Awe! The first true birth of a child from a woman on record. Think about that? Adam came from God and Eve came from a rib! The rib of Adam. Together these two humans became one, and from them we have the birth of Cain followed by the birth of his baby brother Abel. It did not take long for Satan to sink his pitchfork in these two brothers and Satan began his birthing of sibling rivalry, jealousy, different personalities, different gifts, different interests, different beliefs, and different feelings. Satan was literally crouching at the door of these two brothers waiting to pounce and boy did he. He pounced so hard into the mind of Cain that he actually took the life of his brother, Abel, out of jealousy and resentment. Death…all over an offering to God. Genesis 4:5 states God had no respect for the offering Cain brought, but did he really not respect Cain's offering? I don’t know, however, the bible clearly says that God had no respect. There are a number of reasons that come to my mind:
1. It could be it was fruit...what happened in the fall? Adam and Eve ate the fruit, but I would argue you still have to till the ground and that was Cain’s job, so I really don’t think it was because it was fruit.
2. Could it be that fruit is not a blood sacrifice? All throughout the old testament you will see blood sacrifices from animals.
3. The wording in Genesis 4:3 suggests that Cain might have dropped the ball if you will...It states, “And in the course of time.” This suggests that once he saw Abel had brought his sacrifice he ran and grabbed some fruit, not really putting much thought or prayer into it. And last but not least...
4. Abel's sacrifice was that of a lamb and not just any lamb, the firstborn. Think about that. It was the blood sacrifice of an animal, it was a lamb, and not just any lamb, the firstborn. What does this remind you of?
Reflect: Sometimes, we as humans have a hard time when people are different than us don’t we? Differences make it hard to relate at times. When there are differences do you find yourself in the trap of comparison? Jealousy? Is it hard to connect with someone different than you? How do you respond to those who are close to you, yet different from you? Whether those differences are personalities, thoughts, beliefs, gifts, or pursuits, does it affect your response?
Prayer: Today ask God to help you when you are tempted to resent, compare, or dislike those who are different from you. Ask God into your heart so you can see them the way He does. Ask Him to help you understand them and love them as He does.
How to walk it out: Daily, ask the Holy Spirit to be your eyes so you can see what you need to see. Your ears so you can hear what you need to hear and truly listen to understand. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through you so you speak in love, and lastly to open your heart to all who are different.
Have you ever heard the term, “Ignorance is bliss.”? I honestly think that came from Genesis 3:6-7. Eve, LITERALLY, could not help herself and was enticed by Satan saying, “You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from this beautiful tree, with its juicy fruit, you will see what is REALLY going on. You will be just LIKE GOD…..(things that should make us go hmmm….but in reality make our pea brains think power), knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil.” I don’t know about you, but from where I am sitting….I think sometimes ignorance is bliss. Here is the GOOD NEWS...God redeeming us tracks all the way back into the garden, back in the very beginning of time, God was showing us compassion, mercy, and love. Everything about God’s plan is connected to what happened in this very moment in the garden. The moment Eve made the choice to eat the delicious, juicy, beautiful, plump, rich, red apple….but was it worth it? All that juice, all that beauty, all that plump and juiciness? What did all that juicy beauty bring? It brought about awareness and it brought about the fall. OUCH!
Reflect: Again this human desire for power, more, shiny, bright red, beautiful, rich, juicy things brings us to our knees WHEN it separates us from God. BUT the GOOD NEWS is No matter what the devil entices you with, he is doomed. Did you hear that? He is doomed. Not you. Satan is doomed to defeat, and you, my friend, are redeemed. How? Genesis 3:15~Do you see it? Right there, in the Garden~God announces from the man and woman’s seed, (Jesus) will take away Satan’s authority! FROM THE BEGINNING GOD KNEW AND GOD HAD AND STILL HAS A PLAN TO DESTROY SATAN! GOD HAS YOU MY FRIEND and He is redeeming YOU through His son Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Ask God to come into your heart. There is no better way to get to know God than to sit in silence with Him and ask Him to help you understand our separation from Him because of sin. Let Him into your heart. Let Him know you are ready to reconcile and confess any areas you have turned away or rebelled against Him.
How to Walk it Out: When do we hide? When we are ashamed or embarrassed. We don’t have to hide from God. In Genesis 3:22, God shows us his compassion when he clothed Adam and Eve. God made tunics of animal skin for them so they would not be ashamed. God was not ashamed. Adam and Eve were because they went against the ONE THING God told them not to do and what happened? They became aware that they were naked. It is as if they lost their “covering” and protection from God. But God shows them compassion and covers them in skin from animals and he does the same for me and you. He covers us in the blood of His son. So today, if and when you fall short, repent and know that God is covering you. He is protecting you. Don’t hide from God today. Today run to God. He will protect you.
Literally, the first six days of creation ended with God saying, “And it was good.” EVERY DANG DAY and then He rested. Took a break! Did not think about it because it was good and He was pleased. On the sixth day He actually said after creating humans, “it was very good and He validated it completely.” (Genesis 1:31) I see a theme….It is good, now enjoy it, and relax. Something we are basically told not to do. The lie we are fed is, success is the amount of money in your bank, the size of your home, the car you drive, the trips you take when in all reality is that success? If you are always working and not taking time to enjoy the fruits of your labor what are you even doing? We get caught up in this idea if we are busy, if we are doing something, then we are successful. Yes God was a busy little bee those first six days, but every night He looked at the fruits of His labor and said, “It is good and rested.” If He had had an iPhone or a computer He would have put it away. He would have relaxed and enjoyed His time. Probably with the Son and the Holy Ghost too.
Reflect: In your desire to possess more and more, have the perfect home, or kids, do you fall into the trap of working, working, working -and never enjoy the fruit….enjoy the now, the home you have, the kids, your spouse, yourself?
Prayer: Ask God to work on your heart. Get to the bottom of why you feel the need to work so hard at whatever it is, your body image, your home life, your job, whatever it is, and ask God to help you learn to relax and enjoy His blessings, His presence, and those around you. Ask Him to help you enjoy the gift of today.
How to Walk it Out: Today decide that you will put the computer and the phone away and spend time with those in your presence. The phone will not be on the table at dinner with friends, or by your side wherever you are. I challenge you to “Lose” the phone for a period of time daily and silence the watch while you are at it. Can you do it?
