Zeal and the Discipler

Zeal: enthusiasm, ardent eagerness, interest in pursuit of something----this is a definition from the dictionary. Yet, God's word instructs us to have zeal in our pursuit of HIM. As Stuart Scott says within scripture we see God's zeal for holiness (Ezek 39:25; Deut 4:24), for his children (Zech 8:1), for our hearts (Ezek 14:4-5; Jas 4:5), for His glory and worship (Exod 34:14), and for His Father's temple (John 2;17). As God's people, we are commanded or encouraged to have zeal in obedience, in praise, in righteousness, in trust, in spirit, in prayer, for service, in love and concern for the brethren, in repentance, for God, for God's Word, for God's Will, for spiritual gifts, for good works, and for Christ and His kingdom.

Zeal will be present when: we are Spirit-controlled and truly passionate about the most important things in life and relating those things to His topic, when we are not hindered by a passion for the wrong things, when we are sincerely gripped and excited about Jesus and what is right, when we are fully prepared and informed about the topic, and when we see the importance of intentionally communicationg our zeal for the glory of God. God's children should be the most zealous of all peoples because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the life-changes it produces (I Cor 2:1-5). We who know the truth of God and have the promises of God should of all people be optimistic and enthusiastic.

My precious grandson, Colby, has zeal for life. He does everything in a big way. He is either really happy or really in trouble. He delights me daily.

I picked Colby up from preschool a little early yesterday. His group was on the playground. I'll always remember him telling me the names of all the little boys on the playground. Then he took his friend Seth by the hand and brought him to me and said "Seth say goodbye to MeMaw". It struck me how my precious grandson loves me and is so proud of me he wanted his friends to know me. What a great picture of how we should be for our heavenly father. Oh that we would all get excited and tell everyone dear to us about Jesus.