Quiet Time Archive
Cain’s Sin
Date: December 30, 2008
Read: Genesis 4:1-26
Cain’s sin began when he disobeyed God regarding his offering. He brought an offering but not according to God’s order: the first fruits. Abel brought the firstlings of his flock and God accepted his offering. Both brothers had been taught the proper order regarding offerings to the Lord.
When God rejected Cain’s offering, he blamed his brother and became so jealous and mad that he killed him. God punished him severely for his sin of murder and Cain lived as a vagabond the rest of his life.
As a result of their disobedience to God, Adam and Eve had to live the sad experience of losing their two sons. They were responsible for sin having entered into the world. Surely, they thought about their disobedience to God and the consequences many times. However, God was merciful and gave them another son, Seth. According to the Bible, it was during this time that men began worshiping God publicly.
We need to remember that we are accountable for our actions and need not blame someone else whenever we fail to do what is right.
Published: December 30, 2008
The Results Of Sin
Date: December 29, 2008
Read: Genesis 3:6-24
Every day in the garden of Eden was perfect until this day, this day is different. They don’t feel the way they use to feel. They hide themselves because they feel guilt and shame. They begin to realize they are naked and try to cover themselves with fig leaves. When God calls them they are fearful of His presence. Their fellowship with God is lost.
How did this happen? It began with the serpent seducing Eve. Seducers are imposters who present evil as good. The ultimate seduction in your life and in my life is to be led astray from God’s presence and power and not even realize what is happening. God is calling us too. Do we run to meet Him or do we hide from Him in shame and guilt?
Once we go down the road of sin, rarely do we take personal responsibility. We want to refuse it and shift the blame to someone else. Adam refused to take responsibility for his own actions and he blamed Eve, Eve refused to take responsibility for her own actions and she blamed the serpent. Isn’t this exactly what you and I do? We play the blame game! It is “always” someone else’s fault when we choose to sin. We try to shift the blame from ourselves to others.
God cursed the serpent and the ground for man’s sake, and He prophesied sorrow, toil, and death for the first couple. The curse offers a vivid description of the conditions that exist in a fallen world. Work is not a curse since that was part of the Creator’s plan but now sin made the work hard and difficult. There will be pain in childbirth however childbirth could not be a curse because that has always been God’s plan for producing the next generation. Nevertheless, pain and suffering are part of childbirth. Adam and Eve were determined to go their own ways rather than go God’s way, and this act of disobedience is what broke their fellowship with God. They were sent out of Eden.
When man chose to rebel, God revealed His plan for salvation (vs. 15). God is sending a Savior. The bruising of the serpent’s head implies a mortal wound. On the other hand, the bruising of the heel of the Messiah is not fatal, a reference of His sufferings and resurrection. When God covered Adam and Eve with the covering of skins He showed us that He is the Only One able to cover shame and guilt. This is a picture for us of Christ’s atonement on the Cross, which required the shedding of blood to cover our sin and guilt and pictured the death of the innocent One for the guilty. Today the God of creation has already covered our sin for us by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, our part is to repent of our sin and accept His eternal covering of Grace. Will you accept His gift today?
Published: December 29, 2008
Temptation
Date: December 29, 2008
Read: Genesis 3:1-6
Can they be right? Am I missing out on something? Is God holding back something good? Just like Eve, you and I also ask these same questions. We also accept the same insinuations and ideas from satan.
Satan’s strategy for temptation is evident in his dealings with Eve. He questions God’s Word (v.1); he contradicts God by not telling the whole truth (v. 4); and he attempts to substitute a seemingly worthy goal for his disobedience of misquoting God’s Word (v.5). Ultimately every temptation is a choice to go our own way instead of God’s way. The tree is attractive to the eye, appealing to the appetite, and enticing to ambition and pride. These are the same ways we are tempted.
We will all be enticed or tempted by someone or something throughout our life on earth. God didn’t create us like robots, He created us with free will to choose or reject Him and His Word. Even when we are attracted to do what is wrong, we can choose to do what is right. Jesus example provides us with an assurance that through His power and through His Word we can choose His way of escape in resisting temptation.
Published: December 29, 2008
The Garden
Date: December 28, 2008
Read: Genesis 2
Then God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the man he had just made in it. God made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, beautiful trees that were good to eat.
There is something so heavenly about spending time in a beautiful garden. I can only imagine a garden designed by God, our Creator.
Take time to enjoy the beauty of God's creation all around us. Meditating on Him and worship Him in the tranquil setting of nature. 
Published: December 28, 2008
In The Beginning God Created Everything!
Date: December 27, 2008
Read: Genesis 1
When I saw the ocean this morning on my way to work I had to stop and thank God for creating the sea, the land, the sky, the birds, the tree's and all the beauty that surrounds us each and every day.
Watching the waves roll in reminded me so much of each of us and the story that God writes in each of our lives. Some waves roll in gently, some crash, some don't make it to shore, but they are constant.
Our lives are consistently telling a story since the beginning. A chapter, a paragraph, a sentence, each and every day. It is not a story for us to write but a story written by our Heavenly Father for His purpose, His glory and His plan for our lives and the lives of those around us.
Pray and meet with God each day to help you understand the story that He has given you personally and how you can use it to make a difference in the lives of others.
Published: December 27, 2008