Pactolus Baptist Church

Daily Devotional

By Pastor Jerry Teboe

A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026

Hated by the World

1 John 3:11-12

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1Jn 3:12  Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 

          The message of this verse answers the question of why the world is so against the Christian.  From the beginning of time, it has been the same.  The righteous are hated by the unrighteous.

God’s plan from the beginning was that we should love one another, as we see here. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.  Why hasn’t this happened?  The answer is seen in the life of the first man born on the earth.  Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 

          Cain had the opportunity of a life right with God.  He had seen God’s forgiveness of his parents when they sinned against Him.  He had the counsel of Adam, his father, about how to worship God correctly.  He lived in a time when he could have talked directly to God, but he did not use that opportunity.  He was a man who lived for himself, did what he desired, and was satisfied that his own plans and activities were as good as God’s.  When it came time to worship, he did it his own way and not God’s; therefore, his sacrifice was not accepted.  Genesis 4:5, But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.  When God confronted him, he would not accept God’s correction.  As a result, he hated his brother whose sacrifice had been accepted and, out of hatred, killed Abel when he had the chance.  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 

          The religion of Cain is called “humanism” and has been the pattern for all who are unsaved even until our time.  Those who reject God are the same ones who reject God’s people.  Do not be surprised by the hatred of the world toward the things of God and the people of God.

Bible Reading for the Year

Prayer Needs

Please pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer.  She was admitted to ECU hospital Wednesday because of very low hemoglobin levels.  They gave her one infusion of blood Wednesday night, but she will need more.  Pray that the doctors can find out what is causing her to keep having low hemoglobin levels.

Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans.   She is in the hospital with heart problems but seems a little better.

Please pray Beth Buchta.  On September 9^th, she has an appointment with her orthopedist about the ongoing pain in her leg.

Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.  The doctors just discovered cancer in his pancreas. Pray for him please.

Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister.  She is still in the hospital and is weak and not eating much at all.    The family greatly appreciates your prayers.

Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan.  Pray for wisdom for his primary care doctor who is waiting on the results of several tests to make a diagnosis.  He is doing some better.  Please continue to pray for him.

Praise the Lord!  Linda Franks was able to go home from the hospital Tuesday afternoon!

Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton.  Pray for God’s healing.  She has some good days and some bad ones.

Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren.  She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting some better. 

Pray for our Missionaries! 

Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia

Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries) 

Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia