Ok, like everyone else, I have read the Cain and Abel story a million times. Maybe not a million times, but you get the picture. The story holds some significance, being that it is the first murder recorded in the bible. It shows the continuation of sin and man. It shows that one must be willing to give his best to God. You can pull most of these messages out of the story of Cain and Able, but to get them out, you pretty much have to juice it out just like you would a lemon or orange. They are not messages that when looking at the story are in black and white, so the story of Cain and Abel never had an incredible influence on me.....until now.
Like I said, I have read this story a million times, but Genesis 4:6-7 were words that struck my soul cord and inspired me to write yet another blog today, 2 in one day, can you believe it? Cain and Abel had just presented God with their offerings and God had pretty much shown Cain he was not to happy with what he had to give. Pouting in the corner, God comes in and says the following to Cain;
Genesis 4:6-7 6 The the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.
In this truly Old Testament style story, there exists a few lines that strike a true resemblance to words spoken by God's son Jesus Christ in the New Testament. When some compare Old vs. New, they do not see the shared identities of both Father and Son. Check out a few of these versus from the New Testament that speak to doing right and you will be accepted.
- Matthew 5:19 19 Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but who ever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Romans 2:6 - 10 6 God "will repay everyone according to what they have done." 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
- 2 John 1:6 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
The words of Father and Son are just as relevant when spoken by God in the Old Testament or spoken by Jesus Christ in the new. Keep your eyes pealed, and you too will see the likeness of God and His son Jesus Christ written down in our most Holy Bible.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your words extend through the ages. Relevancy can be found in whatever we read in Your words. I asked that you fill my heart and soul with your love. That you make Your words transparent for me. That you can present to me a connection like this shows that you can be found everywhere in this Holy text. Truly, truly, truly...thanks to You oh' God.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be You Lord Jesus Christ - AMEN!
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Power of a Small Group
There are times in my life where I have felt like the lonely soul that questions God in the poem called Footprints In the Sand, "...but I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints when I needed you most."
I have also come to realize that it is not only the feeling of God's Spirit we miss in times of need, but the physical companionship of a person who shares that same friendship and relationship with God. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a small group that was formed approximately 4 months ago. I think the term small group doesn't really encompass the deeper relationships that have formed between this group. It may be a small group in numbers, but a large group in Spiritual Growth.
After a trying week, a week where God has fallen from your mind, which makes snapping back to your Christian reality a little difficult, meeting with people who share in the same faith is both an uplifting and helpful experience in getting back on track. I was reading Romans 1:11-12, and these versus encompass what I believe each person feels about in our small group, and why we keep getting together every week to talk about God and His son Jesus Christ. Romans 1:11-12 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some Spritual gift to make you strong- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
Each one of us is gifted in how we interpret God's word and can speak about our relationship with Christ. Each of us can bring a different point of view on how to apply God's word to our everyday life and missgivings. Reach out to each of your friends and create this relationship. Hold dear those people that you can meet with everyday to encourage you in your life. You may go through hardships, but remember, "...the times when you have only seen one set of footprints, is when I [Jesus Christ] carried you." It is also those relationships that God puts in your life to lift you when you look for His physical companionship too.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to thank you for the relationships that you put in my life. Thank you for the friendships you have helped me establish, and the sharing in faith that is common among all of us. I ask that you continue to foster in me a bright light. That you compel our small group to uplift each other in times of need and be honest in our faith, that we may grow to know you better and encourage each other through our faith.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be you Lord Jesus Christ - Amen
I have also come to realize that it is not only the feeling of God's Spirit we miss in times of need, but the physical companionship of a person who shares that same friendship and relationship with God. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a small group that was formed approximately 4 months ago. I think the term small group doesn't really encompass the deeper relationships that have formed between this group. It may be a small group in numbers, but a large group in Spiritual Growth.
After a trying week, a week where God has fallen from your mind, which makes snapping back to your Christian reality a little difficult, meeting with people who share in the same faith is both an uplifting and helpful experience in getting back on track. I was reading Romans 1:11-12, and these versus encompass what I believe each person feels about in our small group, and why we keep getting together every week to talk about God and His son Jesus Christ. Romans 1:11-12 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some Spritual gift to make you strong- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
Each one of us is gifted in how we interpret God's word and can speak about our relationship with Christ. Each of us can bring a different point of view on how to apply God's word to our everyday life and missgivings. Reach out to each of your friends and create this relationship. Hold dear those people that you can meet with everyday to encourage you in your life. You may go through hardships, but remember, "...the times when you have only seen one set of footprints, is when I [Jesus Christ] carried you." It is also those relationships that God puts in your life to lift you when you look for His physical companionship too.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to thank you for the relationships that you put in my life. Thank you for the friendships you have helped me establish, and the sharing in faith that is common among all of us. I ask that you continue to foster in me a bright light. That you compel our small group to uplift each other in times of need and be honest in our faith, that we may grow to know you better and encourage each other through our faith.
Through thought, word, and deed, I will be you Lord Jesus Christ - Amen
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