“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
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.’
“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?
“He said , ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying
out to Me from the ground. 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 will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant
and a wanderer on the earth.’” Genesis 8:4:2b-13
There is so much in this passage, but it is the ‘unfair’
promise that God made to Cain that is our focus. If you just read Genesis casually, you miss
the key to why this was God demonstrating His righteousness. To know why, search out the first time animals
were slain in the Bible and why.
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 Amazon books.
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
•
Devastation From Hurricane
Ian - please pray for those in
the path of this amazing hurricane. It
is too early to estimate human losses, but the destruction is
breathtaking. Pray for rescue workers
and those supporting those affected by this storm that is still raging.
•
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.
•
Iran -
The country is in turmoil and many are in danger for seeking freedom. Nearly a
hundred have been killed. Please pray
especially for J and 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. Please continue to pray for him. 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.
•
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.
•
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 Please consider watching and subscribing to
their sound teaching episodes. Website:
The Little Church World. And
https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld.
•
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 in this time of stress.
•
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 unable to drive. The cast
is off, he now has a brace and is serving time in 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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