Today's Word for Friday September 10, 2010
ARGUING
DEFINITION
To present reason for or against a thing; oral disagreement; dispute; to persuade or compel by reasoning.
SCRIPTURE
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it, you kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight." James 4:1-2
"Pride only breeds quarrels." Proverbs 13:10
"Do all things without complaining and disputing." Philippians 2:14
"But avoid foolish disputes -- for they are unprofitable and useless." Titus 3:9
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
It seems that people do love to argue. Take the time to carefully watch people around you and listen carefully to their conversations. Listen to children, youth and adults and count how many times you hear people arguing about issues both large and small. This, you will find out, is true among family members, neighbors and friends. It is human nature for one to argue. Some people like to argue just to argue.
James asks the question, "What causes fights and quarrels?" He gives us a straight-forward answer, "You want something but do not get it." These desires come from in us because of our sinful and corrupt natures. And in this "ME" generation arguing is a major cause of discord in the family, the community and in the world. Every one is looking out for self and they do not stop to think of being considerate of someone else.
Even after we become Christians we have to contend with our sinful nature. Pride is a big factor in arguments. Both parties think they are right and they want it their way. Most arguments have bad endings. They lead to break up of marriages, loss of friendships and even in some cases physical harm.
Some argue to protect a past behavior. Children argue with parents and parents with children over choices made concerning their daily walk. The only way we can conquer our sinful desire to argue is to submit to God and ask Him to take away our pride and change our attitude.
When we know Jesus and put our trust in Him daily, we are expected to do all things without complaining or disputing. This frankly means that arguing should be completely out of our personal relationships. We are to avoid foolish disputes and most of the time, when you look back on an argument, and if you are really honest with yourself, it was a foolish dispute. When arguments happen there is very rarely a winner. The scripture tells us that disputes, arguing or complaining is unprofitable and useless.
With all that said, we need to work daily on our relationships with others so that an argument is not an option. It takes two to argue and we need to learn to respond to issues, even issues that normally would ignite an argument for us, kindly and in love. Starting today, seek to live a life that honors God and ask His help in dealing with situations that lead to arguments and broken relationships. Work today on living a life that honors God despite issues that may arise that usually lead you to an argument -- which in turn moves you away from God.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Give me the strength today dear Lord, to avoid foolish disputes in my life. Help me to live my life today totally without complaining or arguing with someone. May others see Christ through my life and through my response to issues that in the past have led me into an argument. Give my family wisdom and a spirit of kindness to enable them to react with love to all they meet. Thank You dear Lord for making this day a day that I can look back on tonight saying that God has blest me in a new and fresh way.
September 12, 2010
Obey: September 9, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday September 9, 2010
OBEY
DEFINITION
To comply with the wishes; instruction or commands; to follow; to respond readily; to submit or conform to; to be obedient.
SCRIPTURE
"Be doers of the Word and not hearers only." James 1:22
"If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and remain in His love." John 14:9
"But if anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete." I John 2:5-6
"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
"This is love that we walk according to His commandments." II John 1:6
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Obedience is the result of love and loyalty and they cannot be separated. Obedience to God is a demonstration of our love for Him. Obedience is doing what Christ has commanded us to do and living as He wants us to live. Jesus set the example for us. He was obedient to His father and obeyed His commands. By experience we know that obedience brings reward and disobedience has consequences.
We read in Numbers 20:7-12 that Moses struck the rock to get water rather then to just speak to the rock as God commanded him to do. Moses did not obey God and therefore forfeited his privilege of entering the promised land with the children of Israel, whom he had led for years. Think how painful it must have been for Moses after leading the Israelites out of Egypt and all through the wilderness for forty years and then not to be able to enter the promised land with them.
Obedience to God enables God to use ordinary people to do extra ordinary things. The disciples obeyed when Jesus said: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17. Because of their obedience the disciples were used by God to spread the gospel message and to begin the church. They were given the power to perform miracles. They healed many and cast out evil spirits.
Trusting and obeying the Lord brings to one's life true happiness. The noted author Philip Yancey wrote: "Obedience to God and only obedience offers the way out of futility." The way of obedience is the way of blessing. We must learn to obey. In order to obey God we must know what God wants us to obey. We must read His Word so we know His commandments and then go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for the strength and willingness to obey Him.
Have you noticed that children never need to be taught to disobey? Disobedience is a result of our sinful nature and each one of us -- parents, teenagers, adults and children -- need to learn to obey.
We learned as we were raising our children that the best way to teach obedience was to first set clearly the standards. Then when these standards were not honored and when we had given fair reminders, we would take away something that the child really wanted as a punishment for not obeying. The punishment had to have significance in the child's mind, so it had to be painful. We also learned that it did not help to yell or threaten; this only built up resentment and never gave good results. When giving out punishment for not obeying it is very important to be consistent as well.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Help me this day to obey Your Word. Help me to study Your Word so that I may do a better job of obeying Your commands. Bless my family and give me a spirit of love and loyalty that only comes when I am honest to You and to them.
OBEY
DEFINITION
To comply with the wishes; instruction or commands; to follow; to respond readily; to submit or conform to; to be obedient.
SCRIPTURE
"Be doers of the Word and not hearers only." James 1:22
"If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and remain in His love." John 14:9
"But if anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete." I John 2:5-6
"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
"This is love that we walk according to His commandments." II John 1:6
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Obedience is the result of love and loyalty and they cannot be separated. Obedience to God is a demonstration of our love for Him. Obedience is doing what Christ has commanded us to do and living as He wants us to live. Jesus set the example for us. He was obedient to His father and obeyed His commands. By experience we know that obedience brings reward and disobedience has consequences.
We read in Numbers 20:7-12 that Moses struck the rock to get water rather then to just speak to the rock as God commanded him to do. Moses did not obey God and therefore forfeited his privilege of entering the promised land with the children of Israel, whom he had led for years. Think how painful it must have been for Moses after leading the Israelites out of Egypt and all through the wilderness for forty years and then not to be able to enter the promised land with them.
Obedience to God enables God to use ordinary people to do extra ordinary things. The disciples obeyed when Jesus said: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17. Because of their obedience the disciples were used by God to spread the gospel message and to begin the church. They were given the power to perform miracles. They healed many and cast out evil spirits.
Trusting and obeying the Lord brings to one's life true happiness. The noted author Philip Yancey wrote: "Obedience to God and only obedience offers the way out of futility." The way of obedience is the way of blessing. We must learn to obey. In order to obey God we must know what God wants us to obey. We must read His Word so we know His commandments and then go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for the strength and willingness to obey Him.
Have you noticed that children never need to be taught to disobey? Disobedience is a result of our sinful nature and each one of us -- parents, teenagers, adults and children -- need to learn to obey.
We learned as we were raising our children that the best way to teach obedience was to first set clearly the standards. Then when these standards were not honored and when we had given fair reminders, we would take away something that the child really wanted as a punishment for not obeying. The punishment had to have significance in the child's mind, so it had to be painful. We also learned that it did not help to yell or threaten; this only built up resentment and never gave good results. When giving out punishment for not obeying it is very important to be consistent as well.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Help me this day to obey Your Word. Help me to study Your Word so that I may do a better job of obeying Your commands. Bless my family and give me a spirit of love and loyalty that only comes when I am honest to You and to them.
Success: September 8, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday September 8, 2010
SUCCESS
DEFINITION
The favorable determination of endeavors; attainment of wealth; position; honors; a successful achievement.
SCRIPTURE
"If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success." Ecclesiastics 10:10
"Please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham." Genesis 24:12
"God gives strength and success in proportion to the strain. He gives power to the weak." Isaiah 40:29
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
The key to success lies in the exchange of our limited resources for God's limitless strength. You cannot store up treasures in heaven [this is success from God's point of view], if you are holding on to the treasures of earth. No level of success is safe or has real value without the presence of God's hand on your life.
The best starting point for one to achieve success is to pray and ask God for success. In Genesis 24:12 it is Abraham's most trusted servant who is asking God for success. He was sent by Abraham back to the land of his family to find a suitable wife among his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant prayed that he would know which girl God had chosen. God answered his prayer and gave him success.
Solomon advises us to commit our plans to the Lord if we want success. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3. When we commit our plans to the Lord, we are putting our trust in God for His guidance and giving Him control. We must work as if everything depends on us, but pray as if everything depends on God.
Solomon also advises those who would be successful that they need the right tools and must learn the necessary skills. It is difficult to chop wood with a dull ax. You must recognize the areas of your life that are lacking and then you must sharpen those skills. It will require hard work. But if you are diligent and put your trust in God, success will follow. If you desire to be effective in doing God's work it is imperative to "sharpen your ax" by studying daily God's Word. It is written by David to his son Solomon in I Chronicles 22:13 "Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed."
God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple and David wanted Solomon to be successful. David gathered the material and the workmen and then instructed Solomon, "Now begin the work and the Lord be with you." David laid the groundwork for Solomon to be successful. As parents we must realize we have to instruct our children and prepare them if they are to be successful.
As children we were taught to strive to be successful by working hard and doing our best. As parents our number one goal was to be successful in leading our children to having a personal relationship with Jesus. We can be successful in every other area of life but if we do not have this spiritual success it is all worthless. Like Solomon, we say to our children; "Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you." Like Solomon we encouraged them to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or discouraged.
We always wanted our children to be balanced in their approach to their everyday lives. Thus we encouraged success in their school studies, church activities, sport activities, leadership roles, and general life responsibilities. When the right approach is taught and learned it will reach down to the next generation. We rejoice in seeing our grand children striving to be balanced in their success in all areas of their individual lives.
As Christians we are Christ's representatives to a lost world. The importance of being successful in this life is not about "success" itself, but about bringing glory to God through our success.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Help me today to look at success in terms of what I have done for You. Make my life speak loudly to all that I meet today, and may each person see that God is my strength and the source of my success. In my weak moments I look to You for my strength. Thank You for answering my prayers.
SUCCESS
DEFINITION
The favorable determination of endeavors; attainment of wealth; position; honors; a successful achievement.
SCRIPTURE
"If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success." Ecclesiastics 10:10
"Please give me success this day and show kindness to my master Abraham." Genesis 24:12
"God gives strength and success in proportion to the strain. He gives power to the weak." Isaiah 40:29
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
The key to success lies in the exchange of our limited resources for God's limitless strength. You cannot store up treasures in heaven [this is success from God's point of view], if you are holding on to the treasures of earth. No level of success is safe or has real value without the presence of God's hand on your life.
The best starting point for one to achieve success is to pray and ask God for success. In Genesis 24:12 it is Abraham's most trusted servant who is asking God for success. He was sent by Abraham back to the land of his family to find a suitable wife among his relatives for his son Isaac. The servant prayed that he would know which girl God had chosen. God answered his prayer and gave him success.
Solomon advises us to commit our plans to the Lord if we want success. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3. When we commit our plans to the Lord, we are putting our trust in God for His guidance and giving Him control. We must work as if everything depends on us, but pray as if everything depends on God.
Solomon also advises those who would be successful that they need the right tools and must learn the necessary skills. It is difficult to chop wood with a dull ax. You must recognize the areas of your life that are lacking and then you must sharpen those skills. It will require hard work. But if you are diligent and put your trust in God, success will follow. If you desire to be effective in doing God's work it is imperative to "sharpen your ax" by studying daily God's Word. It is written by David to his son Solomon in I Chronicles 22:13 "Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed."
God told David that his son Solomon would build the Temple and David wanted Solomon to be successful. David gathered the material and the workmen and then instructed Solomon, "Now begin the work and the Lord be with you." David laid the groundwork for Solomon to be successful. As parents we must realize we have to instruct our children and prepare them if they are to be successful.
As children we were taught to strive to be successful by working hard and doing our best. As parents our number one goal was to be successful in leading our children to having a personal relationship with Jesus. We can be successful in every other area of life but if we do not have this spiritual success it is all worthless. Like Solomon, we say to our children; "Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you." Like Solomon we encouraged them to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or discouraged.
We always wanted our children to be balanced in their approach to their everyday lives. Thus we encouraged success in their school studies, church activities, sport activities, leadership roles, and general life responsibilities. When the right approach is taught and learned it will reach down to the next generation. We rejoice in seeing our grand children striving to be balanced in their success in all areas of their individual lives.
As Christians we are Christ's representatives to a lost world. The importance of being successful in this life is not about "success" itself, but about bringing glory to God through our success.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Help me today to look at success in terms of what I have done for You. Make my life speak loudly to all that I meet today, and may each person see that God is my strength and the source of my success. In my weak moments I look to You for my strength. Thank You for answering my prayers.
Authority: September 7, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday September 7, 2010
AUTHORITY
DEFINITION
The power to determine or settle issues; the right to control; authorization; adjudicate; a power or right delegated as given; an expert on a subject.
SCRIPTURE
"For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Romans 13:1
"All authority has been given to me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18
"When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan." Proverbs 29:2
"For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Matthew 7:29
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
As Christians we need to look at the word "AUTHORITY" from several perspectives. First, the authority that God has over us as Christians. And second, what God says about the authority we have in the individual roles that we have been given or assumed in life.
The Bible declares God to be the supreme authority and the source of all authority. The scripture is clear that there is absolutely no authority given to man other than by God.
By the time that the Children of Israel had left Egypt, they were a large nation and needed a provision of authority to unify them, to give leadership to them and to keep order. God exercised His authority with them and delegated authority to the priests and the prophets to guide their spiritual needs. Then He gave authority to a King to govern and establish civil law.
When we are in a position of authority in this life, we must recognize that all of our authority comes from God and we should exercise our power according to God's rules and remember that God will judge us on our performance. Concerning the authority of our leaders in government and at our work place, unfortunately we live in a corrupt and sinful world so we have corrupt leaders. Nevertheless, we as Christians must accept authority as a divine institution and submit to government authority as long as it does not conflict with God's laws and moral standards. And remember, when we rebel against those in authority over us we are rebelling against God.
Concerning authority in the home, the scripture gives us in Ephesians Chapter 5 specific instructions on how family members should relate to one another. As the head of the wife, husbands are to love their wives and wives are to submit to their husbands. This does not mean that the husband is the ruler nor is the wife inferior. But it does mean that the husband is the spiritual leader always thinking of his wife's best interests and his wife should acknowledge his leadership. A husband that loves the Lord and is wise will not take advantage of his leadership role and a wife who loves the Lord will wisely not seek to undermine her husband's leadership. Unfortunately, this line of authority is not popular today and is not being practiced in most homes. Consequently we have seen family values eroding and more than 50% of all marriages fail.
Men no longer know how to lead their families properly under God's direction. They have abused their role. Wives want to be equal today and do not want to be subject in any way to their husband as is God's plan for marriage.
It is very important that parents establish with their children, at a very young age that they [the parents] are in charge. They must understand early in life that it is God's plan for, "children to obey their parents."
School teachers must make this same declaration but unfortunately cultural changes in our school system are making respect [authority] very difficult and a lot of this is because of bad parenting. Also in the work place today there is a lack of authority demanded or even expected. A respected, clearly stated line of authority brings success to the work place.
But most important, we need to recognize and respect God's authority in all that we do as individuals, as a family, with our neighbors and in our work place. For Christians -- God has supreme authority.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Prepare my heart to live a life that respects Your authority in all that I attempt to accomplish this day. Give me a new respect for You, my family and all those that I make contact with today. Continue to teach me daily to trust You more.
AUTHORITY
DEFINITION
The power to determine or settle issues; the right to control; authorization; adjudicate; a power or right delegated as given; an expert on a subject.
SCRIPTURE
"For there is no authority except from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Romans 13:1
"All authority has been given to me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18
"When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan." Proverbs 29:2
"For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Matthew 7:29
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
As Christians we need to look at the word "AUTHORITY" from several perspectives. First, the authority that God has over us as Christians. And second, what God says about the authority we have in the individual roles that we have been given or assumed in life.
The Bible declares God to be the supreme authority and the source of all authority. The scripture is clear that there is absolutely no authority given to man other than by God.
By the time that the Children of Israel had left Egypt, they were a large nation and needed a provision of authority to unify them, to give leadership to them and to keep order. God exercised His authority with them and delegated authority to the priests and the prophets to guide their spiritual needs. Then He gave authority to a King to govern and establish civil law.
When we are in a position of authority in this life, we must recognize that all of our authority comes from God and we should exercise our power according to God's rules and remember that God will judge us on our performance. Concerning the authority of our leaders in government and at our work place, unfortunately we live in a corrupt and sinful world so we have corrupt leaders. Nevertheless, we as Christians must accept authority as a divine institution and submit to government authority as long as it does not conflict with God's laws and moral standards. And remember, when we rebel against those in authority over us we are rebelling against God.
Concerning authority in the home, the scripture gives us in Ephesians Chapter 5 specific instructions on how family members should relate to one another. As the head of the wife, husbands are to love their wives and wives are to submit to their husbands. This does not mean that the husband is the ruler nor is the wife inferior. But it does mean that the husband is the spiritual leader always thinking of his wife's best interests and his wife should acknowledge his leadership. A husband that loves the Lord and is wise will not take advantage of his leadership role and a wife who loves the Lord will wisely not seek to undermine her husband's leadership. Unfortunately, this line of authority is not popular today and is not being practiced in most homes. Consequently we have seen family values eroding and more than 50% of all marriages fail.
Men no longer know how to lead their families properly under God's direction. They have abused their role. Wives want to be equal today and do not want to be subject in any way to their husband as is God's plan for marriage.
It is very important that parents establish with their children, at a very young age that they [the parents] are in charge. They must understand early in life that it is God's plan for, "children to obey their parents."
School teachers must make this same declaration but unfortunately cultural changes in our school system are making respect [authority] very difficult and a lot of this is because of bad parenting. Also in the work place today there is a lack of authority demanded or even expected. A respected, clearly stated line of authority brings success to the work place.
But most important, we need to recognize and respect God's authority in all that we do as individuals, as a family, with our neighbors and in our work place. For Christians -- God has supreme authority.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Prepare my heart to live a life that respects Your authority in all that I attempt to accomplish this day. Give me a new respect for You, my family and all those that I make contact with today. Continue to teach me daily to trust You more.
Jealousy: September 6, 2010
Today's Word for Monday September 6, 2010
JEALOUSY
DEFINITION
A state or mood; resentful and envious; inclined to suspicious fears or envious resentment; watchful in guarding something.
SCRIPTURE
"They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy [jealousy], murder, strife, deceit and malice." Romans 1:29.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
In the above verse from Romans, Paul is describing the sinfulness of fallen mankind. Right at the top of his list is envy or jealousy. Jealousy is often the root of deceit, malice, strife and even murder.
Jealousy led Cain to slay his brother Abel. Jealousy caused Joseph's older brothers to sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt. Jealousy caused Saul to try to kill David. Jealousy caused the Jewish chief priests to want to have the Romans crucify Jesus.
Jealousy is Satan's tool to draw us away from God. We cannot be faithful to God and serve Him if we have jealousy in our heart. Jealousy is part of our sinful nature and if we continue to envy and be jealous we are then slaves to our sin. Romans 6:16 says this: "You are slaves to whom you obey, whether you are slaves to sin which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness." Do not let jealousy lead you in the wrong direction.
Jealousy is a sin that cannot be hidden and cannot be tolerated. We have mentioned so many times in these daily devotionals that these "WORDS" we refer to daily are dramatically affected by choices we make in life. Some of us make choices based on how the world looks at things. Others make choices based on what the Bible teaches us. And some make choices based on advice, both good and bad, given to us by friends and family. But choices that come out of jealousy are always destructive.
Jealousy is a difficult emotion to control and comes upon us very quickly and often over minor things. We have seen one family member jealous of another family member because they received something that the other did not. We have also seen success bring on jealousy from others. Jealousy is a mood feeling that one develops when one feels slighted and cannot accept that someone has more of something than they have. Jealousy leads to resentment and bitterness. A bitter person can never be happy. Nothing good can ever come from jealousy. James tells us in James 3:16, "For where you have envy (jealousy) and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Keep me from being jealous of others who may be more successful or may have more than I do. Make me thankful for all that You have given me so others may see Christ in me. Help me to realize what abilities You have given me and may I rejoice in them. May I be known today as a person that is committed to You in all that I do and in all that I say.
JEALOUSY
DEFINITION
A state or mood; resentful and envious; inclined to suspicious fears or envious resentment; watchful in guarding something.
SCRIPTURE
"They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy [jealousy], murder, strife, deceit and malice." Romans 1:29.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
In the above verse from Romans, Paul is describing the sinfulness of fallen mankind. Right at the top of his list is envy or jealousy. Jealousy is often the root of deceit, malice, strife and even murder.
Jealousy led Cain to slay his brother Abel. Jealousy caused Joseph's older brothers to sell Joseph into slavery in Egypt. Jealousy caused Saul to try to kill David. Jealousy caused the Jewish chief priests to want to have the Romans crucify Jesus.
Jealousy is Satan's tool to draw us away from God. We cannot be faithful to God and serve Him if we have jealousy in our heart. Jealousy is part of our sinful nature and if we continue to envy and be jealous we are then slaves to our sin. Romans 6:16 says this: "You are slaves to whom you obey, whether you are slaves to sin which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness." Do not let jealousy lead you in the wrong direction.
Jealousy is a sin that cannot be hidden and cannot be tolerated. We have mentioned so many times in these daily devotionals that these "WORDS" we refer to daily are dramatically affected by choices we make in life. Some of us make choices based on how the world looks at things. Others make choices based on what the Bible teaches us. And some make choices based on advice, both good and bad, given to us by friends and family. But choices that come out of jealousy are always destructive.
Jealousy is a difficult emotion to control and comes upon us very quickly and often over minor things. We have seen one family member jealous of another family member because they received something that the other did not. We have also seen success bring on jealousy from others. Jealousy is a mood feeling that one develops when one feels slighted and cannot accept that someone has more of something than they have. Jealousy leads to resentment and bitterness. A bitter person can never be happy. Nothing good can ever come from jealousy. James tells us in James 3:16, "For where you have envy (jealousy) and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:46.
And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
PRAYER
Keep me from being jealous of others who may be more successful or may have more than I do. Make me thankful for all that You have given me so others may see Christ in me. Help me to realize what abilities You have given me and may I rejoice in them. May I be known today as a person that is committed to You in all that I do and in all that I say.
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