FOUL NOT
Part seven of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
2 Corinthians 11:1-2
“I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that. I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him.”
There is a godly side of jealousy we haven’t discussed. God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:4). He paid a very high price for you: God’s one and only Son Jesus died so that you could be in His family. Everyone who believes in Jesus as Lord is seen as holy before the Father (1 Thessalonians 1:10). In Jesus, believers become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Wouldn’t you agree that whatever cost you dearly is the possession of which you’re most jealous? Ephesians 1:14 says that the Holy Spirit is a “deposit guaranteeing [believers] inheritance,” which is the redemption of those who are God’s precious possession.
That’s where we come in. In Chaos devotion, Chester cried, Foul!” when Wally got a bloody nose while trying to shoot a layup. If Wally would see Chester doing something wrong, he would urge him to do the right thing.
We truly are our brother’s keeper. Foul not!
The opening Scripture shows apostle Paul’s godly jealousy towards Christians. He is responsible for Christian belief because he promised Christ that he’d present us as “pure virgins.” That means that Paul preached the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul, like every teacher, is accountable to Christ—believers' husband—that our faith comes from correct doctrine (Titus 2:1).
Guys, it’s not weird that Christians are the “bride of Christ.” Be proud that Jesus names boys as His brothers! (Mark 3:35). That means that Jesus is coming for you one day to take you home as His bride (Revelation 19:7).
Wally and Chester never discussed their faith. Many people don’t talk about religion in their daily lives. But those who care for one another, and treat each other with kindness, show their love. (John 13:35). Believers should care for one another in love—even a jealous love—because we know to whom we belong. For example, we try to stop cursing—and call out others who curse—because we know that God loves the curser!
Take Home Nugget
We see God’s jealous love in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus healed the sick, then told them to “sin no more.” Believers are to “fear not. “ So, as Christ followers, we remind ourselves—and each other—“Foul Not.”
Heavenly Father, May Your kids show jealous love for one another by encouraging right living in Lord Jesus. Help us to foul not, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
J.D. Griffith
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Friday, June 28, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Chaos
CHAOS
Part six of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
James 3:16
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
Chaos [KA-os] means disorder, confusion. Ten year olds, Chester and Wally, drew a crowd of older guys wanting to play basketball on the playground next to the public swimming pool. “Why have you two been coming here?” fourteen year old Dirk asked Chester and Wally.
Wally said, “I just wanted to lose some weight. Chester offered to play basketball with me.”
OK. Let’s choose teams then,” Dirk said. “We can all go swimming after Wally loses some weight.”
“Are you ready for your workout, Wally” Chester asked.
“I may not have a choice,” Wally said. “As long as I can shoot layups...”
Wally and Chester were chosen to play on opposite teams. The thirteen and fourteen year olds chose Chester, and the eleven and twelve year olds picked Wally. First chance Wally had to score a layup, he got hit in the face and the ball blocked by a thirteen year old. Chester called, “Foul,” as Wally’s nose spurt out blood.
The older classmen refused to let the younger team shoot free throws for fouls made against them. So everyone stopped playing fair. Before long, an onlooker would have thought he was watching rugby, or hockey. Disorder between rival basketball players resembled two angry mobs fighting for no apparent reason.
Everyone forgot they were playing basketball, and forgot good sportsmanship. Priorities changed from play to survival when one fourteen year old punched an eleven year old in the face. Their focus became to attack the one with the ball. No one was having fun. Cursing and swearing could be heard inside the swimming pool fence.
Police officers arrived, but no one was taken to jail. The policemen just broke up the game, dispersing the crowd. Then everyone went swimming.
Chester and Wally bought ice cream, and sat down on a bench to eat. As Wally licked his cone, and Chester spooned hot fudge into his mouth, they talked about what just happened. “We get a good workout playing one-on-one,” Wally said. “But I don’t think what we just went through counted as a workout.”
“What just happened isn’t basketball!”
It all began with jealousy—and losing weight.
Take Home Nugget
Wally recognized the difference in attitude and purpose with the older guys’ basketball challenge. Suddenly, how to lose weight became Wally’s focus. He forgot his shame for being overweight. He was just glad for his friendship with Chester.
The emotion jealousy is never good.
Holy Lord, Remind me what’s important before I get carried away with proving a point that’s really not important, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
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Part six of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
James 3:16
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
Chaos [KA-os] means disorder, confusion. Ten year olds, Chester and Wally, drew a crowd of older guys wanting to play basketball on the playground next to the public swimming pool. “Why have you two been coming here?” fourteen year old Dirk asked Chester and Wally.
Wally said, “I just wanted to lose some weight. Chester offered to play basketball with me.”
OK. Let’s choose teams then,” Dirk said. “We can all go swimming after Wally loses some weight.”
“Are you ready for your workout, Wally” Chester asked.
“I may not have a choice,” Wally said. “As long as I can shoot layups...”
Wally and Chester were chosen to play on opposite teams. The thirteen and fourteen year olds chose Chester, and the eleven and twelve year olds picked Wally. First chance Wally had to score a layup, he got hit in the face and the ball blocked by a thirteen year old. Chester called, “Foul,” as Wally’s nose spurt out blood.
The older classmen refused to let the younger team shoot free throws for fouls made against them. So everyone stopped playing fair. Before long, an onlooker would have thought he was watching rugby, or hockey. Disorder between rival basketball players resembled two angry mobs fighting for no apparent reason.
Everyone forgot they were playing basketball, and forgot good sportsmanship. Priorities changed from play to survival when one fourteen year old punched an eleven year old in the face. Their focus became to attack the one with the ball. No one was having fun. Cursing and swearing could be heard inside the swimming pool fence.
Police officers arrived, but no one was taken to jail. The policemen just broke up the game, dispersing the crowd. Then everyone went swimming.
Chester and Wally bought ice cream, and sat down on a bench to eat. As Wally licked his cone, and Chester spooned hot fudge into his mouth, they talked about what just happened. “We get a good workout playing one-on-one,” Wally said. “But I don’t think what we just went through counted as a workout.”
“What just happened isn’t basketball!”
It all began with jealousy—and losing weight.
Take Home Nugget
Wally recognized the difference in attitude and purpose with the older guys’ basketball challenge. Suddenly, how to lose weight became Wally’s focus. He forgot his shame for being overweight. He was just glad for his friendship with Chester.
The emotion jealousy is never good.
Holy Lord, Remind me what’s important before I get carried away with proving a point that’s really not important, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
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Friday, June 21, 2013
Denial
DENIAL
Part five of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
1 John 1:8
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
Ten year old Chester arrived at the basketball court next to the public swimming pool before his classmate, Wally. He dribbled his basketball around the court. Come on, Wally, it’s too hot already! Chester thought. (See Pride devotion). As he gulped water from his bottle, Wally arrived. Perched on his basketball, Chester waved hello.
“Hey Chester.” Wally yelled. “Let’s get busy.”
Their one-on-one basketball game workout found them drenched in sweat very soon. Wally stopped suddenly, tugging on his shorts to catch his breath. He said, “Let’s just skip this work out, and go swimming.”
Chester nodded his head. He offered a new idea, “We could play tonight after the sun sets, if you want to.”
Wally replied, “That’s a good idea. But I am not allowed to go back out after dinner. I’m already losing weight. How about if I just run around my house? That’ll shed some pounds off my fat behind!” (Wally had weighed himself that morning. The number 130 flashed on the scale’s monitor. He seriously doubted that he’d run around his house after dinner. But he wanted to sound tough, that he’s serious about losing weight).
“OK, whatever you think best, Wally.” As they walked into the pool together, Chester snickered at the thought of Wally running around his house. He thought, Wally’s fooling himself. He’s sure not fooling me!
Now the boy’s friendship is changing into a rivalry between them. James 3:14 says, “But it you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.” Wally has been jealous all his life of the trim guys in their swimming suits at the public pool. Although he’s finally doing something about losing weight, his heart hasn’t healed from the years of shame.
Jealousy always opposes the truth because the truth exposes jealousy.
Wherever there’s rivalry, people tend to deny the truth about themselves. Truth cuts jealous hearts deeply, and the pain is intense. So denial is people protecting themselves, and end up lying as a cover up. Self-esteem, or pride in oneself, is necessary for people to live confidently.
Take Home Nugget
Rivals tend to cheer when their opponent fails, because they’re ego-driven. The ego is a person’s pride center. It’s natural for humans to become suspicious of and resent a rival’s success. We protect ourselves from heart pain above all else.
Lord, protect me from denying the truth about myself. Help me to always seek the truth, even if it’s not what I want to believe, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
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Part five of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
1 John 1:8
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
Ten year old Chester arrived at the basketball court next to the public swimming pool before his classmate, Wally. He dribbled his basketball around the court. Come on, Wally, it’s too hot already! Chester thought. (See Pride devotion). As he gulped water from his bottle, Wally arrived. Perched on his basketball, Chester waved hello.
“Hey Chester.” Wally yelled. “Let’s get busy.”
Their one-on-one basketball game workout found them drenched in sweat very soon. Wally stopped suddenly, tugging on his shorts to catch his breath. He said, “Let’s just skip this work out, and go swimming.”
Chester nodded his head. He offered a new idea, “We could play tonight after the sun sets, if you want to.”
Wally replied, “That’s a good idea. But I am not allowed to go back out after dinner. I’m already losing weight. How about if I just run around my house? That’ll shed some pounds off my fat behind!” (Wally had weighed himself that morning. The number 130 flashed on the scale’s monitor. He seriously doubted that he’d run around his house after dinner. But he wanted to sound tough, that he’s serious about losing weight).
“OK, whatever you think best, Wally.” As they walked into the pool together, Chester snickered at the thought of Wally running around his house. He thought, Wally’s fooling himself. He’s sure not fooling me!
Now the boy’s friendship is changing into a rivalry between them. James 3:14 says, “But it you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.” Wally has been jealous all his life of the trim guys in their swimming suits at the public pool. Although he’s finally doing something about losing weight, his heart hasn’t healed from the years of shame.
Jealousy always opposes the truth because the truth exposes jealousy.
Wherever there’s rivalry, people tend to deny the truth about themselves. Truth cuts jealous hearts deeply, and the pain is intense. So denial is people protecting themselves, and end up lying as a cover up. Self-esteem, or pride in oneself, is necessary for people to live confidently.
Take Home Nugget
Rivals tend to cheer when their opponent fails, because they’re ego-driven. The ego is a person’s pride center. It’s natural for humans to become suspicious of and resent a rival’s success. We protect ourselves from heart pain above all else.
Lord, protect me from denying the truth about myself. Help me to always seek the truth, even if it’s not what I want to believe, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Pride
PRIDE
Part four of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Ten year olds Wally and Chester arrived same time at the basketball court next to the public swimming pool. “Hi Wally,” Chester said. “Are we still good, after yesterday?” (See Spiritual Show & Tell devotion).
Wally replied, “Sure. Sorry that I acted like a jerk yesterday. Thanks for showing up to help me lose weight. ... You know, I never miss a layup.”
Chester laughed. “It’s hard to miss a layup, Wally. Every time you hit that square behind the hoop on the backboard, the ball is supposed to drop through the basket. Layups are practically a sure two points.”
“Yeah,” Wally admitted. “But watch the sweet rotation the ball has as it leaves my hands.”
Chester challenged Wally’s next shot. He blocked the ball, whacking it away. “I didn’t see your sweet rotation that time, Wally!” Chester teased. The boys played a rugged game of one-on-one for over an hour.
Dripping wet from the workout, they resisted jumping into the swimming pool before showering off their sweat in the locker room. Did you catch Wally’s insisting how good a basketball player he is? Chester wouldn’t give Wally the satisfaction of congratulating his perfect layup record; he even blocked his next shot instead of admiring Wally’s sweet ball rotation.
There was a fisherman whose favorite job was to catch crabs. He learned that he never needed a top for his crab basket. Whenever one of the crabs starts to climb up the sides of the basket, the others pull it back down. Now that’s jealousy! Jealous people tries tearing others down, so to make themselves look better.
Chester isn’t jealous of Wally. Wally could be a little jealous of Chester; he tries to impress Chester, nevertheless. Wally wanted to show that he’s not just overweight, he also has skills. It’s human nature to want to impress others—especially when there’s an obvious problem.
Wanting to impress another comes from one’s pride. Pride is a devious emotion. While every person needs self-esteem to live confidently, just being made in God’s image gives people the right to want respect. Romans 12:3 warns: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” Be aware of false pride.
Take Home Nugget
Once, a proud woodpecker tapped away on a dead tree. When a storm came up, he continued pecking through rain and thunder. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck the tree, splintering it into a million pieces. The woodpecker screeched to his feathered friends, “Look at what I did!” Pride is self-worship.
“We grow small trying to be great.” Eli Stanley Jones
J.D. Griffith
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Part four of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Ten year olds Wally and Chester arrived same time at the basketball court next to the public swimming pool. “Hi Wally,” Chester said. “Are we still good, after yesterday?” (See Spiritual Show & Tell devotion).
Wally replied, “Sure. Sorry that I acted like a jerk yesterday. Thanks for showing up to help me lose weight. ... You know, I never miss a layup.”
Chester laughed. “It’s hard to miss a layup, Wally. Every time you hit that square behind the hoop on the backboard, the ball is supposed to drop through the basket. Layups are practically a sure two points.”
“Yeah,” Wally admitted. “But watch the sweet rotation the ball has as it leaves my hands.”
Chester challenged Wally’s next shot. He blocked the ball, whacking it away. “I didn’t see your sweet rotation that time, Wally!” Chester teased. The boys played a rugged game of one-on-one for over an hour.
Dripping wet from the workout, they resisted jumping into the swimming pool before showering off their sweat in the locker room. Did you catch Wally’s insisting how good a basketball player he is? Chester wouldn’t give Wally the satisfaction of congratulating his perfect layup record; he even blocked his next shot instead of admiring Wally’s sweet ball rotation.
There was a fisherman whose favorite job was to catch crabs. He learned that he never needed a top for his crab basket. Whenever one of the crabs starts to climb up the sides of the basket, the others pull it back down. Now that’s jealousy! Jealous people tries tearing others down, so to make themselves look better.
Chester isn’t jealous of Wally. Wally could be a little jealous of Chester; he tries to impress Chester, nevertheless. Wally wanted to show that he’s not just overweight, he also has skills. It’s human nature to want to impress others—especially when there’s an obvious problem.
Wanting to impress another comes from one’s pride. Pride is a devious emotion. While every person needs self-esteem to live confidently, just being made in God’s image gives people the right to want respect. Romans 12:3 warns: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” Be aware of false pride.
Take Home Nugget
Once, a proud woodpecker tapped away on a dead tree. When a storm came up, he continued pecking through rain and thunder. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck the tree, splintering it into a million pieces. The woodpecker screeched to his feathered friends, “Look at what I did!” Pride is self-worship.
“We grow small trying to be great.” Eli Stanley Jones
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Pride
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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
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Friday, June 14, 2013
Spiritual Show & Tell
SPIRITUAL SHOW & TELL
Part three of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
1 Corinthians 3:3
“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”
Ten year old Wally’s prayer to God (asking God to help Wally to lose weight and stop jealous hatred of trim guys) was interrupted by Chester’s arrival to the playground. (See Envy Rots and Humility from Wisdom devotions). Wally’s head whipped towards the bike rack.
“Chester!” Wally cried. He ran to meet Chester, and watched him lock his bike to the rack. “I was worried sick!” Wally burst out.
“Dude, you sound like my mom!” Chester said. “I was given a list of chores to do before being allowed to go swimming today. But I’m here now.”
“I shot layups after dribbling around the court.” Wally said. “You should have called.”
Chester laid his hand on Wally’s shoulder. “I don’t know your number.” he said.
“Well, it’s too hot now!” Wally snapped, disgusted. “Let’s just go swimming.”
“Fine by me!” Chester said. “You’re the one who wants to lose weight.”
In the lesson for Humility from Wisdom devotion, James 3:13a asks, Who is wise and understanding among you?” The word “wise” describes someone who is ethically sensible, skilled in the practical things of life. The word “understanding” means thoughtful awareness of others’ situations. James 3:13b says, “Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Apparently, Wally can’t show Humility from Wisdom yet. But God isn’t done with him.
Wisdom and understanding are measured in steps of growth (into Christ-likeness)—measured by deeds. In other words, it’s not how much or what we know that counts, but how we’re living that matters. Anyone can talk a good spiritual game, and yet have a jealous heart. For believers who allow envy to set up residence in their hearts, they don’t have wisdom; they’re living a lie.
James 3:14 defines jealousy as “bitter envy and selfish ambition.” Jealousy is plainly a nasty emotion. Selfish ambition is aggressive unfriendly behavior towards others. The Greeks use “selfish ambition” to describe a dishonest politician.
Take Home Nugget
At the swimming pool, Chester and Wally resumed their water battles. All at once, Chester raised his hand, coughing. Wally continued splashing him until the lifeguard blew her whistle. “Come out of the pool now,” she ordered Wally.
Joining Wally on a bench, Chester asked, “What’s wrong with you, dude?”
Wally put his hands over his face, and mumbled, “I’m sorry. Could we start over again tomorrow?”
Heavenly Father, forgive my anger towards a friend. Lead me into right living, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Spiritual Show & Tell
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Part three of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
1 Corinthians 3:3
“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”
Ten year old Wally’s prayer to God (asking God to help Wally to lose weight and stop jealous hatred of trim guys) was interrupted by Chester’s arrival to the playground. (See Envy Rots and Humility from Wisdom devotions). Wally’s head whipped towards the bike rack.
“Chester!” Wally cried. He ran to meet Chester, and watched him lock his bike to the rack. “I was worried sick!” Wally burst out.
“Dude, you sound like my mom!” Chester said. “I was given a list of chores to do before being allowed to go swimming today. But I’m here now.”
“I shot layups after dribbling around the court.” Wally said. “You should have called.”
Chester laid his hand on Wally’s shoulder. “I don’t know your number.” he said.
“Well, it’s too hot now!” Wally snapped, disgusted. “Let’s just go swimming.”
“Fine by me!” Chester said. “You’re the one who wants to lose weight.”
In the lesson for Humility from Wisdom devotion, James 3:13a asks, Who is wise and understanding among you?” The word “wise” describes someone who is ethically sensible, skilled in the practical things of life. The word “understanding” means thoughtful awareness of others’ situations. James 3:13b says, “Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Apparently, Wally can’t show Humility from Wisdom yet. But God isn’t done with him.
Wisdom and understanding are measured in steps of growth (into Christ-likeness)—measured by deeds. In other words, it’s not how much or what we know that counts, but how we’re living that matters. Anyone can talk a good spiritual game, and yet have a jealous heart. For believers who allow envy to set up residence in their hearts, they don’t have wisdom; they’re living a lie.
James 3:14 defines jealousy as “bitter envy and selfish ambition.” Jealousy is plainly a nasty emotion. Selfish ambition is aggressive unfriendly behavior towards others. The Greeks use “selfish ambition” to describe a dishonest politician.
Take Home Nugget
At the swimming pool, Chester and Wally resumed their water battles. All at once, Chester raised his hand, coughing. Wally continued splashing him until the lifeguard blew her whistle. “Come out of the pool now,” she ordered Wally.
Joining Wally on a bench, Chester asked, “What’s wrong with you, dude?”
Wally put his hands over his face, and mumbled, “I’m sorry. Could we start over again tomorrow?”
Heavenly Father, forgive my anger towards a friend. Lead me into right living, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Spiritual Show & Tell
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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
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Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Humility from Wisdom
HUMILITY FROM WISDOM
Part two of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
Proverbs 27:4
“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”
Wally pedaled his bike to the playground next to the public swimming pool. He dribbled his basketball to the outdoor court, shooting a layup. He looked around for Chester, and shot another layup. After shooting layups from one side of the basket to the other, he checked the time. 9:40.
See previous devotion, Envy Rots. Two ten year old boys water battled at the swimming pool. This turned out as a project for Wally to lose weight. Chester promised to play basketball with Wally every day before swimming.
Wally dribbled the basketball around the basketball court, ending up by shooting a layup. He sat down on the ground under the sun beaming down. Wally sipped water from the bottle he brought, and wiped sweat from his forehead. He repeated dribbling the basketball around the court and ended up shooting layups. The minutes stretched into an hour.
Wally watched older trim guys entering the swimming pool gate. They were how he wanted to look! Chester promised he would help Wally lose weight. All Wally cold think of was those trim guys—so good looking in their swimming trunks—going into the swimming pool. Where was Chester?
Wally hated those good-looking trim guys. He could look like them—IF CHESTER WOULD HELP HIM LOSE WEIGHT! He cradled his head in his hands, sitting on the ground at the basketball court. Bitter envy and hate soured his mouth. As the sun beamed down on Wally’s head, he felt alone. He was ashamed of himself. He faced the fact that he is fat. And he hated that, too.
“God!” Wally said softly. “What’s happening to me? Yesterday was so good when Chester said that he’d help me to lose weight. He didn’t show up today, and I lost my cool. I don’t want to hate anyone. I just want to lose weight! Please help me to lose weight, Lord. I don’t like feeling like this. I admit that being fat is my fault. With Your help, I know I can lose the weight and trim down. Please help me!”
“Heah Wally! Sorry I’m late!” Chester yelled as he racked his bike at the playground.
Take Home Nugget
James 3:13-16 shows what Wally’s dealing with. He doesn’t want to hate the very people he wants to resemble. He humbled himself by admitting his fault. Check out the linked lesson below, to learn more about how envy is from the devil.
Father in heaven, help me to not envy others for what I want. Help me to humbly see my faults, and change what I don’t like. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Humility from Wisdom
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Part two of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
Proverbs 27:4
“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”
Wally pedaled his bike to the playground next to the public swimming pool. He dribbled his basketball to the outdoor court, shooting a layup. He looked around for Chester, and shot another layup. After shooting layups from one side of the basket to the other, he checked the time. 9:40.
See previous devotion, Envy Rots. Two ten year old boys water battled at the swimming pool. This turned out as a project for Wally to lose weight. Chester promised to play basketball with Wally every day before swimming.
Wally dribbled the basketball around the basketball court, ending up by shooting a layup. He sat down on the ground under the sun beaming down. Wally sipped water from the bottle he brought, and wiped sweat from his forehead. He repeated dribbling the basketball around the court and ended up shooting layups. The minutes stretched into an hour.
Wally watched older trim guys entering the swimming pool gate. They were how he wanted to look! Chester promised he would help Wally lose weight. All Wally cold think of was those trim guys—so good looking in their swimming trunks—going into the swimming pool. Where was Chester?
Wally hated those good-looking trim guys. He could look like them—IF CHESTER WOULD HELP HIM LOSE WEIGHT! He cradled his head in his hands, sitting on the ground at the basketball court. Bitter envy and hate soured his mouth. As the sun beamed down on Wally’s head, he felt alone. He was ashamed of himself. He faced the fact that he is fat. And he hated that, too.
“God!” Wally said softly. “What’s happening to me? Yesterday was so good when Chester said that he’d help me to lose weight. He didn’t show up today, and I lost my cool. I don’t want to hate anyone. I just want to lose weight! Please help me to lose weight, Lord. I don’t like feeling like this. I admit that being fat is my fault. With Your help, I know I can lose the weight and trim down. Please help me!”
“Heah Wally! Sorry I’m late!” Chester yelled as he racked his bike at the playground.
Take Home Nugget
James 3:13-16 shows what Wally’s dealing with. He doesn’t want to hate the very people he wants to resemble. He humbled himself by admitting his fault. Check out the linked lesson below, to learn more about how envy is from the devil.
Father in heaven, help me to not envy others for what I want. Help me to humbly see my faults, and change what I don’t like. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Humility from Wisdom
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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
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Friday, June 7, 2013
Envy Rots
ENVY ROTS
Part one of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart of peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Ten year old Wally waddled around the swimming pool, his short’s waistband cutting a dent in the flab of fat that folded down toward his thighs. His school classmate, Chester, yelled from the pool, “Heah Wally, come in!” Chester splashed water that rained on Wally’s head.
Wally smiled and turned toward the pool. He jumped in and swam toward Chester. “Heah man!” Wally said, splashing Chester back. Wally and Chester water battled for ten minutes, laughing the whole time. They took a break, breathing hard. Then they started up again.
“Heah guys,” the lifeguard called, blowing his whistle to get their attention. He waved his hand from the life guard chair to get their attention. “Hold it down, guys.” he said. “You’re drowning little kids!”
Wally and Chester looked around at the kids in the area, who were getting their breaths. “How about if we go to deeper water?” Chester asked the lifeguard.
“Sure, if you’re not disturbing anyone else,” was the answer.
Wally and Chester enjoyed water battles all afternoon. Exhausted, Wally said, “Let’s get some ice cream.”
“Sure,” Chester said, climbing out of the pool. Walking to the concession stand, he said, “That was fun! What are your plans for the summer, Wally?”
Wally looked around. He pointed to an older guy, trim and tan. “I want to look like him.” Wally said. “I am tired of being, ‘fat Wally,’ Chester. I want to lose weight and look good in a swimming suit.”
Chester nodded his head when he replied, “I get you, Wally. How do you think you’ll lose the weight eating ice cream?”
“No. Water battles!” was Wally’s answer.
Everyone knows how it feels to be “green with envy.” Wally is sick and tired of being made fun of because of his weight. When he looks at other guys at the swimming pool, he gets sick. He feels hopeless when comparing himself to the trim guys that others admire.
Doesn’t everyone feel jealous toward another at some point in life? We see them, and want what they have. We fantasize their success, their happiness. How many of us are content with how God made us? Do we think God made a mistake? How can we live victoriously as followers of Jesus if we constantly long for what we don’t have?
Really, our whining isn’t to serve God better. We want others to like and admire us. Pretty ugly, isn’t it? Envy, or jealousy is one of the most dangerous emotions. It rots lives from the bone out.
Take Home Nugget
Wally licked his ice cream cone as he walked next to Chester scooping hot fudge sundae from a large dish into his mouth. Chester said, “How about if we play basketball before we swim every day this summer?”
Wally swallowed, then smiled at Chester. “You’d do that for me, Chester?”
“Sure! No more ‘fat Wally’ for you when school begins!”
Lord, I confess that I often want what I see others have. Strengthen me to see Your purpose in my life. I know that You never make mistakes—so help me to grow into who You created me to be. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Envy Rots
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Part one of seven devotions in The World of Jealousy series
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart of peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Ten year old Wally waddled around the swimming pool, his short’s waistband cutting a dent in the flab of fat that folded down toward his thighs. His school classmate, Chester, yelled from the pool, “Heah Wally, come in!” Chester splashed water that rained on Wally’s head.
Wally smiled and turned toward the pool. He jumped in and swam toward Chester. “Heah man!” Wally said, splashing Chester back. Wally and Chester water battled for ten minutes, laughing the whole time. They took a break, breathing hard. Then they started up again.
“Heah guys,” the lifeguard called, blowing his whistle to get their attention. He waved his hand from the life guard chair to get their attention. “Hold it down, guys.” he said. “You’re drowning little kids!”
Wally and Chester looked around at the kids in the area, who were getting their breaths. “How about if we go to deeper water?” Chester asked the lifeguard.
“Sure, if you’re not disturbing anyone else,” was the answer.
Wally and Chester enjoyed water battles all afternoon. Exhausted, Wally said, “Let’s get some ice cream.”
“Sure,” Chester said, climbing out of the pool. Walking to the concession stand, he said, “That was fun! What are your plans for the summer, Wally?”
Wally looked around. He pointed to an older guy, trim and tan. “I want to look like him.” Wally said. “I am tired of being, ‘fat Wally,’ Chester. I want to lose weight and look good in a swimming suit.”
Chester nodded his head when he replied, “I get you, Wally. How do you think you’ll lose the weight eating ice cream?”
“No. Water battles!” was Wally’s answer.
Everyone knows how it feels to be “green with envy.” Wally is sick and tired of being made fun of because of his weight. When he looks at other guys at the swimming pool, he gets sick. He feels hopeless when comparing himself to the trim guys that others admire.
Doesn’t everyone feel jealous toward another at some point in life? We see them, and want what they have. We fantasize their success, their happiness. How many of us are content with how God made us? Do we think God made a mistake? How can we live victoriously as followers of Jesus if we constantly long for what we don’t have?
Really, our whining isn’t to serve God better. We want others to like and admire us. Pretty ugly, isn’t it? Envy, or jealousy is one of the most dangerous emotions. It rots lives from the bone out.
Take Home Nugget
Wally licked his ice cream cone as he walked next to Chester scooping hot fudge sundae from a large dish into his mouth. Chester said, “How about if we play basketball before we swim every day this summer?”
Wally swallowed, then smiled at Chester. “You’d do that for me, Chester?”
“Sure! No more ‘fat Wally’ for you when school begins!”
Lord, I confess that I often want what I see others have. Strengthen me to see Your purpose in my life. I know that You never make mistakes—so help me to grow into who You created me to be. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Envy Rots
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
One Offer You Can Believe
ONE OFFER YOU CAN BELIEVE
1 Peter 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade—kept in heaven for you.”
“I don’t believe it,” ten year old Cassie said to Missy at the swimming pool.
“Believe what?” Missy asked.
“I was checking my emails on my phone, and one came entitled, ‘You just won ten million dollars! Open here’....I think I know better than to open an email when I don’t recognize the sender. Do people who send out spam and junk emails think I was born yesterday?” Cassie said, shaking her head.
Would you be surprised to learn that people still open junk emails from senders they don’t recognize—when they promise riches? Every person alive, especially ones who have access to various electronic gadgets, is bombarded with fantastic offers too good to be true. Those who have seen—and discarded—their share of junk mail, know better than to believe one word of fantastic offers.
We’re all vulnerable to scams that bring nothing but trouble. How can we pick out rip-off cons that offer false hope, and end up dishing out heartache and dashed dreams?
There is one offer that is genuine—the real deal. It’s the offer God makes to us: Salvation is offered to whomever believes in Jesus, accepting eternal life offer He extends through His finished work on the cross. This offer cost Jesus His life. But whoever believes in Him reaps fantastic blessings. This is one offer you can believe because God never lies.
Romans 4:25 says, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Justification means that the Father sees whoever believes in His Son as “not guilty” of sin. This grace, or God’s riches at Christ’s expense, flows freely to those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. Check out the lesson, linked below, to see more of God’s fantastic offers you can believe.
Take Home Nugget
Since Cassie worships God in a Bible-believing church, she learned that every fantastic offer from God is something she can believe is true. She, like her mom and grandparents before, pursue a personal relationship with their Savior Jesus Christ.
The unbelieving world doesn’t recognize the need for a Savior. So God’s fantastic offer of forgiveness of sins doesn’t register as something it even wants.
Father in heaven, thank You for sending us Your Son Jesus, as our Savior and Lord. We accept His fantastic offer of eternal life we can believe! AMEN
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for One Offer You Can Believe
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
1 Peter 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade—kept in heaven for you.”
“I don’t believe it,” ten year old Cassie said to Missy at the swimming pool.
“Believe what?” Missy asked.
“I was checking my emails on my phone, and one came entitled, ‘You just won ten million dollars! Open here’....I think I know better than to open an email when I don’t recognize the sender. Do people who send out spam and junk emails think I was born yesterday?” Cassie said, shaking her head.
Would you be surprised to learn that people still open junk emails from senders they don’t recognize—when they promise riches? Every person alive, especially ones who have access to various electronic gadgets, is bombarded with fantastic offers too good to be true. Those who have seen—and discarded—their share of junk mail, know better than to believe one word of fantastic offers.
We’re all vulnerable to scams that bring nothing but trouble. How can we pick out rip-off cons that offer false hope, and end up dishing out heartache and dashed dreams?
There is one offer that is genuine—the real deal. It’s the offer God makes to us: Salvation is offered to whomever believes in Jesus, accepting eternal life offer He extends through His finished work on the cross. This offer cost Jesus His life. But whoever believes in Him reaps fantastic blessings. This is one offer you can believe because God never lies.
Romans 4:25 says, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Justification means that the Father sees whoever believes in His Son as “not guilty” of sin. This grace, or God’s riches at Christ’s expense, flows freely to those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. Check out the lesson, linked below, to see more of God’s fantastic offers you can believe.
Take Home Nugget
Since Cassie worships God in a Bible-believing church, she learned that every fantastic offer from God is something she can believe is true. She, like her mom and grandparents before, pursue a personal relationship with their Savior Jesus Christ.
The unbelieving world doesn’t recognize the need for a Savior. So God’s fantastic offer of forgiveness of sins doesn’t register as something it even wants.
Father in heaven, thank You for sending us Your Son Jesus, as our Savior and Lord. We accept His fantastic offer of eternal life we can believe! AMEN
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for One Offer You Can Believe
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
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