Offering vs. Sacrifice
Hello dear friend!
Cathy and I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to you and for you! We pray you had a fulfilling Thanksgiving with those you love!
Last week in Honduras, I had the pleasure of sitting across the breakfast table from a longtime friend and mentor, Tommy Oaks. Tommy helped me see something tremendous, challenging and convicting as it pertains to JPM that I feel I must share with you.
Tommy asked me about the difference between Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Both brought offerings before God, but God only accepted one of their offerings. Why?
When you break down each offering, it becomes clear the heart posture God is seeking in us.
Cain brought an offering of vegetation: the fruit of the ground. His offering was aesthetically pleasing and even artistically beautiful.
Abel’s offering was that of sacrifice: the firstborn of his flock. It was a bloody mess of a gift.
But Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel brought God a better (more excellent) offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous..."
Abel’s offering was made in faith, in a desire to worship God in spirit and in truth. Cain’s offering was the effort of dead religion.
Abel gave of his firstfruits. He gave to God through sacrifice. He gave the best of what he had while Cain gave God a snack. Cain’s offering cost him nothing.
Here is my conviction: where and why am I withholding sacrifice to the Lord? I may justify my service to God by my circumstances because I talk about serving in dangerous places such as the Native Reservations and Roatan Island, but the Holy Spirit is quick to remind me that Jesus never defined his journeys as “dangerous”.
We have rescued the previously trafficked Honduran siblings: Miriam, Genesis, Erik, Cedrick and Edna. So when we come across another group of children (siblings), why do we hesitate!? Has God not promised us unlimited blessings!? Has He not shown His favor on those who trust Him?!
Here is my confession: I have been operating in the offering and I need to move to the sacrifice. I am tired of living in the comfort of Cain and I desire to seek Jesus and His blessing of Abel’s sacrifice.
CURRENT MISSION: SIOUX RESERVATION
We are finishing up at the Sioux Reservation today! Pastor Tom Lohr, an ole friend from Milligan College, and his granddaughter, Samantha, joined us at Thoreau High School as we passed out new Christmas items!
NEXT MISSION: BLACKFEET RESERVATION
JPM Mission's Team will go directly from the Sioux Tribe to the Blackfeet Tribe in Browning, Montana. Please pray for us as we will face snowstorms and icy weather.
Our primary focus while in Browning will be the abuse and heartbreak endured by the children. We will address provisions such as food, household items and even Christmas gifts! Please pray for this region as their suffering is that of a 3rd world country.
Finally, I leave you with this:
In the story of Cain and Abel, it’s one lamb for one man.
At the Passover, it’s one lamb for one family.
At the Day of Atonement, it’s one lamb for one nation.
And at the cross, it’s one Lamb for the sins of the world.
What is your lamb? What is your sacrifice? Ponder this as you go about your week!
Can you believe we are already halfway through our Christmas Project Celebrations!? Thank you for joining us as we multiply our Christmas giving efforts all over the world!
Continue to walk humbly with the Lord as you embrace what it means to not only offeryourself to Him, but to sacrifice to Him.
Many of you need prayer, so please reach out to Cathy or myself! We would be honored to pray with you!
More to come! 🙏🏽
Joey & Cathy
