Abel was the son of Adam and Eve and brother to Cain. We don't know much about these two men, but we do know they both offered a sacrifice to God. Perhaps God had instructed them to do so. Perhaps their parents had taught them the need for sacrifice. Whatever their reason for sacrificing to God, Genesis tells us their sacrifices were somehow different.
Read moreWhen Evil Spread to All (Genesis 6:1-8)
Before diving into this portion of Genesis, it is worth mentioning that it has been debated for a few thousand years now. Scholars have long considered it one of the most difficult to interpret. And, though I am no scholar, I agree. (7 Minutes/1700 Words)
Read moreSeth's Line (Genesis 4:25-5:32)
Here, when Adam and Eve have another son, they called him Seth. His name might mean something like seat or buttocks or new beginning or foundation. It's clear Eve felt there was something special about this son, saying, God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel. This is beautiful because of the clear hope found in Eve. (8 Minutes/2000 Words)
Read moreCain’s Line (Genesis 4:18-24)
In the next chapter of Genesis, we will trace the descendants of Adam through Seth. The seventh from Adam is named Enoch, and he is pictured as abundantly righteous. In this passage, we are tracing the line of Cain. The seventh from Cain is abundantly unrighteous. His name is Lamech. (4 Minutes/1000 Words)
Read moreCain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-17)
Here, we learn Adam knew Eve, which is the Bible's way of saying they knew one another in the act of sex . As an aside, this should be instructive concerning sex. To God, sex isn't the mere collision of bodies who are out for a good time. Instead, though it should be clear because of the design of our sexual organs, God designed sex to be intensely pleasurable, but he always thought of it as a major expression of an intimate relationship. A married couple is to know one another. (10 Minutes/2500 Words)
Read moreHow To Love God's People - Part 2 (1 John 3:13-16)
Today, we will look at the third, fourth, and fifth lessons from the passage 1 John 3:11-18, on how to love, especially how to love God's people. (7 Minutes/1700 Words)
Read moreHow To Love God's People -- Part 1 (1 John 3:11-12)
In our last few studies of 1 John, we celebrated the glorious truth that God loves us so much that He decided to call all believers His children. In this next passage, 1 John 3:11-18, we have a much more difficult truth to digest. It's this: If God has made us into His spiritual family, we must love our spiritual siblings. Last week, you may have celebrated God's love for you, but you must struggle to show your love for others. This passage gives us practical help on how to demonstrate Christian love. (6 Minutes/1700 Words)
Read moreCain and Abel (Genesis 4)
Here, we learn Adam knew Eve, which is the Bible's way of saying they knew one another in the act of sex. As an aside, this should be instructive concerning sex. To God, sex isn't the mere collision of bodies who are out for a good time. Instead, though it should be clear, because of the design of our sexual organs, that God designed sex to be intensely pleasurable, he always thought of it as a major expression of an intimate relationship. A married couple is to know one another. (10 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreA Guide For The Climb – Chapter 10 – Steeled For Pilgrimage (Psalm 129)
In the earliest years of my walk with Christ, God placed me in a church with a rugged man for a pastor. He and his wife suffered much physical affliction but also chose pain for the mission of Christ. They were some of the toughest people I'd ever seen. It was apparent that their Christianity took strength, and that their Christianity made them strong. (15 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreFaith is the Way to God (Hebrews 11:4)
In his treatise on faith, the author of Hebrews will dissect the outworkings of faith in Old Testament characters. After detailing the creation account (Hebrews 11:3), he moved to his first subject, Abel. (3 Minutes/700 Words)
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