Cain was Able and So are You

Scripture: Genesis 4:6-7 "So, the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
Cain and Abel were born outside of the Garden of Eden and were the first children of Adam and Eve. Cain, the older brother, was a tiller of land and was in charge of the crops while Abel, the younger brother, cared for the livestock. Genesis 4 tells us that both young men brought offerings to the Lord, but the Lord rejected Cain’s offering while accepting Abel’s. This made Cain angry, and his anger showed on his face. The Lord questioned Cain about his anger and his fallen countenance. The Lord said that Cain should not let anger control him. Doing so allows sin to lie in wait (crouch) at his door. As a result of unchecked anger, Cain killed Abel.
Again, the Lord comes to Cain this time asking him about the brother he had slain: “Where is Abel thy brother?” Cain answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Cain gave in to anger, even after the Lord warned him. Even after Cain was told that sin lies at the door and its desire is for him, but he should not allow it (sin) to rule over him, he killed his brother anyway. Cain allowed his emotions to control his actions. Cain was angry with God for not accepting his offering, but Abel was an easier target. Cain’s anger was misdirected. Imagine, if Cain had taken heed to the Lord’s words after his sacrifice was rejected. Imagine if Cain had realized that he was able to turn things around.
Imagine if Cain had asked the Lord, “How can I do better? What must I do to be pleasing in your sight?” Just like Cain, we often get it wrong. We lash out at others when we fail to please God instead of listening to God. And just like Cain, the Lord directs us, allowing us to turn the situation around and learn from it. The Lord tells us how sin operates. He questions why we are angry when we failed to do well. He warns us about sin’s plan of attack (Gen 4: 6-7).
As believers we must remember that we are ABLE to resist sin, we are ABLE to do the right thing, and we are ABLE to please God even after we fail.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing sin to control us. Forgive us for presenting a poor sacrifice to you and then becoming angry when it isn’t accepted. Thank you for Your word that leads and directs us and forgive us, Father, for failing to take heed to it. Lord, be patient with us as we grow and learn to present better sacrifices to you. Thank you, Lord for Your Son, Jesus the Christ, who was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns
Again, the Lord comes to Cain this time asking him about the brother he had slain: “Where is Abel thy brother?” Cain answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Cain gave in to anger, even after the Lord warned him. Even after Cain was told that sin lies at the door and its desire is for him, but he should not allow it (sin) to rule over him, he killed his brother anyway. Cain allowed his emotions to control his actions. Cain was angry with God for not accepting his offering, but Abel was an easier target. Cain’s anger was misdirected. Imagine, if Cain had taken heed to the Lord’s words after his sacrifice was rejected. Imagine if Cain had realized that he was able to turn things around.
Imagine if Cain had asked the Lord, “How can I do better? What must I do to be pleasing in your sight?” Just like Cain, we often get it wrong. We lash out at others when we fail to please God instead of listening to God. And just like Cain, the Lord directs us, allowing us to turn the situation around and learn from it. The Lord tells us how sin operates. He questions why we are angry when we failed to do well. He warns us about sin’s plan of attack (Gen 4: 6-7).
As believers we must remember that we are ABLE to resist sin, we are ABLE to do the right thing, and we are ABLE to please God even after we fail.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing sin to control us. Forgive us for presenting a poor sacrifice to you and then becoming angry when it isn’t accepted. Thank you for Your word that leads and directs us and forgive us, Father, for failing to take heed to it. Lord, be patient with us as we grow and learn to present better sacrifices to you. Thank you, Lord for Your Son, Jesus the Christ, who was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
5 Comments
Amen Sister Pat.Cain and Abel teaches us value lessons. Through their example we learn, our attitude matter to God and how devastating sin’s consequences can be…
Amen, Sis. Pat! If we love our Lord, we will seek daily to please Him, as He says in Jn 14:15.
Amen Pat,
The Lord says what He means, and He means what He says. We continue to stray from His righteous standard and get angry with the Lord.
Amen. The grace and mercy of God are without seams, and His infinite outreach of care is sufficient to meet our eternal need. Lord help us to abide.
Amen Sis. Pat. Thank You LORD for demonstrating Your love, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for Your "ultimate and perfect sacrifice"