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STOP ENVYING NOW!

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Envy is rooted in discontentment—with your situation. Unlike jealousy which says, “I’m afraid you are going to displace me, to take what I have”, envy says, “I want what you have, and because I don’t have it, I feel ill-will towards you!” Ever noticed that you don’t envy folks for things that you are blessed with or succeeding at? Think about it. Do you envy people who are fit, educated, happily married, talented,  or anointed?  Well, there is no need to do that!  Here’s the deal. Some things you can achieve (degrees, homeownership, fitness (ouch! that’s mine)) if you are willing to pay the price.  Other things are determined by God’s Sovereign plan for your life. I  meditate on Psalm 139:16 (NLT) a lot: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

With this truth as a foundation, looks like it’s time to get busy doing our part and RESTING on God’s promises.

NOW, be honest! WHOM DO YOU ENVY AND WHY?  Ok, I’ll go first: Sometimes I feel envy towards women who make fitness one of their top priorities. Even though I SAY it is one of mine, I tend to focus more on career/ministry goals. I’ve even felt vindicated and smug when thinness appears to be the most significant thing that person has achieved… (Wow, that was hard to admit to the WORLD!).

Your turn… I dare you to fess up!

By the way, I talk about these things in my book, 30 Days To a Stronger, More Confident You. Available at ConfrontingIssues.com.

Jesus: The Model Celebrity

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I’m doing an exciting study from the Gospels on how Jesus handled his “celebrity” (celebrity simply means to be well-known). No matter how much He grew in fame, He consistently:

1) PRAYED (Mark 1:35-37 NKJV : Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”

2) PRIORITIZED His activities to align with His purpose: (Mark 1:38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” NKJV)… NOTICE: The crowds didn’t dictate His schedule.

3) PURSUED a life of purity (John 8:29…”He one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I ALWAYS do what pleases him.” {‘ALWAYS???’  BOY, I WANT THIS TESTIMONY!!!}

 This message is to all whom God has given a mandate but who are finding themselves distracted from the MAIN THING because of the pull of others.