• God doesn't want you to share our devotion (Deuteronomy 4: 24)-Deuteronomy 4:24 (KJV) For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

In this verse we can see that there is a type of jealousy that is good; a jealousy that God has for His children; He does not want them to follow other God's thus lose their souls in the process.  Therefore He warns His children not to go after other gods or worship.

• Jealousy can destroy someone (Job 5: 2)-Job 5:2 (KJV) For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

In this verse we see how jealousy can destroy someone from the inside out.  Their anger can kill them as a result; many times they can make decisions resulting in deadly consequences.  It's not worth being jealous of anyone for anything.  We should all be content with what God has blessed us with.

• Do not envy those who do wrong (Psalm 37: 1)-Psalms 37:1 (KJV) Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Here we can see where God instructs His people not to be jealous or envy those who are evil; those who do not follow God, nor His ways.  Those people who appear to be living it up in the world following their lusts (sex, parties, drunkards, idolators) and riches, and things...The Church should never envy the people in the world; their pleasures are only temporary.  The peace and joy and spiritual riches that we have through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is everlasting.

• Do not be jealous of wicked people (Psalm 73: 2-3)-Psalms 73:2 (KJV) But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  Psalms 73:3 (KJV) For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Here we see that the Church can fall into the temptation of going after riches, resulting in backsliding; they can fall into envy of the foolish people of the world that sometimes do illegal things for financial gain; and they prosper that way.  God warns His children not to be jealous of the wicked; for they will have to answer to Him one day for their way of life.  We know that the Lord provides for His children so that they shall not want, or be in need.  The need to go after riches is dangerous to all.  It can lead to much evil.

• Jealousy steals away peace (Proverbs 14: 30)-Proverbs 14:30 (KJV) A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Jealousy robs us of our peace.  We should live with a sound heart.  We should choose to be happy and have love for one another.  When we envy others our souls begin to rot away down to our bones.  It is saying that jealousy is poisonous to the life of a Christian.  It destroys any life.

• Jealousy is a powerful enemy (Proverbs 27: 4)-Proverbs 27:4 (KJV) Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

There have been cases of people who are so jealous of others that they go as far as killing the person to steal their belongings or spouses.  King David had his brother killed so that he could take his wife; because she loved her husband and wanted to be faithful.  This brought him to a place that no father would ever want to be in.  The death of his child that he conceived with his brother's wife after the death of his brother.  It's just not worth it.

• Jealousy is foolish (Ecclesiastes 4: 4)-Ecclesiastes 4:4 (KJV) Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

We should not envy others for the work that they do; because the work that they do is not what's most important in life.  Yes, these are wonderful things; many times very positive and great things come from those who work hard.  But it is also vexation of spirit.  Many times it causes an angry spirit over the person.  Especially when their personal goals aren't achieved.  It's necessary to survive, but it isn't everything.  Having God is more important than anything else this life has to offer.  At the end of it all; it only matters if we are saved, and have lived our lives honoring God.  Honoring God should be above all else.  Living in a way that pleases Him is the primary goal of any Christian. 

• Jealousy can cause rash behavior (Acts 7: 9)-Acts 7:9 (KJV) And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

Jealousy brought the siblings of Joseph the dreamer to sell him to the government of Egypt.  This brother was chosen and blessed by God; with the gift of vision and prophecy.  His siblings should have appreciated his place in life; God chooses people to help lead the family on the right path.  They chose to sell him to Egypt and lied to their parents that he was dead.  They let their parents believe that their son was dead rather than submit to God's plan.  Thankfully he was saved; and even in Egypt God was with him; and blessed Joseph and everyone that worked with him.  They couldn't hinder God's blessing for Joseph.

• We should not be jealous of other Christians (Galatians 5: 26)-Galatians 5:26 (KJV) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

This verse is very clear.  We should not be jealous of ANY other Christian for ANY reason!!!  If your Christian brother or sister has a nice career, etc., popularity, etc. we clearly should not feel jealousy towards them; if anything we should be happy for one another; we should not envy material things; these things do not last; they are temporary.  We shouldn't even envy another Christian's calling in Ministry; or their gifts or talent from God; God has blessed each of us with gifts and talents; we do not all have to do the exact same things!!!  I may be good at one thing; and you may be good at another; we need to be happy with what God has given to each of us and do it well!!...

• Jealousy has no place in a Christian' life (Titus 3: 3-5)-Titus 3:3 (KJV) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  Titus 3:4 (KJV) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,Titus 3:5 (KJV) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
  

BEFORE we came to Christ, we were sometimes foolish.  We disobeyed our parents.  We used to lie to cover up some of our deeds.  We were lustful.  Seeking pleasures of all sorts.  Sometimes malicious; wanting what others have; would cause the hatred of others; and hated others too.  But once we came to Christ; we were changed not by our own works, or deeds; but by God's grace.  His Spirit and Word cleanses our hearts, minds, and souls.  We have been renewed.  By the power of the Holy Spirit.  We should not be jealous in any way other than to help our backslid brothers or sisters come back to the path of righteousness.  May the Lord bless you today and always and remember  God loves us and we love you!!  Amen.

•   God can help us overcome intimidation (Genesis 15: 1)-Genesis 15:1 (NIV) After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
• God does not forget us when we are intimidated (Genesis 46: 3)-Genesis 46:3 (NIV) “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
• We do not need to fear anyone (Psalm 27: 1)-Psalm 27:1 (NIV) The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
• God empower us (Psalm 46: 1-3)-Psalm 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:2 (NIV) Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Psalm 46:3 (NIV) though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
• We do not need to be intimidated (Psalm 112: 7-8)-Psalm 112:7 (NIV) They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Psalm 112:8 (NIV) Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
• Jesus' strength can give us courage (John 16: 33)-John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• God will help us be bold (Acts 4: 31)-Acts 4:31 (NIV) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
• Be on your guard against intimidation (1 Corinthians 16: 13)-1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
• Pray for courage (Ephesians 6: 19-20)-Ephesians 6:19 (NIV) Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:20 (NIV) for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
• Christians can pray without being intimidated (Hebrews 4: 16)-Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God can help us overcome intimidation in the hardest of times; as Abraham had feared that he would not have descendants, he wondered who would inherit all that he would leave behind in continuance of his calling.  The LORD assured him, that he would have an heir of his own bowels.  And it was so.  We need not fear or feel intimidated by what we cannot yet see.  God will provide a way even when we cannot see a way.  In these verses we see how God is giving His servants encouragement when they feel intimidated by the unknown.  We do not need to be afraid of anyone.  The LORD is our light and our salvation; we do not need to be afraid of darkness or of the enemy; we have assurance in our faith in our LORD Christ Jesus.  Even as the LORD was instructing and guiding Israel into the land of Egypt; He was loving in His encouragement and continued to assure them that He would be with them.  God is our provider and our strength; he is our rescuer in times of distress; when we feel troubled; even if the earth shakes and trembles; we will not fear because we know He is with us. We do not need to fear bad news, we know that even in times of bad news, He will work things out for our good.  And we look in triumph on our foes; because we have the MOST HIGH GOD living in our hearts; we have nothing to fear.  The LORD gives us assurance; even in times of death we shall not fear because He has overcome the world!  He himself has died on the cross due to the fact that they did not believe He was God.  But, He raised from the dead, He beat death and reassures us that we also will beat death.  And we will live forever and reign with HIM.  The Holy Spirit gives us strength and courage so that we may speak boldly to all the nations in the world and proclaim His gospel and truth.  He instructs us to be on guard against intimidation; to stand firm in our faith; be courageous and strong, and not allow others to intimidate us because of our faith nor to follow or serve other gods.  Because we know there is no salvation for those who do follow and serve other gods or faiths. We should pray for courage; for ourselves and for one another; that we may speak boldly of the truth of the gospel of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Because the LORD knew that there would be places in the world where believers would be imprisoned, beaten, intimidated, and even killed for their faith in the ONE and TRUE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.  Christians can pray without being intimidated; thanks for the sacrifice of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ; who died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins; we now have HIS Spirit living in our hearts and we can boldly approach the Father in heaven who hears the prayers of our hearts. And He answers them all the time; I see answered prayers every morning when I wake up and look in the mirror; I could have died long ago.  But the LORD has been more than good to my parents and all others who have prayed for me.  May the God of grace continue to bless all who read and believe in His majesty!  God bless you all!  Amen!!!!