Emotions
John chapter 14 verse 15.
Jesus said to them, "If you love Me, obey Me."
1 John chapter 3 verses 18-20.
Little children, let us stop just saying we love people: let us really love them, and show it by our actions. Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord. But if we have bad consciences and feel that we have done wrong, the Lord will surely feel it even more, for He knows everything we do.
It does not matter who you are or what your past has been like. God is welcoming you with open arms through Jesus Christ, our Savior and His Son. I'm not talking about looking for sympathy. God's love is for everyone and He so wants to love you. But you need to come to Him, sincere in your reasons, hopeful that He has what you seek.
In my morning devotional I read, "The goals of a Christian should be quite different from the goals of a nonbeliever. Those who are not serving God want money, position, power and things, but as Christians our primary goal should be to obey and glorify God." A guilty conscience is filled with emotions, leaving us in the same place we were before we tried to come to God.
Is God a one time offer? No way! Our minds have been so filled with stuff for so long it will take time and discipline to file through the mess and sort out the direction you want. Even the most hardened Christian who works hard to obey and lead a life that is pleasing to God gets tempted by wants and desires.
Jesus is the only one who was sinless, but that is because He is God Himself. Hebrews chapter 2 talks about listening closely to what you have heard and learned. It says, God has always shown us that these messages are true by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving certain special abilities from the Holy Spirit to those who believe. Verse 4 says, "Yes, God has assigned such gifts to each of us."
God is so much more than we can understand and it is because of this that we cling to Jesus. It is because of Him that we can have a life with God. He knows our emotions, our temptations and desires. Continuing in Hebrews chapter 2, verse 9 says, "Because of God's great kindness, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world." It continues to say, "And it was right and proper that God, who made everything for His own glory, should allow Jesus to suffer, for in doing this He was bringing vast multitudes of God's people to heaven; for His suffering made Jesus a perfect Leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation."
Verse 11 says, "We who have been made holy by Jesus, now have the same Father He has. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers." Our emotions guide us to do foolish things and to speak out things that are selfish and rude. God has given us a everlasting joy through Christ, that is guided by His Holy Spirit.
Death can be a huge fear for many. Getting old and watching others you know and have known and loved for many years die, brings home the reality, that all of us will have to face. Our time here is very short and it is what you do with your time here that helps you get along with what is coming.
Are you going to just bide your time and let your emotions play games with your thoughts or are you going to make the best with what you have. We are not as healthy as we used to be, so it is understandable that we cannot get around and do the things that we liked to do. Our minds may be youthful and creative allowing us to adapt and adjust our thoughts. No matter what it is that makes you happy those are the things you have chosen to do.
In a conversation the other day about stepping out of my old misguided way and into life with Jesus, it was mentioned that Jesus had always been walking with me and that it was when the time was right that I noticed Him standing there. And that changed everything. Jesus did die so that I could have life with God. He suffered and so must I.
Suffering can be a physical pain or it can be the emotional loss of someone you love. It can even be your own fears of the unknown future. We do not know what tomorrow will bring but we do know that we now walk in the presence of Jesus and are loved by God. Just look at all the wonderful miracles He has done in your life.
It starts with realizing that everything around you has come from God and is a gift from God to you. You were born and life was breathed into your body. Your eyes opened and saw the world and those around you for the first time. You found your way to fit in and get along. You may or may not have been successful. You may have found happiness in family and a spouse. You may have children that are caring and thankful. You are happy because you found your place in life with Jesus.
Yes, our emotions prod, poke and pulled at us, leaving scars, forgiveness and hopes. But the solid ground on which we stand is Jesus, and once you looked His way, you saw that He had been there all along and will be with you always.
In Hebrews chapter 2 verses 14-18, the author says; "Since we, God's children, are human beings---made of flesh and blood---He became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could He die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could He deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread. We all know He did not come as an angel but as human being---yes a Jew. And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, His brothers, so that He could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people. For since He Himself has now been through suffering and temptation, He knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and He is wonderfully able to help us."
Can you imagine God's disappointment with people as He continually helped them---wanting them to be faithful to Him, recognizing His love---only to watch them go in whatever direction they thought was right and fall into troubles. Imagine Jesus knowing what was coming and how He felt about Judas, or the doubtful Timothy.
Emotions are easily swayed and can quickly confuse the mind but God is with those who seek Him constantly and is there in our troubles, guiding us and caring for us. Jesus is our joy as we age and as we feel sadness.
Thank you Father for Jesus. Thank you that when we look, Jesus is right there with Your Comforter. 😊
Philippians chapter 2 verses 5-8.
Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who though He was God, did not demand and cling to His rights as God, but laid aside His mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. And He humbled Himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal's death on a cross.
Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20 and 21.
Now glory be to God who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of---infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!
Isaiah chapter 55 verses 8 and 9.
God speaking through the prophet Isaiah said, "This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are My thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts than yours."
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