Cast Out of Paradise

Listen to today’s reading:

Genesis 3:21-24

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Psalm 16:9-10

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

Colossians 1:21-22

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…

Today’s Reading:

If you think about the Biblical account, it’s been a long, long time since we’ve played at home. Games away from home can be pretty tough. You don’t get to sleep in your own bed, most of your fans won’t come with you, and travel isn’t easy. We are traveling through this world today away from our original home with God. We lived in the garden with access to our biggest fan, our Father, and now we’re on the road. At times, it feels like there is way more cheering for the home team than us, the visitor. We are in a period of separation. I think it’s deep within us to get back home, but we can’t walk back into God’s presence without transformation. Colossians 1:21-22 says, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation...” We are being prepared to enter into our new home with Jesus in the coming days. Through Jesus Christ, he is renewing minds and hearts for that day when we are welcomed back home to him.

Today’s Prayer Guide:

Praise – Praise God as your biggest fan and Father.

Confession – Confess that you have loved the world more than time with him and have not expressed longings for heaven.

Ask – Ask him to prepare you for a better home with him.