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    Posted by Dion Todd
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The Worthless Trade

  • He said to the woman, Yes, has God said, You shall not eat of any tree of the garden? The woman said to the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. The serpent said to the woman, You wont surely die, for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:1 WEB

    Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden. It was a literal paradise on earth where it never rained except for a mist that covered the ground. There was plenty to eat, and life was good. They lived a good clean life and never knew shame, guilt, suffering, or lack. Then a test came. They had one commandment to obey: Dont eat the fruit from this one tree in the middle of the garden.

    The serpent convinced Eve that the forbidden fruit, the one thing that she did not have, was so desirable. Her life would be so much better if she just ate this. She was missing out. The more that she thought about it, the more that she wanted it. She drew closer to it, examined it, saw that it was a delight to the eyes and soon, she ate it. Then she gave some to Adam, and he ate it as well. The serpent was fishing, and they took the bait, hook, line, and sinker.

    It was a worthless trade. They traded heaven on earth for failure, disappointment, and shame. They lost everything and eventually died where they would have lived forever. They already had every good thing, but the serpent made them feel that God was holding something back, and they desperately needed it.

    The enemy tricked them into thinking that the knowledge of evil was something to be desired. They already had the knowledge of good. Thanks to that trade, we now all know about evil as well. There are traps setup by the enemy for your life as well. Be careful of the things that you lust for.

    Temptation will always end in a worthless trade. It will look good, but turn out badly. We have a free will to make our own choices, and then we reap what we have sown. Do not fall for the enemy's worthless trade. Do not trade your integrity for a short term reward. In the end, you will feel ashamed for having fallen for it just like Adam and Eve.

    Prayer: Father I pray that you lead me away from temptation. Help me to be aware of the tricks of the enemy. Show me the traps that are in my path and help me avoid them, in the name of Jesus.

    Note: Thank you all for your wonderful and warm posts as we re-opened our website yesterday! We are truly glad to be back :). We are still working out some minor bugs so thank you for your patience. Also, all of you who are involved with the small groups (FAAD, Creation Photographers, Count Your Blessings, etc.) may wish to check in and be sure you are still in it, and say hello! Some of the group members may not have made it in the transition, so please rejoin! You can click on the Groups link in the menu to see the list. Thank you and have a blessed day!

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36 comments
  • 2
J D  Williams
J D Williams OH HOW I WISH THAT ADAM AND EVE WOULD HAVE PASTED THAT TEST IT HAS OPENED ALL OF US UP TO ALL THE EFFECTS THAT SIN HAS..... 
August 8, 2015
  • 2
J D  Williams
J D Williams ITS GREAT TO BE BACK I'VE MISSED ALL YOU GUYS HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND.....
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much, JD, great to see you!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen!! keep me from the enemy's tricks and temptations!!! Thank you for a  great devotion!  
August 8, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 8, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Christie Smith
Christie Smith Thank You Lord for bringing this site back as we know Satan scheme's are just a blink of an eye and you work ALL things to the good.  Thank you holding us steady through these trials and may we gain your wisdom in the choices we make.  Please surround my daughter and myself in making this Big decision today and keep Satan at bay and under foot.  I commit this day to you in Jesus Name. Amen
August 8, 2015
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 8, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Father please keep evil and the evil one from us, in Jesus name we Pray...
August 8, 2015
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Praise The Lord, Please keep us in the Palm of Your Hands, keep us safe from all evil.
August 8, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell So many people fall into this trap. They say the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence and I guess that may be true. The thing I have found out is; the greener grass still needs to be mowed. Some times what looks so good is not good at all!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, God bless you for sharing.
August 8, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Haha, as we know from living in the South, the grass needs to be mowed a lot :)!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Linda Morris
Linda Morris Pastor Dion and Sylvia, it is so wonderful to have you back. I have miss you and your wisdom in the daily devotional so much. Today's devotional is right on. There are so many ways that the enemy tries to trick me each day. I need the type of wisdom that you write about to side step the traps. Thank you again for what you bring into my life. 
August 8, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 8, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Valerie  King
Valerie King Amen, always great messages. Thank you for them. 
August 8, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 8, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 3
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Thank you for this wonderful message and prayer this morning. Have a blessed day.
August 8, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Dianne Freeman
Dianne Freeman So glad you are back!!!  Enjoy the wonderful message this morning.  May God continue to bless you!!!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much, Dianne :)!
August 8, 2015
  • 3
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Resisting temptation leads to a stronger relationship with God. Sometimes it seems like an innocent act but if we feel unsure or uneasy , we can be sure that it is nothing beneficial to our faith. We need to heed our so called gut feelings for many times  this is the still small voice of God.
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Carol!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Barbara Neahring
Barbara Neahring We appreciate receiving your devotional messages again.  Thank you.
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield First, I want to say how glad I am that you are back! More than ever, I need your support this week as I prepare for my cancer surgery. I found that whenever I am tired, in pain, overwhelmed by Life in general--well, that's when Satan takes advantage and whispers those lies in my ear. That's what happened last night. Yesterday, I found the hospital is demanding HALF the cost of my surgery up front, as Medicare only covers 80%. I was totally unprepared for this bomshell--after all, my surgery is scheduled for the 13th--why did they wait until a week prior to inform me? In short, I had a pity party that included only me last night, and Life just seemed so very overwhelming. Once again, Satan had convinced me I was a victum and my thoughts were, "Why bother? Let's just cancel the surgery and spare my family the problems of being destitute the rest of the month?" Yes, I acttually called the surgeon and cancelled my cancer surgery! But my daughter intervened; she offered to help me out financially.God bless my kids! Thanks to Patty and the power of the Rosary and God's word via Proverbs, I feel much better today. Please continue praying for my family and me this week. Thanks so much!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Kathy! I was was wondering how you were doing and hoping you would post :). The enemy is sure working hard to take you down, but praise God, he will not prevail! I pray that God grants you much grace, healing, strength and all the provision you need to get through this!
August 8, 2015
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Thank you Pastor Dion Todd. it is really great to see you back on here. Hope you are all well and in good health.Have missed the Daily Devotions.Praise God that you have been over comers in all that you have been through.All these thingas that happen only makes us all stronger, and United we stand,with cords that can not be broken.Thank you for the word and prayer.for today.Eventhough I have my quiet time and have been greatly encouraged by reading Gods,every day,still missed. Your readings of encouragement.Hope you all have a great weekend.
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Rosemary, I know this will all be used for the good, in the end :). Great to see you!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!!  The enemy is always lurking, seeking to find our weakness, but our Loving Father in Heaven is always by our side guiding us toward a better life.  Thank You Jesus!!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd So true, Marisa! Your comment is really connects with a thought I was having and was very helpful. Thank you :)!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Many, many years ago I fell into satan's trap (that was about 40 years ago).  It was easy to fall into that trap because at the time I was very vulnerable and was not walking with GOD the way I should have been.  I PRAISE GOD for saving me, walking with GOD is so much better!!!!!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Howard Burke
Howard Burke I like you, was a worldly musician when I was younger. I  was always praying for God to change my life, without putting any effort into getting to know the truth and about how it really works.  God kept showing himself to me and I kept falling for the enemies lies of instant gratification. I systematically lost everything that was important in my life. Finally one day when I was in jail once again, I said a prayer of salvation. I came to know God and the truth and I've been living in the freedom of His grace and mercy ever since. You put the enemies lies into such an amazing story that I can feel it in my heart that you have led others to the Lord.  God bless you and your family. 
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Antoinette Acosta
Antoinette Acosta I really enjoy the way "Knowledge of Evil" is worded -- this blog is one of my favorites - much needed! Thank you!!!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Lucas Napo
Lucas Napo Good morning. God bless the Team. Let's pray for our ministry
August 9, 2015
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Lead us not into temptation.
August 9, 2015
  • 1
Carol McCalla
Carol McCalla So happy that the site is up and running again.. It has been such a blessing to me....Thanks for the message!!!
August 10, 2015
  • 1
Melchorita Fahey
Melchorita Fahey Thank you Pastor Dion for your words of encouragement, and I'm glad your back! May God continue to bless you and Sylvia!
August 11, 2015