Showing posts sorted by relevance for query cain abel. Sort by date Show all posts
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3/1/26

Cain Builds His Name; Seth Brings Repentance to God's Name

 AIM: Our sin nature leads to broken relationships. God alone can repair them.

Opening Reflection

  • As we worship with our whole lives today, we praise the One who gave us life, ability, desire, and forgiveness. He gave us new life. That truth makes any sacrifice pleasing to Him.
  • Lord, let our spirits leap for joy in praise for what you have done and continue to do. May everything we say and do point to you, so that many will come to saving knowledge of your work through the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A) The Blessing of Family Turns to Murder, Grief, and Banishment (vv. 1–16)
vv. 1–2. Adam and Eve bear two sons: Cain who works the soil and Abel who tends flocks.
vv. 3–5. Both bring offerings. God rejects Cain's offering. God accepts Abel's firstborn and its fat portions. Cain becomes angry.

  • Their offerings reveal the heart. Cain said, “Look what I did.” Abel said, “Look what you did, Lord.” Jesus calls us to worship in spirit and truth. Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices that please God. Romans and Titus clarify that no one is righteous apart from God. Cain’s heart displays that truth.

vv. 6–7. The Lord warns Cain. “If you do what is right, you will be accepted. If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires you, but you must rule over it.”

Principle: Doing what is right protects us. Sin behaves like a predator that waits to control us.

vv. 8–9. Cain kills Abel. When God asks where Abel is, Cain deflects.
vv. 10–12. God says, “Your brother’s blood cries out.” The ground will no longer produce for Cain. He will be a wanderer.

  • Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel…Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking... Heb 12:10-29
vv. 13–14. Cain protests that his punishment is too much.
vv. 15–16. God places a sign on Cain to protect him. Cain leaves for Nod, east of Eden.

Application: What sin in my life needs to leave my home?

B) Cain's Line Builds Success; Lamech Builds a Bigger Name (vv. 17–24)
vv. 17–18. Cain’s wife bears Enoch. Cain builds a city and names it after him. The line continues to Lamech.
vv. 19–22. Lamech takes two wives.
Adah bears Jabal and Jubal, the fathers of herding and music.
Zillah bears Tubal-Cain, who forges tools of bronze and iron, and Naamah.

vv. 23–24. Lamech commits murder and boasts about it. He twists God’s protection of Cain and claims a greater right to revenge.

Vengeance vs. Forgiveness. Cain’s line magnifies revenge. Jesus reverses it. “Forgive seventy-seven times.” The Old Testament already taught this ethic.

  • One of the greatest barriers to Christian maturity is knowing what to do with forgiveness. Jesus' use of exaggeration makes the point that one forgives and forgives. There is no limit. How long does it take until you have worked through forgiveness? Until you can want the well-being of the other who has trespassed against you. The import of Jesus' teaching here is that our lack of willingness to forgive our neighbor acts as a barrier to accepting God's forgiveness of our own sin.

Sidebar: Forgiveness and Unresolved Conflict

  • Reading C. S. Lewis this week reminded me how unresolved childhood wounds damage adult relationships. Scripture warned us early. “Do not hate your brother in your heart.” The New Testament does not invent forgiveness. It clarifies and perfects it.
  • Lewis notes the continuity between the Testaments. Jesus repeats and fulfills Old Testament ethics.
  • Help your enemy. Do not celebrate his downfall. Feed him when he is hungry.
  • Scripture shows seven as a number of grace. God uses it throughout the story for cleansing and restoration.
  • Lewis also warns that religious zeal without repentance produces great harm. A high calling can fuel humility or self-righteousness. There is no neutral ground.

C) Seth Is Born. People Begin to Call on God’s Name (vv. 25–26)
vv. 25–26. Adam and Eve bear Seth. Eve says, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel.” Seth fathers Enosh. At this moment people begin to call on the name of the Lord.

Principle: Our testimony shapes others. Eve’s words of faith over Seth set in motion a renewed movement of worship.

Questions for reflection

  • What fruit has forgiveness produced in your life?
  • How can we teach our children and ourselves to live in the light of forgiveness instead of the shadow of unresolved conflict?

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10/9/20

Cain builds his name, Seth brings repentance to God's name (Gen 4)

AIM: Our sin nature ends in broken relationships only God can repair. 

Gen 4

A) Blessing of family turns to murder, grief, and banishment

4:1-2) Adam and Eve bore Cain (soil) and Able (flocks)

3-5) over time Cain offering (no favor), Abel fat firstborn (Lord's favor). Cain is angry

 - Cain said, "look what I did", Abel said "look what you did"

6-7) Lord "do what is right, accepted" - not doing, sin like an animal (crouching, desire, rule it)

 - Principle: doing the right thing protects us from taking sinful action

8-9) Cain kills Able, Lord inquires, Cain denies knowledge "Am I brother's keeper?"

10-12) Lord, "brother's blood speaks to me, Cain is cursed, away, no crops, restless wanderer"

13-14) Cain, "punishment unbearable, away from you, I'll be killed"

15-16) Lord, "not killed, marked 'don't kill suffer vengeance 7x'" Cain leave Lord, Nod East

Application: What pet sin do I need to banish from my home? 

B) Cain builds success but Lemech "earns" a bigger name

17-18) Cain, wife bore Enoch - built city named after him. Enoch > Irad > Mehujael > Methushael > Lamech

19-22) Lamech two wives Adah (Jabal - tents/livestcok and Jubal string instruments and pipes), Zillah (Tbal-Cain forge tools bronze and iron, sister Naamah)

23-24) Lamech kills another (second recorded murder), Cain mark, Lamech is 70X7

 - second sons advocated for escalating vengeance (Gen 4:15,24). Jesus emphasized forgiveness over vengeance (Matthew 18:21,22, Luke 17:4). - Love and forgiveness of Christ in the Old Testament

C) Seth is born Eve testifies and people call on God's name

25-26) Adam + Eve > Seth, saying "God granted me" > Enosh, "people began to call on the name of the Lord"

 - Principle: Our testimony impacts others

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8/13/19

Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another

Often times I see God working in my life through interconnected experiences. I'm grateful for having eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands.  

  • Yesterday I was listening to Jesus-Continued-Audiobook chapter 15 that talked about intercessory faith as opposed to intercessory prayer. Then I was reading Be Real (1 John): Turning from Hypocrisy to Truth (The BE Series Commentary) on a section about Cain and Abel, "Abel went away from the altar with God's witness of acceptance in his heart, but Cain went away angry and disappointed (Gen 4:4-6). God warned Cain that sin was crouching at the door like a dangerous beast (Gen 4:7) but promised that if Cain would obey God, he, like Abel, would enjoy peace.

  • Today I'm reading, Broken and Desperate, an article about Mark 9:18-29 (Matthew 17:20) that talks about the link between faith and prayer.
  • Last week I was in Myanmar and created a website to help navigate jump drives myanmar-christian-bible-resource and decided to publish the site on an S3 bucket in the region. One of my favorite lessons in life comes from 2 Cor 4:13-18, God's grace reaches for you via our preaching and speaking. 
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 
Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. 
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. 
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. 
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:1-6
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7/30/16

Knee work cultivates and bears fruit


My mom has at her desk a sign she made that says, "Knee work bears fruit." Its a reminder to rely on God for all that we want to see in our lives and the lives of those we love. Martin Luther famously said, "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." I've added the phrase "cultivates" and got to thinking, Biblically how does this play out.

In John 15:1-4, Jesus gives the analogy of himself being the grapevine, his disciples being the branches and God being the gardener who cuts of branches not producing fruit and prunes branches to produce more.  He says the disciples had already been pruned by the message Jesus gave them and simple says, "Remain in me and I will remain in you for a branch can't bear fruit unless you remain in me"

In Genesis 4 we see God wants our affections, our love (Abel)- not what we produce (Cain). He wants us to come to him in faith like Abel (Hebrews 11:1-6). Cain's sacrifice may have been on automatic bill pay but it wasn't done in love. This is explained in 1 John 3:11-24: We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.

Lord help me to see myself and others with your eyes of love, compassion and mercy. Help me to pray, remind me of your purposes. Give me your heavenly vision to be accomplished on earth, in your time. Give me grace to follow where you lead, keep me near your heart. In Jesus name amen.


Much Fruit
CULTIVATING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Why did God accept Abel’s offering but reject Cain’s offering? Why did Cain then kill Abel?
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth390009.html

on a side note:
John 15, got me thinking of the old song, "I heard it through the grapevine". My exposure to the song was with the California Raisins (a commercial using that song - but only the phrase out of context). I wondered if this had any Spiritual roots to John 15, but it was traced back to "a phrase associated with black slaves during the Civil War, who had their form of telegraph: the human grapevine"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Heard_It_Through_the_Grapevine
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10/31/22

To Obey, observe = see (Matthew 28:20)

"...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -  NIV

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - ESV

Eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands

Grateful I got to see Jonathon Stone and pray for him today. The Lord brought me to this post from when I saw him in Myanmar last:

Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another

Be Real (1 John): Turning from Hypocrisy to Truth (The BE Series Commentary) on a section about Cain and Abel, "Abel went away from the altar with God's witness of acceptance in his heart, but Cain went away angry and disappointed (Gen 4:4-6). God warned Cain that sin was crouching at the door like a dangerous beast (Gen 4:7) but promised that if Cain would obey God, he, like Abel, would enjoy peace.

Read More ->>

5/5/16

National Day of Prayer for Government

You are with us here Lord, We know Christ intercedes on our behalf and the Holy Spirit pleads for us in harmony with Your will. Help us Lord when we don’t know what to pray. We confess our sins and you are faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness. We humbly come before you God and seek your face.
We come to you to pray for the Government, that you would help those who serve in all branches. Specifically the executive branch, thank you for the peaceful transition of power you’ve blessed our people with. We thank you for the Legislative branch for the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are many who work long hours doing good work for our nation, world and the future generations.
Each of us is blessed with peaceful, quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity – we are grateful for the religious freedoms we have to share the good news of eternal life and redemption in Christ you’ve given to us. May you be glorified in our lives and let us share Christ boldly with all in our government.
We believe in one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. Jesus you gave your life to purchase freedom for everyone and now we cast our anxieties and cares on you regarding the elections and the judicial branch of government.
We will submit to the government and its officers, knowing that all authority comes from you God and those in positions of authority have been placed there by you. Help us to always be ready to do what is good, to not slander anyone and avoid quarreling. We repent from these actions and attitudes so present in our government and ask for your power in us to be gentle and truly humble to everyone.
Lord God, give us the clothing of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as we trust in you, remembering that you forgave us, so we must forgive others.
Lord we are deeply troubled by the moral decline we see in our government and ask for your mercy on us.  Give us justices who will stand for life, abolish human abortion, who will not allow assisted suicide and protect the vulnerable from “mercy killing”. We know those killed unjustly cry out to you as Abel cried out from the ground and the souls of the martyrs cry out to you, even now.
Thank you for the godly examples of leadership in your word for government officials to follow. Let the government officials be as faithful, responsible and trustworthy as Daniel, always seeking the welfare of the cities they govern. Like Joseph using their power and influence wisely.
You are completely sovereign over all governments of the world.  You have revealed yourself to us through your word and through nature. You are the God of our fathers and your name is blessed forever and ever. Even as we are praying you are showing us your plan of redemption. We are the holy nation of God, called out of darkness into his marvelous light. We look forward to your eternal government to come as Isaiah said your government and its peace will never end. And there will be no more death and corruption.

Back ground info, scripture basis for prayer

Verse
Word (NLT)
Prayer
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
You are with us here Lord, We know Christ intercedes on our behalf and the Holy Spirit pleads for us in harmony with God’s will. Help us Lord when we don’t know what to pray.

We confess our sins and you are faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness
Hebrews 7:5
Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them
Romans 8:26-27
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[a] in harmony with God’s own will.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
We humbly come before you God and seek your face.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
We come to you to pray for the Government, that you would help those who serve in all branches. Specifically the executive branch, thank you for the peaceful transition of power you’ve blessed our people with. We thank you for the Legislative branch for the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are many who work long hours doing good work for our nation, world and the next generation.

Each of us is blessed with peaceful, quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity – we are grateful for the religious freedoms we have to share the good news of eternal life and redemption in Christ you’ve given to us. May you be glorified in our lives and let us share Christ boldly with all governing bodies.

We believe in one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. Jesus you gave your life to purchase freedom for everyone and now we cast our anxieties and cares on you regarding the elections and the judicial branch of government.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Titus 3:1-2
Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
We will submit to the government and its officers, knowing that all authority comes from God and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Help us to always be ready to do what is good, to not slander anyone and avoid quarreling. We repent from these actions and attitudes so present in our government and ask for your power in us to be gentle and truly humble to everyone.
Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Colossians 3:12-14
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Lord God, give us the clothing of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as we trust in you, remembering that you forgave us, so we must forgive others.
Proverbs 28:2
When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
Lord we are deeply troubled by the moral decline we see in our government and ask for your mercy on us.  Give us justices who will stand for life, abolish human abortion, who will not allow assisted suicide and protect the vulnerable from “mercy killing”
Gen 4:8-11
One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
9 Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”
“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
10 But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! 11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood.
We know those killed unjustly cry out to you as Abel cried out from the ground and the souls of the martyrs cry out to you.
Rev 6:9-11
When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters[a]—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.
1 Kings 9:22
But Solomon did not conscript any of the Israelites for forced labor. Instead, he assigned them to serve as fighting men, government officials, officers and captains in his army, commanders of his chariots, and charioteers.
Thank you for the godly examples of leadership in your word for government officials to follow.
Daniel 6:4
Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.
Let the government officials be as faithful, responsible and trustworthy as Daniel, always seeking the welfare of the cities they govern.
Jeremiah 29:7
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
1 Peter 2:17
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
You are completely sovereign over all governments of the world.  You have revealed yourself to us through your word and through nature. You are the God of our fathers and your name is blessed forever and ever.
Daniel 2:20-23
Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”
Job 12:23-25
He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.
Deepest prayer
Daniel 9:3-19



Answered
Daniel 9:20-23
12 You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem. 13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. 14 Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.

while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time
Even as we are praying you are showing us your plan of redemption
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
We are the holy nation of God, called out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or questioning,

Isaiah 9:6-7
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
We look forward to your eternal government to come as Isaiah said your government and its peace will never end.
Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Rev 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave[b] gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
And there will be no more death and corruption.




Scripture helps used

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3/3/18

God's gifts and our commitment are bonded by love (Romans 12:1-21)


AIM: Discover spiritual gifts, motivated by love brings life change
Romans 12:1-8
A) God's mercy seen creates a devoted life in His will
1) See God's mercy, give self fully to God is worship
2) Not pattern world, transformed/renewing mind, able do God's will
Illustration: Cain (Look what I brought God) and Abel (look what you did God)
Cain couldn't see God's mercy and took LIFE into his own hands, killing his brother. God's mercy was then revealed in Cain, God protected Cain (Gen 4) - Lemech didn't get it (70 times 7 REVENGE). Jesus said 70 times 7 Forgive (Matthew 18:21-22).
Many in the church struggle with self-deception:
  • Lying to yourself, that you aren't sinning (Romans 14:23; Proverbs 30:20; James 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:3;1 John 1:8-10;2:4)
  • Thinking your "Christian" when you don't live a Christian lifestyle (Luke 6:46; James 1:26; 1 John 2:4;1:6; 3:9-10)
  • Thinking "I'll get away with it" (Galatians 6:7; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Proverbs 28:13)

Application: Debug your heartLet the Holy Spirit and God's word expose and judge the intentions of your heart.
 Ephesians 4:23-24 and Colossians 3:10 says, "...let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." and "put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator."
Heb 4:12 says, "the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]...penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Ephesians 5:10,17 says, "Test and prove what pleases the Lord" and Don't be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is"
Application: Is my sacrifice pleasing to God, where am I focusing on worldly patterns rather than the Godly pattern in his Word?

B) God's gracious gifts used in humble, united service (3-8)
3) Grace given me, not better in self, by faith God distributed to us
4-5) body many parts, function in Christ, belongs to each other
6) different gifts (1 Cor 7:7), according grace given (empowerment): 
 - Same LORD and Spirit, God at work (1 Cor 12:4-6)
 - Gift to equip others, reach unity (Eph 4:11-13, John 14-17)
 - We are stewards of these gifts, purpose is God's glory in Christ (1 Peter 4:10-11)
7-8) Gifts according to grace: Prophesy/faith, serving, teaching, encourage, give/generously, lead/diligently, mercy/cheerfully
Illustration: Lot is an example of not using gift faithfully. (Lord) rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (2 Peter 2:7). Jesus sends us out, says Listen! Don't miss it! You'll be judge, wrong intentions in your heart need to be cast out in the name of Jesus! (Luke 10:12-17). Jesus was reminding the 72 about Lot (Luke 10:1-12) and what happens when people don't come out (Gen 19:14,15). So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. (Gen 19:29) but
Lot used his freedom to be an unaware, incestuous drunk (Gen 19:32-35). Why didn't Lot go back to Abraham for humble help in this matter?
Principle: Two things make a Christian miserable, 1) unrepentant sin and 2) not using your gifts to serve the Church.
ApplicationSpiritual gifts inventory, what gift haven't you opened yet? Consider serving in an unfamiliar way (test and approve).
Also:lot
Romans 12:3; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:1-6 ; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 7:7b ;1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ;Ephesians 4:11-13 ;1 Peter 4:10-11

C) Love enthusiastically, sacrificially serving and trusting the Lord (9-21)
9-10) Love sincere, hate evil, cling good, devoted/honor one-another in love
11-13) spiritual fervor, serving the Lord: joyful/hope, patient/affliction, faithful/prayer, share/people/need, practice/hospitality
14-15) Bless (no curse)/persecutors, empathy: celebrate/rejoicing, comfort/mourning
16) Live/harmony/each other, not proud/conceited, associate with low positions
17-21) Not evil for evil, careful/right eyes of all, possible depends on you: live/peace not revenge, trust God's plan: overcome evil with good
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6/2/20

George Floyd now stands for reformation (Let us be Romans 12 people)

The city I grew up in has burned, I was driving Friday morning to take my Big Data Specialty exam and saw the city burning. It reminded me of a vision I had when I was younger. It's a miracle I passed the exam and I'm glad many lives were spared in all the rioting. We need prayer fuel action to do God's will -  for me this is person to person and that's been my focus for so many years.  

The day after George Floyd was killed by cops, we had a long meeting at church on how we can open the church on May 31 (after months of closure from Covid 19). It's hard to believe what can happen in a week. Church opened on Sunday and we prayed for the oppressed: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. As we usually do we focused on a section of scripture rather than jump around and I was glad we landed on Romans 12, a great section "in view of God's mercy" on who we are in Christ.

A) Sincere LOVE is the root of what Christian's hate (never hating people)
Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.
Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], 
(As you state your position, remember your disposition)
 - give preference to one another in honor; 
 - never lagging behind in diligence; 
 - aglow in the Spirit,
 - enthusiastically serving the Lord; 
 - constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], 
 - steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], 
 - contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.
Romans 12:9‭-‬13 AMP

B) Let your response be directed by God's word, overcome evil with good
Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 
 - Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine , I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap  burning coals on his head .” Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17‭-‬21 AMP

I studied this passage years ago and enjoyed seeing these lessons again as we prepare for the Genesis study in BSF next year:
Romans 12:2) 2) Not pattern world, transformed/renewing mind, able do God's will
Illustration: Cain (Look what I brought God) and Abel (look what you did God)
Cain couldn't see God's mercy and took LIFE into his own hands, killing his brother. God's mercy was then revealed in Cain, God protected Cain (Gen 4) - Lemech didn't get it (70 times 7 REVENGE). Jesus said 70 times 7 Forgive (Matthew 18:21-22).

Monday June1)
We had a great time in prayer last night for AlphaUSA, praying for our grandkids and kids, that we would give them a church strong in mercy, loving-kindness, and vibrantly alive. My friend had a vision of a life of prayer ahead - isn't that wonderful!  Lord, remove the spirit of fear -  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7

On Sunday my wife Kim's friend Jan gave her a book of "gleanings" from Kim's teaching of Acts. It has a picture of mature wheat in a field. Jan is a lay teacher taking groups to Isreal and leading Bible study. She told us that you can tell the wheat from the tares when they mature. When wheat is mature it bows down, when tares mature they stand up straight. Isn't that interesting? Inside this custom made book was my favorite Gospel message from Titus 3:3-7
"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
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10/13/24

Knowing Jesus, the will of God

Knowing the will of God is a subject of great interest in the world today. In BSF this year we study the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1-3). This is God's gift, to make the future known, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. We are blessed when we read and take it to heart. 

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.Luke 13:22-29 give this lesson in the context of judgement and repentance (Luke 13:1-5), spiritual growth (Luke 13:6-9), Jesus heals us on the day of rest (Luke 13:10-17), the disabled dies like a seed breaking out into a tree (Luke 13:18-19 - We lose our disabled life, and find eternal life in Christ John 12:24-26), like flour is transformed by yeast our life is transformed by the Kingdom of God (Luke 13:20-21). Salvation comes from entering into a relationship with Jesus (Luke 13:24, a "one at a time" narrow door), not through community service (Luke 13:25-30) or saving your own life (Luke 13:31-35). 

The phrase workers of lawlessness, reminded me of Cain and Abel, Cain brought produce, Abel brought his affection. Workers of lawlessness earn wages, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). The gift of God is called Faith (Ephesians 2:8-10), not a job to do. We are saved by faith, through grace to do the good work God's called us to (family). 

To know the will of God we have to hear the Word of God, we have to focus on Jesus (John 1:1). In Hebrews we Understand the old testament in the light of Jesus Christ

Jesus’s heavenly authority: John 3:11-13; 5:19; 8:18, 26-29

  • Jesus came from heaven, tells us, he sees what the Father is doing, "Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.", Jesus is one witness, his Father who sent him is the other. 
  • So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.”

Jesus fulfilled the Law and prophets (Matthew 5:17-18), Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), Christ has indeed been raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20), and has power over death (John 1:4; 11:25-26), Jesus reigns (Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 2:8-9). 

Jesus died for my sins (Romans 5:8), freed me from sin’s penalty (Psalm 103:11-12; Isaiah 38:17; Romans 6:23; 8:1-2), freed me from sin’s power (Romans 6:1-14; 8:3-11; Philippians 2:12-13) and freed me from sin’s presence (1 John 3:2).

We are living stones and a royal priesthood (Exodus 16:34, 19:6, 28:21; 1 Peter 2:5, 9, Isaiah 65:15, John 6:35, Rev 2:17)

Jesus will return for everyone, living and dead will see him and mourn (Daniel 7:13; Zechariah 12; Matthew 24:30)

  • Job 19:26, "And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;"
  • Heb 9:27-28, Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

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2/2/25

Idolatry, selfishness, and hurt feelings provoke judgement and brokenness (Jer 18:18-19:15)

"This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will bring disaster (devastation) upon this city and its surrounding towns as I promised, because you have stubbornly refused to listen (and obey) to me.’" - Jer 19:15

Jeremiah 18:18-23

A) Hurt Jeremiah turns from intercesor, to provoking God's judgement against them.

18) People plot to stop Jeremiah with variety, rumors, and ignorance

19) Jeremiah pleads with Lord: hear, help/intercede, listen what enemies say

23) Knowing the plot, don't forgive crimes/wickedness, or blot out sins, let them die from your anger.

Application: When we are hurt, feeling rejected, disappointed we can feel like giving up on people and pushing a self centered agenda. We want to be proven right in our peers eyes. I'm reminded of Cain, Abel, and Seth

Our lives speak long after we've died. What will our life testimony be about? Accomplishments on Linked In, vacations on Facebook, family, friends, and ministry?  

Jeremiah 19

B) God responds with broken jar illustration and devastating prophecy against stubborn disobedient people.

19:1-3) buy clay jar, ask leaders/priest to broken pots dump, listen to this message from Lord

4-6) Israel rejected me, made this place valley of slaughter, incense, blood of innocent, child sacrifice to Baal against Lord's will

7-9) Lord will upset plans, allowing slaughter, ruin, destruction - resulting in cannibalism and despair.

10-13) Smash clay jar, Lord of Heaven's Armies shatters people, not mended, beyond hope of repair, homes of idol worshipers like this garbage heap, like Topheth

14-15) At Temple of the Lord, proclaimed all these cities and towns devastated because you stubbornly refused to listen and obey my words.

Application: our lives are consequential, how we treat one another in word and deed can bring life or death. Choose life. 
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10/11/17

Cain said, "look what I did", Abel said "look what you did"

Jesus reminds us to worship God in spirit and truth. Paul culminates the good news of Romans to give ourselves as living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God.

I've been reflecting on Cain the past few days, how Titus clarifies his error in relation to new testament believers. Reviewing my Bsf lesson on Romans 3 gave me this insight today, no one is righteous apart from God.

As we worship with our whole lives, let us praise the One who gave us life, ability, desire and who forgave us, giving us new life. That's the truth that makes any sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God.

God let my spirit leap for joy in praise to the truth of what you've done in my life and continue to do. I'm looking forward to seeing you at work in our hearts today. May everything we say and do point to you. That many would come to saving knowledge of what you've done through the life, death, resurrection and soon return of Jesus Christ.

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