May 31, 2026 – CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday May 31ST 2026, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

Volume 9, Number 14, Edition 414
“Cain & Abel – Part 2”

Last week I began updating one of my old sermons on Cain & Abel that I preached to my church family in Homestead Florida in 2018. Here’s the next portion of that sermon – updated 8 years later:

So now that I’ve set the stage – let’s return to Adam & Eve – the first couple. They produced a baby boy. They named him Cain. The Bible says that Eve – upon giving birth to Cain – said, “With the LORD’s help – I have produced a man !” (Genesis 4:1b) In Hebrew “Cain” means “produce” or “acquire” or “bring forth”.

Cain was the oldest son to Adam & Eve. Abel was the second-born son. When Cain and Abel grew up Cain became a farmer, and Abel became a shepherd.

As the Bible says:
When it was time for the (Fall) harvest – Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. (Genesis 4:3)

Doesn’t sound very significant there. Notice it says that he presented some of his crops. Not the largest crops. Not the most beautiful crops. Not the greenest crops. Not the ripest crops. Just – some of his crops. God got the leftovers. It was essentially a token gift. It was not the first and best, and that’s what God requires.

Abel also brought a gift – the best portions 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. (Genesis 4:4-5)

“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.” (Genesis 4:6-7)

So the first brothers – Cain and Abel – both loved God. They worshipped Him. As they grew up and became old enough to work – back then they were probably young teenagers – probably real close in age – maybe a year or two apart. (There are some who believe that Cain & Abel were twins – born minutes apart.)

Cain worked the fields – growing all kinds of crops. He was a proud farmer – maybe too proud. I think maybe he thought all of his crops were great crops – better than anything available at the time. Cain was the first farmer. It’s not like he could compare his crops with those of his neighbor across the street.

Cain quickly picked some of his self-proclaimed great crops, and he proudly brought forth them to God as a sacrifice. It was like he said, “Here you go God ! Look what I produced – all by myself – just for You ! These are for you LORD ! Aren’t they great ? ! Uh – did I get here before what’s his name ?”

God was not enthused. He was not impressed.

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, a testimony, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord – and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know – then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.