The GRASS is NOT always GREENER!

 

Vacation was nice But it seemed to fly by so quickly. Stephanie I got to spend time with a few of our old CMA friends in Arkansas before moving on visit with our youngest daughter for a few days. We returned home and spent the day yesterday recovering from travel fatigue. Today we will head in to the office, hold a staff meeting and get ready for Sunday. It will be good to start the routine again. 

I was reading the 26th chapter of Genesis this morning and came across the topic of jealousy and envy. 

"When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. He acquired so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac's wells with dirt. These were wells that had been dug by the servants of this father, Abraham. Finally, Abimelech ordered Issac to leave the country. 'Go somewhere else,' he said, 'for you have become to powerful for us.'" (Genesis 26:12-16, NLT)

Jealousy can rob you of your joy. The idea of always wanting more and more and more, can cause people to do some pretty strange things. Jealousy cause the Philistines to react. They thought if we can't be as blessed as Isaac we will prevent him from being successful too. 

It is so easy to look at others with envy and jealousy. I see this is often true in ministry as well. I think the intent is honorable, but when Pastors get together there is a tendency to share all the wonderful things going on in their churches. I love hearing their stories. I even love stealing some of their ideas. But, I have to be careful not to fall into the trap of jealousy. Knowing churches and ministries the way I do, I know that every church has issues. Pastors rarely share those struggles. But, the older I get the more I realize the "GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER" on the other side of the fence. Pastors share their successes and they share all the joy they receive from a church, but the rarely share the struggles. I am confident there are many. Don't get caught in the trap of Jealousy and Envy. 

CONTENTMENT, is so important in life. We need to be content with all that God has blessed us with. We need to rejoice in the little things as well as the big things. We need to stay humble with all that God provides and we need to rejoice in all that God has blessed others with. If the ugly head of jealousy pops up, we need to quickly defeat those thoughts and feelings. 

Heavenly Father, help me to be content. Help me to rejoice in your blessings instead of always desiring more. Help us to stay focused on your will. If your will means more success, I will praise you. If your will is to bless others, I will praise you. If your will is to supply us with more, I will praise you. If your will is to supply less, I will praise you. Lord I am so thankful for all you provide every day. Anything I have is so much more than I deserve. Amen!

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"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

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