Leading The Way - Week of May 27, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef

Leading The Way - Week of May 27

May 27, 2024

May 27, 2024

Lessons from the Garden

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

When God created humanity, there was perfect contentment. Adam and Eve lived in paradise, a place of complete peace and protection. When we consider the nature of the Garden of Eden, we gain three insights into the contentment that God desires for His people.

Exquisite beauty. As God created every part of the universe, He pronounced it “good.” But He unleashed the full extent of His creative power when He designed a garden home for Adam and Eve. For their enjoyment, He poured out beauty beyond comprehension.

Abundant provision. The beauty of the Garden of Eden was also functional. The trees were pleasing to the eye but also good for food. As part of God’s plan of provision, He assigned Adam the job of maintaining the garden.

Before the fall, Adam and Eve didn’t just lounge around all day. “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). They had important work to do, but they were working inside the garden, in God’s presence, and that made all the difference. They found fulfillment in the satisfying work that God gave them.

Complete protection. The garden’s ability to protect its occupants demonstrates a third element of contentment. God sheltered Adam and Eve, guarding them from all danger. Within the garden’s walls, Adam and Eve lived in an atmosphere of sweet harmony with each other and with God.

This same God longs to provide for you, protect you, and fellowship with you today. When you take time to talk with God, He will talk with you. You can know God’s heart by reading His Word. And when you fellowship with Him, you have His divine protection.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your everlasting love and protection. I know that You want me to rest in You, to develop an ever-deepening relationship with You. Show me how I can draw closer to You through Your Word. I long for Your fellowship, and I ask for Your protection. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon The Garden vs. the City, Part 1: LISTEN NOW

What awaits the believer after this life? And how does our eternal future impact our lives today? In his new book Heaven Awaits, Dr. Michael Youssef dispels misconceptions about the believer’s eternal home and articulates the blessings, majesty, and reality of heaven as displayed in Scripture. As you dig into God’s promises for your future in Christ, you’ll be lifted up and empowered to persevere today with joy in your hope that will never disappoint. Order your copy today for your gift of any amount! *Offer valid in US, UK, and Canada through May 31, 2024.

Leading The Way’s daily MY Devotional is also available as a podcast—listen today on your favorite podcast platform!

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Listen to Dr. Michael Youssef on today's broadcast of Leading The Way at OnePlace.com.
Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.

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About Leading The Way

Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through print, web, television, and radio, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives at home — and around the world.

What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ — including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazine, solar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ. In 2009, the ministry launched its own 24/7 satellite TV channel, reaching the Muslim world with Gospel programming in English, Arabic, French, and Indonesian. Leading The Way utilizes field teams to evangelize and disciple viewers in closed countries and help persecuted Christians on the ground.

Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.

About Dr. Michael Youssef

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and field ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast more than 13,000 times per week in multiple languages throughout the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia; Fuller Theological Seminary in California; and a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Hope for This Present Crisis, Life-Changing Prayers, and Never Give Up. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.