Click the image or the link or
Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxxELmItqsQ
Or search YouTube for ‘Why Did God Accept Abel’s Offering
But Reject Cain’s Offering’ by Grace Digital Network (11
min 3 sec)
“And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of
the ground. So it came about in the
course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the
ground. Abel on his part also brought of
the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his
offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard.
“So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you
angry? And why has your countenance
fallen? 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 4:2b-7
I may never get out of Genesis! As many of you would know, it is one of my
very favourite books of the Bible.
Anyway, although this passage holds heaps of lessons, the one that spoke
to me recently is about the tempting power of resentment and jealousy and how
it affects every part of us, even if we are not aware.
And resentment and jealousy lead to bitterness and
brittleness and sometimes worse!
This promise of God is so beautiful when we struggle and
compare ourselves with others: If you do
well, your countenance will be lifted up and if not, you are easily tempted to
sin because of it!
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays
for you daily)
PS: Find my statement
of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you will also find a series of beginner
Bible studies to share). You can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online by
doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’.
(Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app you can download to read them on
your phone. Not sure about Apple.). For the books, go to Amazon books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
•
Sue and Rob have tried to help their adult nephew, Luke, but
he has become disruptive and irresponsible.
Please pray that Sue and Rob have the wisdom, strength and a way to get
Luke to move out of their home. Pray
Luke grows up and accepts their request.
•
Recovery
From Hurricane Ian – the storm was
unprecedented and left death and destruction in its wake. Recovery and restoration efforts
continue. Continue to pray for all those
restoring the State, those supporting those affected by this storm and the animals.
•
Iran
- The country is in turmoil and many are in danger for seeking freedom. Over a
hundred have been killed. Please pray
especially for Ryan's family and friends there.
•
Bettina –
Please pray for her strength, courage, and wisdom and for the Lord to comfort
her as she remembers the loss of Jim, her husband who passed on 7th of October,
seven years ago. Pray also for her five,
married daughters and 17 grandchildren, that they remain faithful and caring of
Bettina. Pray the Lord captures the
hearts of two of her daughters’ husbands who are not yet believers and for one
of her daughters who is working her way back to the Lord.
•
Robin –
just lost her beloved mother (was 93 years old), please pray for strength and
healing for her as she navigates through this time of mourning and for her
daughter who comforts her during this time.
•
Tom and
Elizabeth - planning their wedding.
Please pray that they both are firm in their commitment to Jesus Christ
as the priority and that Sue and Grant have wisdom in their advice to
them.
•
Andrew –
is growing stronger after the cancellation of his wedding. He is supported by his Christian family and friends
but needs our supportive prayer to get through this loss in a gracious and
hopeful way.
•
J and M –
who were planning a life together and have just broken up. She is returning to Japan to regroup. Please pray for both of them that they remain
civil and grow through this difficulty.
•
Christine –
give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives
his heart to the Lord.
•
Family of Eric
– Eric at 52 died suddenly leaving his 47-year-old wife and three girls (ages
16, 19 and 23). Pray the Lord comforts
the family through this time of mourning.
Pray for their wisdom and for trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based
friends to support them.
•
Peyton and Carter-
Grandchildren of Jeff and Rachael.
Payton is the eldest granddaughter and is now in her third year at
college. Carter is a senior in high
school. Both are exceptional students
and love the Lord. Please pray they are
not distracted by worldly things, that they continue to do well in their
studies and that their love of the Lord increases with each day.
•
Callilah-
a lost child. Pray the Lord will capture
her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never
compromise God’s Word and remain bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity,
strength and for their families.
•
Jenny S–
A woman who has served the Lord as a Bible teacher at a local Bible school for
25 years, has been called into a new ministry.
Give her courage and strength as she finds her way in this new
role. Give her a hungry curiosity under
change. Help her identify the balance
and value of her unique contribution.
Pray the Lord maintains her health and finances in this time of stress.
•
Simon, Tamara
and their children – Simon (my pastor) has been chosen to support the
Lord’s work in a new, more far-reaching way.
Help them prepare throughout this year for the new challenges that await
them. And when Simon takes up the new role, let him fill it with the same
grace, devotion and love he has consistently demonstrated while at St.
Marks. Strengthen the congregation to
rejoice with them and their decision.
•
Andrew –
a man devoted to leading a worldwide ministry to the deaf is currently
separated from his family. Please pray
for this time that Andrew will discover new insights.
•
Pat and Isobel
–as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.
Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them.
•
Jasper and Bec
– the new youth pastor. Still studying
at Moore College and living on campus there.
Pray for balance between academic studies and common-sense family focus.
•
Patrick -
a wonderful Bible scholar who is presently part of an English Translation
Review Committee, working to review a new translation of the New Testament,
Antioch Bible (translating from Syriac to English). Pray for their hoped-for goal of finishing
the entire NT this calendar year and that he has increasing skill in the
complicated languages he is working with.
•
Elaine and Jim
Pounder and their Little Church ministry have begun a new work. Continue to pray for their healing strength
and time with family as their ministry continues to spread around the world in
a model of home churches. They have begun a YouTube channel you can subscribe to: Website:
The Little Church World. And https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld
.
•
Audley M
– In his 90s has just gotten married.
Pray for their union in Christ and for their health and strength. Pray for his wisdom and the effective growth
of his wonderful radio ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as
America hunger for ‘True meat’!
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile
health. Pray God takes special care with
them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on
them during this challenging time.
•
UPDATE - Barbara
– (my sister-in-law) recovering from an infection in her leg. She is finally beginning to be better and is
now off the antibiotics. Please pray for
her complete recovery and for Tim who
is caring for her.
•
Thanksgiving -
Lyle - is healing from a broken wrist and is back to driving. Still having physical therapy. Pray for his continued healing and patience
during this time and for Annette, who
supports him.
•
David –
recovering quickly from a heart attack.
Pray for wisdom for his health carers and for Heidi, who cares for him
daily, that she will be strong and healthy through this time.
•
Sophie– five-year old daughter of a friend is chronically
unwell and frail. Please pray for her,
her parents and health carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
•
Hans– a
dear friend in Germany, continues his battle lung cancer and financial
difficulties. Pray his new social worker
will be able to help him through this time.
Pray for his patience and God’s mercy.
Pray for his healthcare providers and that he is surrounded by faithful
and compassionate Christian friends who will support him through this
journey. Pray for his Mom (age 84) --
that their time together is filled with extraordinarily good memories and lots
of love.
•
Denny –
is having heart problems. Please pray
for his health carers and for Marci, his wife, as she cares for him.
• Jake – A friend of my brother who is living with COPD (emphysema) and heart problems. Please pray for his daughter, Tiffany and for other friends to help him through his health journey.
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