Throughout my ministry, one of the biggest blockers of people having intimacy with God is always a statement that begins with "I feel." We have let this phrase get in the way of God's word. Feelings and Faith have little to do with each other. Consider all of the things we have reduced to feelings: we have reduced Worship of Almighty God to a small segment of a church service dedicated to music, and there is a dividing line between old "Standards" and "Modern" worship, where a divided church "feels" the others music is not true worship (there's a larger issue here, but for the sake of time, we'll focus on this part). Yet we find that worship isn't in the day, or the song, but in the lifestyle lived in obedience to God; it is an every day action, an every minute of every day effort, to bring our minds and bodies in to submission to Christ, even when we don't feel like it. It's why the Bible tells us to constantly endure in the face of trial, hardship, persecution, and temptation, because in these instances, we're supposed to worship as well. We have also reduced love to feelings and emotions. Christ-Like, TRUE love is always sacrificial and giving, yet the world has reduced this wonderful expression of faith to an emotional response and feeling. We could go on with this list, but the point I'm trying to make is this: Feelings and emotions can lead us astray, faith gives us the ability to move forward, even when our bodies groan from exhaustion, and we feel our hearts sink as we face the trials of life. Faith keeps us moving forward to a goal we cannot see, knowing that God is waiting on the other side to welcome us in to His presence forever. Faith takes our eyes off the temporary, and keeps us focused on the eternal. Where our feelings say "give up" our faith says "Jesus died for me, so I must live for Him." Jesus died, was buried, and yet rose again. When something falls in this world, it stays down. I'd rather put my faith in the One who doesn't end, than in what is fading away. I will put my faith over my feelings, and press on to the Goal of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 17:9 -The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Proverbs 28:26 -Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
1 John 3:20 - For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
Proverbs 14:12-13 -There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.
Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Proverbs 3:5-6 -Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
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