PJ's Prayer Line: Challenge Answers and Sibling Rivalry

Good Evening to All!

As Promised here are the answers to last nights Bible Quiz for Angels.

1. b) Hagar (Genesis 16:7-14)
2. False (2 Samuel 24:15-17)
3. d) morning star (Isaiah 14:12)
4. c) Gabriel (Daniel 8)
5, b) disturbed the water (John 5:2-4)
6. c) the reapers (Matthew 13:39
7. a) children (Matthew 18:10)
8. True (Luke 22:42-43)
9. c) judge (1 Corinthians 6:3)
10. c) strangers (Hebrews 13:1-2)

The picture to the right is Jacob wrestling with the angel for blessing for which he was asking, showing determination to the point of not giving up until God gave it to him. I other words persistence pays off. Keep praying and asking God for whatever it is you need. Do not assume like I used to that once was enough and if He didn't answer right away the answer was no. It's kind of like I've said to my hubby before, when he asked me something in passing or just one time and I didn't answer. A lot of times I don't hear him the first time so if he assumes the answer is no because I don't answer, I tell him he must not have wanted it very badly. I think the same applies to God in some ways. So do not give up. Keep on asking. You will eventually get your answer even though it may be "no or not now". Remember, God knows the past, present and future of each of our lives. So He knows what is best for us at all times.

I hope you enjoyed the Bible quiz and did well. You'll get another chance next Sunday, when the subject will be Animals. Please continue to leave comments on how you like this Bible Quiz so I will know whether to continue it or not. I know I have learned from it in the past and I seem to retain it better than just reading the Bible, although I do that also.
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Today's Seed:"His brothers said to him, 'Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?' And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. "Genesis 37:8

Any parent knows that rivalry is to be expected among young sisters and brothers. Whether traveling together in the car, shopping, or simply playing a game--now no amount of attempted fair attention will prevent the inevitable argument over who mom loves best. As children, we are jealous of any attention our siblings receive-- we want it all! Sibling rivalry is rooted in jealousy.

The same was true of Joseph and his brothers. To make matters worse, their father actually did love Joseph more than the others. Being born late in Jacob's life, Joseph was a surprise blessing. His father showered him with special attention. But does that excuse the behavior of his brothers? They were adults when they schemed to get rid of Joseph. As adults, they were responsible for their actions.

Like Joseph's brothers, many of us carry our childhood jealousies into adulthood and feel justified--using past hurts as our excuse. When we carry childhood jealousy into adulthood, we risk using our children as pawns in our game of jealousy. As a result, we also risk polluting or contaminating their relationships with cousins and other family members. What a sorry legacy that is.

Jealousy is defined as a negative envy caused by a desire for something that rightly belongs to another. So, in fact, jealousy can also be defined as a desire to steal. Our jealousy robs or steals our children of the potential for a more loving and positive relationship with family members. How could we possibly find justification for that?

Dig Deeper: The Bible uses both "hate" and "envy" in telling the story of rivalry between Joseph and his brothers. When we hate we oppose, separate from, and have no desire for contact. The root of the Hebrew word for "envy" means to become very red because of high emotion--something we associate with anger and hatred.

Background Bulb: Jealousy has two sides: negative and positive. As a positive emotion, jealousy can mean full commitment or intense love. The Old Testament describes God as jealous. In this case the word is used in its positive sense. God deeply cares for his people. ; His commitment is emotional as well as decisive. As a loving, jealous God, he showered Israel with blessings.

Weed & Water: Examine your life. Are you still carrying the baggage of childhood jealousy between you and a sibling? Admit your anger, stop the quarreling, and commit yourself to begin a positive, loving relationship with your sibling. We cannot change the past, but we can choose to move forward and make a positive difference in our lives and the lives of loved ones. By choosing to be a positive catalyst instead of an instigator of trouble, we can cause a positive response in others.

Think about it: Examine your life for jealousy. How has this sin affected you and your family?

How would you feel if God told you that the thing you are jealous of in your sibling's life is a gift from God?

Prayer Pot: Father, help me to change my behavior to a positive jealousy when I feel...( insert your own need).

Take Away Idea: The Lord our God is a divinely