Thought for the day
The story is told of an elderly woman who decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and Rolex watch."
"But you are not wearing any of those things," replied the artist.
"I know," she said. "It's in case I should die before my husband. I'm sure he'll remarry right away, and I want his new wife to go crazy looking for the jewelry."
Those of you who are Muppet fans will recall that one of Kermit the Frog's most famous lines was, "It's not easy being green." But I disagree. Shakespeare called jealousy "the green sickness", and we often speak of people being "green with envy".
And, in that regard, it's all too easy being green!It has been said that there are two kinds of people in the world -- those who are millionaires and those who would like to be. And that's one example of jealousy, but it's only a piece of it. When someone else does an outstanding thing or receives an honor and I say, "That's great!", but inside I wish that I were in that position, that's jealousy. When someone else receives all the attention because of their reputation or wit or ability to speak, and I think I ought to be the center of attention, that's jealousy too.
Solomon said long ago, "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" (Proverbs 27:4). Paul lists jealousy as one of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:20.We don't like to think of jealousy and envy as being all that bad. We like to think of works of the flesh being things like murder (that's terrible!), fornication (what a horrible sin!), and drunkenness (disgraceful for any Christian to consider!). But we sometimes forget that envy is in that same list in Galatians 5.If we want to overcome jealousy, we need only remember that love and jealousy are mutually exclusive
Paul says that in I Corinthians 13:4 that "Love does not envy." Rather, love will "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15).The greater our love for others, the less jealous we will be (more on this Monday)
Verses
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore take up the complete armor of God. So when the evil days come, you will be able to make a stand and hold your ground after the battle is over.
John 10:10
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
2 Corinthians 5:15
And Christ did die for all of us. He died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised to life for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Don't let anything interfere with your prayer life.
3 John 2
Dear friend, I pray that it may be well with you in all respects and that you may be in as good health physically as you are spiritually.
Prayer
Jesus, we look forward with tremendous anticipation to the day You appear in the clouds with power and great glory; as You come to claim Your chosen Bride, the redeemed and purified. The dead in Christ will arise and be caught up to meet You in the skies as we together exalt and glorify You, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Help us to be faithful and true and to live in glad expectancy of Your unannounced appearing as signs of Your coming multiply revealing to the redeemed that the glorious event is drawing closer.
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