Promises vs Feelings

 

God’s Biblical promises never change! In our world of confusion, deceit, fraud and disappointment, the ONLY absolute is God’s word. Many times we “feel” a negative emotion regarding our lives. To some, elusive success or fear of failure dog them, while to others misguided decisions bring negative feelings. Because those feelings are strong, they can override God's absolute word in our minds.

            The solution that never fails is diving into the Bible to right your sinking ship and restore your course to His settings. Satan roams the earth, looking to destroy and maim all who fall for his lies. However, satan's fiery darts will be deflected by your shield of faith if you choose to strap on the armor of God every day!

            1 Peter 5:8-9  Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith. Do so in the knowledge that your fellow believers are enduring the same suffering throughout the world.

            2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 

            Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

            Psalm 84:11-12  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed are those who trust in you.

            We must take Him at His word! Believe what He has said to us. When you are discouraged, filled with doubt, cannot see how your life will ever work out--trust in His promises even though it seems impossible. Cast your negative, defeatist feelings aside, clamp on God's armor and hide His word in your heart.

            Psalm 119:11  I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.

            Psalm 23  The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need.

            Psalm 40:8  I delight to do Your will, my God; Your instruction resides within me.

            Ephesians 3:14-21  When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. ²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

            James 1:2-8  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

            Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. ¹¹Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. ¹²We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. ¹³So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor. ¹⁵Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. ¹⁶Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.¹⁸Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.

            The power given to satan, is given by God. The life and death spiritual battle conducted in the unseen world is not between equals whereby we hope and pray that God wins. No. God is all-powerful and all-knowing but He has a time table that only He knows. Until Jesus returns, our lives will have struggles. However, we have read the final chapter and we know the outcome. We are victorious because of the blood of the Lamb. Just as that little scrawny sheep herder destroyed the gigantic Goliath, so we too can fight the good fight of our faith every day by seeking God first and walking in faith.

            Matthew 6:33  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.