Luke 1:57-58

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

Ladies, this one is for us! So many times in our lives we are so discouraged about our own lives, marriages, children, parenting, finances, jobs, and friendships that when someone sees a HUGE move of God in their lives we have a hard time sharing their joy. When a friend or family member comes to us with great news of God's amazing mercy in their lives which is blessing them beyond anything they could think or imagine...many of us tend to put on a good front of joy...but inside we are jealous.

We think about our own lives and wonder where God is in OUR lives! We huff a little and puff a little and hope that no one will notice our lack of real JOY for them. I have been a female for about 35 years...and have been around women for the past 15 years enough to know that we deal with a hefty dose of jealousy. It's not that we don't want to be happy for those around us who are seeing God's blessing shower all over them in amazing ways...it's just that WE want some of those blessings ourselves.

This all stems from the fact that we are just not satisfied in our own lives. We are not filled to overflowing. We are starving and slain with thirst...and when someone walks by with a steak and a Diet Coke from God...our tummies cramp and our mood darkens.

But, ladies there is a way that we can ALL be satisfied...every SINGLE day of our lives!!! Jesus knew the way and He shared it with all people in Matthew 4:4-

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

A healthy diet of God's Word each day will fill our souls to the fill line and even more! Then, and only then, can we truly rejoice with those around us. Because we have our identity sealed in Christ and His Word to us, we are able to rejoice with those around us and find the joy in God's great mercy! What a gift!

Today, look at your own life. Do you deal with jealousy? If you were Elizabeth's neighbors would you truly be able to SHARE in her joy? What about those around you? Are you able to share in the mercy God is showing them in their lives?

Look closely at your self today and ask God to show you any traces of jealousy. We want to be so full of God's Word in our lives and we can't wait to hear about the blessings He is sharing with those around us! What a better way to spend our time. I