Free Indeed

Scripture
John 8:31-32 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “ If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

Observation
Jesus says to those who believe, 'keep my word, and in doing that, you will truly be a Christ follower', a disciple of Jesus. You will know the truth of God's Word!  Jesus is the way the truth and the life - no one can come to the Father except through Jesus.  I will know the TRUTH, Jesus Himself, and in knowing Him, I will be made free!  Free to walk with Him and learn of Him and obey His commands, free from the jaws of distress, free from the snare of sin, free to love, free to choose life instead of death.  

Application
It's not 'what I know but Who I know' that sets me free!   I will continue to read & study God's Word because I'm committed to growing in my relationship with God - to be a life long learner, but I also realize I need an intimate devotional relationship with Jesus Christ the Son of God!  As I walk with God, my heart's desire is to listen & obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life that will glorify Jesus.  

Prayer
Father, I believe!  Your yoke is easy and burden light - I willingly come and follow You, and partake of the good things You have prepared for me and for those who love You.  You have captured my heart with Your great love, forgiveness, peace, comfort, and grace!  You have set me free!  I am free indeed! Thank You Lord.  

Job 36:16 “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.

Better Things

Scripture
Hebrews 6:9b -12 Beloved friends, we are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.  For God is not unjust.  He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.  Our great desire is that you keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.  Then you not become spiritually dull and indifferent.  Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.

Observation
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior!  Our wonderful gift from God for salvation and eternal life!  But wait!  There is more!  God has more for us - it's a marvelous and necessary beginning to first receive Jesus into our hearts; but while we live, we are called to love God with all of our hearts and to serve and minister His life and love to others!  
God will not forget our 'labors' of love and hard work for Him.  He sees us! He is with us!  He is just and good!  
What makes us spiritually dull and indifferent?  Hardened to the needs of others?  What makes us stop loving people?  God desires better things for us that comes from a love relationship with Him.  Serving, loving, caring are what keeps us 'sharp' and alert to the Holy Spirit's promptings to care for others with faith and endurance.  

Application
My desire is to keep loving and serving God and His people as long as I have breath!  I hear the warning through the word to guard my heart!  Don't become dull and indifferent by losing touch with people.  We need each other!  Stay connected to God and allow Him to soften areas of my heart that have become insensitive and hard.  Stay the course, don't quit!

Prayer
O Father!  I am narrow minded and so selfish.  Please forgive me.  I withdraw into my 'cave' and sometimes sulk and feel sorry for myself when I serve and no one acknowledges what I do or how hard I have worked.  Pity party.  But Lord, it's Your approval and love I long for, and You've already given me that!  You see my labors, You see what I do - and Lord I thank You for reminding me that everything I do to love and serve in Your Name pleases You.  You will not forget it.  My hope is in You!  I will follow You!  Thank You for the privilege to serve Your people.  Thank You for the people I serve with!  Pour me out Lord.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

'Attitude Adjuster'

Scripture
Philippians 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.

Observation
If we are mature and growing in the things of God, take a view of these things:  forgetting the past and pressing forward to reach the goal.  God will make it clear and give us right thinking when our mindset is not in alignment with God's.  He will reveal to us if we have a 'different' attitude that needs His touch.

Application
God is my attitude adjuster.  If I yield, surrender, let go of the familiar ways that are contrary to what God Word says in the Bible, the Holy Spirit is able to correct my attitudes and show me His way, His will, His plan but I must be willing to change.

Prayer
Father, I am willing. Please change me! Lord I am weak in so many areas.  I turn to You in my weakness that You will show Yourself strong in my life.  I am a  'cracked' pot, a broken vessel, that You alone can fix.  May Your light and glory shine as You reveal areas of my life that are in need of correction,  in Jesus Name, A-men. 

Drawing by Chris Stringfellow of Draper, UT

October 23, 2014 Trusting and Hoping

Scripture
Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.  

Observation
What is my response and posture before God when trials and adversity hit my life, my home?  Do I trust and hope in God like Job?  Only God has been able to give me the strength and grace to put my trust in Him in the most difficult of times.  Job lost everything . . . and was able to say . . . yet I will trust, I will hope in Him.  
When our 17 year old son died in our arms on Father's Day morning 1990, this verse in Job came to my mind.  
God is Sovereign; He loves me even when darkness overtakes me.   He is with me in the darkness.  He weeps with me, and comforts me when I grieve.  I can go to God and make my defense, argue, and bring my complaint to Him.  Whatever I need to say, face to face with my Savior, I know I can trust Him and He will hear my cry.  In the end, I hope, I trust and I say, 'not my will Lord, but Your will be done.  Blessed be the Lord who gives life, and blessed be the Lord who takes life away.  Blessed be the Lord.'  

Application
Trust and hope in God in all things.  Not death, nor life, nor anything else in all creation will ever be able to separate me from His love.  (Romans 8:38-39)

Prayer 
Father, I can still say these words after these many years of walking with You, 'though You slay me, I will hope and trust in You.'  You are faithful O God.  May my life glorifyYou and no matter what I face in the day to day, may You find me trusting and hoping in You.  In Jesus Name, I give You thanks with a grateful heart.  A-men.

LISTEN and OBEY

Scripture
Zechariah 7:11-13
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint, so they could not hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit...and just as He called and they would NOT listen, so they called and I would not listen says the Lord of hosts.

Observation
If we refuse to listen and hear the words from the Lord, so then He will not listen when we call to Him.  The condition of our heart is at stake when we turn away from hearing God.  It turns like flint, hard, cold, and unwilling to receive anything from God.

Application
Guard your heart!  Do not set yourself in childish posture and have an attitude when God is speaking.  Receive His blessing and favor but also receive instruction and correction.  Obey His words.  When God speaks, don't cup your hands over your ears and sing 'la la la la la la la' and turn your back on Him.  LISTEN and follow through by obeying.

Prayer
What are You saying Lord?  Help me to hear.  Deal with any attitudes that keep me from hearing Your call.  I turn my ear to You and ask that You help me to hear.  Listen.  Obey.  May my ear be tuned to You Lord and let me not me a forgetful unwilling hearer of Your Word.  Help me be one who is a 'do'-er of Your word with a softened heart ready to do Your will.

September 15, 2014 Come to Life - 'La Chaim'

Scripture
Psalm 145:18-20
The Lord is near to all who call on Him. To all who call Him in truth .  He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him.  He hears their cry and saves them.  The Lord watches over all who love Him.  but all the wicked will He destroy.

Observation  
The Word says that the Lord is near; with me, present, at hand.  He is ready to hear me and answer me right when I call.  Those who love and reverence the Lord He will give the desires of their heart.  God will take care of the wicked of this world; they will be destroyed.

Application
Draw near to God.  Come near to Him.  Honor Him. I can trust Him.

Prayer
Father, God Most High, I trust in You.  I trust in Your Word.  I draw near to You and say I love You.  Thank You for turning Your ear to me when I cry out to You.   I prophesy over these dry bones and say to them, "O dry bones!  Behold the Lord God Almighty will cause breath to enter me and I will come to life by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  You will put Your Spirit in me and I will begin to rise up!"  A-men.

September 2, 2014 The Source

Scripture  
Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd.  He will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Observation
Jesus is the Lamb!  He is the Good Shepherd. He leads us to springs of living water.  He comforts us in trials of life.  He is the source of living water!  He wipes the tears that we cry.

Application
Come and drink.  Come to Jesus and believe, and drink of the living water.  Receive His love and grace and be filled.  Trust Him, obey Him, walk with Him and my thirst for God will be quenched.  He meets all my needs and He leads me in the way I should go.  He cares for me, and comforts me even to the point of wiping away my tears.

Prayer
God of Glory I give You thanks for leading me to the springs of living water; to Jesus Christ.  In my search for You, I have been so dry and thirsty and found that You alone are the Source.  The God of my Salvation, the Good Shepherd, the Living Water has brought me life in abundance.  Overflow me with Your love.   As I dig into Your word, may I uncover pools of refreshing and cleansing.  May I commit to the long process of discovery of Your treasures found in Your Word.  Help me to learn to dig deeper and reach a depth I could never imagine in my limited thinking.  I want to know You more.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

Gone Fishing

Sripture  John 21:3-6
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.  But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”  And He said to them, “ Cast the net on the right- hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

Observation The disciples decide to go back to the ‘familiar’.  Peter said, “I am going fishing”; and the others follow.  What else are they going to do?  But they caught nothing.They did not recognize Jesus – the man calling from the beach, asking, “You don’t have fish, do you?”  They had no fish; it was true.Interesting, the disciples had gone back to fishing, their familiar vocation; they were after all, fishermen.  They loved to fish.  But they caught no fish.  But Jesus was there in their midst – though they did not recognize Him.  It wasn’t until they obeyed what He said, when they threw their nets to the right side of the boat and caught 153 large fish – that their eyes were opened!  It was Jesus!God’s miracle power was manifested in what they were doing in their day to day.

Application  Expect and experience God’s power and be open to the miraculous dimensions of life that God wants to demonstrate in and through me.  God is with me, though I may not recognize His Presence, He is here!

Prayer  Father, there are times it seems that I have gone back to ‘fishing” – babysitting, caring for little ones like I did for so many years.  Only now, it’s grandchildren!  There are days, it feels like I’m not very successful at accomplishing anything worthwhile.  Yet my ear is attentive to You Lord, and I’m open to Your miracle working power in whatever I am doing.  God You are able.  I am willing.In Jesus Name, be glorified in my life I pray.
A-men.  (Thank you JLL for your fine illustration of 'Gone Fishing', 1990 UCSF)

It Works!

Ezekiel 3:5-6  Take unto your heart all My words which I will speak to you and listen closely.  
Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it on a tablets before them and inscribe it on a scroll, that it may serve in the time to come as a witness forever
Jeremiah 30:2  Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, "Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.  

How many of us can even remember what we had for lunch last Saturday, let alone recall something God may have spoken or revealed to us through His Word that we read 2 weeks ago?

Do you know that the most successful weight loss programs require you to keep a food & exercise diary to show you what you've eaten as well as the calories and values of each food item & the time you exercised to condition your body?  Everything is recorded!  When you keep a record of it, you become mindful of what's going into your body and the exercise you are doing - all for better results!  
It works!

What about our spiritual health and growth? If we want to take to heart the things God speaks to us in His Word, we will read it and then write down what He said to us!  Keeping a journal helps us to pay better attention to what we are reading and to listen more closely to what God may want to say.  

I, for one, want to remember the blessings as well as the life lessons I am learning.  Be proactive in the health of your body, your mind, and your spirit.   May God be glorified in all we do.  

How do I journal?  I use the S.O.A.P. method.  It's easy, to the point, and it can be short or long.  

S = Scripture
O = Observation
A = Application
P = Prayer
Journaling is good - very good.  Try it - you'll like it.  
It works!

Walk Your Talk

Scripture
Matthew 23:1-3  Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples:  "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.  So you must be careful to do everything they tell you.  But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Observation
Jesus speaks to the people telling them to do everything the teachers are telling them to do, but cautions them 'don't do what they are doing'.  They are not living what they say.  Everything they do is done for the people to see, putting on a big show outwardly, but their hearts are far from God.  They are blind guides, full of dead men's bones.  No life, only the appearance of righteousness - but nothing right about it.

Application
There was a time in my early teen life that I sometimes would question something my dad would say for me not to do - then I would see him doing the very thing he told me not to do.  "How come I shouldn't do this, and you are doing it?"  His response was,  "Do as I say, not as I do."  It left me angry and confused when he would say that.
After I had given my heart to God, back in 1970 - I was about 20 years old, married, had a little boy of my own, I felt like I needed to have a conversation with my dad about some unfinished things that had left me bitter and unforgiving towards him.  
I said, "Dad, I just want you to know I love you, and I forgive you for all the hurts and confusion you caused in my life, and I hope you will forgive me for the pain and heartache I may have caused you.  I wasn't the best daughter.  I'm sorry."  
He was quiet, and then he surprised me - he cried.  He told me he was sorry he messed up being a dad.  He made mistakes, a lot of them.  I forgave him.  We hugged and cried together.  It wasn't long afterwards that my dad became a believer in Jesus Christ and found forgiveness, mercy, unconditional love and grace.  
The Pharisees' were not good examples for the people and Jesus said - obey their words, but don't act the way they do.  It's not right.  
God wants me to 'walk my talk'.  Always - to do what He says, and to do what I have seen Him do. Jesus is my example.  

Prayer
Father, thank You that I was raised in a home that though my father and mother were far from perfect and made lots of mistakes - they loved me, corrected me, and tried their best to teach me right from wrong.  Yes, they sent mixed signals, had double standards, and really were not very good role models - but You were able to use my parents in my life to help me find my way to You.  I searched for You and I found You.  And then they found You too.

My boys are men now, and pretty much I've made my own share of mistakes - they probably have already told on me to You.  But if it helps them find You, then it's a good thing I am their mom.  
It's not too late to influence my grandkids - so for that I ask for help and guidance.  If I say no to them - then it's a no for me too.  I need Your strength and Your Holy Spirit to pattern my life, values, attitudes, and behaviors in such a way that will effect the generations to come so they will turn their hearts to You.
Thank You for Your love and grace and for Your forgiveness when I've acted like a pharisee.  Guard my heart I pray.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

John 13:12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

His Dwelling Place

Scripture Psalm 132:3-5 “Surely I will not enter my house, nor lie on my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord,  a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.

Observation
King David, a man after God's own heart; he will do everything I want him to do. (Acts 13:22)  David would not even go home, rest, or sleep, until he found a place for the Lord - a dwelling place for God.  He makes a vow, a promise to find a place for the Lord.  A physical dwelling place.

Application
Totally yield to God, give to Him my whole heart, my mind, my spirit, my body, my strength.  Surely I will not rest or sleep until I invite the Lord to come and dwell with me.

Prayer
Father, I first opened my heart to You in February 1970.   A long time ago.  Yet, I sense a stirring in me that You desire to go deeper still.  Come Lord Jesus - this temporary 'tent' is Yours - every bit of it.  Search my heart, make me clean, it's Your approval I long for.  Rule my life, be my King, do what You will I belong to You,  in Jesus Name, A-men.  

1 Corinthians 3:16  Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

What is REAL? You become.

"Grammy! What are those things on your hands?" asked my almost 3 year old grandson.  My reply, "Veins Aaron - you have them too." In wonderment he replied, "Not like yours Grammy - I can't see mine."  

I'm getting older but also better! My grandkids are fascinated by my curly hair, loose skin, lines (wrinkles), and now my veins.  They like to touch me ... I remind them, "Remember, Grammy's fragile - be gentle".   

Am I real yet Lord?  I feel much like the old Skin Horse in the 'Velveteen Rabbit'...Here's my favorite part of that story:

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled. 
(by Margery Williams)

I am becoming REAL.  My heart is opened wide and I am learning to love and to be loved.  Thank You Lord for Your unconditional love for me so I can love others.  A-men.

Matthew 22: 36-39  Loving God, Loving People

Open Wide Your Heart!

Scripture
2 Corinthians 6:11-13
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.  We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  As a fair exchange, I speak as to my children, open wide your hearts also.

Observation
Honesty, transparency, and having an open heart filled with the Spirit of God are vital in learning to love people.  Paul the Apostle said, "open wide your heart."  An unloving person is narrow in heart, so the follower of Christ should love all people.  What comes out of our mouth is a good indicator of the condition of our heart.  Is love and understanding being communicated?  We need an open heart to be able to love those with faults and shortcomings, those who would naturally repel us.  It makes me wonder, am I withholding God's love and affection toward someone - just because they have different views, or sinning, or unkind to me?  

Application
I need to open wide my heart - to make room for the unlovely, the lost, the one who is held captive in their sin; even to those who may have offended or hurt me, or said unkind things.  Because now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation!  Do not put a stumbling block in anyone's path - and don't be one either! 

Prayer
Forgive me Father, I repent for closing my heart to those who have hurt me or for those who would cause me to shudder and shrink back.  I invite You to stretch the tent of my heart wide and help me not to hold back Your love to anyone!  Lengthen my heart cords and strengthen the stakes to hold them firmly in place.  I need a new wineskin for the new wine You are asking me to contain - lest You pour new wine into this old skin and I burst!  Change me Lord and help me to see what You see in others.  I open wide my heart to You to receive all that You desire to pour out through me in these days!  I will keep praying and doing good, in Jesus Name, A-men.

Onward! to the Promised Land!

Scripture 
Numbers 32:1-2 & 5 The tribes of Reuben and Gad owned vast numbers of livestock. So when they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were ideally suited for their flocks and herds, they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the other leaders of the community . . . "If we have found favor with you, please let us have this land as our property instead of giving us land across the Jordan River.” 

Observation
The tribes of Reuben and Gad decided they would rather stay where they were with their families and livestock to the east of the 'promised land'  because the land was adequate for the needs of their flocks and herds.  They were settling for less than what God intended for them.  They were content where they were.  They swore that they would help their brothers fight the Lord's battles and drive out the enemy, but they did not want to live in the promised land.

Application
I hear the Spirit of God speaking to my heart:  "Move it!  Onward to the promised land! Keep pressing on!  Don't turn aside to the left or to the right, keep Your eyes on Jesus!  Come out of the place of complacency, contentment, & convenience, come out of your comfort zone!  Don't get stuck!  Be stretched, keep pace with Me, there's so much more I will do!  Follow Me, and obey all that I have said to you to do!"

Prayer
Father, I have faith in You, I trust in Your Word!  Keep me moving forward 'step by step.'  When I need to rest, You are my rest. When I am afraid of unchartered territory, or hesitant to follow into unknown areas, or when my knees are shaking because of the 'giants' I see;  I will trust in You. Thank You for Your promise never to leave me nor forsake me.  Give me courage I pray, in Jesus Name, A-men.  

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.  Surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  

God is With Me

Scripture 
Genesis 31:1-5  Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth.” And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.

Observation 
Jacob overhears the complaint of the sons of Laban.  Jacob also sees Laban's countenance and reads the body language that reflects an attitude that Laban has with him - Jacob has lost favor with his father in law.  When Laban first met Jacob, he ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him into his house.  (Genesis 29:13)  But now, Jacob clearly sees a different face on Laban.  
The Lord speaks to Jacob and instructs and reassures him.   'You made a vow to Me, Jacob, at Bethel . . . remember?  It's time to go home - to return, and know that I am with you.' (Genesis 31:13)
Jacob meets his wives in the field with the flock - far from listening ears.  He knows no one else is out there tending the flock and it's a place of privacy.  He informs the wives about their father, something they were already aware of.  They too feel have felt used by their father for monetary gain.  

Application
Relationships with family and friends are ever-changing, but God, never changes or waivers in His love for us.  He says He loves me, will never leave me nor forsake me.  When others fail me or don't meet my expectations, or if I fail or offend them, I can always turn to God and know He promises to be with me.  The Lord is my helper, I will not fear.  What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6)  "Though my father and mother forsake me - the Lord will hold me close." (Psalm 27:10)

Prayer
Father I can trust in You!  You will never abandon me!  Thank You for Your steadfast love and grace, Your great mercy and forgiveness, for Your promises and faithfulness.  In You I can put all my trust.  Thank You.  In Jesus Name, A-men.

Obey and Be Happy!

Scripture 
Genesis 4: 3-7  When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.

Observation 
Cain's offering of the fruit of the 'cursed' ground is refused by God.  Yet God in His love and mercy, speaks to Cain about his countenance - he's angry and his face is downcast.  God is addressing a heart attitude in Cain.  "If you do what is right Cain, you will be accepted - but if not . . . sin is waiting right at the door of your heart . . . sin desires to make you it's slave Cain.  But you have a choice here!  Do the right thing!  Rule over those thoughts of anger and sin.  Reel them in - do what you know is right!  You will be choosing life instead of death - your very countenance will change!  Just obey . . . and be happy!"  God is merciful and gives Cain an opportunity to choose life and obedience, but in the end, Cain lures his brother into the field and kills him. 

Application
The battle continues even still.  I can choose to 'obey and be happy' or give into sin that leads to death.  God gives us a free will - the choosing is ours.  There is a tremendous struggle that goes on between the flesh and the spirit, but thanks be to God that though I once was a slave to sin, I have learned to obey God, and have been set free from sin by the precious sacrifice of Jesus Christ my Savior.  God still comes and speaks to our hearts if sin is crouching at the door of our heart - and He makes a way for us . . . Beloved one, repent, obey, and be happy - to life everlasting!

Prayer
Father,  it's Your kindness that leads me to repentance.  Your mercies are new every morning.  You have made my heart glad and I overflow with joy and anticipation for the days ahead.  May Your Holy Spirit help me to discern between good and evil.  When my countenance changes and I'm thinking bad thoughts - help me to reel them in - to bring those thoughts captive in Jesus Name, A-men. 

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,