At this point, Satan had Eve teed up. He had planted the seeds of doubt in God and in God's word. She was ready for destruction, primed for manipulation. (4 Minutes/900 Words)
Read moreThe Fall (Genesis 3:4-6)
The Fall
(Genesis 3:4-6)
How Not To Respond to Temptation (Genesis 3:1-3)
How Not To Respond to Temptation
(Genesis 3:1-3)
At this point in Genesis, all is well. God, out of His infinite love, has made the world. He has created man and woman in His image. They are in love and in relationship with each other. God with them. And, as good as everything was, man and woman still had freedom. They were free to obey. Or free to rebel. (8 Minutes/2000 Words)
Read moreTwo Trees (Genesis 2:16-17)
Two Trees
(Genesis 2:16-17)
The first thing we must notice is how **the LORD God commanded the man** (16). He told Adam what was good (and bad) for him. He told Adam he had a choice -- life or death. (5 Minutes/1100 Words)
Read moreYour Work Is Worship (Genesis 2:15)
Your Work Is Worship
(Genesis 2:15)
So **the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it**. Later, once sin entered the world, the ground was cursed, and mankind's work became considerably more difficult. The ground began yielding thorns and thistles at that point. But, before the fall, work was part of God's original plan. Still is. (2 Minutes/500 Words)
Read moreLove the Father -- What Is Our Motivation for Resisting the World? (1 John 2:17)
Love the Father - What Is Our Motivation for Resisting the World?
(1 John 2:17)
John has shown us what worldliness looks like. These three temptations have had their way with us for humanity's entire existence. Perhaps you thought of this in looking at all three over the past few weeks. (3 Minutes/800 Words)
Read moreThe Life of David: Secret Preparation (1 Samuel 16:1-13)
The Life of David: Secret Preparation
(1 Samuel 16:1-13)
For many years, David has been one of my favorite Bible characters. He has become a friend to turn to, and his life has encouraged mine. Because the texts explaining his life are precious to me, I am going to write a series of articles on the early years of David's life and will release these teachings about once per month. I pray God ministers to your heart as we inspect His word. (10 Minutes/2800 Words)
Read moreFollow #33 -- Mark 11:1-11 -- What Kind of King Is Jesus
In our last study in Mark, we followed Jesus as he neared his death in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover feast. The disciples were afraid and amazed at Jesus' determination (Mark 10:32). As they traveled with Jesus, so did the crowds. They flocked around Jesus. And the time of Jesus' cross grew near.
Read moreCain and Abel (Genesis 4)
Cain and Abel
(Genesis 4)
Here, we learn Adam knew Eve, which is the Bible's way of saying they knew one another in the act of sex. As an aside, this should be instructive concerning sex. To God, sex isn't the mere collision of bodies who are out for a good time. Instead, though it should be clear, because of the design of our sexual organs, that God designed sex to be intensely pleasurable, he always thought of it as a major expression of an intimate relationship. A married couple is to know one another. (10 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreAdam's Work (Genesis 2:15)
Adam's Work
(Genesis 2:15)
Adam was called to cultivate the gift God had given him. The earth was his to enjoy. He was called to work, and so are we. (2 Minutes/400 Words)
Read moreHow Not to Handle Temptation (Genesis 3:2)
How Not to Handle Temptation
(Genesis 3:2)
Temptation is all around us. Daily, we are bombarded with the pull fleshly passions. Because of temptation, we must feed the Spirit. (4 Minutes/1000 Words)
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