Christ lives in our hearts by faith once we receive Him as Lord of our lives. So it would stand to reason that since He lives in our hearts, that if we "follow our hearts," we are following Him. But that is not the case. Scripture tells us that the heart is deceitful above all else. (see Jeremiah 17:9 ) The heart is the seat of our emotions. God gave us emotions as gifts. But they are not to be trusted as gods or sources of truth and wisdom. Emotions are ever-changing and unreliable. No, we need more than our hearts to guide us. For truth and wisdom there is only one place to consult: God's Word. We know that what our heart "tells" us can be the furthest thing from God's Word. "But I feel like this is the right thing to do." "I am overwhelmed with emotion, so it must be God's will." As women especially, our emotions run deep. They can also be all over the place! That is why it is crucial to know and stud...
I think I figured out why some who call themselves Christians have no interest in a love relationship with Jesus. There are wheat and there are tares in the house of God. Jesus said so, so that is true. Wheat wants to know Christ intimately, have a close relationship with Him. Tares want to do "good works" and are only interested in outer works, not the condition of their hearts; not in an intimate relationship with Jesus. We don't know who's who, because only God knows for sure. However, I think I've discovered how to get a clue as to who is who! When I talk in a group of women and mention intimacy with Christ, some start nervously flipping through their Bibles looking for all the verses on serving. They want to justify that their way is best because knowing, obeying, and following Christ as He wants (not how they want) is not what they're after. Of course as Christians we are to serve God and serve others. But ideally, that is the outer manifestatio...
Even when you don't see results. Even when you want to give up. Even when things are getting worse. Even when you don't believe. Even when you are tired. Even when you doubt Even when you just want to escape. Even when it seems hopeless. Even when you've had enough already. All of these situations and feelings are when we need to keep on praying and seeking the Lord. Praying in season and out of season means that not all seasons are alike. Is your horrible "season" just going on and on with no seeming end in sight? This can be very wearing and stressful on the mind, body, and soul. I don't know why some seasons seem to take forever. Especially when you have the faith that the season could end with a snap of God's fingers. "Why isn't He answering my prayer?" you ask. "What is He waiting for?" I don't have an answer for you. But I do know that we are to keep asking, keep knocking, keep believing, keep seeking, keep, keep, k...
The Lord is telling me a lot lately to let go. This is a constant. In my thoughts, in my ways, all of it, to simply keep letting go. I can hold too tightly to whatever I think I "need" at any given moment. God is showing me that this is a constant source of underlying stress in my life, if I stay with that way of thinking and being. Life is so much more enjoyable when I simply let go, relax, and trust God to handle and deal with everyone and everything in my life that is causing, or may potentially cause, me emotional stress or discomfort. I believe this can be seen as training! if indeed there are "worse" days ahead for us collectively, then we'd best get used to letting go of it all now so that we may stay in that wonderful peace that we have in Christ no matter what is going on around us. Whatever we grasp, we lose. Whatever we hold with open hands, upward to God, I believe remains ours. Ultimately, Jesus let go of His very life for us. ...
This verse is often quoted among Christians. They sometimes take it to mean that if you are making a decision and you are confused, then it is not of God. Or if you are confused about anything in life, then it is not of God and should be dismissed. But we need to work through things. We need God's help to shed light on what is really happening. If the enemy is casting doubt on our minds, then the Lord can clear that up and reveal His will in the matter, if we're listening. When I looked up the original Greek for the meaning of confusion in this verse, it was surprising. It actually means anarchy. When there is a political uprising, it can happen when the people take power into their own hands, disregarding the law and man-made hierarchy in place. In light of this verse in Scripture, I take it to mean that when I am confused about a matter, that the enemy of my soul is playing anarchist in my mind, trying to overtake Christ in me (ha!). Poor devi...
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