S genesis 4

“Time passed. Cain brought an offering to GOD from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. GOD liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.

GOD spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? 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.”

GOD said, “What have you done! The voice of your brother’s blood is calling to me from the ground. From now on you’ll get nothing but curses from this ground; you’ll be driven from this ground that has opened its arms to receive the blood of your murdered brother. You’ll farm this ground, but it will no longer give you its best. You’ll be a homeless wanderer on Earth.” Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, “I’ve gotten a man, with GOD ’s help!” Then she had another baby, Abel. Abel was a herdsman and Cain a farmer.

Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him. GOD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “How should I know? Am I his babysitter?””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:1-12‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://www.bible.com/97/gen.4.1-12.msg

Setting God's people free from slavery

 S - Exodus 3

The Burning Bush

3 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the [a]west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of [b]a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. 3 So Moses said, “[c]I must turn aside now and see this [d]marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

7 The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. 8 So I have come down to deliver them from the [e]power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 9 Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them. 

O - My observation is that I need to be ready to follow the prompting of an Angel of God.  Whether it be a burning bush, or a the Angel Michael who presents himself to me so that I might prepare to receive a communication from God,  I am not to be shocked or afraid but rather listen humbly what my Lord has to say.  Since I am a decendent of Abraham God remembers His covenant with Abraham and will find a way to set free from captavity anyone in my family who remains enslaved.   

A - The application for me is to recognize that is alive and active and is wanting to set His people free.  Even though I may be in exile from the land of my captivity God can still use me to set my family free.  It may seem large and impossible to do this, but with God all things are possible.  I pray Lord that you would use me to set my family free from the bondage in which they live.  For my dad Ed, for my mom Jan, and my sister Lisa,  I pray that you would set them free so they might know and follow you.  I know you have never left or forsaken them and that now is the time for them to take the steps toward your freedom.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to your heart.  I pray Lord that you would begin the process to set your people in my family free.  I know I can't do it myself but with you on my side I cannot lose.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.  

Proverbs 19

 S-  ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:1-29‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://www.bible.com/97/pro.19.1-29.msg

“Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one can trust. Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste. People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does GOD always get blamed? Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies, but poor people are avoided like a plague. Perjury won’t go unpunished. Would you let a liar go free? Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone’s a friend to the philanthropist. When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids you— yes, even your best friends wish you’d get lost. If they see you coming, they look the other way— out of sight, out of mind. Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life. The person who tells lies gets caught; the person who spreads rumors is ruined. Blockheads shouldn’t live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss. Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget. Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew. A parent is worn to a frazzle by a stupid child; a nagging spouse is a leaky faucet. House and land are handed down from parents, but a congenial spouse comes straight from GOD. Life collapses on loafers; lazybones go hungry. Keep the rules and keep your life; careless living kills. Mercy to the needy is a loan to GOD, and GOD pays back those loans in full. Discipline your children while you still have the chance; indulging them destroys them. Let angry people endure the backlash of their own anger; if you try to make it better, you’ll only make it worse. Take good counsel and accept correction— that’s the way to live wisely and well. We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD ’s purpose prevails. It’s only human to want to make a buck, but it’s better to be poor than a liar. Fear-of- GOD is life itself, a full life, and serene—no nasty surprises. Some people dig a fork into the pie but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth. Punish the insolent—make an example of them. Who knows? Somebody might learn a good lesson. Kids who lash out against their parents are an embarrassment and disgrace. If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own, you’ll soon be out of your depth. An unprincipled witness desecrates justice; the mouths of the wicked spew malice. The irreverent have to learn reverence the hard way; only a slap in the face brings fools to attention.

O-

Proverbs 18

 Devotions 1/18/2021

S ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:1-24‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://bible.com/97/pro.18.1-24.msg

“Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good. 

Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth. 

When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible. 

Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs. 

It’s not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent. 

The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him. Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words. 

Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly? 

Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism. GOD ’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. 

The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it. 

Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor. 

Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. 

A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed? 

Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights. 

A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people. 

The first speech in a court case is always convincing— until the cross-examination starts! 

You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision. 

Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond. 

Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. 

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. 

Find a good spouse, you find a good life— and even more: the favor of GOD! 

The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers. 

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.”

O- My observation is that God kept his promise to Solomon to make him the wisest man that was ever known.  Still yet his wisdom is but a small insignificant speck compared to the wisdom of God.  Solomon here in one chapter lays out 24 pieces of wisdom interconnected.  The flow and meter of the verses show the musicality of these proverbs.  Chapter 18 is a March to a drummer - you do this this is what happens is the cadence which is slow in meter and repetitious in the execution.  Mans tongue fail him over and over.  I good wife makes for a good life.  Loners only care for their own good and not for the team. Be generous in your gift giving, it brings the attention of prominent people.  Pick true friends who are like family.  Words can either bring death or life.

A - The application for me is to be sure I use my words to build up and not tear down that I give not wanting to receive but out of the abundance of God‘s love for me I am able to speak truth and love to give gifts of love without any expectation of reciprocation. This all starts with my relationship first with God and then with my wife. As I learn to love God like he loves me I start to understand how he loves Abby. He loves her in every way possible in words MDs in acts of kindness, in words of affirmation, through small gifts of appreciation. This life is not meant to be lived alone, because loaners care only about themselves, children of God care about God and everyone.

P-your heavenly father thank you so much for this list of Proverbs that you gave to Solomon but in a fact gave to all of us who CQ and seek your word. I pray Lord that you would give me this wisdom that you were given Solomon give me just even a small amount in which I can invest in the lives of those around me invest in learning more about you and how you want me to love others especially my wife Abby. Lord help me specifically find the right words of affirmation let me love Her lavishly the way you love her. I pray all of us in Jesus Christ name amen

Stumbling Blocks

 S - Luke 17: 1-4  (NASB)

 Now He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that [a]stumbling blocks come, but woe to one through whom they come! 2 It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he [b]is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to [c]sin. 3 [d]Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

O - Repentance is the key to maintaining a healthy relationship with God and those who are in your life.   As Jesus has said - it is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but don't be a stumbling block for others,  it would be better that you were dead.   But if someone you know stumbles, don't tolerate it but rather rebuke it and if they repent ,  forgive them.  Even if they sin against you seven times a day, and turns and repents seven times, you are to forgive them.

A -  Wow, what an amazing grace God gives us,  even as we sin against our close friends, there is forgiveness through repentance.  A repentant heart, while vulnerable to sin,  is able to restore relationship with God by repenting and turning from sin.  I must follow Jesus example to his disciples and have repentant heart, and turn away from my sins.  Even when I repentant many times in a day,  I must not be discouraged but rather repent after each sin. repent and turn away from sin, and towards God.   Now I have struggled with sin lately and have had to repent many times to God and my wife.   I need to remember that if I give my whole heart to God, he is faithful and just and will make a way for me, one in which the path to righteousness is narrow, yet he stands at the gate ready to let me in.

P - Dear heavenly  Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I know I lack openness and have not completely given my heart to you but I do not know how to do that, and I ask you show me your ways in your word and through your holy spirit, so that I may sin no more.  I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Stewarding your gifts to God well

 S -Luke 16:1-13 (NIV)

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

6 “‘Nine hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

O - My observation is to learn the lessons of this rejected manager who was not stewarding well his assets.   It became clear to the manager that he was gonna get laid off from his job.  Now the manager was a shrewd man and he went to his masters debtors and forgave them all a portion of his death so that when he left his job he would have people who appreciate the debt he forgave them.  Then the master  commends him for being shrewd with what was not him, and he will find favor with these people who are not children of God.   These people who aren't children of the light follow him but reject the light.   Then he wraps it all up sharing what the parables was saying.  Jesus told them that no one can serve both God and money.

A - The application for me is to look at how I am stewarding my money.   Right now I work hard at making money to support my family, and after making the money I tithe out of my abundance and  leave it to the organizations I donate to steward the money.    God is telling me that while that meets the letter of the law but misses in the heart of the law.  I sense I am to tithe out of an expected abundance and be actively involved in its usage for Kingdom purposes.  I need to go and look at where I am contributing to a organization but I am not actively involved, and I need to volunteer my time and money to them based on their need and my willingness to get involved.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your revelation on this parable.   I repent and turn back to you lord because I am not stewarding the resources you have provided me to bless others but rather I delegated the blessing to another organization.  Please Lord show me your ways to steward the resources you have given me.  I pray all this in Jesus' name Amen.

One lost sheep

 S - Luke 15 :3-7   (NASB)

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

O - My observation is that it is so amazing that Jesus leaves the 99 and goes after the one.  The one is usually alone, afraid, and lost.  Jesus' compassion is incomprehendable but real.   He is willing to leave those who are saved and go rescue the one who has innocently wandered off and got lost. 

A -  The application is to realize in this season I am the one.   While I don't feel lost and lonely I know my sin has caused separation from God and His people, including my family.  f

P - Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your commitment to coming after your lost sheep.  I appreciate your consistent and everlasting love.  From this foundation I will build my family up.  I pray that you would grant me peace in times when I feel separated and alone.   I pray that you would find me waiting with a contrite heart.  I pray all this in Jesus' name,  Amen.