I feel a need to post on this topic and share what happened to me the night before Gerry made the post he did about Jealousy and Pride.
Wow, talk about the Spirit of God moving! To be dealing with an issue and then come to the forums the next morning and see that someone has posted on that very same problem you had just been facing.
The reason I feel a need to share about what happened is to show how easily we can be fooled into thinking we have a right to be jealous, because I was certainly headed there. And it wasn't only jealousy but also a bitterness that was trying to get a hold on me. So I think it's important to share how it came about.
What happened was I had gone to bed early just as I do every night for some time to read Gods Word, grabbed my Bible so I could read for a couple of hours. Then I started thinking about my Dads Bible, And how nice it would be to be reading it. It's the only thing I have asked for that belonged to him, I have doubts that I'll ever see it though. I guess in a way you could say I was guilty of coveting to, And a Bible! of all things!
Anyway all that made me to think about how my brothers went in and just took what they wanted before my Dad was even burried. I had to stop right there, and start praying for Gods help, because I knew everything I was thinking and feeling was so wrong. And I could see where it would lead to if I allowed it to take hold of me.
Well I have to say, As much as I would love to have my Dads Bible. I can't help but think of how much more awesome it would be if my brother kept it just to spite me. And one of his kids, or even he picked it up and started reading it and was saved because of it. I know my Mom taught his kids about God, and Jesus. She used to babysit them constantly, but my brother doesn't like them to talk about God at all. It would probably make him angry if he kept it to spite me, and one his kids found God through it. And I can certainly see God working in this way, especially when I think about the book of Esther. Because the book of Esther so clearly shows how God takes those who plot evil against us, and turns everything back around on them, and uses it for His Glory.
OK Lord now I need help in not delighting in my brothers downfall if something like that were to happen!
Ah yes He helped with this already! God is so awesome about helping us stay on the right path.
Wow, talk about the Spirit of God moving! To be dealing with an issue and then come to the forums the next morning and see that someone has posted on that very same problem you had just been facing.
The reason I feel a need to share about what happened is to show how easily we can be fooled into thinking we have a right to be jealous, because I was certainly headed there. And it wasn't only jealousy but also a bitterness that was trying to get a hold on me. So I think it's important to share how it came about.
What happened was I had gone to bed early just as I do every night for some time to read Gods Word, grabbed my Bible so I could read for a couple of hours. Then I started thinking about my Dads Bible, And how nice it would be to be reading it. It's the only thing I have asked for that belonged to him, I have doubts that I'll ever see it though. I guess in a way you could say I was guilty of coveting to, And a Bible! of all things!
Anyway all that made me to think about how my brothers went in and just took what they wanted before my Dad was even burried. I had to stop right there, and start praying for Gods help, because I knew everything I was thinking and feeling was so wrong. And I could see where it would lead to if I allowed it to take hold of me.
Well I have to say, As much as I would love to have my Dads Bible. I can't help but think of how much more awesome it would be if my brother kept it just to spite me. And one of his kids, or even he picked it up and started reading it and was saved because of it. I know my Mom taught his kids about God, and Jesus. She used to babysit them constantly, but my brother doesn't like them to talk about God at all. It would probably make him angry if he kept it to spite me, and one his kids found God through it. And I can certainly see God working in this way, especially when I think about the book of Esther. Because the book of Esther so clearly shows how God takes those who plot evil against us, and turns everything back around on them, and uses it for His Glory.
OK Lord now I need help in not delighting in my brothers downfall if something like that were to happen!
Ah yes He helped with this already! God is so awesome about helping us stay on the right path.
