This message begins with a testimony of how our view of "the eyes of the LORD" change as we are changed from glory to glory; "by the Spirit of the Lord", as described in 2 Cor. 3:18. It then continues with the proof that we all should have in our service for God, because "our ways are not His ways".

The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis chapter four describes Cain working the ground to please God, but found out the hard way that his hopes of God being impressed by the quality of his fruits was different than he thought. How could Cain have been so wrong? He had done his best. The problem was that his offering, although impressive, was missing something. The old saying, "You can't get blood from a turnip" says it all.

There are many different ways that we can serve God, and it is obvious that there is a greater need for workmen at the oars than there is for more passengers in the boat. The question then is which oar does God want each of us to man. God didn't tell us to sit anywhere we want, he has plans. The problem is we choose based on what we want or feel and our ways don’t match God’s.

If left up to church leaders they will direct volunteers to the greatest need or where they need help. The problem here is that they have little understanding as to the talents that God given each person for the work he has planned for them. Martha was adamant that she knew what Mary should be doing and we would have agreed with her.

I have seen good college student’s graduate and become influenced by church leaders who had a burden for a specific country, decide to spend four years on deputation move the family there and be back home in two years ashamed, let alone the waste of time and support money. The saying is; “Mama called and Papa sent”.

We seldom seek direction from God to determine whether we should grab an oar, or a bucket to bail water. The choice is more likely to be made on what we like or to fill a need or where we will be more beneficial or appreciated. Then we pray for God’s blessing on our choices and wonder why our prayers go unanswered.

What had Abel found out that Cain didn't? “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” God wasn't only upset with Cain’s offering; he was upset with his pride. He told him to "do well". Cain knew what God wanted but he expected to impress God by his excellent produce that he had grown.

Cain could have asked Abel to trade produce for lambs and been accepted, but his pride got in the way. This could be considered the first case of “Road Rage” because God disrespected Cain’s offering. It’s always humbling to admit to ourselves that we could be wrong but it is better than finding out the hard way, like Cain did.

Psalms 25:20 “O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.” We are not putting our trust in God if we don’t prove whether we are doing his will or our own.

Scripture: Prov. 15:1-3, Heb. 4:13, 2Cor. 3:18, Gal. 5:22-23, Rom. 12:1-2, Eph. 5:1-2, 6-10

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