Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
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



Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more