Word over Feelings

This is something God has constantly been bringing me back to: my feelings lie, but God’s Word does not!

As sad as it is, I think the Enemy’s main tool with me lately has been to get me to focus on my feelings, and to make me loose my trust in the bible. The bible, in context, is the complete Word of the Living God. It is God speaking into the lives of people; it is not just a book. It is the Word of Jesus Christ spoken through the mouth of the prophets and the apostles.

Lately for me, I have been being attacked – my feelings specifically – with lies about my uselessness. But I can sum my troubles up to disobeying God’s Word.

I have been fearful, but God’s Word says, “Fear only God” Matthew 10:28

I have been anxious, but God’s Word says, “Do not be anxious about anything” Philippians 4:6

I haven’t been joyful, but God’s Word says “Be joyful always!” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

I haven’t been thankful, but God’s Word says “Give thanks in all circumstance” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

I have not been hopeful, But God’s Word says “be joyful in hope” Romans 12:12

I will fear God only and not be anxious. I will be joyful and thankful in every circumstance. Colossians 1:5 says, “We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, WHICH COMES FROM YOUR CONFIDENT HOPE of what God has reserved for you in heaven” I must believe that God loves me, and I must hope in what he is doing in order to love others!

My trust is in what God’s word says and I will obey his Word! God help me to overcome my feelings with Truth!

Overflow of His Presence

Lives are changed when we encounter God.

Recently I feel like I have been trying to act on God’s principles and the teachings of Jesus without actually encountering Jesus Himself.

It’s funny because it seems like in the church it has been the opposite; many people are hearing His Word but are not acting on it. Obviously this is important, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it” Luke 11:28.

But I have been doing the opposite. I have been trying to obey the Word without encountering The Word who is Jesus. I have often specifically looked through the bible lately with the intention of finding words to obey, but have come up empty.

The apostles encountered Jesus, and their lives had evidence of this. If anyone stepped into the presence of the Christ they were never the same! Their lives were radically different! Not because they decided to start following his teachings, but because they encountered the most intoxicating person to every step foot on this planet!

When we are in the presence of Jesus there is an overflow of the Spirit; an overflow that will change your life!

My only focus now is too encounter Jesus, and let His presence overflow into my actions from the inside out! Being a Christ follower is about constant relationship with God; not praying, or acting, or going to church, or serving, but a relationship with God. And when we have this relationship, this encounter we have with God changes us.

We cannot encounter God without being changed! If we are not changed we have not encountered God! He is intoxicating! He can’t help it! The more time we spend with God, the more we become like Him! His greatness will start to make us great as we become less ourselves and more of Him. This is the opportunity God gives us by gracing us with His presence! He knows if He is around us, we will become more like Him, it’s inevitable.

My life will not be changed by my efforts anymore, but by encountering the living God!