Pastor Bob DuPar
January 2, 2009

Journal Entry



Scripture

Genesis 3:1-4:26; Matthew 2:13-3:6; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 1:7-9

Observation

“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ ‘…You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1b, 4-5

“At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.” Genesis 3:26b

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7

Application

Satan begins to tempt us and confuse us by first causing us to doubt God’s Word: “Did God really say…” He exaggerates the restriction in order to play upon our sense of injustice: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree…” Next, he questions the consequences of sin: “You will not surely die.” Finally, he makes us think that God is holding-out on us: “God knows that…you will be like (Him),” never mind the fact that the knowledge of evil was the worst thing for Adam and Eve (and all of us!)

May 2009 be a year when men (and women) begin to call upon the name of the Lord!

Prayer

“Lord, help me to always trust that You know what is best for me; and, that if You have commanded something in Your Word, it is for my own good. Grant me strength, discipline and passion to follow You faithfully in 2009!”