Always guard your heart against jealousy; it can cause you to do things you’ll later regret and can even lead you to oppose the things God is doing.  If you’re a follower of Christ and you see God blessing another follower, ministry or or church – don’t be jealous or judgmental – be JOYOUS!

Acts 13:44-52 is an all too familiar story; one I’ve seen happen time and time again in America.  Sadly, some in the church will become jealous or angry with others in their church or another church and before long try to find ways to destroy or discredit them and/or their church/ministry.

44 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. 50 Then the Jewish leaders stirred up both the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town.  Acts 13:44-45, 50 NLT

One of the things that breaks my heart is when things like this happen in our churches & communities.  I decided many years ago that when I drive by a Christian church and think of them & their leaders – I’ll pray for that church & their leadership – not have a negative attitude toward them.  I encourage you to make this your habit too.  The good news is that God’s work will continue, and even if you’ve ever been a party to something like this – you can be forgiven  (1 John 1:9).