THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 23
“Do not let your heart envy sinners…” Proverbs 23:17)
What gets your heart going, what are you passionate about?
This proverb warns about seeting your heart on what others have.
Jealousy, greed, envy, covetousness… how would our economy work otherwise?
This is a warning not to allow our hearts to be sucked in by these.
“But always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” (Proverbs 23:17)
What if my greatest passion was to know, love and serve God?
If my mind, emotions and will were activated by God and His good purpose?
Jesus spoke of doing God’s will as His food and drink (John 4:34)
He urged His followers to be zealous in pursusing God and His Kingdom.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)
Zeal, passion, a heart set on fire for serving the Lord.
It is hard to imagine myself as a zealot this way, it seems extreme.
And yet imagine if we had more extremists for love, than for violence.
What is holding me back from this kind of extreme, zealous devotion?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, even as I pray this, I am hesitant… but I will pray it anyway: make me an zealot, a radical extremist serving You through love for goodness!
Listen.
The Father is talking to his son. This is the way. Walk in it.
Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to knowledge, for lack of knowledge the people die.
No greater joy has a father/Father than having his children walk in His Ways.
Be heartstrong in doing the father’s will.
Be wise.
Focus on the destination and not the journey. Pilgrim’s progress.
Have the upward look as you travel and not the downward look.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands
For it’s only in your will that I am free
For it’s only in your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be