pg 23-23
Eph 4:17-19 – This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Joyce talks about here, “unbelievers are so callous and hard they are past feeling. But in the same verse it says they live by their feelings in sensuality and carnality.”
So…why does that statement also sound like so many believers of today?
Have we bought into a lie that Jesus doesn’t require ALL of our hearts and minds and bodies?
Joyce continues to say, “What is the world’s philosophy today? ‘If it feels good, do it!’ You and I are not to live that way.”
So…another thought before continuing on…
Is being emotionless past feeling or our hearts being hardened? It can be, but then I also think that when we are at peace with God, we no longer have to be excitable or have lots of drama to show to the world we love Jesus…..
Why do we think that anyone that doesn’t show that much emotion must not have a strong enough relationship with God? Of course, not everyone does think that way, but it seems by the show of religion (yes RELIGION), seems to indicate that the more you show off or the louder or more excited you are, the more you must be holy…closer to Jesus than anyone else.
But…is a relationship with Jesus really that way? Are we supposed to show off our works, or…
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
let our light (which is Christ in us, the hope of glory), shine to others (not by broadcasting it, but just by BEING a Christian, uplifting the name of Jesus by our good works and conversation and attitudes and obedience to what He says, all by His grace and strength, and all for His glory, NEVER our own!
Questions
Do you still live too much by your emotions?
Does your relationship with God change when you don’t get the answer to prayer the way you expected?
Next Week
Jesus and Emotions – Pg 24-26
I’m finding that if I look all throughout the day for His hand, I see the answers, where I hadn’t seen them before…like a consistent leading and answering, sometimes in answer to my prayer, other times, just because He is so awesome.
The worry box – For me I just chose an index card box and all throughout the week I put things that concern me or I’m stressing over and give them over to God to handle. I pray about those things too. I also put in special blessings I received throughout the week.
Then on Friday mornings I take out the box and go through each one, thanking Him for the answered prayers and special blessings throughout the week I had already forgotten about and those concerns that are still there, I pray about again, and put it back in the box for the next week.
I’ve been doing this for 2 or 3 weeks and I really like it.