Athlete, Stop Comparing
Read Genesis 4
How do Adam and Eve respond to God's promise to crush Satan and evil through Eve's offspring (3:15)? Faith. Eve says, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man" (4:1). Even after the horrific tragedy of one of their sons killing the other, she continues the difficult walk of faith, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel" (4:25). They understand these children to be the first installments of God's faithfulness to his promise, and just like us, their relationship with God is based on faith in God's promises, which are fulfilled in Jesus.
In 4:3-4, Cain brings a half-hearted offering to God, while Abel brings the first and best of the return on his labor. Instead of turning from his sin to God, Cain allows his sin to spiral downward into envy and murder. His offspring produce some good things in the fields of music, metallurgy, etc., but at least in the seventh generation (4:23-24), it seems that the downward spiral never stopped, as Lamech boasts of murdering another man.
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. Are you basing your relationship with God today on anything besides faith in Jesus, who has covered our sin and shame, and conquered it in resurrection?
2. We can all relate to Cain's half-hearted worship. Is there anything keeping you from worshipping and serving God with the first and best of your time, possessions, and gifting?
3. Is there someone with whom you are comparing yourself right now, causing you to struggle with jealousy? Take some time praise him for the reality that his love for you is not based on your own righteousness or your standing in comparison to others, but on the work of Jesus. Ask him to fill you and enable you to worship him and live for him with your whole heart.
How do Adam and Eve respond to God's promise to crush Satan and evil through Eve's offspring (3:15)? Faith. Eve says, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man" (4:1). Even after the horrific tragedy of one of their sons killing the other, she continues the difficult walk of faith, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel" (4:25). They understand these children to be the first installments of God's faithfulness to his promise, and just like us, their relationship with God is based on faith in God's promises, which are fulfilled in Jesus.
In 4:3-4, Cain brings a half-hearted offering to God, while Abel brings the first and best of the return on his labor. Instead of turning from his sin to God, Cain allows his sin to spiral downward into envy and murder. His offspring produce some good things in the fields of music, metallurgy, etc., but at least in the seventh generation (4:23-24), it seems that the downward spiral never stopped, as Lamech boasts of murdering another man.
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. Are you basing your relationship with God today on anything besides faith in Jesus, who has covered our sin and shame, and conquered it in resurrection?
2. We can all relate to Cain's half-hearted worship. Is there anything keeping you from worshipping and serving God with the first and best of your time, possessions, and gifting?
3. Is there someone with whom you are comparing yourself right now, causing you to struggle with jealousy? Take some time praise him for the reality that his love for you is not based on your own righteousness or your standing in comparison to others, but on the work of Jesus. Ask him to fill you and enable you to worship him and live for him with your whole heart.
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2019
May
Athlete, God CreatesAthlete, You're Made In His ImageAthlete, RestAthlete, RememberAthlete, God UnitesAthlete, Don't FallAthlete, Pain and Frustration Will EndAthlete, Stop ComparingAthlete, There Is No Middle RoadAthlete, Step Out In FaithAthlete, You're CleanAthlete, Know The CovenantAthlete, Know the NationsAthlete, Divisions ExistAthlete, God Makes PromisesAthlete, WaitAthlete, Location MattersAthlete, Who Is Melchizedek?Athlete, You Are IncludedAthlete, God Sees YouAthlete, God Gives Us Signs
June
Athlete, Be RemindedAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Reflect On His MercyAthlete, God Keeps CoveringAthlete, The Wait Is OverAthlete, God Tests Athlete, Put On The QualitiesAthlete, Be ChallengedAthlete, God works Evil For GoodAthlete, Glory is ComingAthlete, God Saves Messy PeopleAthlete, God Provides Athlete, God's in Control Athlete, God is PatientAthlete, Step Out in FaithAthlete, See the MarkersAthlete, Take Time to PrayAthlete, Let's Talk About Fresh StartsAthlete, Love is The CureAthlete, Grace is OffensiveAthlete, See the ForeshadowAthlete, Don't ForgetAthlete, God is NearAthlete, Are You Willing To Learn?Athlete, Give Thanks
July
Athlete, Cultivate IntimacyAthlete, Take ComfortAthlete, You Have An InheritanceAthlete, God Uses All of UsAthlete, ConfessAthlete, Don't DoubtAthlete, Make RoomAthlete, Ask Your QuestionsAthlete, Do Not ChargeAthlete, Be Aware of Resistance Athlete, Know Your HeartAthlete, Don't Be Stubborn Athlete, Trust JesusAthlete, Have Risky FaithAthlete, We Were Created For JoyAthlete, Understand the Already Not YetAthlete, What Are You TrustingAthlete, ReflectAthlete, You're a Royal Priest Athlete, PauseAthlete, Recognize His PresenceAthlete, Seek Justice
August
Athlete, Remember WITH not FORAthlete, David Wasn't Always PerfectAthlete, Confess to an Audience of OneAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Take NoteAthlete, Recognize the Preeminent OneAthlete, Put it to DeathAthlete, You Are Being RenewedAthlete, This is Your New UniformAthlete, Whatever You Do, Do It For JesusAthlete, Use A Different FormulaAthlete, We Are FamilyAthlete, You Have Three Deep NeedsAthlete, Fan The FlameAthlete, Start The FireAthlete, Know The AntidoteAthlete, Choose PeaceAthlete, Peace is a WeaponAthlete, It Was Not A Silent NightAthlete, This is How You Experience Peace
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