THE TEN – Third Commandment
(Yes, this is a series, so you might to read backwards from here to catch up!) ; )

Are you jealous?
Jealousy is wanting what someone else has so much that it consumes and overwhelms us. Little kids want what the other person has simply because they don’t have it. We think about it day and night. We think of ways we can get it. It’s so inviting, the thought of having it, so addicting that we might even try to duplicate it with a copy. But the copy does not satisfy. 

So we continue to miserably long for that which we cannot seem to have. We “idolize” the thought of having it. What is IT for you? What idol stands in the way of you and God? I’m thinking…

Third Commandment:
“Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god!” Exodus 20, NLT

God, jealous?? YES, seriously jealous of our love for Him! He adds the consequences of those who leave his love…

“I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations.” Exodus 20, NLT

HOWEVER…IF we love Him back…

“I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.” Exodus 20, NLT

As we tell elementary kiddos every time we gather at church or school, “What is the wise choice here?”

As for me, (and my home), we choose the LAVISH LOVE OF OUR LORD!

Think about it…is that for which you are jealous worth losing the lavish love of our LORD and Savior?

Dear Heavenly Father, We repent of times when jealousy of others’ stuff, even in ministry (there I said it out loud), caused us to lose focus on You and Your lavish love for us. We do love you back…with all that is withing us, heart, mind, body and soul. We worship and adore YOU and YOU alone. In Jesus Name, Amen