiritual death aspect and only tell Eve "You will not die" meaning she would not immediately die physically. It was beneficial to Satan for Eve to die spiritually, so that it would be easier to deceive her and her descendants in the future.
The enemy has a proven track record, all throughout the scripture as well as each of our stories, I'm sure, of twisting God's words and giving them a dull earthly definition while assisting us to ignore the full truth of what God has to say. Oh sisters, how important it is, not only that we know the scriptures, but that we constantly lay them before the Lord, asking Him to teach us all their intricacies!
Another interesting thought that I found was from C.S. Lewis. I have a C.S. Lewis themed study Bible with appropriate quotes from his writings scattered throughout the scripture for reflection. In this particular spot there was a long paragraph from The Problem of Pain which ended with this – "[Adam and Eve] wanted to be nouns, but they were, and eternally must be, mere adjectives."
What a revelation! We are meant to be adjectives, describing our great Lord to the world around us. What a greater blessing that is than being nouns all on our own.
As a college student looking to the next chapter holds, it is so easy to long for the control and independence to shape my life, to hold on with a tight grip to this abstract idea of success that Satan dangles infront of me. But today I want to learn from Eve, to relish in the garden that I am in and to glorify my Father for providing all that I need today and every day. He is enough!
Thank you, sisters. I am SO thankful for this community. I'm so much like Eve. I doubt God's word and intently focus on the thing I want or think God won't provide and I listen to Satan instead of believing God. I am seeking the Lord's deliverance from fear, guilt, and anxiety and I am FINALLY beginning to believe the truth of his deliverance and redemption.
" She is no longer content among His plentiful provisions, but only has eyes for one thing. It is the thing she is told she cannot have."
Father God, help me keep my eyes on You…to be content with what You have blessed me with…to be satisfied…Philippians 4:12
Thank God for his redeeming love.
I didn't really focus on Eve, rather what I learned from her. I wrote in my journal that the take away I got from the text was this…
We don't know how good we have it and how much God has blessed us right where we are. We're often too focused on what we don't have. We need to recalibrate an focus on our blessings and live in them.
I think this stems from thinking that God is withholding a blessing from us. That He doesn't know what's best for us, having to have that control. But when we surrender to Him, live in our blessings and trust that He does and will give us all we need, our lives and hearts will look so different.
This is my first day reading this devo and I can already tell God is going to do big things in my heart through it!
These words come at a good time. I was so weak yesterday with the stomach flu and not ready for the enemy to attack me. Doubt came, worry hit, and I was a mess. The enemy is relentless. These days of "A Fresh Start" are such a blessing. I will submit to you O Lord as my Provider (just as you have always been!)
Lord I pray that when we are faced with deception, You would remind us of Your truth. I pray also that when we desire something You have spoken against, help us not to doubt Your reasons and instead give them over to You to have Your way in; changing our desires to match Yours. Thank You for Your unfailing goodness. Amen
It's easy to blame Eve for what happened in the Garden. God told her ONE THING to do and she couldn't. I feel like the serpent was her scapegoat… I know I have done many wrong things because someone if something made me feel justified in doing it. I am resolving to pray more about issues than talk about them. Sometimes advice from a well meaning friend can lead to a wrong action. I'm so thankful Jesus is so full of grace and forgiveness.
We serve such a great God.
Somehow I've always seen Eve as stupid, as less than me, for believing the serpent and taking what he had to offer, as if she were falling into some Internet scam and should have known better. This particular study is very convicting for me, because so often I find myself in doubt and decide to make my own life decisions and call my own shots. Until now, I've never realized the correlation between mine and Eve's sin, and our mutual longing for self-reliance and our huge blindness in the way of our great and glorious creator, our ever-loving savior.
I loved this post today! I have thought before: "how could Eve be so dumb?" But this a great perpective on how we are similar and often try to take things into our own hands when we don't like the plan or the outcome. I also really enjoyed the added text throughout the post to link back to the original message, especially the excerpt from Matthew! Worry is a strong emotion for me as a first time mom and it's something I'm continually trying to give up to God.
I loved the description of the garden of Eden; Eve truly was in a blessed place, and sacred, lovely beauty was all around her! Yet, Satan's lies "dulled" the truth of the beauty around her and completely twisted her perception of everything. Instead of God being loving, faithful, and someone who had abundantly blessed her, He was seen as the guy jipping and oppressing her. How easily and chronically I fall into this lie as well! Lord, help me today to realize the blessing that is this situation! Fix any twisted perception I have on everything, and replace it with your good and beautiful truth! I am walking on Holy ground, here; I need to realize it more.
I thank God for all of you, sisters! I am so blessed to have this diverse body of women to relate to and discuss things with! Blessings on all of you!
Satan's promises are always empty ones. Thankful for this reminder this morning.
I also just want to mention that a lot of people blame Eve for eating of the fruit first, but my pastor did a sermon on these verses a few months back where he pointed out that even though Eve ate first, Adam was standing right next to her the whole time the serpent was talking with Her ( Genesis 3:6b). Adam could have stopped her, but he ate the fruit as well.
To me, this shows that no matter who it was who was there that day, as man beings, we all would have fallen for those lies and been banished from the garden. Such a humbling reminder that we would have done no better.
Lord, help us to be satisfied with what You have provided for us, because even if we want more, we know that You have and always will provide for us what we NEED. Thank you for this site and for the women who write and the ones who read, Lord bless them all today and give them the strength and the courage they need to make it through the day and to draw closer to you, thank You, Lord!
We are no longer in the Garden, but we do have a Great Provider who will give us all we need when we need it (Matt. 6:25-34). Even though we sin too, He Still provides! What a loving and faithful Father.
Oh, Lord! Help me to bend my knees and submit to you, fully…….Help me to discern, Your ways from my own……..Give me a new lens to recognize serpents in my garden, with clarity and Your wisdom……..Amen.
Amen!
Amen. I couldn't have said that any better.
"Give me a new lens to recognize serpents in my garden." Amen and amen!
There are WAY too many revelations to discuss them all here. My hiliters got a serious work-out today.
But one of the things that really caught my attention was that Eve knew the Word of God, and attempted to use it. She is actually quoting God's Word. But still made the wrong choice.
We know that when Jesus was in the desert, He used the Word of God to refute the enemy – and it worked. But Eve, well, it ddint work so well. I find that I, myself, know a lot of the Word of God – enough to discourage the enemy – do you think the difference is that Eve didnt realize the serpent was the enemy? We know the lies of the enemy – Jesus sat face to face with the enemy – do you think that Eve knew he was an actual enemy?
No, I don't Janee; if she did, I could see her giving him the benefit of the doubt (in a world where no harm was done to anyone, why would you need to doubt a creature?) deepy down, it probably quickly became clear to her that He was offering her sin, but by then, she was already into it.
This is such a great point, though. I'm a huge people pleaser, and often, I'll find myself pretty much justifying a person's actions when they hurt me or are trying to take me away from the will of God because I want to think better of them- when deep down, I know the truth. A lot of the time, I don't realize Satan's schemes and attacks on me until they're really messing with my head and life. This is a big, needed reminder to be alert and rooted in truth! Thank you for bringing it up!
I totally understand the people-pleasing issue. I used to 'keep friends' who were not 'bad' for me. I know, sounds really sad. I knew they werent good for me, but never saw the slippery slope I was treading in their midst. Now I see clearly the Truth…..and you are right, it is so important to be rooted in the Truth – deeply rooted.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Eve misquoted God's words. She said, "You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." God had said that they were not to eat the fruit from the middle tree, but he never said for her not to touch it.
One thing, maybe, to think about is whether we actually know God's word. What an incentive to be actively in the word. That being said, actualy quoting scripture is not a guarantee that we will be free from messing up, that's our lot as humans, we mess up. We are always going to be sinful creatures, there is no method that will always work to avoid sin. We cannot do it on our own.
You are absolutely right Michelle. It reminds me that if I am going to counter the lies of the enemy – or – speak any kind of Truth into a persons life, I better KNOW the Word I am speaking.
I heard a pastor once say "If you are coming to hear the Word of God, you better bring the Word of God – and make sure they're not lying to you". We can't counter the enemy with partial truth – just like what happened to Eve, it failed. Thank God we have a God that wrote 66 books of love letters to us for us to use as not only a security blanket, but as a weapon.
Be blessed today Michelle
I agree Michelle we can't go around misquoting the word and expect it to work. It is very important for us to Know the word- it's our weapon to fight the enemy. To use this weapon and for it to work, you must learn it and know it, otherwise it could be used against you- like it did eve.
Our God is so jealous for us… It reminds me of the lyrics to that song 'He is jealous for me, love's like a hurricane, I am a tree..bending beneath the waves of His wind and mercy.' God was so good then, and He is still so very good now and forevermore. We mustn't forget and always remember His staff and rod is comfort. He is totally in control, what a lovely reminder for today– 'He opens His hands and satisfies the desire of every living thing' Psalm 145:16. PRAISE The Lord!!!! Have a blessed day sisters!
What struck me most was when you laser-focused on the heart of what Eve wanted…to call the shots. Gosh, I relate to that! As a mom of 3 and a business owner, I do get to call the shots a lot and when I'm asked to submit to authority that I don't agree with…or even am fine with, but feel that my freedom to make calls for myself is being threatened, I quickly become like a cornered tiger. I want control! I don't always see the {lovely} limitations God has put around me…my garden… as His love towards me. I don't see my freedom in His protective boundaries as true freedom…I want what I can't handle. Just like a child, I want to jump and grow and leave. The difference is that what I desire most is HIM, but I don't always see that. Praying for eyes open wide today to my Fountain of Living Waters.
How often I forget to be satisfied with what I have and to see the beauty of all that is around me! I too fail to remember just like Eve that God is our provider. But thankfully I have a savior who is always there to help me and forgive me for "when I am weak he is strong" THANK YOU Jesus!
I love this SRT tradition of returning to the Creation story with each new year – it reminds me of my connection to Eve and how, as women, we all have some of her in us. I also wanted to let the writers know how much I love the use of Scripture in today's devotion. I flipped back and forth in my Bible, reading each reference, because I wanted to have full understanding of the teaching this morning. Thank you, sisters.
I too, enjoyed the use of the scriptures in today's reading! It so wonderfully fleshed out what was being said.
I also felt the last 3 scriptures given (James, Ephesians, and 1John) are my scriptures to post for they state exactly how i am to live to be able to resist satan.
Amen! I loved it too! There is nothing better than studying the old and new testaments side by side :)
I am seriously loving this reading plan and this community. It is so refreshing to open the Word each day and watch God speak life into each of us and collectively into this family. Today I learned how easily deceived that I have been in the past to just sit in my own self-pity and compare myself to others, focusing on 'lack' rather than God's abundant blessings. Genesis 3 also reminded me that God is always watching with His loving hand on us, and He knows of our sins before we even confess them. Satan tries to get us to hide from God and cower in shame when we have made mistakes, but God is ready and waiting with open arms, ready to provide despite our messes. My heart is full this morning ladies! Praying over this community today.
Yes! so agreed to all of this, I'm right there with you. I love how God was seen walking in the garden, looking for Adam and Eve (verses 8-10). He's always been seeking, loving, and providing for us, even in knowing our blatant rebellion towards Him!
When our lives are a mess or when society is a mess, we should always go back to the beginning. God gave Adam the role of protector when he warned them of the tree of good and evil and I find it interesting that Satan approached Eve in the Garden however, Adam listened to the voice of his wife and did not protect her and her role was lacking when she was not the help mate that God intended for her to be. She was deceived. Adam was passive. God designed our gender roles to compliment each other and Satan with his lies and temptations has been our struggle against who God is. Thank you for the passage today. Shows the faithfulness of God when we forget
This has hit me too. Both Adam and Eve did wrong, and you have phrased it so well. Humans were given free will by God, to make choices, and to not be little robots. But, God came daily to stroll with them in the garden, to be with them and guide them. Adam and Eve chose to be independent and to focus on what they could (and should) not have; to "be discontent to trust the Lord in the garden Of provision".
"God gave Adam the role of protector when he warned them of the tree of good and evil and I find it interesting that Satan approached Eve in the Garden however, Adam listened to the voice of his wife and did not protect her and her role was lacking when she was not the help mate that God intended for her to be."
—– TOTALLY AGREE! I learned that it is important to stick to the roles God has assigned to us, that even if our husbands fall short at times, he has his own accountability to the Lord (and I do too with my own role!), and to not be afraid even if my husband commits some mistakes in decision making, because that's how the Lord trains him to be a good leader of the family! :)
I have listed down some of Eve's Actions (which I am very prone to do as well) which led to the Fall:
1. NOT HOLDING ON TO GOD'S WORD – She gave a chance for the serpent to justify what she heard from the AUDIBLE WORD of GOD in her time. She didn't recognized which is the TRUTH and the LIE! (Study and Meditate on God's Word daily so Satan's Lies loose its power over us!)
2. INGRATITUDE – She suddenly forgot what the Lord has already given and wanted what she could get once she eats the fruit. (Count our gifts and discover that what we have is more than enough!)
3. SHE WASN'T CAREFUL ON WHERE SHE FOCUSED HER EYES ON – The moment she set her eyes on the fruit, she could't take her eyes off of it, thus, she gave all the power for Satan to tempt her more!
4. SHE DIDN'T SEEK THE COUNSEL OF HER HUSBAND (This is my favorite!) – She already took a bite, then gave some to her husband without even asking him what he thinks of what she was about to do! I am reminded that I am PROTECTED from Satan's Schemes under my husband's wisdom which is given to him by the Lord!
**This year Lord, I pray that I may be able to RESIST the attacks of the enemy through Your Grace — by HOLDING ON TO YOUR WORD, BEING GRATEFUL, BEING CAREFUL ON WHERE I FOCUS MY EYES ON (especially when I am in front of my computer!), AND BY ALWAYS, ALWAYS, SEEKING THE COUNSEL OF MY HUSBAND in every small or big decisions that I will make. In Jesus Name, Amen.
This is wonderful!!
Misce, your words are such a blessing today! Although young and unwed, God spoke to me about seeking the counsel of my first love and spiritual husband (Christ) and of my father (a very Godly, wise man, whom God has placed in authority over me until I am wed) in everything I do, big and small; to be reminded that I must seek Christ in all matters was very guiding, affirming and encouraging! Thank you, sister :)
Amen to that AnnaLee! It is God's will for us to submit to the authority He has placed above us. It's always for our protection! :)
These are great!
I do want to point out that although Eve did not seek the advice of Adam, he was standing right next to her during this conversation between her and the serpent (genesis 3:6b) and he didn't stop her, and then he took a bite as well.
This reminds me that our husbands are human as well and that even though we need to seek their counsel as they are meant to be the spiritual leaders in our homes, we also need to seek the ourselves of our Heavenly Father above all else. I am newly married (almost 2 years now!) and I know that I have blind spots where my husband helps me see and leads me, and that he also has blind spots where I need to take the lead for a little while. But when we both are blind and let Jesus take the lead, is when we know we are on a path we can follow blindly and happily.
Have a great, blessed day!
Sister, I totally understand where you are coming from. :) I've felt the same way in my marriage. My husband is a great leader in the family, however, I felt that he had some areas that he needs to grow in the area of handling finances. We've had seasons (during our first 4yrs of marriage) when we had to suffer consequences because of some of his decisions on how to properly handle our money. During those times, I've been praying, but I've also been unconsciously trying to take the lead in that area by questioning his decisions, and sometimes submitting yet pouting when I don't like his decisions (it's hard to suffer the consequences when you know that it can be avoided had he only he listened!).
Until I've read the book LIES WOMEN BELIEVE by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and I'll quote the part that hit me the most:
"You feel you have to take charge of the finances because he is irresponsible with money? He may go bankrupt. But that may be exactly what it takes for God to get his attention and change his character. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO LET HIM FAIL — BELIEVING THAT ULTIMATELY, YOUR SECURITY IS NOT IN YOUR HUSBAND BUT IN A SOVEREIGN GOD WHO IS NOT GOING TO FAIL YOU."
Since then, I decided to back off in every area of decision making, not only in finances. I give my opinion when he asks, but when he decides on something I make sure he feels my support, if deep inside I don't agree, I just pray that the Lord may change his heart and grants him with wisdom. It wasn't easy (for both of us), he had to learn the hard way with the years of dealing with the consequences, but I've seen him grow so much in handling our finances. And the change that the Lord has done to his heart and his character could NEVER be compared to those years of experiencing the consequences of his decisions. We've became closer to the Lord and closer to each other as well. On my part, I have come to understand why the Word of God tells me to Submit to my husband in EVERYTHING. (Eph. 5:22-23)
Praying for more blissful years to you and your husband sis! :)
Thanks for reminding us of those 4 things! Great points : )
I love the word of God! It's so uplifting and encouraging. Thank you for your faithfulness to this study each day. Praying for strongholds to be broken for those of us struggling. With God all things are possible!
I always say that Satan is crafty, but he is not creative. He pulls the same tricks with us, today, as he did with Eve.
He wants us to question God's Word (Gen. 3:1 – "Did God really say…?")
AND
He wants us to question God's motives (Gen. 3:5 – "For God knows…")
Eve's downfall was that she doubted God's Word and began to believe that he was withholding something good from her. I know that I have to guard my heart against that when I look around me and think how much easier life would be if I only had "that."
We must be on the lookout for Satan because he will attempt to plant the same seeds of doubt in us that he did with Eve.
"But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ." – 2 Corinthians 11:3
In a world where we use the word "hate" for so many insignificant things, I am challenged to only hate my sin. This is so I can live my life as one of God's holy people, blameless and set apart as I embrace living this life in humble repentance — putting on the full armour daily, so that Satan can not penetrate my armour.
Oh, Lord this is my prayer for us all, may we love you with ALL our heart and hate sin, as you hate it–with no justification–just pure sorrow and repentance.
Yes. I love this. "I am challenged to only hate my sin." Father, put in me a blameless, wholly devoted heart!
This passage falls in line with my OneWord365. Trust. If Eve Trusts God, is content in all God has done, she doesn't give into temptation. She runs to God. Tattle-tells! But my "mother Eve" I am so like her. I listen to others, to opinions, to that nagging doubt in my mind, heart and take the bite. Ouch!
But in steps the Redeemer!! This was always the plan! Jesus wasn't Plan B! God could have started over and over and over again. But He didn't. He chose Redemption instead. He. Chose. To. Redeem. Us!!
Would there be internet in the Garden? Or a She Reads Truth Website? I don't know. But I'm grateful for today, this life, this gift. Praise Him Today, He Is Good!
Thankful for my SRT Sisters for sure!
Im not sure there would be internet :)
But I love the visual of all His daughters (Our She Reads Truth Sisters) sitting in the cool of the Garden, listening for rustling of the trees, as God approaches to share the abundance of provision, with all of us who have gathered.
Please, sisters, pray for me today. I have dealt with anxiety attacks for so long, and one hit last night that Jesus delivered me from, but another is stirring and I can't seem to shake it with breathing or medicine. Todays reading was so good, I'm still marveling at yesterdays in the velley of dry bones
God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind! Trust in the Lord with all your heart! God isn't surprised by your situation. He's right there with you. Lord Jesus, please be with our sister Heather today. He needs you to calm her spirit. To be her Shepherd, To lay her down in green pastures, by quiet streams, to restore her soul, to lead her to paths of right standing, for Your Name's Sake Lord help her to fear no evil, and know that You are with her and comfort her.
Amen, and in full agreement with Shelly!
Praying for you.
Prayed for you sister…
praying for you that your thoughts are on truth and not the lies that cause the anxiety.
Heather, I feel for you. I pray that today you would find peace in the embrace of Christ. Keep your Bible close at hand today, and bury yourself in His Word when you feel the anxiety coming on. Ephesians 6:17 tells us that the Word is our Sword…use it today to fight the enemy!
Precious Heather Elizabeth, fear, anxiety and guilt…none of these come from God, so whatever the enemy is telling you is pure lies. Tell him to take them right back where they came from! Once you let him in the door of your mind and allow him residence he thinks he can stay. You have to kick him out!
I speak from experience friend. The more I listened to his lies the worse it became. I was becoming trapped and paralyzed by fear and anxiety so badly that I couldn't function. The only answer was deliverance through the power of the Word and prayer.
Like the other sisters said, get your Sword, the Bible, and start praying scripture out loud as a defense. If you don't know where to start go to the Psalms, for instance Psalm 27 is a great starting place! Read it aloud and with authority, over and over if you have to until YOU believe it….the devil already does! He trembles at it! Then try Psalm 46, 8, 91, 93, 100, 103 and 121….these are some to get you started :)
Bind the fear and anxiety in Jesus' name and then loose the peace of God in its place. If you bind something you have to loose the opposite. Don't cast it out, only bind it. Take authority!
Here is one of my stories of deliverance, I am hoping it encourages you today. (It's kind of long, you can skip down to about halfway if you like, the first part tells where I first went overseas to live.) We are all praying for you and calling your name. God can do the same for you!! http://www.hopeinthehealing.com/faithjourney/
Heather, I'm praying for you. I also struggle with anxiety and feel nervous and anxious so many days for no particular reason. The verse from Timothy that Shelly wrote helped me through many days last winter when I was in a job I felt so inadequate for. I do have fear, but it's not from God! God gives me his power and incredible love, and I try to have the self discipline to focus on him, do what I can do, and trust him that he has it all under control.
You are in my prayers. Can you read some scripture to help calm you down?
You are not alone! I too struggle with them. Any fear or anxiety in you is not from God, but is a lie from, Satan and it can be extinguished with God's word! God's words do not lie- Luke 1:74-75: "[Christ has come] to RESCUE US from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us TO SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." Sister, I'm praying this verse and others for you right now. May God be your stronghold and may you lie down in peace and safety!
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." -Psalm 91:4
"The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe." Psalm 18:2
Praying for you! God is your protector he will keep you safe!
Wow..I am so humbled, so overwhelmed and so comforted by you ladies' truth and spirit filled words. I just got out of school and I am so encouraged to receive the verses that brought truth into your lives and the gracious and powerful prayers you said on my behalf. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, I am reading the passages now! Seriously, y'all are awesome. Thank you for your love and encouragement in this time, I am forever grateful. Wanted to share this passage I came across on the ever so wonderful instagram; Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the river- Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never a dropping leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruits every season." I stopped in my tracks when I read, "Trees replanted in Eden! Like how amazing is that, we are part of God's plan to restore Eden, this beautiful promise of his, is being fulfilled through the women who stick with Him. Thank you, sisters, for sticking with God and allowing him to bear fruit through you. I treasure these words of wisdom.
Wow! Such great verses in here! Nothing but the truth. So when I am tempted or feel Satan pulling my arm, I must pull out these verses and attack!
" I have been discontent to trust the Lord God in the garden of provision He has made for me." This line really struck me. I think about how often I am tempted to manipulate my circumstances because I'm just not sure that God is going to take care of things. Why would I even think that, when I live in a "garden of provision" that He has so clearly made for me and faithfully tended?
I completely understand! I live in my own Garden of Eden surrounded by family and food and provision and, yet, I find myself looking for that something that I don't have instead of being content with the PLENTY that I have been given.
So true! That line really resonated with me, too. In a Bible study, a speaker once said (in speaking about the book of James) that we doubt because we don't believe and trust that God has our best interests at heart. I have never forgotten those words. And like you, I try to work hard and control my circumstances because I'm not sure God will take care of things. I live as if it's all up to me. And then I just feel stressed, and I feel unconfident and inadequate. Because I am inadequate, and God doesn't expect me to be able to do it all. He wants me to trust him!
There is nothing better than our loving God being in control. Period. If I could just remember this, how much better my life would be – and how much closer would I be to my Heavenly Father. There is much to reflect on in this powerful devotional, but this is what grabbed me. Thank you, srt!
So thankful! So thankful to serve a God who loves me no matter what. Every time I read this passage and what Eve does, reminds me a lot of myself. How easy it is to fall into Satan’s trap and lies. He is roaring like a lion and very alive today. I am thankful to have God’s word reminding me to FLEE from him and SUBMIT my life to him daily. God will protect me.
"But the thought of being in control – of being independent of my need for Him – and calling my own shots? Being the god of my own life? I’m afraid to say I have taken a bite of that same life-condemning fruit."
I am so convicted by these words this morning!! Amen and amen!!
I, too, am grateful the story didn't end with Eden!! The world was– and is– hungry for a redeemer… And Praise The Lord! He lives!!
God's instruction to Adam was compromised by Eve's disobedience and view on God's instruction. What I have to be careful of is doubting, disobeying and going against God's Will as the result of someone else's actions. Love those that don't love me. Pray for those that use me. Minister to those that despise me. Just because someone joins in on my party of "who does she think she is", doesn't mean that I'm at the right party. Just as Eve could have dismissed Satan's deception, I too can dismiss the urge to murmur and complain about someone else. I could have every right to complain, be angry or turn my back. However, that is not what He is calling me to do. He has called me to go to the person and love them, not listen to outside sources. What I received from this passage is much deeper I guess because of something I am currently dealing with, but it was right on time. To God be the Glory for revelation in all things!
Thank you for sharing this TMichelle! I can completely relate to moments where I am among others who share my negative thoughts or opinions and I forget that it doesn't make them okay. It is so important to be compassionate on others, despite what others might think or say in response.
Amen! To God be the glory for revelation! I find that some of my best moments with Him happen when I am being taught – whether that be in church, Bible study, reading, or whatever – on a certain passage, and the Lord steps in and shows it to me from an entirely different angle than what the teacher is pointing out.
So glad you could have this experience and share it with us!
Re-reading Genesis 3 this morning has made me realize that I am as guilty as Eve, there are so many times where there is fruit filled with lies dangled in front of me, sometimes I am strong enough to fight the urge to eat that fruit and other times I believe the lies so much that I take the fruit and run with it, I am as guilty as Eve. But I can take great comfort in knowing that God is in the midst of all of those sins, that I am forgiven and led back to the right path. It is a constant reminded that we cannot be angry at Adam & Eve because we are just as guilty. This morning I am thankful for new mercies EVERY single day, for the beauty that comes from Grace and the comfort that comes from redemption.
I love this Colleen! It is so true that we often are as guilty as Eve, but God keeps His loving hand on us and pulls us back into His mercies when we fall into our own messes. I like what you said about his new mercies being there EVERY day because they are, and I know that I struggle with being distracted by things that do not matter when everyday His blessings are there to fill my heart to a joyful and contented state.
Praise God!
I too am guilty of not being satisfied with the many blessing that are seen and focusing more in the things that are to come. Thanks for this beautiful reflection!!
I just wanted to comment and say hi to another Denson! Rarely meet others with my maiden name :)
He is ALL we need. We are definitely not in control. Praise God for that!
I’ve been tempted to be mad at Eve, too, but then I remember I’m not perfect either, & I’m so thankful that it’s not my name up there & that had it been me, I’m sure I’d have given in to temptation just like she did. Thank god for forgiveness & redemption.
Praise God that he picks us up out of our sin, dusts us off and sets us on the right path again. I am so thankful for his love and grace, and that he is always there for us. Even when we don't deserve it.
That is so true Kimmie. We don't deserve the things that God gives us, and yet he continually provides. In verse 21, it says that he made garments for them after they had sinned. He gives us so many provisions despite our own messes and shortcomings. We are so blessed!
Amen.
The devil often tempts us. He honestly tempts us everyday. We just have to be strong and remember God's word! I apfeel so blessed to have a loving and forgiving God.
AMEN…and Thanks be to God for sure!!!. For everything……..AMEN.
Be Blessed dear dear SRT sisters today in all you do. X x
I have always been angry at Eve for this, but I recognize that I do what she did sometimes multiple times in a day. Thank God for His love. Even in Genesis 3:21, he shows them love by making clothing for them, even when they sinned. He loves, He provides, and He's already told us the ending of the story :)
I too have found myself angry at Eve. She should have known better. I am thankful however that He gave His Son so that we could be saved from what they did.
Jesus died so we can be saved not from what Adam and Eve did (though that is a part of the beginning of sin), but so that we can be saved from what we do. I am guilty and in need of God's grace all on my own. Praise Jesus for his sacrifice and Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy!