Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Harmonious Family
Genesis 3:1-6
“… You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die….”Vs.3
Paradise Lost by 17th-century English poet John Milton published in 1667, tells the story of Satan’s rebellion against God, his expulsion from Heaven along with the rest of the rebel angels, and how he tempted Adam and Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit and fall from grace. Its sequel, Paradise Regained, tells the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness by Satan and how he resisted the Devil’s blandishments, thereby passing on humanity’s behalf the test which Adam and Eve failed.
“Genesis” means “beginnings.” This first book of the Bible introduces us to the beginning of creation, “The Fall,” the beginning of sin and all that goes wrong with the world. Genesis 2 ends with Adam and Eve living without guilt and shame, enjoying God’s creation and ruling together over it. Genesis 3:1-6 records God's test for man. God did not tempt man. Instead, we find that Eve was deceived and fell into sin while Adam, not being deceived, turned his heart away from God and unto his own desires.
1.      Trusting God and His Word
 Freedom can only be maximized if you know where the boundaries are. A fish is not meant to cross the boundaries of the water, but inside the water, it can maximize its freedom. Outside the water, it is not freedom, but death. So God establishes a boundary for Adam, which was one tree (Gen. 2:17). God gives him the choice of trusting His Word or not. And out of God’s goodness, He also warns him of the consequences: “you will surely die.” Instead of trusting God and his word, they trusted the word of a creature who we call Satan.
2.      Focus on things you have
God gave all the blessings for this first couple. Not only did they have lots of food, they had productive work—to take care of the garden; they had God’s presence as he walked with them in the cool of the day; and they had all this forever, as indicated by the Tree of Life. They had everything they needed. They of all people should have been most grateful. Yet they were not content. Instead of focusing on what they did have, they focused on the one thing they did not have.
Thought for the Day
"Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter". -Brad Henry
Prayer
Almighty God, help us to trust you and be content in what we have. AMEN



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