Does God Get Jealous?

Read the excellent article by Pastor Greg Laurie at: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51689 and ask yourself how many 'other gods' you have in your life right now. Read the actual second commandment below:

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."
(Exodus 20:4-6)

Do you think God was serious about NOT wanting us to put anyone or anything before Him? Think about your friends, your activities, and the things that consume most of your thoughts and time. Are there things that could be consider 'other gods?'

Before deciding that God is just too strict and unreasonable, remember that He wants ONLY the best for our lives. The ONLY reason He has for commanding us to do or not do anything is for our own good. He ALWAYS has our best interest in mind.

"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

God is constantly looking to strengthen you, but He can't do it until you are fully committen to Him. And 'fully' means 'fully.' You can't be fully His if you have given even the smallest part of your heart to anyone or anything else.

My prayer for you is that you will let God's Spirit search your heart for any allegiances that might cause you to break the second commandment. I want God's best for you, too.