Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 28
White Friday


SIN CROUCHES
AT THE DOOR

READ:Genesis 4:1-16
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Sin lies at the door. And
its desire is for you, but
you should rule over it.
__Genesis 4:7
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The award-winning author John Steinbeck often used biblical themes in his novels. In his book East of Eden, he describes characters who illustrate the conflict of jealousy and revenge reflected in the story of Cain and Abel. steinbeck shows how an angry heart burning with revenge doesn't have to act a certain way. There's always a choice.

When Abel's animal sacrifice received divine favor and Cain's offering
of fruit was rejected, Cain burned with anger (Gen. 4:1-6). But the Lord admonished him, "Sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it" (Gen 4:7). The original Hebrew words paint the picture of an animal crouching, ready to devour its prey. Cain's anger and jealousy, if not brought under control, would "eat him up" and spill out in destructive behavior. Tragically, Cain gave in to his evil desires. It resulted in the first homicide and his departure from the presence of the Lord (Gen 4:8-16).

Do you have feelings of jealousy or anger toward someone? If so, you have a choice. If you ignore the internal struggle, it will only get worse and control you. But if you bring your anger to the Lord and ask for His help, in His strength you will have victory. __Dennis Fisher
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````````````````When faced with trials from without````````````````
``````````````````````Or tempted from within,```````````````````
```````````````````Rely upon the Lord for strength````````````````
```````````````````To turn away from sin. __Sper````````````````
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Control you anger, or it will control you.

***********Today's Bible Reading __ Genesis 4:1-16***************

1 Now Adam knew Eve his
wife, and she conceived and
bore Cain, and said, "I have
acquired a man from the
LORD." 2 Then she bore
again, this time his brother
Abel. Now Abel was a
keeper of sheep, but Cain
was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in the process of time
it came to pass that Cain
brought an offering of the
fruit of the ground to the
LORD. 4 Abel also brought of
the firstborn of his flock and
of their fat. And the LORD
respected Abel and his
offering, 5 but He did not
respect Cain and his offering.
and Cain was very angry,
and his countenance fell.

6 So the LORD said to Cain,
"Why are you angry? and
why has your countenance
fallen? 7 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."

8 Now Cain talked with
Abel his brother; and it came
to pass, when they were in
the field, that Cain rose up
against Abel his brother and
killed him.

9 Then the LORD said to
Cain, "Where is Abel your
brother?" He said, "I do not
know. Am I my brother's
keeper?" 10 And He said,
"What have you done? The
voice of your brother's blood
cries out to Me from the
ground. 11 So now you are
cursed from the earth, which
has opened its mouth to
receive your brother's blood
from you hand. 12 When you
till the ground, it shall no
longer yield its strength to
you. A fugitive and a
vagabond you shall be on the
earth."...

16 Then Cain went out form
the presence of the LORD and
dwelt in the land of Nod on
the east of Eden.