I have a story for us to begin our day.....Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals. They never talked to one another, but talked about each other. All day long they would watch at each others store keeping track of each others business. If one got a customer he would smile triumphantly at his revil. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you ask for, your competitor will receive twice as much. With little thought towards the question, he said I would rather be blind in one eye! Jealousy had taken over his heart. Jealousy is a very destructive emotion. It has the potential for great harm. I have personally witnessed jealousy destroy marriages, business partnerships, and churches. I invite us to read I Corinthians 3:1-10. These were believers who had accepted Christ Jesus, but had not allowed the Holy Spirit to make much changes in their hearts. As a result jealousy spread, and the unity of the church was seriously divided. The Apostle Paul wrote the church, and gave them stern, but needed words of advice.... For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (I Cor, 3: 1-3) Dear Lord, let me not look today in envy and in jealousy at my brother or sisters possessions. Neither let me compare my successes with others in an attempt to show that I am superior to them. Make me aware, dear Lord when the spirits of envy, strife, an division enter my heart. Help me, Lord, and my Facebook friends, to focus our eyes upon You. In Christs name....Amen.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:15:31 +0000