GOD IS JEALOUS
WHAT THIS MEANS:
GOD WANTS YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
We have a tendancy to give him these things when it's not an inconvenience. What if we treated other relationships like that? "Sure, honey, we can talk when I'm through texting my friend and playing my wii, ok? btw, could you make me a hot-pocket?"
God is not an inconvenience or a distraction. Everything else is.
The Bible says
You must worship no other gods, but only the LORD, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.
(Exodus 34:14)
It says, "worship no other gods." That means, "nothing else should be more important than God."
ACTION:
There's a lot of things in our lives that this could apply to, but let's keep it simple and start with one.
If you're on schedule, you should be reading this on Sunday. If you're not, do this next Sunday.
1. Go to church.
Go to worship him. Go to learn from him. Go to focus on him.
Don't make excuses; "I'm too tired" or "I'm just so busy" or "I really need to practice my shot."
No excuses. Go to church.
(It doesn't have to be our chuch, btw)
2. Focus.
2. Focus.
Pay attention. Connect with God. Learn something.
No passing notes, whispering to your neighbor, texting your neighbor, playing "I spy", clipping your nails, or thinking about lunch plans. No distractions. If you know your neighbor will be a distraction, move.
God is jealous. Focus.
PRAY: Tell God you want to put HIM first. Ask him to help you focus.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(these are intended to help get discussion started - please do not feel confined to these questions: comment as you like!)
Why is it so hard for us to focus or grow at church? How can we get better at this?
What's wrong with this statement, "church just doesn't do anything for me."?
What's wrong with this statement, "church just doesn't do anything for me."?
Sometimes it's hard to focus bc we're in a God slump. Like, I take things in, but I don't want to make them apply to my life or I question the importance of them. Some Sundays I'm just not in the mood to listen to what God says which I need to work on. And church can do something for you but only if you take the time to focus and at least try to understand what's being said. If you don't get it asking someone isn't out of the question. To me "church doesn't do anything for me" is an excuse to not accept God and what he has to offer you.
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