Category: Introduction

Beloved, God seeks you. He wants to restore what sin has damaged. In His mercy, He wants to rescue you. Oh, how He wants to have sweet fellowship with you for all eternity. Can you feel Him tugging at your heart? He loves you so much.

When God created us, He made a place for the Holy Spirit to dwell within us so that we could fellowship with Him. We can feel this empty place within us. Some describe it as being lonely or incomplete. Some try to fill this empty, unhappy feeling with material things or drugs. Those things will not satisfy that empty place within you.

God has a free gift for all that want to fill that place within them with love for Him.

Beloved, God decided long ago, that He would come to earth in the form of a man. This man was called Jesus, the Christ, or Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. Jesus never sinned. Everyone that lived on earth before He died and after He died, did sin. God is Holy. He can not look upon sin.

I will not pretend I understand all of this, because I do not. Maybe in heaven, in His spirit form, in all His glory, God can not sook upon sin. When God came to earth, He left so much of Himself there to become Jesus. Jesus was the part of God that man murdered.

This was God’s decision. I don’t know how or why Jesus’ blood paid for our sins, but when we accept Jesus’ payment for our sins, God accepts us and can look upon us. Instead of seeing sin, God sees the blood of Jesus.

Remember me telling you about that empty space within you and if you accepted Jesus’ payment for your sin, that space will be filled. Well, a part of God, known as the Holy Spirit, comes and lives within you. The Holy Spirit is like an engagement ring. You become a bride of Christ. Someday He will return for you in all His glory. No one can take that ring from you.

You may ask me, “How do I know all of this is true?” I know because the Holy Spirit lives within me. He tells me it is true.

I must believe that God loves me so much that He came to earth by being born of a virgin and died on the cross for my sins. Then tell God that you are sorry for all the bad things you have done and that you believe that Jesus came and suffered and died for your sins. Thank Him for making a way for you to come to Him and saving you. Commit your life to live for Him. He will return one day and will reign as King. If you do this and believe it with all your being, you will have a glorious eternal life with God in perfect love. So, commit your life to Jesus Christ.

God not only dwells in our hearts, in a church but in homes worldwide. There are anointed places where the heavens open up. An area that has been saturated with worship and love for the Lord. A place of prayer. Mayer just your prayers or your family’s prayers. If you don’t have a place in your home, find one. The Holy Spirit can lead you to that place. If you don’t feel God there at first, be consistent and let God know you are serious. Serious about developing a relationship, a place for the two of you, a place to worship Him, a place that He will anoint and bless.

I used to have two places. One was in my bedroom. The other one was down the hill at the barn. The Lord chose that without me thinking about a place there. I guess I was more relaxed and could hear Him better. If He called me to Him and I was at the far end of the pasture, I would hurry and get to the barn. I can’t walk to the barn now, so I only have a place in my bedroom.

If you heard something that touched your heart or some scripture, read it softly to the Lord during this time. The Lord can take this and make it a part of the very essence of your soul. When you see how that small sentence can become so much more than what it was, His Word becomes a lifelong desire.

Have you ever thought about the people left behind after the Rapture? Have you ever prayed for the ones that would come into your house after the Rapture? Surely, I am not the only one. They may stop stealing and stay awhile. God, and maybe with your help, may help this person and their family.

The main thing to leave is information on how to be saved. You might want to leave tracks in jewelry boxes. Leave tracks in things that people will snatch and run with initially. Maybe tape some tracks on the back of packaged food with long shelf life. Pray hard about these things. God knows who He will send and your house, location, and all the work needed to get someone there.

Also, you may want to think about a book or some device that explains the book of Revelation verse by verse in a prominent place. At least a timeline of things to come.

You might want to leave them a letter, telling them of your thoughts and prayers for them.

A good medical bag is always good to have on hand, not only for you but others to come. My antibiotic ointment is rotated easily.

Beloved, pray and ask God what He wants you to do. Be sure to wait after you ask God for Him to respond. Be still and quiet. If he does not answer the first time, He may be waiting to see if you are serious. So ask again tomorrow. God always hears our prayers. We do not need to look to others to know He is with us. We only need to look within our own hearts. Others help to teach and encourage us. Even teachers need others.

Remember, the great “I AM” loves you and those during the tribulation period.

My Bible, NAS Study Bible, is being rebound. I purchased this dear friend in the 1980’s. Sometime between 5-10 years ago, I used duct tape to hold the pages together. That failed about a year ago. I stopped writting notes in it about 10 years ago because it became fragile. I should have rebounded this bible, again, sooner.

The bible I will be using is new and a Christian Standard Bible published by Holman. It is called Experiencing God. I believe Henry Blackaby, wrote the questions in it. I have gone through Blackaby’s course, “Experiencing God,” and heard him speak and read his books. I recommend anything he is a part of to take note and learn from him.

The “Forward” in this Bible is so beautiful. It starts off with the words, “Every time I open my Bible, I tremble (Is. 66:2, 5). I do so because I realize that when I open the pages of Scripture, I don’t just encounter great writing, profound truths, and timeless wisdom. I come face-to-face with the Author.” This can cause all of us to look within ourselves.

I have not trembled before I have started reading my Bible. I have trembled once I have gotten deeper into the word. I have trembled and cried because of sin, or being humbled. I have cried when I have found refuge and rest in my LORD’S words. I have cried quiet tears when our love went deep within our hearts. Those quiet tears of complete peace, rest, and bliss. Do you ever have tears when you read God’s Word?

Beloved, if you do not experience God, do what is necessary to experience Him. I want experience before I have gone to heaven to begin my eternity with my Almighty GOD.

Verse 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Verse 9 The the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

Verse 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

So, here you can see that our relationship with the LORD God has changed. Adam and Eve knew they had done wrong, so they hid. Most of the time we know when we have done wrong, unless we have harden our heart to the sin. Generally that happens when we do the same sin over and over again. Eve’s sin are those of self-deception. The same ones listed in I John 2:16. I can be easily be deceived, but not in the same way. I have the gift of mercy, so a person can give me a sad story, true or not, and I can be deceived. My husband can judge character, so I depend upon him to keep things in check for me.

Adam’s sins came about differently. Adam knew what he was doing. He understood. He wanted what he thought the fruit would provide. Adam put what he wanted above what God wanted for him.

When God called out to Adam and asked “Where are you?”, it was not because God did not know where he was. God is all-knowing. The question that God was asking is done in order for Adam to repent. Adam disobeyed God’s revealed word to him.

Verse 11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

Again, God is asking a question to give Adam the chance to repent.

Verse 12 And the man said, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”

So now Adam is blaming God for what he did wrong. God made the woman, so it was God’s fault.

We try to blame others for our sin. Adult children will blame parents saying, “Because of them, I am this way.” Or someone use to go to church, but do not want to have anything to do with church because someone hurt their feelings. We have a choice everyday if we will obey God or if we will disobey God.

Adam did not want to accept responsibility for his sin.

Verse 13 The the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

A question was once again asked and no repentence was found in Eve. She blamed God and rationalized her sin.

Beloved, do not do as Adam and Eve. Confess you sin as soon as you realize the sin. Do not allow your fellowship with God to be broken.

Verse 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Eve deceived herself (I Timothy 2:14). To this day, women still self-deceive themselves. Together, Adam and Eve disobeyed the word of God that He explained. Personal ambition found a place in Eve’s heart. She would have had it all by choosing God’s way and in His timing. Also, personal sin hurts those we love.

Adam ate knowingly. They decided to put their will first when they believed Satan’s lies.

Remember in verse 5, Satan said, “you will be like God.” God shared wisdom with them on their walks but they wanted more. They wanted to be like God. God added this sin, covet, to the Ten Commandments.

Verse 7 The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

I assumed immediately after eating the fruit, they felt guilty. Probably the glory of God, His out shining, that clothed them and the world left. Leaves do not take the place of a garment of righteousness. They realized that Satan’s words would not come true, but God’s words would come true. They died spiritually.

Verse 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field, which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden?”

This is the beginning of Satan’s playbook for mankind. Study it well. He has not changed. Why should he, it still works today.

Satan either entered into a snake or took its form. What is important is that he is crafty and Eve was not alarmed by him. Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world, yet they sinned. If someone blames their sin on how they were raised, or their environment, or whatever, most of the time they are wrong. But I have seen children that have spent their preteens growing up in a gross sexual environment, that even when taken out and given a loving Christian home, can not escape the evil. Maybe that is why, sometimes in the Bible, God would tell Israel to go and kill every man, woman, and child in a city. Then that horrible lifestyle would stop and not be passed down to another generation.

Satan’s temptations are cleverly disguised. Eve did not know of evil. She did not understand the traps that Satan can lay. There were no evil thoughts before this moment. We know this because of Genesis 2:25, “they were both naked and not ashame.” Some say that their eyes did not see their nakedness or they wore the glory of God as did the earth at that point in time.

Satan spoke to Eve in this way to put doubt in her that God was not good. And of course, when someone tells us no, we seem to want it more.

Now Eve may not have known completely of God’s command, or was confused by it with Satan’s false information, or did not remember it, or cared to remember it.

Verse 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;

Verse 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.”

Now Eve added untruth.

Verse 4 And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die!”

Verse 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and “you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Satan is still putting thoughts before Eve that God is withholding good and is not fair. Satan will mix truth and lies together. Sometimes it is hard to separate 90% truth and 10% lies.

Beloved, Satan is crafty. Beware of him. Study God’s word, pray, and ask God to put more love in your heart for Him. Also, ask Him for wisdom and truth. Pray for these things daily.

LOVE

Verse 18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for Him.”

Decades ago, I heard a sermon and the preacher said that God was speaking on the Trinity level. He did not explain that further or I failed to write it down, but I thought the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, having the same nature are one and spoke as one.

Verse 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called the living creature, that was its name.

So God brought these animals to Adam for educational reasons. Adam was to rule over them and they understood that Adam was in command and in His care. If one is in command, he must have some type of communication with his subjects or followers. So man and animals could communicate, although maybe limited.

Verse 20 And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam, there was not found a helper suitable for him.

By naming the animals, Adam realized there was none like him. This probably created a desire in Adams’s heart for someone like him. Now Adam’s heart had an ache, a desire. Emotions awoke that he had not known before. He realized an emptiness. All of this was planned by God. He planted a seed and a desire was born deep in his soul. The first step of a love-to-be.

God did not create Eve just so she would do her part in populating the earth. She was to be Adam’s “helpmeet.” Adam needed companionship.

Verse 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man and he slept: then HE took on of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.

Verse 22 And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.

God took one of Adams ribs which protects the heart. She was to be near his heart. They were one flesh in the beginning because Eve was fashioned from man. After Eve was created, they could become one flesh again in the relationship of marriage, a sacred union, and create children. So this one flesh meant they belonged one to another. Eve was to be at the side of Adam as his helpmeet and companion. Not at his feet for him to rule over but obey him in a new relationship.

A new trinity was formed of a man, woman, and God. This is such a great love and a deep love. This also points to God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and a Human with the Holy Spirit within them. With Christ at the heart of a marriage, they as one obey Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our Priest, He talks to the Father. He takes our conservation and then Jesus Christ has a conversation with God the Father about what a man and woman in the sacred marriage union asked of Him. Beloved, this is Love.

Verse 8 And the LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He had placed the man He had formed.

We assume this was in modern Iraq vicinity because of the two rivers mentioned. Even though the flood destroyed everything and changed how things were, archaeologist agree this is the area where civilization began.

This garden was perfect for the LORD God planted this garden Himself.

Verse 9 And out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

First, I want to go back to the rivers mentioned. Water is what gives life. These four great rivers are what gave life, not only to the garden but to civilization even after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden. They were known to all before the flood.

God Himself, planted this garden. He arranged the placement of each seed, plant, or tree. If you think today’s gardens are beautiful, this garden had more luxurious beauty. Plus, there was the Shekinah glory of God. Can you imagine sure a place of unmeasureable blessings and beauty? I don’t think our minds can do so.

Verses 10-14 Name the rivers and tell of the gemstones.

Verse 15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.

Man is designed by God to work even before the fall. If he is not working, he is not fulfilled.

God is teaching adam. He is more or less a blank slate. First may have been to cultivate and keep the garden while Adam’s strength is being cultivated and honed. Then maybe how to keep his body clean. His emotions were unrealized. Can you imagine the first time God told Adam how well He did in cultivating whatever it was: God was in charge of all his education. Not only teaching him about plants, but his emotional, mental, and moral development.

There were no thorn bushes to hinder and cause stress to Adam, so at this point mentally, he feels only satisfaction and joy, emotionally.

Verse 16-17 For the LORD God commanded the man saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.”

God commanded Adam to eat from any tree in the garden including the tree of life. Apparently, somehow this tree helped or gave never-ending life. I guess without Adam’s sin, we would have had a body then like we will have when our physical and spiritual bodies become like Jesus. I guess this fruit did something of a transfigured act. How wonderful that would have been. But sin did enter the world. God loves us so much, that He would not leave us in our sin. He came to earth as a baby, grew, and died on the cross for our sins, rose from the grave, went to heaven, and will return again. I believe His return will be in my children’s lifetime. God tells us to watch for Him and pray.

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I will go into surgery in the morning to correct an aneurysm. Since I am on oxygen 24/7 there could be a problem. Please pray for me. Thank you.

Genesis 2:7 The LORD GOD formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils, the breathe of life; and man became a living being.

Verse 7 describes man being formed like that of an artist or a potter. God’s divine plan fashioned man. Man was made from the earth, he was to subdue and rule over it. He was given stewardship and was to care for the earth. Animals were made from the earth, but we are different in that we are made in the image of God. Part of us was made out of existing material and part of us was made out of non-existing material. Could the non-existing material be the breath of God? Could it be that God breathed into man and where there was nothing, then there was something? Something that was Spirit, after the image of God. Now, I do not know about this. It is something to think about. Now God is Spirit, and man has a spirit, man can serve and fellowship with God. With the fall of man, that spirit was marred. That is why we need the Holy Spirit to breathe in us. The Holy Spirit will help us to fellowship with God once again. No animal has the uniqueness of after God’s own image. Also, I believe, that we have spiritual DNA that we pass down to our children upon conception just like the DNA for a physical body. This is when the sin nature is passed down. Also, I believe that there is not some room up in heaven filled with spirits waiting to come to earth to quickly jump in a baby’s body when they are born. I believe all of these things happen at conception.

I do not know when a pre-born baby becomes self-conscious, but they do. Some mothers-to-be complain about a baby kicking when they go to bed. Of course, they do. They do not hear their mother’s voice which brings them comfort. They do not hear your music. If your little one keeps you up, listen to your music or read scripture aloud.

I was told that during an abortion, a baby may try to escape the vacuum, which ripes a baby apart. This is not only self-aware but self-preservation.

So we are made in the image of God of great importance to God with intelligence and self-awareness. We may have a relationship with God and have a fulfilling relationship with Him, but even with the Holy Spirit within us, our image is still blurred. We will not reflect God I’m the way He intended until we join Jesus Christ in heaven in our glorified bodies.

We have emotions like God, but for now, they have a relationship with sin too. We can grow in emotions like God. We can love like Him, but not fully. We can delight in working for Him. We can enjoy His peace by being secured in His care. These are just a few of the emotions we share in our personalities.

One thing we have in our emotional personality is free will. We may choose to obey or disobey God. This affects not only us as individuals but all of earth. Romans 8:19-22 talks about the whole creation groans and suffering because of sin. The earth will be freed when man is set free to the glory of the children of God.