"FINDING THE PLACE OF SAFETY AND ACCEPTANCE "

By Mary Lindow

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IT’S A STRANGE AND TWISTED WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN

Many well meaning people try hard to give pep talks, cheery texts and even send emails with profound  topics or inspirational contents all in the hope of giving a bit of relief from the ever increasing “noises” of an uncertain world.

“ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

This is not always an easy question to answer right away. Emotions and physical reactions to the question begin to swirl and elevate stress levels when anxiety creeps in. And, fear is a terror that can paralyze anyone if enough of it is allowed to enter our minds. And that is exactly where it first penetrates our peace. In the Mind.

Fear - (noun)

Fright, fearfulness, horror, alarm, panic, agitation, trepidation, dread, consternation, dismay, distress; anxiety, worry, angst, unease, uneasiness, apprehension, nervousness, foreboding;

WHEN WE FEAR WE MAKE POOR CHOICES

If you are afraid or “fear” being misled by someone, you will limit your intimacy or openness with him or her. Many believers in need of healing emotionally from harsh or indifferent parenting tend to keep deep relationships or friendship at arm’s length in order to maintain a sense of control or privacy for themselves. 

This can become a form of “selective hearing or selective listening” if the individual feels that they need to remain aloof and frosty in order to gain the respect or validation that they feel that they need to exist.

The problem with this cycle is that is creates a private  “terror” of not having a solid place of safety with a few dear and treasured people, flawed people… but those willing to also be vulnerable and open.

Psalm 27:1

“The LORD is my light and my salvation-- 
whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- 
of whom shall I be afraid?”

Every situation, location, and relationship of our everyday lives is in some way broken. As fallen creatures, the best we can ever do in this life is to know how to live in this broken-down house/earth suit that’s our current address. And, nothing and no one but God himself, in the fullness of his time, can change where we live. So as we experience the reality of life in this house, sometimes it will leave us confused and overwhelmed.

Sometimes it will leave us hurt and angry. Sometimes people will give way to envy because the house or “life” of someone living nearby seems far less broken. Sometimes we just get weary of the stress of it all and long for a house in perfect repair. 

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE

In those moments, those days, those seasons, remember that you are never on your own. The Master Builder has given us a copy of his renovation manual, the Bible. It will help us to understand why things are as broken as they are. It teaches us how to live well even in the midst of the brokenness. And it will explain the only way in which repair can ever happen.

Just never forget that the "Designer" Himself has moved into the house with you. You’ve not been left alone. You can rest assured of his presence and his wisdom. His grace has blessed you with both of these.

However, He must be fully welcomed and invited into all of the “locked and hidden access areas” that others are not often trusted to enter into.

He who offers you such grace and guidance will never ask you to do what you are not fully capable of doing by God’s grace and ever present Spirit. He will not demand things of you that are beyond your abilities. Our Lord is tender and kind. He knows who you are and he knows where you’re living. He knows how hard it is to live in your broken-down house because in the flesh he lived here himself.

The Lord invites you to walk away from trying to figure it out on your own and he welcomes you to sit at his feet and learn the simplicities of living; things so full of meaning that you will see your world in a completely new way; things so practical that you will never live the same way again. 

 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

Philippians 2:3

TAKE A LOOK IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR FOR ONE MOMENT

Have you recently made decisions about who you will share with on any level such as giving, talking of dreams, sorrows, losses, major life events, and then afterward - pulled back only to run to either another source for additional validation or to agree with your choices or decisions? Or, have you reacted to some of the counsel or responses you have received by testing those whom you have shared with by removing your favor, kindness or former warmth from them?

These actions are often made rapidly when we are fearful or fear being wounded, and shift us into a place of survival and self-protection.

They can also isolate us from a loving, safe and healthy “corrective course” or direction away from fear and its tentacles.

FINDING THE PLACE OF SAFETY AND ACCEPTANCE

When we step into the hand of God we find the place of acceptance, and safety and an opportunity for service. It is the place of real authority, as well as of hiddenness.

God only works with those who are in His hand and those who do not keep jumping out of it, attempting to either control their own fears, but instead, often try to control others around them due to being fearful of the choices others make possibly affecting them.

Both greatly hinder the ability to trust other godly people and above all, to trust the safety of letting God do His job, while we rest in His hand.

The more we lie sheltered there, the more surely will He use us down the road. And it will be alongside others who freely share all that they have, without fear. Just as you will learn as you let go, and allow the Father to build a “Safe House” out of your life in His presence.

May the Lord do for us according to His word.

He said, 

"I have put My words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of My hand."

Charles Spurgeon spoke such a beautiful statement

 and I want to share it with you here.

“The shadow of God is not the occasional resort,

but the constant abiding- place, of the saint.

Under His shadow we are to feel that we are at home, and then 

He will make Himself at home to us by becoming food unto our souls, and giving spiritual refreshment to us while we rest.”

NO MORE HOOPS TO JUMP

When this is learned and treasured, you will then not withhold from or test others with rules or regulations set up to certainly fail them. We ruin great friendships or opportunities when we expect from others total vulnerability and openness and then only give part of what we have and who we are back in return.

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Colossians 3:12

Perhaps you are waiting on Christ, desiring His company, and while you are thinking these thoughts you are asking, "Will He ever direct His full gaze upon me? Will He ever speak loving words to me? Will He ever let me sit at His feet? Will He ever permit me to lean my head upon His shoulder?"

COME AND STEP BACK INTO THE SHELTER OF HIS HAND.

Though you might shake like a leaf in a strong wind. Come! Sometimes those who come trembling are those who are aware that they are the lowest and the Creator the highest. When finally admit that our own self-esteem is less than nothing and is total vanity, then Jesus is the more good and lovely in our eyes.

Let your humility of heart, and your sense of hollowness, as a replacement for disqualifying you, be a sweet instrument for leading you to receive more of Christ.

“Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,

But humility comes before honor.”

Proverbs 18:12

 The emptier I am, 

The more room is there for the Lord

The more I lack, 

The more He will give me.

The more I feel my weakness, 

The more shall I adore and bless Him 
when He makes me whole.

You’re never in a better place than when you give up on you and begin to trust in what is certain.  The life-shaping wisdom of the One who created you - in the first place. 

“After all, every house has a builder,

But the builder of everything is God.”

Hebrews 3:4

Duplication and re-transmission of this writing is welcomed
provided that complete source and website information for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank You!

Copyright  2013 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow

www.marylindow.com

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"PLUMBLINES AND RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THEIR PAINFUL OPPOSITES"

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By Mary Lindow

I am by far not an expert on the subject of plumb lines and righteousness, so take what I say in the light of one who at time gropes like a child in the dark, ever reaching for
the hand of the ONE to lead me into a safe place filled with His Hope, His Mercy, His Light and Life. 


WE LIVE IN A CORRUPT WORLD

And therefore, have the effects and affects of that corruption ever influencing, ever tainting and ever wooing the flesh. 



Plumb line (Definition): a tool that consists of a small, heavy object attached to a string or rope and that is used especially to see if something (such as a wall) is
perfectly vertical or in alignment) A plumb line is a simple but accurate tool used for determining whether or not something is perfectly vertical i.e. upright

The Lord also used, and uses, a “plumbline,” His Word, to determine how upright His people truly are in His sight. How upright they think they are, or how upright they
proclaim themselves to be, means nothing to God.

“Behold, I WILL set a plumbline in the midst of My people”Amos 7:7

A Plumb line set out by the Hand of God is one that we can anchor our hearts to. It will always, always, ALWAYS, direct us to the truth in a matter; even if it requires pain,
loss, persecution and perhaps death in areas we feel we may well have rights to. It will also be a shield, a balm, a comfort and a teacher to those who will yield to the
directive positioning of the Master.

“I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line;” Isaiah 28:17


LIFE – DISTRESS - AND PERSECUTION

I have found that in my life, distress and persecution do not feel like God’s care being poured out on me. My heart is not immediately drawn to thanksgiving and
gratefulness for the faithfulness of God on display as I cling to the battered pieces that look like potential “rafts” of hope, only to find out that many of them have gaping
holes or slow leaks in them. Rather, it feels like yet another hurt is being permanently woven into my tattered and war-torn soul. It seems as if another mound of questions
are piling up and just waiting for an answer and a true solid REAL anchor of hope.


I CAN REALLY CONNECT TO THE WRITER OF PSALM 42

He said “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” It’s at those very times that the words of the Savior are so important. When we are
down and in turmoil. But, how do we connect the dots between what we know is true about God’s faithfulness and what our hearts feel? When flipped and flung around by
the waves, weary from crying and when no answer seems at hand, what is the answer? When my circumstances show many foes and tyrants rising up against me and my
heart is prone to wander and fear, what hope is there of peace? When my feelings start controlling my thoughts, how can I rest in God’s promises?

AT THIS POINT… I HEAR THE “GASPS” …
…And perhaps shocked comments of a few who are amazed that someone who appears to walk so fervently and intimately with the Lord would have such difficulties!
Well! Guess what?

I do struggle, I do hurt, and yes I do doubt when I have been side swiped or “rammed” by skilled cons and those who, although may have the
appearance of godliness and offered friendship or fellowship, end up having private and evil agendas behind their well placed and planned schemes. And boy oh boy! Those
skilled players know the wicked art of wounding the heart and causing people to reel in pain!


BUT…. THERE IS ONE WHO FULLY SEES IT ALL

The main skill in the issue of dealing with life as a spiritual person, is to know how to handle yourself when things not only crush and grind your heart, but what to do with the
anguish and toll of their aftermath.

We have to get ourselves into a place where we hear clearly again. We need have to address ourselves, preach to ourselves, and ask questions about ourselves. We must
say to our soul: ‘Why art thou cast down’–Why are you so anxious and lacking in peace? We must urge ourselves, and say ‘Hope thou in God’–instead of remaining in this
paralyzed, aching state!”


AND THEN WE MUST TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER.

We must go on to remind ourselves just “Who “God is, and what God is and what God has done, and what God has promised that he Himself said that He would do. Having
done that we can stand up and sing out strongly, defying the torment of the soul, and resist other people’s wicked tongues and arrogance, and refuse to go along with the
devil and the whole world, and say: ‘Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

The hope and promise of the fairness of God’s justice when dealing with the hurtful things and presumptions of others gives me the confidence to know that God will never
turn away from me in my need.

No matter how they seem to prosper in the short term, wicked men and women will ultimately pay for their sins, in this life or the next. Jesus died to meet my greatest
hardships and sorrows for me, and I need to preach this to myself every day. His power is greater than my weariness and suffering. The comforting and instruction that
comes from simply running to feed upon His word instead of the toxic poison of the replaying of trauma reminds me that what Jesus has done is strong enough for my soul
to rejoice in and to be set into a place where it can rest and regroup, gaining a healthy perspective about what to give out to others and what is simply…

…. To be enjoyed by the Lord Himself.


THE NATURAL IMPULSES OF MANKIND ARE SINFUL AND DECEITFUL,

And human willpower alone will never be able to change this. We need God’s help to truly change our hearts. REMEMBER. You cannot change the heart of
anyone else either. If you try to…. …you will feel the bite of stinging venom or be laughed out of a room. Only the power of the conviction of the Holy Spirit can permeate
and get around the jam-packed hardhearted egos of the self sufficient and bitter.

Jeremiah 17:9 says that the human heart is deceitful in all things and is even beyond cure.

We must be cautious and wise in reproving and warning such types of people about their bad behaviors and wicked actions where there seems to be no appearance or hope
of change and where there is danger of experiencing great and heart wrecking retaliation and slander. These types trample the warnings and urging for repentance and
humbling of the heart under their feet, and turn again and slash at you, despising the warnings that are “tearfully and fearfully” given, and often hurt the persons who give
them, either by words or deeds.

“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy.
Don’t throw your pearls to pigs!
They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”
Matthew 7:6


GIVE ME THE FACTS MA’AM JUST THE FACTS”

I remember that phrase from a TV show called “Dragnet”. The detective would not allow the details of the case to be skewed by any assumptions or pontificating from those
he interviewed. He stoically and firmly demanded only the facts.

And so, Here are the “facts” about the heart of a good man or woman

1.) The good man or woman: Brings good things out of the good stored up in his/her heart.

And the facts about an evil man or woman.

2.) The evil man/woman brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his/her heart.
For out of the overflow of his or her heart his or her mouth speaks. Luke 6:45


THE FRAILTY, BRIEFNESS, AND INSECURITY OF LIFE

The frailty, briefness, and insecurity of life, should hold down the vanity and presumptuous confidence of all of our projects and boasting about future greatness and
bragging rights!

We are always to depend on the will and leading of God. Our times are not in our own hands, but are instead in the timing of God. Our heads may be filled with cares and
plans for ourselves, or our families, or our friends; but Divine intervention often throws our plans into bewilderment.

All we have in mind, and all we do, should be with a humble and deep dependence on God. It is foolish, and it is hurtful, to boast of trendy “latest happening” things and
prospective projects, and it will bring great disappointment and will prove destructive to relationships and meaningful help to others in the end.

1 John 2:16 “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure,
a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.
These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”


LISTEN KINDLY - BEFORE SPEAKING YOUR THOUGHTS

People don’t need a lecture on the meaning of suffering or to have a barrage of scriptures “machine-gunned” at them as a reprimand for sharing their moment of grief or
struggle! Especially when their hearts are breaking, weary of the battle and if they are fatigued. Job could have done without some of the self-righteous answers that came
from his “well-meaning” friends. All of the answers could have even been true, but Job didn’t need to hear any of them. He needed their love, not their value judgments. In
fact, it appears as if God judged THEM for trying to offer simple solutions to things that were beyond their comprehension. They had never walked in the loss he was in
anguish over.



WHEN WE SUFFER UNJUSTLY WE HAVE A MAJOR CHOICE TO MAKE.

How will we respond? We can feel sorry for ourselves (and understandably so, for a while), become bitter and cynical, get drawn into a war of words, or even become mixed
up in a major conflict. On the other hand, we can take our suffering to the cross and allow our pain to draw us into a deeper place of understanding of what Jesus went
though in his sufferings. This does not remove the pain, but does help us to know what to do with our hurt. This is the ‘fellowship of his sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10), one of
the gateways to closeness with God and the release of his power in our lives.

The weight of heartbreak shared with a loving friend cuts it in half. When the burden is shared with many friends, we can cope with almost anything. We never feel more
revitalized than when a friend loves us enough to walk with us in our pain. Not lecture us. The apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves have received from God”
(1 Corinthians 1.3-4).



SOMETIMES GOD GETS INVOLVED WITH DIRECT MIRACLES,

…Giving supernatural strength to those in need. But for the most part, he depends on us, his people, to do his work in the world.
We love each other, work for healing, and suffer with those who suffer.

The next time you see a friend who is suffering, Jesus may just invite you to be the warm embrace! We comfort each other with the comfort we have received in Christ. And
when we do, we become the Body of Christ and he receives the glory!


THE BIBLE IS CLEAR

We are to bear one another’s burdens.
We are to comfort others as Christ has given comfort to us.
Your hard time becomes my hard time. We join hands in the journey.

When you succeed, I succeed.
When you suffer, I suffer.
But we do it together. We share it together.
And we do it, not so much in our wisdom or our words, but in our availability, our understanding, and through our presence.



THAT’S WHAT FELLOWSHIP IS ALL ABOUT,

But not “bland” fellowship. It is CHRISTIAN fellowship. It is the business of burden bearing. Authentic CHRISTIAN fellowship says that when you need me . . . I’ll be there.
Support in suffering is at the core of what it means to share life together in Christ.

The word for “comfort” is the same root word as the name Jesus used to describe one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Paraclete). “I will be a comforter, one
who comes alongside to give help.” And so as God comes alongside you, now you are able to come alongside another. As the Comforter is at work within you, so you also
can be of comfort to those around you.



WE ARE CALLED TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS.

To mourn with those who mourn. To be a follower of Jesus means to come alongside people who are hurting and find ways to help them walk even through the valley of the
shadow of death.

We are called…

… To do this.

As the word of God and care of God is shared with the intention of stirring, plowing up hardened hearts, creating a place for repentance and challenging saints to hope again,
I know and believe that as we learn again as believers, to care, to truly listen and to hope fully again, that the sweet and heavy weight of HIS Glory will be made known and
will manifest in unfettered and uncontrolled waves of worship and spontaneous adoration of the King of Heaven. 



He really does know what He wants. 

Let’s focus on bowing low and seeking His heart, and plans in what matters to Him.

Indeed… HE is the Plumb line. 



Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed as long as the complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included.
Thank You. Copyright © 2011 ” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com

“THEN THE FIRE OF THE LORD FELL…”

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By the Holy Spirit through Mary Lindow

In one of His most confrontational statements Jesus said,
“I have come to bring fire on the earth.”

There are times in the Scripture in which fire is a symbol of judgment but in the great majority of references fire is used to point out God’s divine presence. His words make it clear that the meaning behind His words, “I have come to bring fire” refers to something more than a cozy flame to cuddle up to!

In this unique statement from Jesus the fire He is speaking of is not literally fire as in flames but a spiritual representation. He is speaking of the burning, exciting, dynamic presence of God in the lives of people. The fire that illuminates His incredible presence, produces unlimited power, burns away the dross and impurities and attracts people to Him. That is the Fire of God.


THE FIRE OF GOD IS NOT GIVEN TO MAKE US COZY…

…But holy, and to stir us up. When Moses saw the burning bush God first warned him that he was standing on holy ground, and then told him of the great thing He was about to do, to release Israel from the captivity of Pharaoh (Ex 3).

When Isaiah was in the temple and it filled with smoke of the burning holiness of God, his awareness of being unclean came first, before God equipped him to be His messenger.
When God’s fire comes to the hearts of men and women their spirits are freed from the awful bondage of idolatry. When God’s fire comes, the enemy will be destroyed. That is why we should pray, “O, Lord ---send the fire. Your fire. Send your consuming, changing, restoring, victorious fire!”


WE SING ABOUT THE FIRE OF GOD IN MANY OF OUR HYMNS.

There is a song I have known for years that says,

“Oh, Lord, you’re beautiful. Your face is all I seek.
For when your eyes are on this child, your grace abounds to me.

O Lord, please light the fire, which once burned bright and clear,
replace the lamp of my first love, that burned with holy fear.”



OH, MAY OUR PRAYER BE HEARD!

“Lord, send your fire! May we sense and know Your burning, exciting, dynamic presence in our lives and among Your people.”



“OH HOW YOU FEAR THE FIRE!” - A PROPHETIC WORD

“It is as if you think that I might truly do something unloving
to burn you or disfigure you!

I am a God of fire! Yes! But a HOLY fire! 
A fire that burns away wood, hay, and dead scraps lying around
in your heart. They are littering the places that I want to bring My Glory into!

When My Fire pursues you it drives away any voice or lust or 
any other enemy of your soul! You will come to a place where
you no longer need to have the splash of fanfare or the
rumblings of the earth to know that I Am in your presence!

Instead. 
The Fire brings you to a place just like it did Moses!
He saw My Holy Fire in a bush on a hill. 
I spoke to Him and told Him He was on HOLY ground!

"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, 

"And like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

Jeremiah 23:29

I was a still, small voice, speaking out from inside of a fire!

Listen! 
I am calling out to you! Be quiet! 
Silence the noise around you! 
Get quiet with Me. 
Put away the busyness that you get caught up into!

After the “Fire” a still small voice. 
1Kings19: 12

My passion Fire is calling out to You!
I have things I want to whisper into your spirit-man! 
I have words that will sustain you through all of the
fiery trials and tests you will inevitably pass through!

“If this is so, 

Then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” 

2 Peter 2:9

If you want the Fire of I the Living God to be evident

in your ministry, whether it is in the marketplace, the home,
or abroad, Listen to My still small voice.

It will in turn resound like a roaring ocean to those whom
you will minister to.

“O Lord of hosts, 

How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

Psalms 84: 12

Trust. 
The issue that everyone on earth deals with day in and day out. 
Putting your trust in things that last for only a season or a few years can be very risky and very disappointing.

I have told My people to trust in ME with ALL of their heart
and I will make their paths straight. Yet - continually they put
their trust in people, and idols made of gold, positions of power, 
and in themselves and invented doctrines of seasonal passing!

Lasting blessings can only come from trusting in Me. 

The real issue is that you don’t really think that I will do
what I say I will do!

So... You take it into your own hands!
When you finally lay down your need to control those all around you
and trust in Me, then you will be blessed!
Blessed with safety, peace of mind and above all
blessed by My pleasure in your resting in My plan.

“See to it that you do not refuse HIM who is speaking!” 

Hebrews 12:25

Oh how many times My people have said to Me, 

“Later Lord! I will do it Later?” 
You exhort others to obey quickly and yet you will drag your
feet and put Me off until you “feel” like following through!

“It is the LORD your God you must follow, 
and him you must revere.

Keep his commands and obey him; 
serve him and hold fast to him.” 
Deuteronomy 13:4

Do not refuse Me when I speak to you
when I send you to do
something in My Name! You might fear for your own reputation, 
but a life could be hanging in the balance!


You do not have the luxury of “denying your King!”
If you wish to be caught up into higher dimensions in My Spirit, 
and, if you long for the deep that calls unto deep, be faithful
to ACT when I give you a command!!”

Psalm 119:57
“You are my portion, O LORD; 

I have promised to obey your words.”

Psalm 119:60
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.


Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed
as long as complete message and website information
for Mary Lindow is included. 
Thank You!


Copyright © 2011 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow



www.marylindow.com
 

"The Event of Deception and Its Uncovering"

by Mary Lindow

In this time of re-positioning and adjustment in the Body of Christ on earth, the Lord is shaking everything He can and chooses to expose anything that we might be hiding or trying to avoid correction over.

It doesn't matter if you are educated, polished, intelligent or stunning in delivery or in appearance.

The Lord is saying to His People;

“In order to trust you with a Kingdom Harvest,

I must bring into my Holy light all that is hidden in any dark place of your life!”

For many of us, friends near and dear to us as well as colleagues have chosen to become idle, apathetic, sexually deviant, filled with self-pity, and some, nauseatingly self-promoting.

As these behaviors come to the surface, God allows many hearts to be broken, and stripped of immature ranting, and above all,

a tremendous amount of sobriety is now awakened in our lives.

The following story is very familiar to us but there are a few key points the Lord brought to my attention.

CITIZEN - CAIN AND ABLE - ABEL

Genesis chapter 4

Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.

She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man."

Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

Now, Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.

So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Then the LORD said to Cain,

"Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;

it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field."

And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"

"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

The LORD said, "What have you done?

Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground,

which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you.

You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."

Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear.

Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth,

and whoever finds me will kill me."

But the LORD said to him, "Not so if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over."

Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod,

east of Eden.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION

CAIN didn't bring the very best of His goods, his talents, or his labor as a sacrifice. Just some of the fruits.

He grabbed just anything, certainly not his best. Not the very first fruits, not thinking God was watching.

Hmmmmm.... Sounds like his parents Adam and Eve. The same iniquity being passed down and re-enacted.

Abel however, brought the very best cuts with fat, to the Lord.

The very best cuts from the 1st born sheep of His flocks.

Both of these brothers knew what pleased God!

This wasn't the first time they had offered sacrifice to the Lord!

This offering was done every year!

They knew what was expected of them!

When God doesn't look with favor on Cain's' offering and instead blesses Abel …Cain is really ticked off! WHY?!

He wanted God to bless his PRESENT mediocrity! AFTER ALL…in the past years he had brought great tokens of devotion.

Cain begins to POUT! "God Just isn't fair!"

(Sounds like the same voice that influenced Adam and EVE!)

Now poor Cain looks sad and misunderstood!

THE SECOND OBSERVATION

Here is a key ingredient to the situation.

Verse 6 & 7

Then the LORD said to Cain,

"Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

But if you do not do what is right,

sin is crouching at your door;

it desires to have you, but you must master it."

God came to check the Character of Cain-to judge Him fairly, to see what was accumulating in His heart's storehouse.

You see, Cain had become very lazy in His approach to thanking God and honoring Him. Cain was much more impressed with himself. He loved himself!

In the heat of anger and rage...

(just a side note here- this often manifests when God exposes the hidden agendas in our lives…)

… In the heat of anger and rage, Cain disregards God's voice and takes things into his own hands.

Verse 8 to 15

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field."

And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"

"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

The LORD said, "What have you done?

Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."

Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

But the LORD said to him, "Not so if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over."

Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

So Cain went out from the LORD'S presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

When a just punishment is handed down from God,

Cain still tries to manipulate and whine his way

out of the consequences.

Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear.

YOU are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence;

I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

He is sent to a land called Nod, which means "Wandering.”

Away…from the presence of the Lord.

WE CANNOT STORM THE GATES OF HEAVEN...

...And expect great and powerful results when the sin crouching at the door of our own hearts is yet to be mastered.

The Lord wants to perfect His people through the power of His Holy Spirit flowing through them out into the Harvest field.

But it must come thru holy people who have mastered the sin crouching at the door.

The character and attitudes of our hearts must be examined, dealt with, and Mastered. (Capital M intended!)

SERVANT LEADERS - NOT LEADERS WITH SERVANTS!

The Lord wants us to know that in order to rule as people of authority, we must also be fair and honest with the Lord so we can truly serve His people. He wants Servant Leaders.........NOT LEADERS WITH SERVANTS!

What is it like Cain that you have half heartedly offered to God this last year? Do you Rage at correction from Him or act wounded and downcast to avoid changing? Do you think that your past good deeds and good behavior are enough to obtain a present day blessing? Does Lucifer have a place to invade your heart or home or church?

Is it judging others? Exaggeration of circumstances? Racial distrust? Pride in your title or position? Is it Love of things more than God? Mismanaging Funds? Envy of others talents or Gifts? Self Pity?

The list could go on forever. We all know where the Lord has turned up the heat to smoke out any thing that is hidden

Hearts humbled through worshiping and bowing down before the Lord will bring the very Presence of the Lord into our lives, our families our circumstances. Psalm 101 is what he desires for His people to observe with great sobriety as He again will come and shake the church for another season before the ingathering of souls begins.

When we have mastered the doors of our own hearts, truly then we can approach the Gates of Heaven and Storm them with nothing being held back from the Father.

THE WAR CRY OF THE FAITHFUL SERVANT

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.

I will praise you with songs.

I will be careful to live a blameless life

When will you come to give support to me?

I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.

I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.

I hate all who deal crookedly;

I will have nothing to do with them.

I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.

I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.

I will not endure conceit and pride.

I will search for faithful people to be my companions.

Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve with me.

I will not allow deceivers to serve in the house,

And liars will not stay in my presence.

My daily task will be to force out out the wicked

and release the city of the Lord from their grip.

Psalm 101

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