SUBJECTING OUR EMOTIONS TO THE WISDOM AND WILL OF GOD

SUBJECTING OUR EMOTIONS TO THE WISDOM AND WILL OF GOD.

Do you ever contemplate the incredible power that our EMOTIONS exert in influencing and guiding our lives ? Our pastor at Illuminate Community Church, Jason Fritz, gave a powerful sermon on this topic today. The “Age Of Illumination” revolved around the concept of ‘ I think, therefore I am’. In today’s “Post Modern World”, things have changed. Our new mantra is ‘ I feel, therefore I am.’ EMOTIONS are very powerful, and are good when they are guided by God, and His Wisdom as their foundation, but if left in the hands of The World, they will ‘UNDO US’ and bring Destruction. All of us struggle with our Emotions ! As a Christian man, I am amazed at how many times I can become angry over something that is utterly a total waste of time. I will also let my pride slip into certain situations and truly leave me amazed at my lack of humility and callousness at how life weaves the various paths of people’s lives and circumstances. How About ‘JOY’ ? seems like a pretty simple emotion, but is it ? As a Christian I often reflect upon the idea of Joy In All Circumstances….that one is difficult at times ! Do you ‘Count it all Joy’ when you are meeting trials of various kinds ? We are told in scripture that our trials will build ENDURANCE and yet in the middle of them a person can feel pretty defeated and beaten up. Spending time this winter in Phoenix with the homeless community has given my wife and I the whole gambit on EMOTIONS. We have met so many people who are ‘caught up’ in some truly difficult trials. No home, no food, no place to sleep except on the cold hard ground. Addictions to drugs and alcohol. Health issues and a sense of rejection from community and Life Itself. WHAT GIVES THE MINISTRY WE SERVE IN SO MUCH POWER AND HOPE IS GOD’S LOVE ! His Love, His Mercy, His Grace. KNOWING THAT HE IS THE TRUE HOPE AND JOY THAT WE ALL SHARE AS HIS CHILDREN. The people we meet are no different than us, they are just in the midst of trials that seem impossible….BUT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD :)

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS, KNOWING THAT SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE. Romans 5:3

WE DESTROY ARGUMENTS AND EVERY LOFTY OPINION RAISED AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO OBEY CHRIST. 2 Corinthians 10:5

WHOEVER IS SLOW TO ANGER IS BETTER THAN THE MIGHTY, AND HE WHO RULES HIS SPIRIT THAN HE WHO TAKES A CITY. Proverbs 16:32

Looking at our world today, it is easy to see how EMOTION unchecked and mis-focused can create havoc and violent results. Our counties are full of people embroiled in emotional chaos and hatred. Satan loves it ! Pushing a false narrative is his greatest weapon against mankind. Emotions in satan’s hands produce hatred, racism, war, genocide, corruption and truly ‘loss of all self control.’ Interesting isn’t it how mankind has in our hands everything that GOD HAS CREATED AND BESTOWED IN OUR VERY BEING ! The true question is, “How Will We Use The Things We Have ?” In agreement with HIS IMAGE.? Or Our OWN SELF IMAGE ? I love to look at myself and my life through the lens of my Lord, Savior and King, JESUS CHRIST :) I am not only overwhelmed with humility, but also with Absolute Awe. JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY MAN. JESUS CHRIST IS FULLY GOD ! AND HE DIED ON A CROSS….FOR ME….AND YOU ! In His moment of absolute suffering, HE FOUND JOY, because HE KNEW HIS PURPOSE. HE KNEW WHAT HIS DEATH MEANT FOR MANKIND. His emotions reflected the WILL OF THE FATHER, and the Wisdom of a healed relationship with the very men and women that He had created. JOY. Because of ABSOLUTE LOVE. Grace and forgiveness even to those who mocked Him, spat upon Him, and killed Him. ALL. For me and you. We know that Emotions in and of themselves are not the problem. It is ‘how they are applied and for what purpose’. Jesus certainly had anger. Jesus certainly became frustrated. Jesus certainly was sad, and happy, and grieved, and exhausted….but His focus and HEART was always on The Father and His Purpose. Where your Focus and Control is in your Emotions will either GUIDE YOU, OR UNDO YOU. God/satan; Kingdom/world. No one can serve Two Masters.

BUT REJOICE INSOFAR AS YOU SHARE CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS, THAT YOU MAY ALSO REJOICE BE GLAD WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED. 1 Peter 4:13

PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET THEM BE AFRAID. John 14:27

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND MAY SHARE HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN DEATH. Philippians 3:12

God knows us.. Inside and out. He created us, He designed every part of our life. The Journey; the path; the purpose; the trials. HE IS WATCHING TO SEE WHO SURRENDERS TO HIS WILL, AND WHO ACCEPTS “THE GIFT OF HIS SON !” THE GOSPEL ! No more Powerful Story Of Emotional Love and Grace than that is there ? Many reject it, and I weep for them. Our purpose is to GO AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS ! WE sow some seeds, water some seeds, and allow GOD TO DO HIS WORK. Jesus sends us to FISH. HE SORTS THE FISH :) We all need to see our emotions for what they are, and submit them to God. HE will direct us in our path, with love and admonishment when necessary. OUR EFFORT IS TO SEEK HIM. SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS. DO that, and God will provide everything you need…in His Way, and His Will. For all of us there are times when our emotions ‘get the best of us’ so to speak, but GOD will guide us if we open our eyes and ears to HIS WORD and HIS COMMANDMENTS. Scripture and Prayer are a good beginning. Time and effort to serve Him and His Kingdom are crucial for growth and Maturity. Best get busy….FOR YOU ARE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS ! SELF CONTROL IN GOD”S HANDS/JAA

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS; AGAIN I WILL SAY, REJOICE. Philippians 4:4