Dear Family,
Are you easy to live with? Your answer? Yes, no, most times, sometimes, rarely, never, or perhaps once a year at Christmas time! However, if I want the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I would ask your family. Why, because that is where the rubber meets the road. We can fool one another, but in the family, where everything is open and laid bare, it is impossible.
Last Sunday we started our new series from Hebrews 11 entitled, “Extraordinary Hope.” You not only need hope to cope but hope to survive in this fallen evil world. Hope requires an object or something to be hopeful about. In essence, hope is directed toward a specific desired outcome, situation, or belief. The object of hope serves as the foundation or focus of one’s hope. Without an object, hope becomes vague and unfocused.
The men and women in Hebrews 11 “hoped in Yahweh.” That is, in His covenants and promises based on His unchanging attributes.
We take our first look at the first person mentioned in Hebrews 11 which is Abel, the second son of Eve. Here is the verse that we will focus our attention on this Sunday.
“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
Notice the last three words in Hebrews 11:4, “he still speaks.” Friends, the Lord has something to say to us in the 21st century. We have not murdered anyone physically, but have we murdered those close to us with “our mouth” – ouch! Guilty as charged and family members can testify, and their testimony will carry some weight.
I would like you to read and reflect on Genesis 4:1-15. What can we take away from this tragic encounter between the only two siblings on planet earth? Maybe you aren’t an angry person at heart, but we all must deal with anger and forgiveness.
Because Calvary covers it all,
Glen
P.S. It is only fitting that we celebrate communion together this Sunday for without the shedding of blood there is absolutely no forgiveness, period.
P.S.S. Yvonne Schaetzle went home to be with her Savior on Tuesday afternoon. Please pray for Bob and the rest of the family.