Everything they saw in the garden must have been a marvel as they walked with God. But one day they willfully disobeyed. They ate of the one tree they were forbidden to eat (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:6). And that disobedience immediately led to lies and blame-shifting (3:8-13).

Still, God loved and cared for them. He sacrificed animals in order to clothe them (v. 21)—and later He provided a way of salvation for all sinners through the sacrifice of His Son (John 3:16). He loves us that much!

Dear Lord, thank You for loving us, despite our sin, and for making a way for us to be with You forever!

He never asks us to decide for Him, but to yield to Him

At the foundation of Jesus Christ’s kingdom is the genuine loveliness of those who are commonplace.

I cannot enter His kingdom by virtue of my goodness— I can only enter it as an absolute pauper.

If I wonder if I am being of any use to God, I instantly lose the beauty and the freshness of the touch of the Lord. 

In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.