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</script> <p><em>“But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.” </em>(Is. 2:11)</p> <p>This past Thursday was something truly beautiful.</p> <p>We’re continuing on with this whole story thing, which every day I am becoming more convinced is a well orchestrated message from God to us. I had mentioned that ever since Sno-Camp I have been engaging in conversations with various students and listening to what God has been teaching them recently. And I’ve found something really cooL; there is a theme. God is speaking something very significant to us. Every story, every conversation, every testimony seems to hold <em>this</em> message at its core:</p> <p><strong>Living two separate lives cannot work.</strong></p> <p>Or, more importantly, God does not want to share you with anything or anyone else. He desires <em>all</em> of your worship, <em>all</em> of your devotion, <em>all</em> of your attention. <em>All</em> of your heart.</p> <p>Interestingly enough, I began this past Thursday in a rabbit trail sort of study on <strong>the jealousy of God</strong>. In my reading through Joel this week I got stuck on the phrase “<em>Then the LORD became jealous for his land…</em>” (Joel 2:18) I then did a comparison and found it used in Ezekiel as well, “<em>…I will be jealous for my holy name</em>.” (Ez. 39:25) I was confused and I wasn’t even sure why. I had heard it used many times, “<em>I the LORD your God am a jealous God</em>.” (Ex. 20:5) and it had never phased me before. But this time, for whatever reason, it stuck out. And now I think I understand.</p> <p>It’s because it’s so perfect for what God is doing in the lives of the students right now. He is declaring his jealousy; that he will not compete with any other thing. <strong>You have to choose</strong>. I finally got this picture of God’s jealousy figured out in my mind. God here is depicted as a loving and good husband whose bride has ran away and offered herself and her attention to other men. Rather than staying and being satisfied and fulfilled with her husband, she has strayed and is looking for love in places where no love will be found. And God’s jealousy burns within him at the sight of his bride going to other places to have her needs met. His jealousy is rooted in his love. God wants us for Himself because it is better and right. He alone will meet our needs. He will satisfy completely and fully. His love is the only one that lasts. So why do we trade that for so much less?</p> <p>He then tells his people “<em>You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and</em><strong><em> there is none else.</em></strong>” (Joel 2:26,27)</p> <p>So Thursday Night, and last week as well, we heard stories of students who are learning this very thing. That there is none else. God alone will satisfy. For he is good and his love endures. Forever, unfailing, uncompromising, nonjudgemental, perfect, selfless love. It’s what we were created for.</p> <p>We also had a guest band, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Perry-Dawe-Band/94422874232" target="_blank">the Perry Dawe Band</a>, come and lead us in worship that night as well and it was a really powerful evening. The stories and the worship and the prayer all amounted to God’s Spirit doing what God’s Spirit does; convicting, guiding, bearing witness to Christ, empowering, and giving us a glimpse of God’s glory.</p> <p><a href="http://springvalestudents.org/srhighsite/podcasts/thursdaytalks/Once%20Upon%20a%20Time%202b.mp3" target="_blank">The audio is available</a>, I also left in a few comments from Perry so there is the beginning and end of the band’s set in there as well because I found it pretty inspiring. Please give it a listen, the stories are really amazing and James Brooks gives a solid wrap up at the very end.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <script type="text/javascript">tweetcount_url='http://benbartosik.com/?p=331';tweetcount_title='Once Upon a Time... The Second. ';tweetcount_cnt=1;tweetcount_src='RT @benbartosik blogged';tweetcount_via=false;</script><div style="float:left;margin-right:10px;"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.backtype.com/tweetcount.js"></script></div><a href="http://www.google.com/reader/link?url=http://benbartosik.com/?p=331&title=Once Upon a Time... 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