Tuesday, December 3, 2013

"Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”” (Genesis 3:9)



“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”” (Genesis 3:8,9)

Adam and Eve hid themselves from the presence of the Lord. They disobeyed a clear command not to eat of the tree and now must face the awful consequences, “you will surely die.” They have good reason to fear, and yet, the LORD’s first words to them, “Where are you” are not of condemnation. He is looking for something and it’s not their hiding place!

Adam’s reply, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself” is evasive. His fear stems not from his nakedness but from his sin. And still the LORD continues, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat ...?” Once again Adam is evasive, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” He attempts to shifts blame to Eve and will not acknowledge his sin, the very thing God is looking for!!

The LORD continues to ask “where are you”? He extends mercy before judgment.

Monday, November 25, 2013

“Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4)



References to Satan, or the devil, are considered rather medieval. Surely nobody believes Satan really exists. Surely we have advanced beyond the superstitious thinking of the “dark ages.” How embarrassing!!! And yet, Jesus speaks of his existence. When castigating the religious leaders of His day, He likens them to the devil whom, He calls a “murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). The pervasive and diverse forms of the occult today, not only testify to the reality of this being, but to his power. It is worth noting that the Bible gives far more attention to his character and actions than to his existence.

Genesis 3:4 reveals a being who challenges what God has said. The LORD warned Adam with the words, “you will surely die” (Gen 2:17) and Satan opposes with “You will not surely die.” Both cannot be true! One is a liar.

The battle continues to this day. Satan continues to question, challenge and deny what it written in the Bible. There is no Satan, no judgment to come, no salvation, no God.

The question is ..... who do you believe? One is a murderer the other, a forgiving God.

Friday, November 8, 2013

"In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”” (Genesis 2:16,17)



“And the Lord God commanded the man [Adam], saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil  you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”” (Genesis 2:16,17)

The death penalty for eating fruit from a tree seems extremely harsh!! We would judge any society inflicting such a severe penalty as brutal and barbaric. Yet, God’s judgment is clear and emphatic. “You will surely die.” We could paraphrase it, “Be absolutely clear, you will most certainly die.” If the Bible shows us who God really is, then does this reveal a barbaric God?

The LORD’s command to Adam was a simple test of obedience. It did not require great intelligence, might or will power. The test revealed whether or not Adam would acknowledge God as sovereign. To eat of the tree was to send a message that God had no right to tell him what he could or, could not do. This is the essence of what the Bible calls “sin.” It is man refusing God the right to be God. The LORD’s answer to such rebellion is, “you shall surely die.”

We can never appreciate the necessity of  Christ’s crucifixion until we see the true nature of God. Jesus did not die on the cross as a martyr. He died because of the demands of a holy God.
 

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31)



“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31)
 
Everything in our world testifies to the marvel and glory of our wonderful Creator. His hand is evident in all around us, from the smallest creature to the vastness of the universe. All point to a Creator whose genius and creativity are immeasurable. Who but God could create a world of such complexity, diversity and beauty? Who but God could equip us with the capacity to feel deep emotions, think great thoughts or make ambitious plans? Who but God could place us in families and relationships to experience love, kindness and protection?

All that we enjoy comes from the hand of a loving and giving God. He has made all things good because He is good! This goodness extends to mankind in a special way for we have been created in His image (Gen 1:26, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” ). We can imagine, plan, communicate ideas, feel emotions because we have been specially created to be like Him. We have so many blessings to thank Him for! So much to praise Him for!

Read Genesis and look for things that teach you about this wonderful God. He wants you to know Him, and acknowledge and honour Him.

Friday, October 11, 2013

All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16)



 All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Bible claims that God is its Author. Such a claim has profound implications if true!! If true, then when I read it I am reading something that comes directly from the Creator. I hold in my hands a treasure of immeasurable worth. If true, I should expect to find answers to basic questions such as: Why did God create me? Why is there so much suffering in the world? What does He want from me? Does God care about me? Where do I go when I die?

But, how can one be sure that God is in fact the Author? There are of course many who challenge this claim but, only the Bible has fulfilled prophecy (Isa 53 is one of many examples) and a risen Saviour. But more than this, if the Bible is truly from God then surely He will confirm this as you read it. That He is the Author will be self-evident. In other words, if you come to the Bible with a heart that wants to know the truth, He will make sure you find it. God has no desire to keep in the dark those who seek His light. The most important revelation in the Bible concerns God Himself. He makes Himself known in its pages. He has a passion to be honoured for who He really is.

Read a few chapters of the Gospel of John. Look for God’s Promises.