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Lessons from Genesis 3

God first gave the instruction not to eat from the forbidden tree to the man in Genesis 2, even before the woman was formed: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:16–17) Yet we know how the story unfolds. The woman ate, and she also gave some to the man, and he ate as well (Genesis 3:6). Let us x-ray what happened after they ate the forbidden fruit, and compare their reactions with what we often observe in our own lives. Immediate Reactions to Sin After they ate the fruit, Scripture tells us that: They became ashamed and covered themselves “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7) They hid from God “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden… and they hid fro...
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Misunderstanding or Contradiction?: Genesis 1 vs. Genesis 2 — Plants, People, and the Question of Order

Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 often appear to present two different timelines for the creation of plants and humans. At first glance, it can look like a contradiction. But is it? Or is something else going on in the text? Let’s walk through it carefully. The Apparent Problem Genesis 1 (Day 3, Day 6) Plants are created on Day 3. Animals on Day 6. Humans —male and female—also on Day 6. Genesis 2:5 Then we read: “No shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground.” This sounds like plants did not yet exist , and humans did not yet exist , because: There was no rain for plants to grow. There was no man to work the ground. So what gives? Did Genesis 2 forget what Genesis 1 already said? A Possible Explanation: “Created” vs. “Brought Forth” One reasonable way to understand this is to consider that “created” in Genesis 1 may refer to establishing the potential , not necessarily the immed...
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Misunderstanding or Contradiction? : Examining the Light of Genesis 1

One of the most frequently discussed passages in the creation narrative appears right at the beginning of the Bible. It raises a question that has puzzled readers for centuries and makes for a perfect entry in this series: Did God create light twice? Let’s take a closer look. The Two Passages in Question Genesis 1:3–5 The text states: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light… He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’” Here, light is created on the first day , and the concepts of “day” and “night” are established. Genesis 1:14–18 A few verses later, we read: “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate day from night… God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.” This happens on the fourth day , when the sun and moon are created. So the natural question arises: If day and night already existed on Day 1, why are the sun and moon introduced on ...
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Exalted by Men or Honored by God (Luke 14:8–11)

  The Danger of Human Exaltation One of the worst things that can happen to a person is to be exalted to a god-like status by men. For the same people who lift you up today may, in another season, shout at the top of their voices: “Crucify him!” (John 19:6) The Dual Capacity of Man The truth is this: You have the capacity for great good — “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). You also have the capacity for great evil — “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The environment, your state of mind, and the company you keep can either strengthen good or amplify evil — “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). Even things capable of good can become instruments of destruction if misused — “If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away” (Matthew 5:30). Sometimes, evil manifest...
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God’s Response to Temptation

 God revealed to us how He would face temptation through Jesus Christ. Scripture records that Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). This was not by accident but by design—so that we might learn how to respond when temptation comes. 1. Hunger and the Primal Urge The first test Jesus faced was hunger. Hunger drives us to do desperate things, stirring our primal nature. Self-preservation often pushes us to abandon ethics and morality just to satisfy the body. And once the appetite is gratified, morality usually resurfaces, but often too late, after damage has already been done. In that moment of weakness, Jesus addressed the primal nature within every man by declaring: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3). True survival is not found in abandoning God for the sake of bread; rather, it is found in sticking to His instructions and receiving comforts...
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No Turning Back – But What Does That Really Mean?

I typed “no turning back” into the YouTube search bar, expecting… well, I didn’t even know what I expected. But what I found was interesting: the first ten videos were all dance challenges, full of rhythm and energy. Scroll a little further down and suddenly the tone shifts — sermons, debates, and critiques asking whether all this dancing and excitement is "right" or "wrong." Let me make this clear: I’m not here to take sides, I’m not claiming insight, “deeper revelation,” or a prophetic voice. What I do know is this — in the middle of the beats and all, the lyrics keep echoing: “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.” And that line demands reflection. Jesus once said to His disciples: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their...
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When the Music Fades: The Quiet Work of Becoming

 I saw some new songs trending online recently. The energy, the Ticktoc "dance challenges", the excitement—it was infectious. But amidst the enticing beats, something felt off. I couldn’t shake the question: “Do they really know what they sing?” The words are powerful, no doubt. But are they heartfelt? Here's my take. Be careful not to mistake sensationalism for reality . Hype is not depth. Our senses can heighten the awareness of something real, but they don’t always show us what’s the present state. Even the hottest fire burns out—especially when it consumes more fuel than it receives. The reality we seek isn’t found in the blaze of inspiration but in the long, quiet burn of daily discipline. Yes, the spark might ignite in the spotlight, but the real formation happens away from it. It’s in the choices we make when no one is watching. The small steps towards honesty. The courage to admit wrong. The grit to accept consequences. The endurance to keep going when it’s a...
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