Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!
So often we hear the stories of the Bible and they are "good stories" but don't relate to us. Last time I spoke of Adam and Eve. Now, let's look at their sons - Cain and Abel. Here is what the Bible says:
Genesis 4: 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
So what is the problem here? Notice Cain brought"some of the fruits" of the soil to offer, whereas Abel brought "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock".
Cain seemed to give as he should, but not of his best. Able gave of his best in offering to the LORD. If you continue to read Genesis 4 you will find Cain was now angry. But why? Because he did not willingly give back to the LORD. Now after a conversation with God, still not seeing that evil was upon him, he wanted to take his anger out on someone. Well, we know the story from here.
Relate this to you and your life. When have you given freely and willingly to God as did Abel; then reflect to when you gave grudgingly back to God as did Cain.
Well, I went to church Sunday. I just wasn't moved. I had other things I needed to do rather than sit in church. Or, possibly, yep, I read my Bible this morning, I took 2 minutes before I went about my business and I can pray later.
It could even be that you didn't want to, or running late because you hit the snooze too many times.
We must give back to God in our discipline to Him and His word. There are 1,440 minutes in a day (24 hours), Which means a tenth of that would be 144 minutes or 2.4 hours a day. You say, I don't have that kind of time, I work.
Yes, but this can be easily attained. As we cruise through the course of the day we can pray as we are driving, read scripture before work, during lunch, at home while relaxing and at other opportunities.
Some will say I don't have time to read the Bible, oh, by the way, I just finished reading this great book about (you fill in the blank); you need to read it. That book won't draw you closer in a relationship with the LORD like the Bible will. So what is most important?
While I am telling you this, I, as Paul, am the chief sinner about not getting into the Word as I should. Am I pointing fingers at you? NO! I am preaching to myself and you just happen to get in on it. However, it is food for thought.
I pray, and ask that you pray for me, you, and the world to get more involved in living for God. Thank you and may your day be blessed.
In Christ's Love and Grace,
Johnny
