A WORD FOR TODAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY

OBEY GOD'S INSTRUCTION AND YOU WILL LIVE

_And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die."(Genesis 3: 2-3)_

_*The story of the first reading of today is one that tells us about the fall of man and what happened when man sinned against God and acted against His command. It was a tragedy, because after the fall, the man and the woman now became naked and started hiding From God who has shown them so much love.*_

_God gave an instruction which was truth and was for the good of the man and woman and for their peace, but the devil came and deceived the woman to act against the Lord's instruction and when she ate of the forbidden fruit, she also gave to the man and immediately their eyes were opened._

_*Deception and lies are the vital weapon the devil unleashes against us so as to make us act against God's will. He makes us doubt what God had said and when we fall we will now realise that we have been duped and deceived by the devil.*_

_To sin against God is something that the devil wants us to be doing everyday, but we must learn from this story that all that glitters is not gold, the fruit was a delight in the eyes of the woman, but it was deadly. Sin may come to us packaged in a way that looks attractive, but the truth remains, that it is sin and every sin is an act against God and it leads to death._

_*The best way to overcome the deception and temptation of the devil is to resist anything that will pull or push us towards disobedience to God. God's words are truth and life and if you follow them and act on them you shall live, but if you follow the words of the devil and refuse to act on God's word you shall die.*_

_If we have fallen into sin and wounded like our first parents, Adam and Eve, we have the opportunity to receive forgiveness, healing and restoration in Christ. Jesus will open our ears to hear His words as he did for the man in the gospel reading and when we hear it and obey it we shall have eternal life._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a wonderful day. May God's grace help you to obey Him always and avoid the lies of the devil. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Genesis 3:1-8/Psalm 32:1-2,5-7/Mark 7:31-37

*Watch-Word:* Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.

*Obey God and you shall live, do not let the devil hook you up with his lies. Stay at alert always.*

(Friday of the fifth week in the ordinary time. Year I)