“Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, Let the children be joyful in their King. Let them PRAISE HIS NAME WITH THE DANCE; Let them sing praises to Him WITH THE TIMBREL AND HARP. For the LORD TAKES PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE; He will beautify the humble with salvation.” (Psalms 149:1-4)
Almighty God created the magnificent heavens and the earth, and everything in them, and He said, “IT IS GOOD!” Then He created mankind and placed them in the most beautiful garden. He blessed them and He commanded them to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion over the earth and everything on the earth. In the plan of God, BLESSING, PEACE AND PROSPERITY WERE ALL THAT THEY EXPERIENCED IN THAT GARDEN. POVERTY AND LACK, HOWEVER, WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE EARTH BY SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE. So, God, said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, TO KNOW GOOD AND EVIL. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and EAT, AND LIVE FOREVER“ (in an unredeemed state)— therefore the LORD GOD SENT HIM OUT OF THE GARDEN of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to GUARD THE WAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE.” (Genesis 3:22-24) We can only partake of the tree of life in a “forgiven or redeemed” state. “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is IN THE MIDST OF THE PARADISE OF GOD.” (Revelation 2:7)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham