Highlights:
You will be thrilled as you read the three inspiring chapters today, discovering: God said. . . . God saw. . . . God made, describing creation. Read what God did in six days (chap. 1). Seventh day blessed and sanctified (Gen. 2:1-3). A help meet. Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan and forfeit the Garden of Eden. SIN, punishment.
Creation, as recorded in Genesis, is the testimony of our Creator God who made man in His own image. Man was made distinctly different from any animal in that God breathed into him the breath of life (Gen. 2:7).
The Lord God took the man (Adam), and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it (2:15). Man's responsibility was to obey the Word of God. Yet, God allowed man's love, loyalty, and obedience to be tested. In Eden, we are introduced to Satan, the one who came in the guise of the serpent (3;1). He is also called the dragon, that old serpent . . . the Devil (Rev. 20:2; Is. 14:12; Matt. 13:39; I Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:10). Satan did not reveal himself as the enemy of God or as a wicked deceiver intent on destroying every enjoyment of mankind (John 8:44). His intent was, and still is, to prevent man from obeying his Creator.
Adam and Eve were created to enjoy fellowship with God. However, He also gave them the right to choose either to be their own "god" and do what they wanted to do, or by faith to believe, without exception, that everything the Bible tells us to be or do is in our best interest. By choosing the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:9), Adam and Eve had foolishly listed to Satan, rather than relying on the Word of God.
Just as Adam and Eve's fellowship with God was dependent upon their obedience to what He had said, our fellowship with Him is also dependent upon our obedience to His Word. If we are to receive His blessing, enjoy the life of God, and have it more abundantly, we must choose obedience to the Word of God — which is to obey the Lord himself (John 1:14).
Those who receive Christ as their personal Savior, receive a new spiritual life — God's nature. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:13). As the new Christian reads the Bible, indwelling Holy Spirit will guide you into all Truth (16:13; comp. 1:12-13).
Thought for Today:
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous. . . . That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 5:19,21).
Christ Revealed:
As Creator (Gen. 1:1; compare John 1:1-4,14; Col. 1:13-17; Heb. 11:3). As the Seed (Descendant) of the woman (Gen. 3:15; Is. 7:14; 9:6-7). God sent forth His Son, made of a woman (Gal. 4:4).
Word Studies:
1:2 face surface; 1:6 firmament the open expanse of the heavens; 1:29 meat food; 2:3 sanctified made holy for God to use; 2:10 heads rivers; 2:11 compasseth surrounds; 2:14 Hiddekel the Tigris; 2:15 dress take care of; 2:24 cleave be joined; 3:1 subtile running; 3:13 beguiled received; 3:17 hearkened to suggestion to disobey God; sorrow toil, labor; 3:24 keep guard.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Our Military worldwide • Staff: Barbara Jean Loyd (retired) • Government Officials: Sen. Michael Bennet (CO), Gov. Jon Corzine (NJ), Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ), and Rep. John Sullivan (OK) • Country: Niger (10 million) in west-central Africa • Major languages: French and Hausa • Christian evangelism is limited • 89% Muslim; 10% animist; .4% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord and wait upon Him in your prayers, for He will hear you (Mic. 7:7).
Optional Reading: Matthew 1
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 12:15