Jealousy

Proverbs 27:4
Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy?

It's true, anger is pretty cruel. When we are angry, we don't always say or do the right thing. It relies on a source to stoke the fire until we are counting down; 3, 2, 1 and bang, we have blown our top. Most of the time, anger fizzles out and we move on. Sometimes it may fester into something else. Wrath is usually a result of anger. It is the action to the emotion. It is what we do when everything comes spilling out of our blown tops and we have lost all control. Jealousy is different. It weaves anger and wrath together, causing us to make a destructive path all around us. First of all, it attacks our very being, our self-confidence that we are to be happy with who we are, who God created us to be. It convinces us that we are not good enough. If it does not succeed there, it creates the image that the person that we are jealous of is doing it on purpose, that they want to hurt us. It destroys all of our relationships. It causes us to build walls and to put wedges in other relationships.

Look at Cain and Able (Genesis 4). They were the first set of brothers ever recorded in the Bible, children of Adam and Eve. Cain killed Abel because he let his anger fester and turn into wrath. He became so destructive he took his own brother's life. Sometimes jealousy makes our purpose in life grow dim, or it replaces our desire for certain things with the desire to be better than someone else, to be more successful, to drive the better vehicle, have the better wife, be a better mom, etc..

Do you have a jealousy story? What was the outcome of your jealousy? Is it possible that you may be jealous now? What happens when jealousy takes root in your heart. Is it time for some weeding? Time to let go of the lies that you may be holding on to. Is it time for you to stop looking at what everyone else has and what you don't? What can you do today to stop jealousy in your life?

Dear Lord,
I want to thank you first for being a God that is jealous of us. How you desire so deeply that we would be in a relationship with you. Lord, I pray that we would never let our desires, our jealousy cloud our character and reflection of you. That we could understand how destructive it is to let our hearts be open to jealousy. Lord, I ask that you work in and through each of our lives. Please help us to get rid of all jealousy and to be able to love as we want to be loved. Amen.

Prayer and Praise

Take time this weekend to Worship our Savior. Find time to not only ask for what you need but praise him for what you have. Praise God that He is Jealous and wants you, he wants your time and your love. He wants to give you His love, freely. Call out to Him today, He hears you.

the Swift: I Need You

Praise God for Julz and Sam. Their wedding is this Sat. Pray blessing over their union, Peace in the details and comfort in their hearts. I pray that they look to God for understand in their marriage and that they find the amazing blessings in sharing this life with someone.



Praise God for my amazing husband. He has been incredible wonderful with my new training schedule. Even having coffee on when I get back. My marriage brings me so much wonderful Joy and I praise God that he continues to guide us through this life together. Please pray that I find peace and patience in my training schedule, that I don't injure myself by being in too big of a hurry and that it is okay to take time to care for my body. ~AS



Pray for our Leaders, that they have discernment and wisdom in the coming months finding solutions to the current economic issues in our country.

Praises I am so incredibly grateful for my sister, Angela, who has made this group such a success. How would I do it without her. Praise God for my husband, who loves me and takes care of me. Who is making it possible for me to get away for a few days this week (Thurs-Sun). I feel so grateful that he would take care of all the details when he is in need of a vacation himself. I praise God for my children who are so loving and know the meaning of unconditional love more than anyone I know. I praise God for the health of my family, even though at times it is not the greatest. Please pray for the Ivy family and their loss this week, Kevin Ivy. Also, please pray for a situation that is confusing and I think Satan is working his deceitfulness in. That the relationship that is being stretched will stand firm. Not allowing this attack to sneak in. That trust will be there on both sides and that emotions will not take over. Thank you. HC

My dad is having an angiogram on Monday the 6th.~LW

Please pray for Robert Collver Sr. Health
Please pray for Taylor
Please pray for The Ivy family, loss of Father, husband, friend.


Please pray for Diana's mom who is in the hospital with a Kidney Infection.



Please pray for Robert Collver Sr. Health
See below for Diana's family crisis
Please pray for Taylor
Please pray for The Ivy family, loss of Father, husband, friend.



Please continue to pray for Ron, physically and spiritually, as the team ministers in the South.~Joan



Continued Prayer Requests:



~Pray for Shannon and Jonathon. Marriage.
~Pray for Jay, new contract for financial peace.
~Pray for Roger, peace and a job that uses his skills to the fullest while being able to serve God.
~Pray for Gil.
~Pray for Matt S. who is at Hume Lake camp for ministry, job opps.
~Pray for Matt S. who is back from Africa and in Bend. Pray for guidance and direction.
~Pray for comfort and guidance for Rachael S. Pray for her mom and her thoughts
~Pray for strength for Ashley J.
~Pray for Healing: JoAnne A.Heather C.Dale G.Lea N.Jim R, Kathy L.
~Kathy L needs continued prayer for restoration
~McKayla L needs prayer for protection and safety in her living situation. Pray for a situation that is going on right now and for it to be resolved so that Mckayla's safety is not at risk.
~Janell O and her family need prayer for provision in there planning phase of an Africa missions trip. Pray also for peace and strength in their marriage. Pray for understanding and discernment.
~Farah R needs prayer for provision and employment opportunities in their family.
~Canvas Fellowship needs prayers for location opportunities. The children's ministry has outgrown their space.
~Ginny R needs prayer for healing of her cancer
~Brittany J and her family are in need of Gods guidance and provision.
~Please pray for revival at Canal Fulton Christian Fellowship

Jealousy, Day 4

Godly Jealousy

Our God is a jealous God. Since the fall of Adam God has been attempting to reconcile us back into covenant and relationship with him. He created us with free will so that He could be chosen by us. When law didn't work he gave us grace. He made the ultimate sacrifice of love. He gave us His son.

He wants you in His family so much that he sacrificed his son for you.

1 Timothy 2:3-6 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

Grace, a free gift of pure unconditional love. Faith by grace that saves us. Mercy that brings us into relationship with our Creator, Our Father.

Our Lord calls out to us "Come back to me". Are you listening? Are you answering his call? Are you responding to his Love? He wants to be chosen above all else in your life.

Please continue to pray for Connie W this week.

Jealousy, Day 3

On Day 1 we looked at the definitions for jealousy. Today I want to look at number 3.vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.

How do we have jealousy and do it out of Spirit? Vigilance can be good and it can be bad. Many of us have seen what happens when someone has a jealous personality that destroys all of their relationships. It is easy to loose the things we love when our vigilance becomes control and obsession.

We have a couple of wonderful fruit in our lives that allows us to be vigilant and guarding in our relationships without becoming the thing that causes bitterness and resentment.

Let me just put this out there. I am a jealous person, especially when it comes to my husband. I am jealous of his time and his attention. It would be easy for me to control him and make crazy accusations that come from my wild imagination. Don't get me wrong, I haven't always gotten this right. At the beginning of our marriage I was always accusing him of spending too much time with people at work, of having a girl friend. My jealousy came from a place of pure insecurity. I still have my days but I have changed my perspective.

Marriages need a bit of vigilance and guarding. Actually, maybe a lot more then we give them. They are suppose to be our number one human relationships and we give them the least of our attention. Our spouses get our worst. As Christians we proudly show off our beautiful fruit of love and patience and kindness and self-control and we don't realize we don't share those very things with the one we supposedly love the most.

What would happen in your marriage if you vigilantly poured in kindness, gentleness, joy and faithfulness? Do you think things would change? In Galatians 5:25 it tells us that if we live BY the Spirit, then we also WALK by the Spirit. (emphasis mine). Sometimes in our Christian lives it is easier to have and give the gifts of God in the outside world. When we pour into our marriages and allow the vulnerability it takes to be real with someone, our families will reap the benefits. it is hard to put yourself out there and not know how someone with respond or even if any of it will come back to you. Trust me, it is worth all the effort you can gather to put fruit in your marriage. Your spouse may know the worst and last that you have to give, but do they know the first fruits of your life?

What would happen in your marriage if you were guarding it with love, peace, patience and self-control? I don't want to scare you but your marriage needs guarding, they all do. This world isn't a big fan of great marriages. We can't be passive about the one we love the most, the one we once said we wanted to spend our entire lives with.

Galatians 5: 22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Jealousy, Day 2

Jealousy in flesh.

This is one of the things that we learn as part of our society. Isn't jealousy what spurs us to success? It is the thing that creates a desire to do better, work harder, create for yourself the things that others have. Okay, hold on just a second. We have this all wrong. We need to stop agreeing with everyone around us. Jealousy isn't the thing that makes us better, God makes us better. We live our lives in response to His grace, not in response to a desire to have what other people have, Right?!!

Love is not Jealous. (1 Cor 13:4)

James 3:13-18
Wisdom from Above
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Please continue to pray for Connie W this week.

Jealousy, Day 1

Jealousy (from dictionary.com)

1.jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.
2.mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims.
3.vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.
4.a jealous feeling, disposition, state, or mood.

2 Corinthians 11:1-3
I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me.
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the beauty of the little things in my world. Thank you for chalk drawings, good coffee and friendship. Lord, use me as your vessel this week to bring your Word to those I love. Be my guide and show me your lessons. May I teach the importance of love and how to respond to your jealous nature. You are so worthy and I fall so short of your glory. Thank you for the grace to cover my shortfalls. Thank you that you see me as your daughter. Lord, I pray for an extra bit of time this week. Time with you. ~In Your Precious Name

Please pray for Connie W this week.

Bitterness Day 2

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;


Bitterness in the flesh.


A root of bitterness. I think this says a lot about how bitterness is not an immediate reaction to a situation or experience. But it grows and requires nourishment in order to bear it's fruit. That's right, it is something that is living and needs to be fed.

This list is by no means complete. Each one of us has things in our lives that we feed our bitterness with. Take a look today at yourself and your life, it is time to do a little weeding.


*Do you have someone close to you that uses unkind words and insults you? Do you keep all of the pain to yourself? Do you avoid putting up verbal boundaries in order to avoid confrontation? This is feeding bitterness

*Did you grow up in a family of dysfunction? Out of respect to your parents you haven't confronted the pain they may have caused? Do you find road blocks up at every turn because no one taught you differently? Do you get angry when you find yourself acting like one of your parents? This is feeding bitterness


*Do you have a good friend that has a wonderful marriage? Do you spend time with them and envy the love you see between them? Do you go home and wonder why your husband or wife doesn't act like that? Do they walk in the door and you wonder why you didn't marry "so and so"? This is feeding bitterness

*When you go to work, does everyone make more money then you do? Does the person that started working at the company 6 months after you do make more money? Does the receptionist have a better view? Why does the VP get a new car when you have to pay more for your medical insurance? This is feeding bitterness


*Let's give a little credit to the Jones'. Yep, do you get mad when you see their new car? the big screen? the new boat and rv? kids in the latest jeans and tennis shoes and don't forget the cell phones and laptops. What the heck, how do they have all of that, why don't I have all of that? This is feeding bitterness

*Church/Religion. It took me only a second to decide if I should add this. You see, our need to organize and have rules and have structure as a society has caused more bitterness in the church then anything else. We forget that the unhealthiest of us all need a place to work out there sins. Why can't church help me when I sin? Why do I feel judged when the clothes I can barely afford are never good enough? Why do I feel like I am always interrupting with my questions, am I suppose to already know all of this? Why do I feel like a blemish when I struggle with my addiction of smoking? I need someone to hold me accountable but I don't know that anyone else here has ever struggled with anything? I tried that church thing and it never changed me, I was never good enough for that place. Can you believe they asked for money again, I don't even agree with how they spend my money.? Anger, jealousy, hurt, envy, disappointment are all feeding bitterness


Tomorrow we will look at some healthy ways to deal with these situations and any others you may feel the need to share.

Heavenly Father, I am in need of some personal reflection today, Lord. I know that I have a root of bitterness in me. Reveal to me today Lord the ways in which I continue to feed the weed that grows in the ground I pray is kept fertile for only more of you Lord. Lord show me today situations in which I need to acknowledge I don't deal with my emotions, show me how I bury things down deep to only strengthen my bitterness. In your name...



Please continue to pray for Verla K this week.

Bitterness Day 1

Please pray for Verla K this week.

Just a quick reminder: Friday is now being dedicated to Praise, Prayer and Testimonies. If you want to share please email us at womenofworship1@gmail.com . We are looking for personal testimonies relating to the weeks topic. If you have ever dealt with bitterness in your life, please email us, your testimony could change someones life.

Bitterness

I thought after last weeks devotional on Anger we should talk about what happens when you don't deal with being angry. Sometimes as Christians we are taught that it isn't okay to be mad or frustrated or jealous or discontent or angry. Instead of confronting these emotions in healthy, loving ways when they arrive, we just bury them. Pretend they really aren't there, avoiding all healthy forms of confrontation. The problem, they don't go anywhere, but they stew and build up in us and turn a relatively happy person into someone who is bitter.

Bitter (from dictionary.com)—Synonyms 1. acrid, biting, distasteful. 3. distressing, poignant, painful. 4. biting, nipping. 5. fierce, cruel, ruthless, relentless. 7. acrimonious, caustic, sardonic, scornful.

Hebrews 12:14-15
14Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
15See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

Heavenly Father, I feel truly unworthy of your blessings today Lord. I look around and you have given me so much, far more then I ever deserve. The beauty of creation surrounds my senses today and I praise your name, that all that know me and my family may know a glimpse of your power and glory. Lord, use me this week as a vessel to teach your word. Show me the ways to love my friends in word by pulling the veil on bitterness to show how it steals our blessings from you. Be with this group this week, in all the steps they take walk beside those that need a friend, carry those that need healing and comfort, guide those that don't know which way to go. In your precious holy name....