Step Up Lesson 1

Gen.4:³ “When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. ⁴ Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, ⁵ but he did not accept Cain and his gift…”

Cain must have thought, after all, the cattle on a thousand hills belong to God so He really does not need anything. So Cain gives God a shabby offering and moves on. But the Bible says that God had no respect for Cain and for his offering. I pray that God will have respect for you and your offerings, in Jesus Name. The step up lesson from the life of Abel is – it is not enough to bring an offering to God; we must seek to give Him what is acceptable to Him. Imagine a marriage relationship where the woman likes purple dresses but the man insists on buying her blue or red dresses. Even though the man spends a lot of money to buy the blue or red dresses, would the woman appreciate it as much as she would appreciate a purple dress?

Heb.11:⁵ “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God” [with emphasis]. Our second example of stepping up by faith is Enoch. Enoch shows us that it is possible to walk with God, be in a relationship with God and please God. It is possible to make God happy with you. It is also possible to think about your meeting place with God and get excited. Some people think of rapture or of death and get scared. Why are you scared? You should be excited, happy, and joyful. Enoch is showing us that by faith, it is possible for a man to walk with God. God wants you to please Him and through the example of Enoch, He is showing you that you are capable of pleasing Him. Say aloud; “I am capable of pleasing God. I have what it takes to please God.”

The first assignment I give to the people I mentor is to write their epitaph. An epitaph is the inscription written on the grave-stone. Sometimes, I challenge them to write their last will and testament also. Most times they struggle with it. Yes, you will live to declare the works of God in the land of the living but I want you to think about it. By God’s grace, we will pick up from here tomorrow. Remember, it is possible to please God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, let the ultimate goal of my life be to please You with my seed and harvest, in Jesus Name. Amen!