Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.8.nasb
“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7
Today we take a look at Cane and Abel, brothers that Satan tore apart to caused the first murder! Both brothers brought an offering before God; however God was pleased with Abel’s but not Cain’s? Why?
We have to remember God wants our heart,mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37) not just our presence, like quality over quantity. It says that Abel offered his first born sheep of his flock (Firstfruits), this was the best Abel had to offer and because of this God was pleased. While Cain offered some random fruit from his garden, could have been leftovers or bad fruit, but it surely wasn’t his best, God rejected it!
God doesn’t really care what you are offering him, but what you are offering him should be the best you can provide from your heart. Cain was just going through the motions basically trying to trick God, but God reads our hearts, minds, and soul.
Now this rejection from God obviously upset Cain, and instead of him trying to do better, he became insanely jealous of his brother Abel. As God said to him “sin is crouching at your door” meaning if you allow this jealousy and anger to manifest in you, it will grow into sin (James 1:15). That’s exactly what happened.
Instead of Cain, repenting, he allowed sin to grow into murder! (James 1:15) God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37) , not just going through the motions! Just like the 5 loaves and 2 fish, give God whatever you have and he will bless you in Jesus Name Amen!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.3.5.NASB
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
2 Corinthians 10:4 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.10.4.nasb
And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:17
Jesus saw Peter (Simon) and his brother Andrew, Professional Fisherman, and asked them to follow him and make disciples of all the nations. Think about it this was their careers, this was how they put food on the table, but they walked away from it all to serve our Lord Jesus Christ
How many of us do we put our careers ahead of our God? We are too worried about making the next deadline or getting the next raise. But what importance does it have in eternity? Did you try to make disciples during your time?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for working, as The Bible tells us “those who don’t work, don’t eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10) God doesn’t reward laziness, but we need to keep our focus on our mission. Use your time wisely, because our life is but a vapor in the wind, a flower quickly fading
How do fishermen catch fish? They go after them, don’t expect to make disciples by remaining silent. Just as a fisherman, devote yourself to your craft, study the scriptures and become trained and educated in the Word of God.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19
Jesus gave us our marching orders, make disciples, become fishers of men (people). Whatever you do for a career, make Jesus your focus, use your platform to spread the gospel to all the nations in Jesus Name Amen!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/deu.6.5.nasb
The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! Genesis 3:4
Ever since the beginning, Satan has been deceiving the world. Even since the “Original Lie” he told Eve. Even though they knew Gods commandments and we do also, we still believe the lie, we believe Satans “Original Lie” that Sin has no consequences. Today the world is still listening to Satan
You asked anybody, and mostly everyone will tell you they are a “good” person. That they deserve to go to Heaven even if they sin or reject Christ. The “Original Sin” is still deceiving the masses, what people fail to realize is sin ,which is defined by God as Lawlessness (1 John 3:4), never came from God but directly from Satan himself.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Sin equals death, Satan lied to the world! You can’t walk with God and hold Satans hand! Sin separates us from God because it didn’t come from God.
While people define themselves as “good” what defines “good”? Is lying ok? Is stealing ok? Is using Gods name in vain ok? Is drunkenness Ok? Most would admit they have done these things, but the problem is they are sins, as we know the wages of sin is death. So being a “good” person who mildly sins, isn’t going to save you!
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18
Jesus himself said there is “NOONE” that is “GOOD” except “GOD” Don’t be deceived by Satan in believing your “good” enough to inherit eternal life without Jesus Christ. Its only by the ransom of his blood, our seems can be redeemed in Jesus Name Amen!
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
Psalms 16:10 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.16.10.NASB
“I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:8
Did you know there are actually two baptisms? John The Baptist reveals this in announcing the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While John was able to baptize people with water, there is only one who can baptize us with the Holy Spirit and that is Jesus Christ.
Water Baptism is a symbolic ritual when becoming a Christian. When you are put under the water, its symbolic for your “old self” dying. And when you are brought back up out of the water, its symbolic of your resurrection, your “new self”. This is the true meaning of “repentance” when you become transformed and turn away from your sins.
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Romans 6:3
Paul gives a good explanation about Baptism in Romans 6. When Jesus dies on the cross for our sins, our “old self” died also. And when Jesus rose from the grave and defeated sin and death, through Christ we rose also. Once you truly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will never be the same again
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise Ephesians 1:13
Once you truly repented and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. You were baptized by the Holy Spirit. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave is now living inside of you! The Holy Spirit is your Counselor, Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter.(John 14) He is leading and molding you to become what God has created you to be in Jesus Name Amen!
