The Search for Significance – Devotional – Step 2, Part 1

1) Read Genesis 1:25 – 31 and answer the following questions.
1a) What do you think it means for man to bear God’s image?
I think that it means that I am fashioned in a way that resembles God.  I have emotions, so does God.  I use logic, so does God.  Everything that is good and holy (love, integrity, compassion, forgiveness, wisdom, joy patience, goodness and gentleness) within me is in the likeness of God himself.  Obviously, much of that is corrupted, even completely hidden, under the cover of sin.

1b) What are two responsibilities that God gave to Adam?
Multiply and subdue the earth (have dominion over it and all within it)

1c) What was God’s evaluation of creation before Adam was created?  What was it after he was created?
Both were considered ‘good’
Changed from ‘good’ to ‘very good’

1d) Was the basis of this evaluation based on Adam’s performance or God’s declaration?
God’s declaration

2) Read Genesis 3:1-10 and answer the following questions about the fall of man.
2a) How did Satan tempt Eve?
By appealing to her pride – a desire to be like God.

2b) Where was Adam when Eve ate of the fruit (see Gen 3:6)?
He was with he, right by her side, passive.

2c) When Adam rebelled, did he know what he was doing? (see 1 Tim 2:14)
Adam was not deceived – which means he knew what he was doing.

2d) How did the Fall affect man’s desire for significance?
Man lost connection with God, which created a gap in his spirit.  Man has desired significance in order to fill that gap.

3) Consider man’s relationship with God and the effects of man’s rebellion.
3a) Read Isaiah 59:2.  How has sin, resulting from the Fall, affected man’s relationship with God?
My sin has hidden God from me.  He is there all along, but as long as my heart was turned toward sin, it was turned completely away from God.

3b) Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; and Ephesians 2:1-3.  List some characteristics of fallen man:
Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners uncleanness, lewdness, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, revelries, any lusts of the flesh.

3c) Read John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2; and 1 John 3:8.  Fallen man is dominated by whom?
The devil, the prince of the power of the air.

3d) Read John 8:34 and Romans 6:12-17.  Fallen man is a slave of:
Sin

3e) Read Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; and Revelation 14:9-11; 20:11-15.  What is fallen man’s final outcome?
Everlasting punishment; vengeance, everlasting destruction; wrath of God, tormented with fire and brimstone, no rest day or night; lake of fire

3f) What effects of the Fall were evident in this morning’s newspaper stories or last night’s television news programs?  List specific events:
It’s obviously all around us.  Murder, theft, adultry that is now basically commonplace, lust and idolotry of all kinds.  Basically it’s one huge distraction away from God our Father in Heaven.  The devil is enticing us with everything he’s got, smoke and mirrors turning our heads in every which direction, keeping our eyes fixated on worldly things and our minds bouncing from idea to idea, and product to product.

3g) On a scale of 0 to 100 percent, how sure are you that you would go to heaven if you died tonight?
100%

3h) If you died tonight and stood before God and He asked you, “Why should I let you into heaven?” what would you say?
You shouldn’t let me into heaven based on anything I have done.  But I know you through your Word and through our relationship while I was on earth.  I know that I have done nothing to earn your favor, but I also know that you love me.  I know and am humbled by your grace and mercy that you would forgive a sinner like me and cleanse me so that I may reside in your presence for eternity.  I love you.

May 23, 2009

I have realized very recently that I have been focusing too much on what I should do for the lord, that I may have distracted myself from allowing him to do what he wants in me. I need healing. I have scars that need my father’s touch. I need to open my heart to him for healing.

I felt the Lord speak to me tonight saying:

Just do what you do, and I will tell you what to do with it. It may be big, it may be small, but you will experience me through it.

Fathered by God

I prayed:

Why don’t I remember anything about my childhood?

The response was: Read the rest of this entry »

May 23, 2009

While reading Fathered by God, something struck me hard. On page 53 it says “And a terrible lie settled deep into my heart: you are on your own.” I know I have accepted this lie in the past. I recognize that it has affected me throughout my life. I repent of the belief in the lie. I accept the love and companionship of my Lord and savior.