• A Jealous God

    From Spiffwiggler@VERT/NEXXUS1 to All on Friday, March 07, 2008 15:49:00
    A Jealous God
    by Francis Frangipane

    Have you ever sensed spiritual resistance,
    as though some power much greater than you
    was deliberately opposing your success? We
    often assume it is the devil who is
    fighting us. Allow me to suggest that, on
    some occasions, what is standing in your
    way may not be an enemy at all; it may
    actually be the jealousy of God.

    Is the Almighty jealous for us? Yes.
    The Lord describes Himself often in the
    Bible as "a jealous God" (Ex. 20:5, 34:14;
    Deut. 4:24, 5:9, etc.). We should expect
    He would be jealous since we have actually
    been created for His pleasure. While His
    covering, nurturing love accepts us as we
    are, a time comes when He begins to confront
    the false gods, the idols, which rule in our
    hearts. Indeed, anything in us that denies
    Him full access to our souls, that stands
    between our hearts and His, becomes His enemy.

    The revelation that His jealousy will fight
    against our hidden idols can be frightening
    if we are intent upon sin, yet it can also be
    liberating if we desire intimacy with Him. For
    He will not allow us to find enduring
    fulfillment in something apart from Him.

    Listen to His command in Exodus: "Watch yourself
    that you make no covenant with the inhabitants
    of the land into which you are going, lest it
    become a snare in your midst. But rather, you
    are to tear down their altars and smash their
    sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim ---
    for you shall not worship any other god, for
    the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous
    God" (Ex. 34:12-14).

    Oh, let us hear God's heart in trembling fear.
    The Lord's very name is Jealous. Jealousy is
    central to His nature. Indeed, it is an
    abomination that false gods should occupy our
    hearts, for we are the temple of God.

    A Land Of Idols
    Israel committed many sins, but the worst of
    them involved idol worship; idolatry, beyond
    all others, tried God's heart. How does that
    relate to us, you ask? We don't have other
    gods in our society. Yes, we do. Though they
    are not standing openly in our city squares
    (usually), the idols in our land are just as
    demanding. In fact, our nation is full of
    false gods that influence both our actions
    and our thoughts. Since we each were created
    to worship God in focused purity, God must
    confront the idols in our hearts. Indeed,
    from His view idolatry is unfaithfulness.

    Recall the Lord's word, "No one can serve
    two masters." One of the most dominant idols
    in our culture is obsession with wealth.
    Even though our currency says "In God We
    Trust," it is more often the dollar we rely
    upon, not God. In fact, while billions of
    the world's poor starve, we are addicted to
    spending our wealth selfishly upon ourselves.

    Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "You cannot serve
    (bow before) God and mammon." God, not money,
    must be our master. If we tithe, give to the
    poor, and do not let money rule us, wealth
    can certainly become our servant, and thus a
    blessing to us and others. But if we allow
    finances to rule us, mammon can easily become
    a false God adding stress and greed to our
    existence. Yet, remember: Jesus did not say
    we couldn't have money; He said we couldn't
    serve money. The voice of mammon must be
    subdued if the Lord alone is to be our Master.

    Betrothed To One Lord
    Consider the powerful influence that
    entertainment, sports, fashion and the drive
    for success and materialism have over American
    society. If the Lord has to compete with our
    passions, then we are harboring idols in our
    hearts. Fear also is a powerful idol that
    rules many souls, especially during these times.

    We must see God's jealousy as His desire to
    love and shelter us through life. He is without
    the dark, evil elements that human jealousy has.
    But even with our finite understanding, we know
    jealousy is response to unfaithfulness in a
    loved one. Once human jealousy awakens, it
    easily can become a consuming fire. If this has
    happened to you, then you know somewhat how our
    unfaithfulness affects the Lord's heart. Paul
    certainly was thinking about this when he wrote,
    "For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy;
    for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ
    I might present you as a pure virgin" (2 Cor. 11:2).

    James 4:5 says, "He jealously desires the Spirit
    which He has made to dwell in us." Yet, James also
    said, "You adulteresses, do you not know that
    friendship with the world is hostility toward God?
    Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the
    world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4).
    The Lord jealously desires our spirit; He calls us
    into oneness with Him, where we live fearlessly and
    radiantly as His bride in the earth. Sometimes, as
    I seek the Lord, I call Him by His name "Jealous."
    It has a profound effect on my heart. I know He knows
    me and loves me. As I surrender to Him, I actually
    advance deeper into the secret chambers of His love.
    Yet, should I pursue other things at the expense of
    my time with Him --- even this writing itself --- I
    feel the fire of His jealousy. I am hemmed in and
    unable to advance successfully anywhere except
    toward Him.

    The Idol Of Wanton Immorality
    We've discussed the idol of mammon and we've
    mentioned other idols such as fear and
    worldliness. But let me also speak candidly
    about another false god: the powerful idol of
    unbridled sexuality.
    Remember, in Exodus 34 we previously read the
    Lord's command to cut down the Asherim. The
    Asherim were fertility goddesses worshiped in the
    ancient pagan countries surrounding Israel. They
    were demons that had infested human sexuality and
    perverted it until sex actually became a central
    object of worship.

    Today, in America, we may not have Asherim or
    fertility poles on the street corners, but
    certainly the realm of human sexuality has been
    exploited by the demonic realm. Sexuality is the
    bait used to sell a myriad of products that, in
    themselves, have nothing to do with sex. It's a
    demonic power in our world that is corrupting
    millions of people.

    Let me be very plain: If you're watching movies
    or looking at other media that glorifies wanton
    or perverted sexuality, you're serving a demonic
    idol. My friends, don't compromise with immoral
    entertainment. Don't compromise with the sensuality
    that oozes from most of the fashion and music
    industries. Put an Internet filter on your computer
    so you won't stumble. Get rid of the cable movie
    channels that bring immorality into your home. One
    thing leads to another and you will soon be under
    the power of a corrupting and addicting influence
    that will literally consume your soul.
    The Lord created sexuality for the purpose of
    natural reproduction. Reproduction is God's design,
    yes. But Satan has manipulated God's purpose in
    order to bind people to their fleshly identity.
    Once bound, we find ourselves trapped in an almost
    irresistible and insatiable hunger for increasingly
    perverse forms of sexuality, none of which have a
    purpose in reproduction or marriage fulfillment.

    Beloved, don't tolerate open doors to immoral filth.
    Capture the first inclinations toward sensuality,
    for it leads to seduction and many a life has been
    destroyed by this idol. Do not "own" perverse
    thoughts that urge you toward adulterous or
    homosexual lifestyles. If you fall, get up, repent,
    and rise again (See Mic. 7:7-8). Remember, God wants
    you to destroy the idol of wanton sexuality, not
    have it destroy you. You must be aggressive and stand
    up and fight!

    Before we pray, let's recap: God jealously desires your
    heart. He is looking for people who are faithful to Him
    in their spirits. And, He calls us to tear down and
    destroy the inner idols that hold influence over us.

    Lord Jesus, I submit my heart to You. I want a heart
    free from idols, free from false gods, free from
    demonic masters. Father, I repent for allowing idols
    in my heart. In Jesus' name, I take authority over
    every unclean spirit that has gained access to my
    life through my compromise. Lord, be Thou the only
    God who sits in the temple of my heart."

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ SpiffWiggler BBS *telnet://nexxus1.synchro.net* Taunton, MA
  • From Ronald Scrivani@VERT to Spiffwiggler on Sunday, March 09, 2008 18:35:34
    A Jealous God
    by Francis Frangipane

    Have you ever sensed spiritual resistance,
    as though some power much greater than you
    was deliberately opposing your success? We
    often assume it is the devil who is
    fighting us. Allow me to suggest that, on
    some occasions, what is standing in your
    way may not be an enemy at all; it may
    actually be the jealousy of God.

    Is the Almighty jealous for us? Yes.
    The Lord describes Himself often in the
    Bible as "a jealous God" (Ex. 20:5, 34:14;
    Deut. 4:24, 5:9, etc.). We should expect
    He would be jealous since we have actually
    been created for His pleasure. While His
    covering, nurturing love accepts us as we
    are, a time comes when He begins to confront
    the false gods, the idols, which rule in our
    hearts. Indeed, anything in us that denies
    Him full access to our souls, that stands
    between our hearts and His, becomes His enemy.

    The revelation that His jealousy will fight
    against our hidden idols can be frightening
    if we are intent upon sin, yet it can also be
    liberating if we desire intimacy with Him. For
    He will not allow us to find enduring
    fulfillment in something apart from Him.

    Listen to His command in Exodus: "Watch yourself
    that you make no covenant with the inhabitants
    of the land into which you are going, lest it
    become a snare in your midst. But rather, you
    are to tear down their altars and smash their
    sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim ---
    for you shall not worship any other god, for
    the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous
    God" (Ex. 34:12-14).

    Oh, let us hear God's heart in trembling fear.
    The Lord's very name is Jealous. Jealousy is
    central to His nature. Indeed, it is an
    abomination that false gods should occupy our
    hearts, for we are the temple of God.

    A Land Of Idols
    Israel committed many sins, but the worst of
    them involved idol worship; idolatry, beyond
    all others, tried God's heart. How does that
    relate to us, you ask? We don't have other
    gods in our society. Yes, we do. Though they
    are not standing openly in our city squares
    (usually), the idols in our land are just as
    demanding. In fact, our nation is full of
    false gods that influence both our actions
    and our thoughts. Since we each were created
    to worship God in focused purity, God must
    confront the idols in our hearts. Indeed,
    from His view idolatry is unfaithfulness.

    Recall the Lord's word, "No one can serve
    two masters." One of the most dominant idols
    in our culture is obsession with wealth.
    Even though our currency says "In God We
    Trust," it is more often the dollar we rely
    upon, not God. In fact, while billions of
    the world's poor starve, we are addicted to
    spending our wealth selfishly upon ourselves.

    Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "You cannot serve
    (bow before) God and mammon." God, not money,
    must be our master. If we tithe, give to the
    poor, and do not let money rule us, wealth
    can certainly become our servant, and thus a
    blessing to us and others. But if we allow
    finances to rule us, mammon can easily become
    a false God adding stress and greed to our
    existence. Yet, remember: Jesus did not say
    we couldn't have money; He said we couldn't
    serve money. The voice of mammon must be
    subdued if the Lord alone is to be our Master.

    Betrothed To One Lord
    Consider the powerful influence that
    entertainment, sports, fashion and the drive
    for success and materialism have over American
    society. If the Lord has to compete with our
    passions, then we are harboring idols in our
    hearts. Fear also is a powerful idol that
    rules many souls, especially during these times.

    We must see God's jealousy as His desire to
    love and shelter us through life. He is without
    the dark, evil elements that human jealousy has.
    But even with our finite understanding, we know
    jealousy is response to unfaithfulness in a
    loved one. Once human jealousy awakens, it
    easily can become a consuming fire. If this has
    happened to you, then you know somewhat how our
    unfaithfulness affects the Lord's heart. Paul
    certainly was thinking about this when he wrote,
    "For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy;
    for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ
    I might present you as a pure virgin" (2 Cor. 11:2).

    James 4:5 says, "He jealously desires the Spirit
    which He has made to dwell in us." Yet, James also
    said, "You adulteresses, do you not know that
    friendship with the world is hostility toward God?
    Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the
    world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4).
    The Lord jealously desires our spirit; He calls us
    into oneness with Him, where we live fearlessly and
    radiantly as His bride in the earth. Sometimes, as
    I seek the Lord, I call Him by His name "Jealous."
    It has a profound effect on my heart. I know He knows
    me and loves me. As I surrender to Him, I actually
    advance deeper into the secret chambers of His love.
    Yet, should I pursue other things at the expense of
    my time with Him --- even this writing itself --- I
    feel the fire of His jealousy. I am hemmed in and
    unable to advance successfully anywhere except
    toward Him.

    The Idol Of Wanton Immorality
    We've discussed the idol of mammon and we've
    mentioned other idols such as fear and
    worldliness. But let me also speak candidly
    about another false god: the powerful idol of
    unbridled sexuality.
    Remember, in Exodus 34 we previously read the
    Lord's command to cut down the Asherim. The
    Asherim were fertility goddesses worshiped in the
    ancient pagan countries surrounding Israel. They
    were demons that had infested human sexuality and
    perverted it until sex actually became a central
    object of worship.

    Today, in America, we may not have Asherim or
    fertility poles on the street corners, but
    certainly the realm of human sexuality has been
    exploited by the demonic realm. Sexuality is the
    bait used to sell a myriad of products that, in
    themselves, have nothing to do with sex. It's a
    demonic power in our world that is corrupting
    millions of people.

    Let me be very plain: If you're watching movies
    or looking at other media that glorifies wanton
    or perverted sexuality, you're serving a demonic
    idol. My friends, don't compromise with immoral
    entertainment. Don't compromise with the sensuality
    that oozes from most of the fashion and music
    industries. Put an Internet filter on your computer
    so you won't stumble. Get rid of the cable movie
    channels that bring immorality into your home. One
    thing leads to another and you will soon be under
    the power of a corrupting and addicting influence
    that will literally consume your soul.
    The Lord created sexuality for the purpose of
    natural reproduction. Reproduction is God's design,
    yes. But Satan has manipulated God's purpose in
    order to bind people to their fleshly identity.
    Once bound, we find ourselves trapped in an almost
    irresistible and insatiable hunger for increasingly
    perverse forms of sexuality, none of which have a
    purpose in reproduction or marriage fulfillment.

    Beloved, don't tolerate open doors to immoral filth.
    Capture the first inclinations toward sensuality,
    for it leads to seduction and many a life has been
    destroyed by this idol. Do not "own" perverse
    thoughts that urge you toward adulterous or
    homosexual lifestyles. If you fall, get up, repent,
    and rise again (See Mic. 7:7-8). Remember, God wants
    you to destroy the idol of wanton sexuality, not
    have it destroy you. You must be aggressive and stand
    up and fight!

    Before we pray, let's recap: God jealously desires your
    heart. He is looking for people who are faithful to Him
    in their spirits. And, He calls us to tear down and
    destroy the inner idols that hold influence over us.

    Lord Jesus, I submit my heart to You. I want a heart
    free from idols, free from false gods, free from
    demonic masters. Father, I repent for allowing idols
    in my heart. In Jesus' name, I take authority over
    every unclean spirit that has gained access to my
    life through my compromise. Lord, be Thou the only
    God who sits in the temple of my heart."

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ SpiffWiggler BBS *telnet://nexxus1.synchro.net* Taunton, MA


    The Lord does not serve up Jelous..the Lord in all the above instances was giving warnings and all meant for man to HEED!

    The Lord does not need for us to allow Him Access to us...just the opposite is true. We need to find and accept the Lord and have Access to Him.

    No my friend, and Bless YOU, but My lord is not Jelous.

    rOn
    aka/Top Gun

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ telnet://vert.synchro.net
  • From Angus McLeod@VERT/ANJO to Ronald Scrivani on Sunday, March 09, 2008 22:11:00
    Re: Re: A Jealous God
    By: Ronald Scrivani to Spiffwiggler on Sun Mar 09 2008 18:35:00

    The Lord does not need for us to allow Him Access to us...just the opposite true. We need to find and accept the Lord and have Access to Him.

    I sure hope The Lord pays enough attention that he notices the finger I'm shooting him!



    ---
    Playing loud: "Don't Let Go" by "Issac Hayes".
    þ Synchronet þ Oh God! It's HIM again..... The guy from The ANJO BBS!