Are you jealous yet?

Romans 9: ¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

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Looking at the news I saw another singer who had lived their life reckless meet some sort of demise. With little sympathy I thought “serves them right.” “I mean if I had their money, I would do something good with it!”

• Jealous is actually anger at GOD’s plan.
• Envy is actually a form of saying to GOD “YOU did this wrong.”
• Covetousness is actually a statement to GOD that HIS grace is not sufficient enough and I want more!

Usually when I pout about what someone else has or does, it is because I want what they have. My jealous, envious, covetous heart seeks something that is not mean for me. I whine like a child pointing at the things GOD is trying to keep away from me. Then I throw out a statement, “Haven’t I been good?” as if that is supposed to move GOD to give me what I want.

• GOD raises up who HE wants to raise up for HIS purpose so I should not be jealous of HIS choice.
• GOD tears down who HE wants to tear down so I should not be angered if HE chooses me.
• GOD has mercy on who HE wants to have mercy on so I should not get upset when my enemies prosper.
• GOD hardens who HE wants to harden but my acts of love toward them are still very important.

One would say, “Well what’s the use? If GOD is going to do what HE is going to do then I don’t have a choice!” GOD has given me choices and will help me along with those choices. If I choose to be greedy then a terrible thing could happen. HE could enable me to be wealthy and harden my heart to never give, and then HIS wrath would be against me and my greed.

“What?! I thought GOD was merciful!” you say. YES, GOD is infinitely merciful, grace-filled and loving, but HE wants me to point my life in HIS direction. You see, GOD is a jealous GOD and wants my complete attention.

• Is your attention focused on looking for some relationship outside of GOD’s will?
• Are you looking to obtain more stuff or keep your stuff?
• Are you jealous of someone who is doing “better” than you?
• Can you focus on the plan GOD has for you without jealousy, envy or covetousness?

Just wait and see what’s next!

John 14: ¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

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Sitting at my desk I toiled through piles of e-mails fretting the team meeting we were about to have. My boss poked his head in my cubicle with a grin on his face which did not diminish my work. He invited me to join everyone in the meeting. Upon entering the room everyone began applauding. Then I turned my head and my family was there.

“What is going on?” I thought to myself. My boss could hardly contain himself as they presented me with a very prestigious award. “I almost slipped up several times” he said with a grin!

• Many times I think GOD is only a disciplinarian.
• Many times I feel GOD only wants HIS goody-goody way that I can’t live up to.
• Many times I believe GOD doesn’t even like me so HE is constantly doing a makeover on me.

My strange perception of GOD has tainted me into believing that HE is a mean perfectionist who really doesn’t love me but is always disappointed with me. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

• The same GOD who built all universes is taking HIS time to build a place specific to my liking.
• The same GOD who created beauty and pleasure is toiling over building an everlasting place for me.
• The same GOD who designed love, peace, kindness and wisdom is using them to build a place where HE and I can have a pure relationship without pain and misery.

GOD is running over with love and can hardly wait to do something great for me in heaven and on this earth.  HE doesn’t like to see me miserable and HE really doesn’t like when I turn my back on HIM as HE extends HIS hand of peace and love to me. 

So why doesn’t HE just zap everything into pleasure mode for me? Well, that question is bathed in selfishness and sin. HE wants me to understand HIS pure unadulterated love for me and accept HIM being GOD on HIS terms. This includes understanding I am a sinner and I need JESUS to save me.

JESUS says “Do not let my heart be troubled.” I believe HE is telling the truth when HE says HE is taking care of everything, even the stuff I am going through!

• When is the last time you got excited about doing something for “that” person?
• Are you bubbling over getting ready to serve someone?
• Can you get excited about preparing something for people you want to show love to?
• Will you extend your service to someone with excitement, strictly for GOD’s purpose?

What does GOD want from me?

John 6: ³⁷ All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

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⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

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“Oh no!” my mind cried out. “I’m going to miss my plane.” I forgot to set my alarm and I couldn’t find my keys. “Ugh, what a frustrating morning,” I screamed in my mind. I sped through the neighborhood only to be met with school busses stopping at what seemed to be every house.

Now clock management was crucial. Every second counted. “LORD, please, please, please get me there on time” I muttered as my heart raced! Flooring it, I reached the airport in record time. No I didn’t obey the speed limit but that’s another story. “I can still make my flight!” I thought.

To my dismay the parking lot was full and I had to go to the furthest offsite parking spot I could find which truly killed any chances of making the flight. “GOD what do you want from me” I shouted.

• Frustrations in life cause me to blame GOD.
• My bad choices in life cause me to forget about GOD’s will.
• Situations out of my control cause me to think of GOD as person who will leave when the going gets tough.

Many days I have put myself in a position where I am too busy for GOD or too frustrated to even think about HIM. I don’t feel like telling people about HIS grace, mercy and love because I’m focused on the old lady swerving in front of me driving at snails’ pace.

• GOD wants me to have peace in the middle of frustrations to show others HE is in control.
• GOD desires that I take my frustrations to HIM and remain calm through the storm.
• GOD yearns that I tell everyone about HIS SON and through my belief HE will draw people to HIM.

When I question “GOD what do you want from me” I really don’t want the answer rather I want my way. It’s plain what GOD wants from me, to believe in HIS SON as the one and only savior.

• Are you frustrated by something or someone right now?
• What obstacle did “you” put in your own way?
• Can you turn your situation over to GOD in earnest prayer?
• Won’t you help someone, who has doubts about GOD, believe by sharing the mercy GOD has given you?