Elizabeth George's Blog, page 45
May 17, 2018
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From the earliest time of biblical history, envy was a problem for mankind. Cain envied his brother Abel for receiving God’s blessing. King Ahab of Israel envied another man’s property (1 Kings 21). And the Jewish leaders envied Jesus and His popularity, and later envied the disciples because the crowds were responding to their message about Jesus. In all these cases, the sin of envy or coveting led to murder. No wonder God included covetousness in the Ten Commandments: “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17).
God’s Wisdom
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we are not to set our desires on anything that belongs to someone else. Envying others and their possessions is a pointless exercise for Christians. Why?
Because God has already promised to provide everything we truly need. Like the apostle Paul wrote, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)—not out of His riches, but “according to His riches.”
God’s Riches
God’s riches are limitless, and therefore His provision is limitless. Each day remember to purposefully think about what you do have and be thankful. And stop thinking about what you don’t have. Don’t fall into the world’s trap of envying others. Trust in God’s limitless provisions. Pray and strive to be content.
RESPOND
Eternal Father, before time You were, and You are, and You will always be. You have no needs and are totally sufficient. I need Your help to know that I am sufficient in Your sufficiency. Yet I admit, in my sinfulness I often covet what others possess. Whether it is health, appearance, education, fame, or fortune, in times of spiritual weakness I envy others.
Help me eliminate envy and constantly be thanking You for what I do have. Lord, I know that You have already granted to me all that is necessary for life. I am blessed with the greatest possessions of all—an intimate knowledge of You and Your Son, Jesus, and eternal life. I praise You that You are my shepherd and that with Your sufficient daily provision, I shall want for nothing. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
Prayers for a Woman’s Heart (BRAND NEW!) is filled with this and other devotions and prayer to help you grow in wisdom, patience, and peace!
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REFLECT
“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)
Pause right now and give thanks to God for five things in your life.
REMEMBER
“The cure for the sin of envy and jealousy is to find our contentment in God.” ~ Jerry Bridges
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Read BOGO FREE Graduation Gifts! on Elizabeth & Jim George.
The Cure for Envy
From the earliest time of biblical history, envy was a problem for mankind. Cain envied his brother Abel for receiving God’s blessing. King Ahab of Israel envied another man’s property (1 Kings 21). And the Jewish leaders envied Jesus and His popularity, and later envied the disciples because the crowds were responding to their message about Jesus. In all these cases, the sin of envy or coveting led to murder. No wonder God included covetousness in the Ten Commandments: “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17).
God’s Wisdom
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we are not to set our desires on anything that belongs to someone else. Envying others and their possessions is a pointless exercise for Christians. Why?
Because God has already promised to provide everything we truly need. Like the apostle Paul wrote, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)—not out of His riches, but “according to His riches.”
God’s Riches
God’s riches are limitless, and therefore His provision is limitless. Each day remember to purposefully think about what you do have and be thankful. And stop thinking about what you don’t have. Don’t fall into the world’s trap of envying others. Trust in God’s limitless provisions. Pray and strive to be content.
RESPOND
Eternal Father, before time You were, and You are, and You will always be. You have no needs and are totally sufficient. I need Your help to know that I am sufficient in Your sufficiency. Yet I admit, in my sinfulness I often covet what others possess. Whether it is health, appearance, education, fame, or fortune, in times of spiritual weakness I envy others.
Help me eliminate envy and constantly be thanking You for what I do have. Lord, I know that You have already granted to me all that is necessary for life. I am blessed with the greatest possessions of all—an intimate knowledge of You and Your Son, Jesus, and eternal life. I praise You that You are my shepherd and that with Your sufficient daily provision, I shall want for nothing. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
Prayers for a Woman’s Heart (BRAND NEW!) is filled with this and other devotions and prayer to help you grow in wisdom, patience, and peace!
REFLECT
“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)
Pause right now and give thanks to God for five things in your life.
REMEMBER
“The cure for the sin of envy and jealousy is to find our contentment in God.” ~ Jerry Bridges
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Read The Cure for Envy on Elizabeth & Jim George.
May 15, 2018
Playing Favorites – Teen Tuesday
You probably already know about favoritism from your experiences at school, in your neighborhood, and maybe even in your family. You can tell when someone is clearly the teacher’s pet! Or when someone is treated with great respect—or just a little.
Judging Others
I just love this true confession written by a teen who looked inside his heart and learned to accept others and not play favorites or show partiality. As you read it, ask yourself, “Am I an unfair judge?”
A new kid came to our school last year, and he was a little on the heavy side.
No one gave him a chance to show what kind of person he was;
instead, everyone judged him by his weight. Unfortunately, I did too.
Later in the year, many of us got to know him better, and he turned out to be really cool.
I felt so guilty about the way we acted earlier, and I wish we hadn’t judged him because of his appearance.
I’m sure everybody has treated someone unfairly at one time or another.
And most of us can be kind of shallow and sometimes judge people by how they look. But God is never shallow.
He cares about all of us—not because of what we look like, but because of who we are…
You can thank God for the unique way he’s made you and for the way he’s made other people too. —Spencer 1
Accepting Others
There’s no doubt that playing favorites causes mountains of problems, hurt feelings, and broken friendships. It’s no wonder that James boldly says in James 2, verse 1, “Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” It’s like James is saying, “Do not show partiality! Do not play favorites!” In plain language, he is telling us, “Stop it!”
Instead, be kind and compassionate. Your acts of mercy and your kindness are proof that you follow Christ. As a child of God and a believer in Christ, you have experienced God’s mercy. Therefore you can and should be merciful toward others.
RESPOND
Jesus, thank You that You love me—yes, me!—just as I am. Thank You for helping me to love all people the same and to be merciful to those who need some help. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
Living Your Faith (NEW RELEASE!) will help your tween daughter, age 8-12, understand what God’s Word is saying and how it applies to everyday life.
REFLECT
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” (James 2:8)
Why is showing favoritism wrong?
It is the opposite of what Jesus told us to do.
It results from evil thoughts.
It insults people made in God’s image.
It comes from selfish motives.
It goes against the Bible’s definition of love.
It shows a lack of mercy to those less fortunate. It is sin. 2
REMEMBER
Be kind and compassionate.
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1 “Unfair Judges” in God’s Words of Life for Teens (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000), p. 15.
2 Grant R. Osborne, ed., James (Life Application Bible Commentary) (Wheaton; Tyndale House, 1992), p. 52.
Read Playing Favorites – Teen Tuesday on Elizabeth & Jim George.
May 10, 2018
Raising Kids According to the Bible
Any parent will tell you that raising children is one of life’s greatest joys. They will also tell you it is a challenging and difficult undertaking. Parenting children at any age, whether a baby, a teen, or a young adult, is a huge responsibility which can be scary and confusing. The good news is that parents don’t have to do it alone. Psalm 46:1 proclaims that “God is our refuge and strength.”
Parenting Instructions
Take comfort. God gives you direction, and His Word is always available to guide you each step of the way. Moses gave the children of Israel parenting instructions before they entered the Promised Land.
Like Moses, your major task, and the one with eternal consequences, is to take every opportunity to impart God’s precepts before they are needed, to “teach them diligently to your children, and… talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:7).
Instructing Parents
Unfortunately, you cannot impart what you do not possess. Committing yourself and aiming at obedience to your heavenly Father will help you raise children who are obedient and possess the knowledge—and an example—they need to walk through this world and live according to God’s Word.
The apostle Paul said of his disciple Timothy, “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). And moms and grandmoms, take notice. Timothy’s mother and grandmother had devoted themselves to teaching young Timothy God’s forever truths!
Your calling as a mother or grandmother is to faithfully live out what you know and believe in front of your children. Your careful, repeated instruction lays the groundwork in your child’s heart to accept Jesus Christ as Savior.
RESPOND
God, I depend on You each day for wisdom and energy and conviction as I raise my child. Lord, I want to be a diligent student of Your Word so I am a godly role model for my children. And I want to be diligent to follow Your instructions to teach them Your precepts. Help me to be an avid prayer warrior on behalf of my children, praying diligently and passionately for their salvation, praying that they will walk faithfully in Your ways, praying to be the parent You want me to be! How I need Your help! Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
Prayers for a Woman’s Heart (BRAND NEW!) is filled with this and other devotions and prayers to help you grow in wisdom, patience, and peace as a mom and as a woman after God’s own heart!
REFLECT
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
In what ways does my life reflect my love for God and His Word to my children?
REMEMBER
You cannot impart what you do not possess.
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Read Raising Kids According to the Bible on Elizabeth & Jim George.
May 8, 2018
Does God Love Me?
Family. Think about how deeply you love and care for them. How concerned you are about each precious life under your roof!
A Fierce Love
As a mom, you worry and struggle right along with your children. What they do impacts every part of you. I know how that feels. It is a fierce love and protective instinct moms have for their children. You want to protect them from anything that will hurt them. It’s the same with God, the Good Shepherd.
A Forever Love
Jesus said in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” It is Jesus who leads you, who brings you to still waters, who offers you love and care and concern.
God knows you. And He knows the hearts and purposes of your children. He will not let go of you or them when the path is rocky. He loves you fiercely!
RESPOND
Good Shepherd, when I worry, You invite me to the calm and balm of Your care. Thank You for guiding me and my family, for loving with an incomparable passion those whom I hold dear. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible – this brand new resource by Elizabeth George is filled with this devotion and 364 others short devotions to draw you to God’s Word and give you hope, wisdom, and understanding.
REFLECT
“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:14)
Look for the many ways God loves you and your family. Make a list to share with them and add to over time.
REMEMBER
When you worry, God invites you to the calm and balm of His care.
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Read Does God Love Me? on Elizabeth & Jim George.
May 3, 2018
Loving Difficult People
It is easy to love people who love in return. But what about those who don’t?
Jesus makes this astounding statement in Matthew 5:44–45: “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you . . . that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” God expects you to love the unloving, just as He loved you when you were lost in sin. God’s love is never deserved—it simply is.
It is natural for you to expect that when you are nice to others, they will return the kindness, right? Wrong! And you probably have the scars to prove it. Yet Jesus said, without exception, “Love one another; as I have loved you.”
Love is the sacrifice of self for the sake of your family and even your enemies.
RESPOND
Lord, it is hard to care about those who don’t care in return. But with Your help and by Your grace, I will look at each of these people through Your eyes of love—Your unconditional love. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible – this brand new resource is filled with daily devotions, wisdom articles, biographies, and more to draw you to God’s Word and give you hope, wisdom, and understanding.
REFLECT
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)
Is my heart hard toward a friend or family member? I’ll begin to love them by praying for them right now.
REMEMBER
Jesus said, without exception, “Love one another; as I have loved you.”
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Read Loving Difficult People on Elizabeth & Jim George.
May 1, 2018
Managing Your Money – Teen Tuesday
Have you ever saved any money in a piggy bank at home or a savings account at a bank? Maybe your parents give you an allowance. Maybe you sell crafts or jewelry you’ve made. Maybe you even get birthday or Christmas money from your grandparents… Sweet!
Where’s Your Heart?
There are a lot of ways you can earn money. Jesus wants us to focus our hearts on heaven, not on earth, where our worldly treasures are. He wants us to know that everything we have on earth will one day be gone, and those earthly things cannot do anything for us in eternity, in heaven. The truth is, we won’t even need those earthly treasures in heaven!
Jesus gives us a principle to live by in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” In other words, if your treasure is in heaven, that’s where your heart will be!
Just a note: It’s not wrong to make or have money. In fact, there are many commands in the Bible that tell us to work hard, take care of our family’s needs, earn money, use it wisely, and give to the poor. But we are definitely not to love money.
Where to Spend & Save
Whatever money you have, you are responsible for its use. You have decisions to make about what to do with your money. The Bible says, you need to…
Manage it—know where your money comes from and where it goes.
Give some of it at church.
Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to good causes and to people in need.
Save some of it.
Spend some of it—for gifts, for something special you’ve saved up for.
Include your parents in your plans and decisions. They have years of wisdom and experience in managing money. They have probably even learned a few things the hard way and will be happy to guide and guard you.
In your heart, focus instead on what you already have. Give thanks from your heart to God for how He has blessed you. Pray from your heart each day—and often through the day—for your challenges and for others. And open your heart as you live in a world where most people have less than you have.
RESPOND
Jesus, thank You for teaching me that what money I have, I must take care of and use carefully. Help me to think—and pray—before I spend. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
Living Your Faith (NEW RELEASE!) will help your tween daughter, age 8-12, understand what God’s Word is saying and how it applies to everyday life.
REFLECT
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Do I pray about saving and spending in a wise way?
REMEMBER
If your treasure is in heaven, that’s where your heart will be!
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Read Managing Your Money – Teen Tuesday on Elizabeth & Jim George.
April 26, 2018
I’m Angry All the Time
Righteous Anger
Is there such a thing as “good anger”? Yes, Jesus showed us an anger that was a holy response to sin when He was angry with the religious leaders for their uncaring attitudes toward a sick man (Mark 3:5). The Bible tells us that the right kind of anger is okay, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger quickly and not let it linger, giving the devil an opportunity for us to sin (Ephesians 4:26).
Unrighteous Anger
Unfortunately, most of our anger is not righteous but results from pride, selfishness, and hurt feelings. When we don’t get what we want, we get mad and sin by expressing our anger in harmful verbal and physical ways.
Anger is not anything new. The first son of Adam and Eve, Cain, was confronted by God for his anger. Why was Cain angry? Because God had no regard for his sacrifice, while his brother Abel’s sacrifice was accepted. God told Cain that his anger was a “sin” which “lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (see Genesis 4:5-7). Rather than mastering his anger, Cain unleashed it and murdered his brother Abel.
Mastering Anger
How can we master the kind of anger that is sinful? Understand that no one is immune from anger, and anger is always “crouching at the door.” Realize that anger cannot master you if it isn’t there, so ask God for His help in not giving in to anger in the first place. And when anger does show its ugly head, acknowledge your anger to God and confess it as sin. Follow David’s example: “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord… .” Then accept God’s forgiveness: “… and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).
RESPOND
Righteous Father, Your Word says to be angry and do not sin, and to not let the sun go down on my wrath. I acknowledge that most often my anger is not a godly, righteous anger. It is a sinful display of my utter need for Jesus’ continued work in my life. I ask that Your Holy Spirit work in me to help curb my wrath and anger and to manifest Your love, patience, and self-control. Then I will honor You as I live according to Your standards and show the world Your transforming grace in my life through Jesus Christ. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
Prayers for a Woman’s Heart (BRAND NEW!) is filled with this and other devotions and prayers to help you grow in wisdom, patience, and peace!
REFLECT
How often do I unrighteously lose my temper—at other drivers, my children, co-workers, or my spouse? Next time, I will pause and pray for grace and patience.
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19)
REMEMBER
“If we cannot control our tempers, what has grace done for us?” ~ Charles Spurgeon
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Read I’m Angry All the Time on Elizabeth & Jim George.
April 24, 2018
How Do I Figure Out the Truth?
How gullible are you?
I am not asking in a derogatory way. I tend to believe what I hear, read, and watch. If you’re like me, you realize there is definitely a need to discern truth. And that ability comes from learning, growing, and understanding the Bible. You may want to get involved in a Bible study or take some classes to further your knowledge. Memorizing Scripture is crucial to being able to separate fact from fiction.
A story has been told often of how the American Bankers Association once trained its tellers to detect counterfeit bills. Not once during their training were the tellers exposed to counterfeit money. They spent the entire time handling nothing but the real thing. By the end of their training, they knew the real thing so well that counterfeits were glaringly obvious.
When it comes to discerning truth, your training is to become so familiar with God’s Word that counterfeits and lies are quickly obvious to you.
RESPOND
Jesus, memorizing takes time and energy, which are in short supply in my life. Please give me an energy boost and open my mind to Your Word. I want to do everything I can to know truth and learn about You. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible – RELEASING TODAY!! – by Elizabeth George is filled with this devotion and 364 others short devotions to draw you to God’s Word and give you hope, wisdom, and understanding.
REFLECT
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” (John 8:31-32)
Take time this week to memorize the verse above.
REMEMBER
Memorizing Scripture is crucial to being able to separate fact from fiction.
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Read How Do I Figure Out the Truth? on Elizabeth & Jim George.
April 19, 2018
Time to Simplify Life
Is it time to simplify your life? Management experts confirm time and again that a routine makes possible what seems impossible. A routine simplifies things that were formerly complex. It is amazing what the simple discipline of keeping a schedule will help you accomplish.
Take a careful look at the life of Jesus. He never seemed to be in a hurry because His schedule was based on God’s priorities for His life.
John 5:36 says, “The works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.” Look at your life closely, write down a plan, and follow through.
RESPOND
Lord, I long to honor You with each hour of my day. I choose to give my time to You. This is another area of stewardship, and I want to be a good steward. I pray for wisdom as I plan each hour of every day. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible (COMING SOON!) by Elizabeth George is filled with this devotion and 364 others short devotions to draw you to God’s Word and give you hope, wisdom, and understanding. PRE-ORDER your copy today and receive FREE GIFTS!
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REFLECT
What are three things I can do to simplify my life? Take time to plan that into your daily, weekly, and then monthly schedule.
REMEMBER
When our schedule is based on God’s priorities, we experience great peace.
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Read Time to Simplify Life on Elizabeth & Jim George.
