A Jealous God

“The Lord your God is a devouring fire; he is jealous God.”

-Deuteronomy 4:24 (NLT)

As we do life, we will occasionally find ourselves hindered by our jealously. It originates as wanting a toy your childhood friend had, and develops into secretly coveting the boyfriend your best friend has. What exactly does jealousy look like? When you’re jealous of something you lack, what does it change in you? Does it rewire your thoughts? Are you willing to do just about anything to ensure that you get what you’re coveting after? It often consumes us. It’s also something we should fight to flee from. But Deuteronomy identifies God as a “jealous God.” Do we dare to look upon the Lord’s heart and recognize it as a jealous one? What could Jesus be coveting after?

You.

Yes, Jesus covets you.

Your thoughts. Your time. Your entire heart.

Of course, God isn’t jealous for materialistic things like we tend to be—but He is jealous for us. The One who is capable of counting the stars longs for you. Jealousy does the same things to Jesus as it does to each of us. You are all He thinks about and He will stop at nothing to get you to say, “yes.” The Lord isn’t fleeing from His jealousy—we’d be lost without it.

As the week draws to a close and summer arrives, satisfy the Lord’s hunger. Give him your heart and your thoughts. Jesus is a devouring fire. He is capable of consuming us, so allow Him. When you catch Satan sneaking into your mind and feeding you lies, fight back with, “Jesus is jealous for me” because the enemy can’t compete with that.

Use this as your phone background to serve as a daily reminder: 

Song of the week: 

A Little Longer - Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson 

Surrendering Love

"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence." 
- Psalms 11:5 (ESV)

First, before reading today, go watch the beautiful video God Could Have Left Job Alone by Bob Sorge.  Take five minutes and sit and think about the trials in your life and the ways they've shaken you.

While watching this video, the purpose of trails and suffering was put into an entirely new perspective for me. I am lucky enough to be able to say that I've never been through a life changing tragedy like Bob Sorge but I have been through and am in a season of life, full of uncertainty. I've found that when I'm in the dark and dry seasons, prayer is the hardest thing to do. I'm unsure why this is, but everything else seems to get in the way. I tend to choose Pinterest, music, YouTube, Instagram and sleep over my time in the Word during these times in my life.

"For five years, or so, my prayer life was basically 3 words-- I love you. I don't understand you, but I love you." This is so encouraging to me. Bob was obedient to the Lord through the darkness. He sat at the Lord's feet completely unclear of what was to come next, and gave Him his love. I can't help but believe that this makes the Lord abundantly happy. When we are confused, uncertain and completely blind to the reason of our situation and continue to love Him... that is obedience. Like Bob describes for Job's story, Jesus is fully capable to leave us to our selves, our problems and our sin-- but He doesn't. Jesus loves us too much to leave us to the smallness of what we know. If we choose to turn to the Lord is times of adversity, Jesus will make a home in our hearts. Through the name of Jesus, we find a completely new world.

Psalms 11:5 says that the Lord tests those who are righteous. The Lord uses our trials and uncertainty to turn our hearts to Him. Even when we're in the dry seasons the Lord is near. We are blessed to be in His presence. Even when we feel like God has abandoned us, we are not alone. The last thing we want is for God to leave us. As hard as it sometimes is, we have to be in constant pursuit of the Lord. Jesus longs for us to be hungry for Him.

As our week comes to a close, picture your life and how different if would be if you chose obedience. If you're going through something that causes you pain and doubt, being to pray like Bob did-- a prayer full of surrendering love.

I want everything You've got for me. Lord, do not leave me to myself. Interrupt me. Test me. Reveal Yourself to me. 

(holla at my girl, Jacy for sharing this video with me) :)

Come Away With Me

"Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one! Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come." 
- Song of Songs 2:10-12 NLT

Jesus asks us to come away with him. Isn't that the request us girls dream of? An infinite, humble and devoted man begging us for adventure? Ladies, trials are over and love has won. Our perfect man is yearning to save us from our sin and longing for us to say "yes".

The cold, dry and long winter season is over-- the rain has ceased. Flowers are sprouting and trees are bearing fruit. Jesus asks us to "rise up", and press on towards the seasons of growth he promises. We are Jesus' perfection. As we take on the rest of this week, rest in that truth. When doubt creeps in, be reminded that the Lord is eager for you.

Take heart.
Our beloved is coming.

Will you say "yes" today?

Song of the week:
Come to Me - Bethel Music

Matthew 6:33, Job 36:15, Psalms 199:35