What Does It Matter?

Cain brought a gift to God, the best fruit of his crops. 

Abel also brought a gift to God, the best lamb from his flocks.

The offering that Abel brought, the Lord accepted,

But the offering that Cain brought, the Lord rejected.

Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash
     

Hang on a second.

They both brought offerings to God. 

They both came to worship God. 

They both brought their best to God. 

What did it matter?

"You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7 NLT

"Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him." Genesis 4:8

Cain tried to worship God in his own way and when he was rejected, he was angry and murdered Abel. Abel was worshiping God in the way that God had asked him too and he was killed, but he will live again.

"If you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10 NLT

We need to walk with Jesus and follow His leading rather than doing things our own way.

It is a matter of life and death.

Let There Be Light

Darkness and silence were all around. Absolutely nothing could be seen, not even a hand held in front of the face. Not a whisper could be heard.

Suddenly the silence was broken by a voice...

"Let there be light"

Immediately the darkness was melted away by light.

That was the beginning. Now many years have passed, and we come upon a lamp in a dark room. It is one of those old fashioned kerosene lamps. Once again nothing can be seen, nothing can be heard, but here again a voice is heard...

"You are the light of the world... let your light shine."

Photo by Cedrik Wesche on Unsplash

But the lamp chimney is covered in dust and soot. The holes in the collar are blocked resulting in a weak and smokey flame. In desperation the lamp cries...

"I'm trying!"

The voice comes again...

"My precious lamp, I did not tell you to make your light shine, but to let it shine."

"I am the light of the world. I am the source of your light. Just let me come in and shine through you. Let me clean your chimney of the dust and soot. Let me clean out the rubbish that is blocking the holes in your collar and preventing the oxygen from flowing in. I am your light. Let me change you. Let me shine through you." 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

References: Genesis 1:3. Matthew 5:14-16.

No, Go and Tell

Have you ever wanted to just be with Jesus?

Have you ever wondered what Jesus wants you to do here on this earth?

I have.

This morning I was reading in Mark chapter 5. Jesus had just cast a legion of demons out of a man and sent those demons into a herd of pigs. The pigs had then committed suicide and the man was left perfectly sane. "And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone" (Mark 5:17 NLT).

How did Jesus respond?

He respected their wishes and got into the boat. While he was doing this, the healed man "begged to go with him" (Mark 5:18 NLT). Wouldn't you do the same? Here was a man who had saved your life and everyone else had just asked him to leave. Wouldn't you want to go with him? I would.

How did Jesus respond?

He said, "No..." Sometimes the answer to our prayers is "No".

He said, "No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been" (Mark 5:19 NLT).

How did the man respond?

"So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him" (Mark 5:20 NLT). He was willing. He went out and witnessed everywhere. He told everyone what Jesus had done for him.

"and everyone was amazed at what he told them" (Mark 5:20 NLT).

Today, I want to be with Jesus. Today, Jesus is telling me "No". Today, Jesus is telling me to go home to my family and tell them everything that He has done for me and how merciful he has been. I am starting off on this mission. How about you?