Sin Foundations: Murder

[God speaking]:  “’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.’

“And Cain told Abel his brother.  And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him.

“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel, your brother?’  And he said, ‘I do not know.  Am I my brother’s keeper? 

And He said, ‘What have you done?  The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.  And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.  When you cultivate the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you; you shall be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.’

“And Cain said to the Lord, ‘My punishment is too great to bear!  Behold Thou hast driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Thy face I shall be hidden; and I shall be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and it will come about that whoever finds me will kill me.’

“So the Lord said to him, ‘Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.’  And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, lest anyone finding him should slay him.” Genesis 4:7-15

Cain was angry at God and took his anger out on his brother.  Imagine this last conversation between Cain and Able.  Perhaps Cain accused God of being unfair and Able would not agree.  Cain being the big brother was supposed to be right, yet his attitude stunk!

God knew what had happened and His heart must have been crushed with grief over this action and then when God came to speak with Cain, his attitude was one of self-defence and deflecting and disrespect to the Father who still loved him.

The sins of the heart – our heart attitude plays out in our daily life and the Lord tells us in His word that the heart is where sin begins!  Give your heart to the Lord and be resolute in this decision!

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?  I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:9-10

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene 

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  Please send updates!  For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  Please pray for those in Texas after this incredible explosion, for all the families of the 15 dead and 160 injured and those who will be emotionally scarred from this, and those who are helping. 

Please continue to pray for those in Boston, dealing with this tragic bombing.  That sanity and care will guide those healing and those seeking wisdom at this time.  Please pray for the 3 families who’ve lost a loved one, the 183 injured, 17 of whom are critical suffering in the hospitals and for those who love them.  Pray for those who will remember this day forever and for the surviving young man who lost his way and caused this horror with his brother. 

Please pray for Adrian, that this new T-cell therapy will work against his cancer.   

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Betinna’s husband, Jim, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lukemia in November 2012.  They just got the news that he’s in remission and that his brother is a match as a bone marrow donor.  A bone marrow transplant is next on the schedule.  Also be with Peter, who just lost his mom.

Be with Hans as he struggles through changes in his understanding of God’s plan for his life – that he will cling quietly to the lord as he goes through this time and that hope will reign in his heart.  For Paul NS & PJ.

 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  

 

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  David R doing well through complicated health challenges.  Tim (my little brother) with CPRD, needs financial help and satisfying work that he’s able to do.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation.  For Carlton still suffering from horrible infections and pain in his bones.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cared for her.

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Barbara (sister-in-law) eager to find new work since her project ended. 

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways! 

For Kent as he grows through the loss of his mom.  Isaias as his ministry in the Philippines.  Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans. 

For Tarrega, as his hearts settles and strengthens.  For Linda, that the Lord will show her which doors to open next after she rests a bit.  For Rob as the Lord works in a new way in his life...protect his health. Pray for Annette as she begins some new career adventures. 

Pray for wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter.  For David K, in his studies and Matthew K as he grows up.  Elaine and Jim back in Hong Kong.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations suffering from global financial mismanagement.  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.