What memories life can make?  Look with me today at the memory of Cain and Abel — two brothers — the first two sons of Adam and Eve!  Cain was the first born son — loved farming.  His character — selfish, defensive, outright violent. Cain’s livelihood — cursed. Yet, God promised Cain protection from his enemies (Genesis 4).

Abel, Cain’s younger brother — a joyful keeper of flocks.  Abel gave all his best to the LORD.  Abel was brutally murdered by his brother Cain. God said of Abel — “Well done, good and faithful servant.” How could two brothers turn out so opposite? They made decision, choices!

Cain’s greatest delights, being an agriculturist — working soil, planting, caring for his crops.  Abel, a beloved sheepherder, loved tending, feeding, protecting livestock. Two opposite great choices. Both sons knew God! They heard many stories about God from dad and mom.  Some stories were painful memories for Adam and Eve about their past sins and punishment.

Still, many more stories, many memories included God’s Love, Mercy, Grace — great memories of God lovingly pursuing them as His first wayward children.  Adam and Eve’s sacrifices, restoring themselves to fellowship with God were great!  Their sons well heard all these stories.

Both sons gave fruits — seeds of both their decisions, their chosen vocations to the LORD.  Cain brought only “some” — “some of the fruits of the soil”— only some blemished fruits to God from his crops.  Cain reasoned —“This will have to be good enough.” Cain selfishly kept for himself the first very finest crops.

Abel gave God his finest.  His giving came from his heart for God — never as an obligation!  Every gift Abel brought God honored God — Blessed God — joyfully, generously showed God his love. Abel is remembered as God’s “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

When friends, family think over your life — what will their memories be?  How will they remember you?  How would you like them to remember you?  You get to decide, choose how you believe, think, talk, behave, act — how you want to be remembered

Let’s decide today — Let’s Bless God to be remembered as someone who loved the LORD with all your heart.  Someone joyful, generous at all costs.  Someone unselfish, forgiving, strong — someone who
always Blessed God back with the very best first fruits of all God gave you.

Yes!  I know you want Blessing memories!  All memories are yours to make every day!