Sin Lies at the Door

Genesis 4:7 (MSG)

⁷ If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.”

There is the story of two brothers named Cain and Abel. There came a day when these two brothers had to offer sacrifices to the Lord. One brother gave of his harvest while the other brother gave of his flock. The problem arose when Abel’s offering was accepted while Cain’s offering was not. Because of this, Cain reacted badly to the decision of God.

In verse 5, it states that Cain lost his temper. This led him begin to sulk. Cain displayed displeasure in what had happened. Sometimes displeasure can cause an individual to either correct the situation or make matters worse. In Cain’s case, things became worse. He did not react in the proper way. Let’s take this one section at a time.

Commentary on Verse 5

Genesis 4:5 (MSG)
⁵ but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.

The KJV says that “Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” When looking at the word “wroth” in the Hebrew, it is connected with the word “poison.” It is also connected with the following words:

• fury
  
• wrath
  
• rage
  
• indignation
  
• heat
  
• incensed
  
• kindled
  
• fret
  
• grieved
  

Poison began to move through Cain’s veins. It affected his mindset and heart. He became blinded by it, and he lost his hearing. His very being became corrupted. All of the words in this list reveal an individual spiraling out of control. This is why we are warned in the New Testament to be angry and not to sin. We must not allow the sun to go down upon our wrath. If it is not handled properly, it will fester inside of us. It will become a deadly poison whose fruit is death to self.

This kind of anger can cause a person to lash out at an individual in many different ways.

2 Chronicles 16:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of the people at the same time.

Notice the translation of the word “wroth” here is “rage.” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament states that this word means that an individual is stirred up. The heart has been provoked to a “heated condition which in turn leads to specific actions.” Cain’s heart was stirred to a sinful action. God knew this, and in His love for Cain, He gave him a warning. This warning can be found in Genesis 4:7, and Genesis 4:8. Note how God speaks to Cain. “If you do well…” Genesis 4:7 Everything hinges on the word “if.” Here is the open door opportunity for Cain to master the enemy that is hoping to capture him. Unfortunately, Cain does not heed the warning.

Since Cain’s heart is stirred not for righteousness, but for wrongness, his countenance has changed. What is happening on the inside is revealed on the outside. We can never truly hide what is going on in the inside of us for long. The Amplified Bible says that the Lord asks Cain why there are three things present in his countenance. He is sad, depressed and dejected. The emotions of his heart had taken him some place he did not need to go. What Cain is feeling is not so much grief. It is malice and rage. The combination of these two can be deadly if not put in check. He is not looking upward, but downward. His mind is not on heavenly things, but things of the flesh. The flesh wants revenge. Do you see the logical path I am drawing? Wesley’s Commentary says that Cain’s countenance “betrayed his passionate resentment.” It is just not resentment, but passionate resentment. Your passions will get you in trouble all the time. They move you to do something that you will eventually regret.

I am wondering at this point does Cain hear God’s words. Sometimes unchecked anger causes us not to hear sound advice. The very thing we need to hear is blocked because we are so heated. God loves us. He has no favorites.

God’s forbearance concerning sin should not serve as a measuring rod for continual sin. Note Ecclesiastes 8:12. These individuals believe that because judgment has not fallen upon them, they can walk presumptuously. They can be secure in what evil deeds they freely do. This is not so. God will speak and send correction. What we are to do is not find ourselves in such a position. If we do, then we should repent.

God is telling Cain that he has the opportunity to do what is right in His sight. If he does, then he will be accepted also. God does not reject those who serve him in simplicity, truth and godly sincerity. Wrath and indignation cannot save Cain from the displeasure of God. Neither will it save us. Cain should have asked for mercy from God. Cain, there is a way out of the predicament you are in. It is through the giving of a sin offering in the form of an animal. This will be your atonement. This will bring Cain into fellowship with God once again. As long as Cain allowed anger to fester within him, he effectively cut off his fellowship with the Lord. Cain had the opportunity to bring this sin offering, but he did not do it. His sin remained in him. He was in bondage to the desires of the sin. There was still room for Cain to correct the matter. This was the “if” in God’s statement.

Genesis 3

This chapter is the record of events that shatter the perfect world that God created. The harmony that was the natural state changed. Instead of peace, love and fellowship with God, Creation was torn asunder by disobedience. Everything was plunged into spiritual darkness. When there should have been sounds of joy, laughter, and fellowship, there were strange sounds coming from the New Earth. Instead of sweet sounds of praise, there were the harsh notes of anger, jealousy, pride, disobedience, murder. These sounds were accompanied with the inner agonies of pain, shame and guilt. (Teacher’s Commentary) Evil has seeped into the perfectly designed world of God. With it comes wars and destruction of all that is beautiful. Innocence is slain in the hands of the rebellious. This chapter is the turning point of the salvation story. Now we are introduced to a God who shall reveal Himself as our Kinsman-Redeemer.

Genesis 4

This chapter reveals the consequences of the choices made in the previous chapter. Although there are severe consequences, the Love of God for His children still shines through the darkness. We are made privy of the first sacrificial act by God. An animal’s life is taken so that its skins may be used to cover the nakedness of His children.

Anger gripped Cain so strongly that he could not receive the spiritual counsel that the Lord was giving him. In contrast, Eve had been talked into her sin by Satan while Cain could not be talked out of what is going on his heart. Unfortunately, Cain belonged to the evil one–I John 3:12. The solution to his failure was to kill his own brother! (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Let’s look closer at what God had instructed Cain to do. It was not something difficult and elaborate. The solution was both straightforward and simple. All Cain had to do was what was right according to the standard of God. This would be all right. If he did not choose this path, then sin would be waiting to master him. Cain had both the ability and the opportunity to master sin. Sin is described as “crouching.” This gives the visual concept of a criminal or animal bent low to the ground at the door. The intruder is waiting to pounce once the door is open by an individual who is not alert.

The word “crouching” will help us to understand the importance of the warning. Sin is sitting waiting to pounce upon Cain to consume him. Satan is that hungry lion waiting for his prey to move in a direction that will bring him out in the open. He waits from his prey to be unaware of his surroundings. He waits patiently to catch him off guard. Then and only then will his hunt be effective. Satan seeks to oppress and torment Cain. Yet he does not heed the warning from his loving Father.

The word “desire” is used. Some desires are good while others are bad. They can take us places we should not want to go. This is the beginning of the continual struggle between what is good and what is evil. Cain did not listen to the warning. He gave into to what he both felt and heard. In Genesis 4:8-16, we see that he murdered his brother. Cain did not want to take responsibility for his sin. This is what his parents did also. They refused to admit their submission to what was wrong. Although Cain considered his punishment too great, God yet showed mercy. He placed a mark upon his forehead that would deter any avenger that would see him. This mark is not specifically defined.

Think Before You Do It

I was just sitting here making plans on when to upload my next writing. I thought about Cain and Abel. They are the ones I am will be writing on. There is one big thought that crossed my mind. Think before you do it! When it is done, it cannot be taken back. This applies to anything in your life. Before you do it, sit down and count up the cost. Really. You may think that it is a good idea with great potential, but what about the consequences?

Please. Think before you do it. Remember King David. When he saw Bathsheba, he wasn’t thinking. When he called her over to his palace, he wasn’t thinking. Look at the consequences.

Think first. Do later. Maybe.

Where are You Laying Your Head?

Genesis 28:10-19 cf. Judges 16:17-19

When we are tired, we can sometimes ignore where we are placing our heads to rest. Some people know how to make a stone their pillow. I learned how to make my coat my pillow for my children. This discussion is about two biblical men who made their pillow from two opposite things. Sometimes we need to heed where we lay our head.

Genesis 28:10-19 is the story of Jacob. As he left Beersheba, he headed toward Haran. Eventually, Jacob became physically tired. He decided to bed down for the night. Jacob took a nearby stone and made it his pillow. Genesis 28:11

While he slept, Jacob had a dream. Where he lain down, there was a ladder whose top reached to heaven. At the top, there was God with angels around Him. The angels were descending and ascending upon the ladder. Genesis 28:12 Note what Jacob hears God say:

Genesis 28:13 (MSG)
¹³ Then God was right before him, saying, “I am God, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. I’m giving the ground on which you are sleeping to you and to your descendants.

There was Jacob resting–getting a good night’s sleep right at the throne of God! God had a Word for Jacob. He promised him that he would inherit the land upon which he was sleeping on. Imagine that! Laying down to sleep and God reveals to you in a dream that where you are resting shall be your inheritance. Talking about sleeping in the right place!
When Jacob awakened from this wonderful dream, he did not forget what that place was. He changed the name of the place from Luz to Bethel. Bethel means “house of God.” Jacob realized that he had walked right into the House of God. There he had communion with the Lord. He set up an altar as a memorial because that was a place of remembrance. Jacob was inspired to make a vow to the Lord right there in God’s House. Note Genesis 28:20-21.

^[28:20] And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, ^[21] so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and Jehovah will be my God,
Genesis 28:20-21 (American Standard Version)

Jacob says in the above verses that if God will be his provider, then he will serve Him. God keeps His Word and provides for him as he travels. This is wonderful! God is your provider. Jacob gained much by resting his head in the right place.
Judges 16:17-19

^[16:17] And he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon my head; for I have been a Nazirite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. ^[18] And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath told me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought the money in their hand. ^[19] And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and shaved off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
Judges 16:17-19 (American Standard Version)

This is the story of Samson and a woman named Delilah. Samson kept making the wrong choice in women. Because of this, there were dire consequences. The consequence was that he laid his head down in the enemy’s lap after telling his secret of his divine strength. When he awakened from his sleep, he found himself stripped of the divinely-given power. Not only was he just a normal man, but his enemies chained him. He became their slave, and they blinded him. He slept in the wrong place. He gained nothing, but lost everything.
You and I should learn from these two men.

Where are we laying our heads? Are we careful or careless? Are we being deceived by our eyes? Is our flesh taking us to ground that have plans to enslave and blind us? Or are we on ground which turns out to be holy ground. It can be ground where the Divine Presence of God is resting. Then we will be able to bask in His Presence. We will awaken with renewed fellowship. God will also reveal Himself to us.

Which do you think is better? I think we should be careful where we rest our heads.

The Garden of His Presence

Genesis 2:15 (YLT)
¹⁵ And Jehovah God taketh the man, and causeth him to rest in the garden of Eden, to serve it, and to keep it.

Man was placed in a beautiful garden named Eden. It was perfect. The garden was lush and green with all kinds of beautiful trees, plants and flowers. Even if I attempted to imagine the original perfection of this God-architectured landscape, my finite mind would still not come up with a good image.

God gave Adam a very simple responsibility. He was to dress it. This was a pleasant employment. The ground of the Garden of Eden was watered by a mist which rose up. This is Jehovah’s Garden. This is the Place of His Presence. Adam and Eve lived in the constant presence of the Lord. They offered everyday sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise to the Almighty God.

This was not just a place of benefit and blessing, but a place of privilege. The Love of God was manifested there through His constant fellowship with all creation and especially with humanity.

This is where you should seek to be. In the Garden of His Presence. Although the way was closed in Adam’s time because of sin, the door is open again. Through Jesus Christ, we now have access once again to be in the Divine Presence of the Lord. Don’t hang around the perimeter of the Garden! Go inside! Bask in the Presence of the Lord. There is joy, peace and refreshing there.

One thing about this garden, you need no tickets. Entrance is free. You can stay as long as you want. There is no closing time. Bask in the Presence of the Lord. Enter today. He is waiting in the Garden for you. He has a word for you today.

Enter in now.

Stepping Into Your Place

Genesis 1:9 (YLT)
⁹ And God saith, `Let the waters under the heavens be collected unto one place, and let the dry land be seen:’ and it is so.

Genesis 1:10 (YLT)
¹⁰ And God calleth to the dry land `Earth,’ and to the collection of the waters He hath called `Seas;’ and God seeth that it is good.

The above verses reveal something very important to me. They show me that obedience to the will and plan of God for my life brings about unity within the Kingdom of God. When the waters obeyed the Voice of God, they came together in one place which allowed God to speak the dry land into existence. The New King James Version says: “the gathering together of the waters…” (Genesis 1:10). Based upon the obedience of the waters, the dry land could come forth.
When God tells us to do something, we should be obedient to His will. When we move immediately, then the next unfolding of His plan can happen. Are we holding up the plan of God because we will not do what we are told? Let me make it plainer. Let us suppose you are called to be a teacher. You heard the call, but you will not begin to prepare yourself for that calling. When you procrastinate, you are holding up not just yourself, but you are holding up the blessing of someone else. They are waiting for you to come forth. They cannot go forth until you give them the Word they need. When you walk in your calling, God will bring to you those who are waiting on your ministry. You have people, souls assigned to you. You must get yourself in your place so they can get in their place.

It’s not about you. It’s about God. It’s about His plans and purposes. Step out today. God has equipped you and placed within you the resources you need to be all that He has ordained you to become within His kingdom.

Step up. Be obedient. You will be fulfilled. You will be at peace. Someone is waiting on you.

Satan’s Weakened State

Satan’s name was Lucifer.  This name means “day star” (Matthew Henry).  This title really belongs to Christ Revelation 22:16. Jesus declares that He is the bright and morning star.  The Antichrist takes upon himself this assumption.  Biblical critic, Gesenius, renders the Hebrew as “howl” (Jamieson-Faussett-Brown Bible Commentary).  When Isaiah says “cut down to the ground,” he is saying that Lucifer has been weakened.  He is prostrate.  Note Exodus 17:13 which deals with the fact that he is discomforted.  If Satan has been weakened, then his roar is just that–only a roar!  He cannot harm you.  You have to give him the power and the authority to do it.  Don’t give him the strength and power he needs to intrude into your life and cause havoc.

Because You are On Board

Acts 27:23 (ESV)
^{23} For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,

The Apostle Paul received an encouraging word from an angel saying that none should be lost. In other words, nobody would lose their life at sea. This is considered to be a Divine communication. It gave credit as to who the Apostle Paul was and to his doctrine. He spoke with such confidence that it was imparted into those who heard him. The fulfillment of his words was a strong testimony to the God that he served and represented. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)
There were two hundred and seventy-six souls saved because one saved man was in the midst. God will not allow destruction of something when a believer is in the midst. When you fly, you are on assignment. Nothing will happen to the plane because angels on assignment are guiding the plane to its destination.

You Need to Know

Christ is the instrumental cause of all things.

He is also the final cause of all things. 

He is also the constituting or conserving cause for all things. 

YOUR MEMORIALS

The first thing that you should understand about the foreknowledge of God is that He knows all things past. There are no memorials set up to present the past. Although we set up memorials to remember them, God does not. In fact, God does not want us to set up memorials at all. Memorials cause us to live in the past. Our heavenly Father wants us to live in the present. If we have memorials set before our face, they cloud our vision. We cannot see the present or the future. Once a year, we return to the fabricated memorials of our lives. Once a year, we remember the sad event, which takes us back to the emotional wounds inflicted by it. Once again, we weep, cry, and groan. Then we wipe our eyes, and we get up from our kneeling before the memorial. The New Year comes in, and we carry the memorial with us. We may move to another house, or another city or even another state. When we do, we pack up everything including our memorials. When we set up house in our new location, we set up our memorials.

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were told to pick up stones while walking on dry ground in the midst of the Red Sea. These stones would serve as a memorial to teach their future generations about the miracles of God. That is a good thing. When various Old Testament characters lost their wives, they set up memorial stones, but they did not carry the stones with them. The stones served as a marker for others to know who was buried there.

Have we received permission from God to set up the memorials we have built? One other question. Did we get permission from God to carry certain memorials with us from place to place? In other words, did you talk to God as you packed? Did you ask Him what you should pack and what you should leave behind? Some of you probably are carrying everything you own from place to place. Some of those things carry memories from ten, maybe twenty years ago. Are they necessary? You should ask yourself why you are carrying a memorial around that is twenty years old. Does it have any purpose to your life now? Will it help you in your ministry that God has ordained you to do? If not, then why are you carrying it? It is just another unnecessary weight. No wonder your “junk” gets bigger and bigger every time you move!

Recently I had to make a move. It was a big move. I had to move from Connecticut to North Carolina. That is a big move–at least for me. I had “stuff” from eight years before. I know me. I would have brought every bill, every dress and top that did not fit. I would not have the strength to throw it away. My best friend came into my living space and packed my stuff. She cleaned the apartment as well. When she was done, I had four bins to carry down south instead of ten! She got rid of stuff that I really did not need for the journey.

Maybe you need a friend to come in and pack your stuff. They will pack only what you need, and leave the unnecessary stuff behind. They will also leave behind the memorials you have set up. How will they do that? They will not know all the memorials you have set up over the years. You will find yourself freer and lighter. I know what you may be saying. I have to go through everything. I do not want this thrown away or that. Sometimes “that” needs to be tossed. It has too many memories attached to it.

Tear down the memorials so you can travel light. The lighter the load, the easier you can move from place to place. Trust me. Your life will be better off without the memories

Today is Your Day for Emotional Healing

God is an all-knowing God.  He is the Alpha and the Omega.  God, the Father of all, knows the past.  God is not confined to time as man is.  Time was made for man.  The seasons were given to man so that he could measure the passing of time.  All that we consider past is still present with Him.  Since this is a fact, God can heal us of our wounds and emotional bruises.  To Him, they are not past, but present.  Therefore, He always deals in the present.  To Him it is always healing in the present tense.  If you look at your wounds and bruises through the eyes of God, you will also realize that these emotional pains are present time.  Every day that you wake up, the emotional pain is with you.  Year after year, you walk around smiling and saying you are fine.  In reality, you are in emotional pain.  I call it “emotional bleeding.”  In fact, some of you are hemorrhaging.  You are about to die.  I am here to tell you that you do not have to die.  God, your heavenly father lives in what you call your past to heal you and make you every whit whole!  This is why deliverance in the present is possible!  Your entire life is the present of God.  Let Him walk in your present and speak healing and wholeness today.  He is waiting on you to allow Him to enter that area.  Unlock the door and let Him come in.  I did.  Now I am a whole woman who can tell you that Jesus does heal and make whole.  Welcome Him into your life today.  Healing is yours by faith in the work of God being done in your life.  Let Him flood you with His healing flow of love and care.  Try it. You will not regret it.