Learning Something New - The First Day!

Good Saturday Morning to you!

 
Yesterday was my first day of reading through God's Word chronologically.  As you may expect, I began by reading in Genesis, chapters 1-3.  I have read through this book of the Bible several times during my Christian walk, but I learned something new yesterday!  It was rather exciting to me that the Lord would have an interesting nugget of truth for me on my very first day of this Bible-reading journey.  (Isn't He GOOD?)

In Chapter 3, it talks about how Eve and Adam sinned against the Lord by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge (of which they were instructed not to eat) and that they realized they were naked and needed clothing.  The Lord explained to them that they were going to have to leave the garden and toil and labor to make a living now that they had disobeyed, sinned, against Him.

Verse 21 of Genesis Chapter 3 says, "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them."  I read through it twice and thought, wait a minute!  Did the Lord kill animals in the Garden of Eden in order to make the clothing for Adam and Eve?  That seemed odd to me, so I asked my husband about it.  The conversation went something like this.

Me:  Honey, this is what verse 21 in Genesis Chapter 3 says (quoted it to him).  Does this mean the Lord killed animals in the garden of Eden to clothe Adam and Eve? 

Hubby:  Yes.

Me:  Was it because sin was committed by Adam and Eve?

Hubby:  Yes.

Me:  But, why did he kill the animals? (in my mind, the Lord could have just produced some clothing for them without sacrificing the animals' lives)

Hubby:  What had to happen in order for sin to be forgiven? 

Me:  Christ had to die on the cross for my sins.

Hubby:  Yes, and He was perfect, right?  (I'm nodding)  Christ was perfect and yet He had to die.  The animals in the garden of Eden were perfect too before sin, but once sin entered the world, the animals were killed to cover Adam and Eve's sin (their blood was shed).

Me:  (the light bulb went on!)  Oh!  So, this is a 'type' of Christ!

Hubby:  It's a foreshadowing of Christ coming to die for our sins!  (I am nodding) 

Me:  I get it!

I grabbed a pencil right then and wrote that nugget of truth out right in the margin of my Bible so I wouldn't forget it.  Yes, it's ok to write in your copy of God's Word!  

Now, you may be thinking, wow, she just got that after reading through Genesis several times?  I am still in awe of the fact that we can read God's Word over and over and still see and understand new things every time we read it.  He opens our eyes to what I think of as "big" truths and "little" truths.  I know that truth is truth, but sometimes for me, I feel like He gives me one or the other depending on what is going on in my life at the time.

Again, isn't God Good?

I love the saying, "God is good all the time...and all the time God is good." 

To be truthful, there are days that I cannot say that without a niggling question in the back of my mind...my disbelief gets the better of me sometimes...but in my heart of hearts, I know that He is Good.  I know that He has my best interest at heart.  He loves me with an everlasting Love. 

I am humbled that He would love someone like me.  A flawed, selfish, cross (sometimes), difficult person like me...He loves me with no holds barred and died for my sins so that I might live with Him in eternity.

That truth still makes me cry sometimes and makes me wonder why...but deep down I am so very, very grateful that He loves me the way He does.  Thank you Lord!

I hope the Lord is showing you new and exciting things each and every day as you read through His Word and listen for His voice.  He loves you. 

Scripture Reading for today:  Genesis 4- 7

All my best to you today,

It's all good...or is it?

It has been a few years now that I have adopted the phrase, "it's all good".  I use it during those times of high stress and during times of emotional and physical challenges because it's my way of saying, "despite what I am going through, my life is so good!".

Out of curiosity, I looked up this phrase to see what meanings it has and the one that caught my attention was this one from the Urban Dictionary:  "used in an optimistic sense to show the lightheartedness of something".  When I use that phrase, it is never meant in a flippant or derogatory manner, but instead, a way of saying to myself and others that I am blessed and whatever it is that I am going through at the time will pass.  The Lord is with me always, I know this.

But this morning, my heart is heavy in so many ways for so many people.

Right now, today, it is not all good for everyone.  There are husbands, wives, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends, sisters, brothers, daughters, and sons walking through (or being carried through) severe challenges and heartbreak.

Right now, I know of at least one family who is praying for the safe return of a wife and mommy.  She disappeared two days ago and has a loving husband and beautiful infant daughter missing her and loving her.  It's not all good for them right now.

I know of at least four families experiencing or going through divorces right now.  This time of heartbreak, chaos, and upset is not a good time for these families.

I know of two other families who have been given devastating news regarding their health and who are trying to make serious life decisions that will affect loved ones.  It's not all good for them today...

So many others are facing surgeries that will determine much for them in the way of physical health.

There are people around the world who are suffering from loss, devastation, hunger, death, sickness, and so many other horrible things.  They certainly wouldn't choose to say that everything is fine right now.

So, how do I justify saying "it's all good" when in fact, it is not?  How can I smile despite my tears and heartbreak over loved ones' trials and difficulties?  Or despite my own?

I can say it because I know that my Saviour lives.  I know that by His blood and resurrection, I am redeemed.  God's Word has promise after promise that tells me He is with me always.  He will never leave me nor forsake me!  No matter what is going on in my life or the lives of others, I know He is in control.

There are times when it is not all "good".   

So, how can I move forward and not be completely crippled by the sadness, heartbreak, loss, and illnesses of the people I love and people I don't even know?  Pray!  Pray hard.  Take His holy Word into my heart and mind and recall it when things are the most difficult.  Praise Him when things are bad and praise Him when things are good.  Sing praises!  Speak praises!  Love others as much as I possibly can, every day, even when I don't feel like doing it.  The Lord will give me strength, if I simply ask Him for it.

God's Word encourages me today with this verse:

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

In light of this verse, I believe I can say, "It's all good".

**Update on the mom who disappeared, she was found and she is safe.  Please continue to pray for her and her family.  Thank you.**

All my best to you today,