Abel is murdered and Seth is born. He names his son Enosh, which means ‘weak’ or ‘mortal’ man. The awareness of their own weakness and dependence drives believers to prayer: “ At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord” (Gen. 4:26). The story of the descendants of Cain, on the…
After the fall, the descendants of Cain tried to make their lives as pleasant as possible through possessions, music, and inventions of all kinds in order to be happy without God (see Gen. 4). This very attitude is what still characterizes the world today. How many things people have invented in the last 6000 years…
About 6000 years ago God placed Adam and Eve in a wonderful environment in paradise where they lacked nothing. But although they had the loving care of their Creator before their eyes every day, they doubted His love for them and consciously decided to act against His will. They wanted to be on the same…
In Romans 12:1 we are told to offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifice. One question we could ask is with what motivation we should do this. The answer is: out of gratitude for the mercies of God, which are described in the first eight chapters. Devotion does not come about through legal…
“Apart from me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5) the Lord Jesus once said to His disciples. With this statement, He makes it clear that there is only one way we can bear fruit for God: if we remain in Him, the true Vine. But what does this actually mean in practice? How can this…
Who is in control? After God judges the world with the flood, He begins again with Noah and his family. But once again, people fail. Instead of obeying their Creator, trusting that He wants only the best for them, they try to reach heaven through their own efforts by building the Tower of Babel. Their…
Consumers in the frenzy of time? Abel is murdered and Seth is born. He names his son Enosh, which means “weak or frail man.” Awareness of their own weakness and dependence drives believers to prayer: “At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26). The story of Cain’s descendants,…
Do we allow ourselves to be distracted, or do we buy time? “The world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:17) After the Fall, Cain’s descendants tried to make their lives as pleasant as possible through possessions, music, and inventions of all…
Conformity or transformation? “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NASB) In Romans 12:1, we are called to offer our bodies to God as…
Introductory thoughts: The happiness of a dependent life “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), the Lord Jesus once said to his disciples. In saying this, he makes it clear that there is only one way in…
