A Question From God

    Throughout the day, the weeks, the months, and years we are asked many questions, from our spouses, from our kids, bosses, fellow workers and so on.  Many questions can be answered quite easily, others might take some thought, and still others we might not want to answer. God asks questions of man but not to get an answer to something puzzling.  God asks questions of man in order to help man.  Through these questions God tries to show man his ignorance, sinfulness, and his needs, which come only from God. The Bible is full of such questions from God let us look at two others today.

Where is Abel your brother?

   In Genesis 4 we pick up the story with Adam and Eve being driven out of the Garden of Eden after their sin.  God places cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden and a flaming sword, which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.  In verse 9 we read, “Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" Only the individual who has properly dealt with the first question can answer the second.  In other words, how can we help others, when we ourselves might not be living like we should?  We must truly know the way unto salvation and forgiveness in order to point it out to others.  We must experience God's pardon before we can explain the pleasure of it to others.  Cain and Abel, without a doubt would have been taught from childhood, the proper methods of worship. Heb 11:4 its says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” One properly obeyed, the other did not. Cain most probably had a question in his mind:  Why use a lamb?  Isn't my produce as good as Abel's animal? Why not be independent of my brother? These questions seemed reasonable to him, he no doubt would have laughed at a warning from others about his choice.  We may know people who would think along the same lines, and the last thing they want to hear is an admonition concerning their choice of worship toward God. Cain had every intention of worshipping God, to acknowledge his allegiance to God and his respect for God, but IN HIS OWN WAY!!!!!!!!!!  Like many that have followed him, he did not realize that the very smallest departure from God's Way is a step toward the ranks of God's enemies. Note Prov 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” He was listening to the devil instead of God: "It makes no difference how I worship God as long as I do it sincerely. But, now his attitude toward his brother has changed--He blamed everyone but himself.  Once again we see a principle, which is often seen today, people refusing to take blame for their actions. The Lord in vs 9 asks him a question, but He is met with two falsehoods:  Cain is blinded by envy and pride.

Envy and Pride

    Because of envy Joseph was sold into slavery Gen 37:4-11, Saul was urged to kill David: 1 Sam 17 Saul turns from God, David serves God and is successful, Saul plots to kill him).  It made Haman build the gallows for Mordecai in Esther, and was the reason Daniel was thrown in the lion's den Dan 6 The governors and satraps were jealous of him). Envy also delivered Jesus to Pilate.  The Pharisees were envious because they were losing power.

   The other attitude displayed by Cain was Pride.  Pride is showing oneself above others. It often denotes pre-eminence, it is always used in the evil sense of arrogant, disdain, and is set against the characteristics of humility, and lowliness.  Due to these attitudes verse 16 of Gen 4 says, "Cain went out from the presence of the Lord."

What is the answer to God's question? "Where is your brother?"

   Consider the following: Gal 6:1-2-  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (2) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  Rom 14:7, “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.” Rom 1:14, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. Are we going to show the indifference of Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?"  This motto is permanently stamped on many who claim to be Christians.

   The story of the Good Samaritan in Lk 10:30-37 defines the scope of our obligations.  “But a certain Samaritan…had compassion… and took care of him… So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him?---He who showed mercy on him."?

#Carlos Aguilar

Home and Family:

 Making The Most Of Your Life

    One of the burning questions of the ages has been, "How can I get the most out of life?". Each person in each generation must wrestle with this idea. Since God made man and knows what is the best life for him, man should want to know God's advice for the good life. I have selected ten key statements from the Bible, which tell one how best to live.

   ONE - Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 Living for this world and its pleasures is a serious mistake. To gain the whole world and lose one's soul is foolish - Luke 9:25. If we sow to the flesh, or to earthly pleasure, we shall reap corruption, or misery - Galatians 6:7-8. Living for God is the better way. We are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26, so we are spiritual beings, who, like God, will live eternally. If we seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness our earthly needs will be supplied. Matthew 6:33 Read Romans 8:28 and Psalms 37:25.

   TWO - Obey your parents in the Lord; honor your father and mother - Eph. 6:1-3. The good life starts early. Obeying parents in the Lord and honoring them with one's life is a way to live well and to live long.

   THREE - It is not good for man to be alone - Genesis 2:18. Human beings were made by God to function best when they have a companion with whom they can share their lives. God intended that a man leave his father and mother and cling to his wife Genesis 2:24.

   FOUR - He that will not work, neither let him eat - II Thessalonians 3:10. Since the days of Adam, God has decreed that man must work if he is to eat Genesis 3:19. One cannot be pleased with himself if he does not earn his keep Luke 10:7.

   FIVE - “Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might” Ecclesiastes 9:10. Human life at its longest is very short - James 4:14. If one is going to get the most out of life, he must decide what he is going to do and do it with all his might.

   SIX - Think on these things. Read Philippians 4:8. Allowing one's mind to dwell on low, base things will cause one's life to be low and base. Thinking on high and inspiring things will life one up to a high and lofty way of life. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

   SEVEN - Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them Matthew 7:12. There is great satisfaction in loving one's fellow man and giving of self for his good.

   EIGHT - Give and it will be given unto you - Luke 6:38. The secret of receiving is found in this verse. Jesus said give first and then you shall receive.

   NINE - Take no thought for your life - Matthew 6:25-32. God cares for the flowers, the grass, and the birds. Since we are more valuable than they, God will certainly care for us. We therefore should not spend our time worrying.

   TEN- Christ died for the ungodly - Romans 5:6. Life can be good if it is freed from the guilt of sin through Jesus Christ.

   Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man Ecclesiastes 12:13.   

~ The Bible Research Library

Rules For Dating

   If parental influence is not great enough to maintain control of the child through these powerful group influences and if normal group behavior includes immorality, trouble will almost surely come to your child soon. It is not without obvious reason that the Bible warns against certain association, saying, "Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals" I Corinthians 15:33. ASV

   The old-fashioned requirement of having your child end his outside activities at a reasonable hour is quite valid and applicable today. Unlimited time for amusement often leads to poor performance at school, at work, and at home. The family that waits up for a latecomer will also suffer for lack of rest. In addition, the younger children will clamor for the same unlimited privilege. You have the right and the duty to control your children, for the Bible says that, "He that provides not for his own is worse than an infidel" I Timothy 5:8. Providing for your children includes love, direction, discipline, and control, as well as the physical necessities of life. We do not advise an ever-abiding, all-prevailing control of the child. Parents must not stifle the growth of the child by over-control; as the child matures, parental control should be gradually released. It is a fine line that parents walk, between too much and too little control - and it requires the nicest kind of judgment.

   Dating, to fulfill its intent and purpose, should be a "hands-off" activity. There are several ways that you can assure your child the fun of dating without endangering his future through over-involvement; some of these are:

1. Request double dating with couples of known Christian characteristics.

2. Discourage steady dating.

3. Refuse too much dating.

4. Do not allow dating with companions of too great an age difference. The interests and intent of an 18-year-old man are frequently quite different from that of a 14-year-old girl.

5. Insist that late hours be avoided.

   Early training of the child is important. Obedience to parents must be developed early, even in their infancy, and be habitual. It is important to gain and to maintain rapport with your children early in their lives. In this way, communication and control can be maintained throughout their lives into adulthood.

   May God bless you as you strive to help your children through this wonderful time of their lives.

~ The Bible Research Library

  ~excerpted from pearlstreet.org