 |
| What ever a man thinks - so is he - - |
Our lesson at our Prayer
meeting began with a reminder of Paul and Silas who had been arrested, beaten
and placed in stocks because they were preaching about Jesus. They could have complained, moaned, and
questioned, but instead they began to sing and praise God even in this terrible
situation. - - And God showed up.
Joy – sorrow – gladness –
sadness – emotions we all have them at one time.
Emotions are ruled by our
‘feelings,’ our passions, sentiments and thinking patterns.
We can’t be chipper all the
time, but when we do feel sorrow or sadness, be reminded of God’s goodness and the
Joy of the Lord that passes all knowledge.
In the five days between Palm
Sunday and Good Friday Jesus was burdened down with heaviness, knowing what was
before him. This was because He had what is called
“Inside information” of what was ahead of him.
Then he (Jesus)
said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.
Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with
his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this
cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." -Matthew
26:38-39
We are not meant to wallow in
depression and to continually be sad.
Even soul winners who agonize and weep lost souls must rise up and sing
praises - - to rejoice that God is dealing with the lost and He desires to
bring them to the cross.
David had times of sorrow,
but not for long, because he had learned to encourage himself by counting his
blessings and naming the attributes of God.
Psalms 30 Weeping may tarry for
the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Peter was showing how
glorious joy comes by acknowledging every good and perfect gift that is in
you. 1 Peter
1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not
see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and
glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of
your souls.
Mike Bickle
writing for Charisma states: You may
have discovered in this life that you don't have the power to change your
emotions directly. You can't say, "Joy!" and elicit joy from your
soul. You can't demand, "Gladness, rise up within me now!" It will
never happen.
You might get a
jolt of adrenaline, but long-lasting emotions are not awakened by
determination. That's God's part of the division of labor, and it's a
supernatural work of the Spirit in us.
But here's the
good news: all our emotions are linked to thoughts or ideas. Correct thoughts
about God bring wonderful emotions. This is why the truth sets us free (John
8:32).
You can indirectly
change your emotions by flooding your thoughts with the truth about God.
{ PRAYER STARTER }
I choose to think
about Your truth, O God. I choose to harness my mind and focus it on Your grace
and goodness to me. Complete Your work in me through Your Holy Spirit.
Beholding God's emotions is
something only you can do in your own secret life in God.
As we pray today for our city, we will
address the hopelessness that rules so many of our citizens. Thoughts of anger, fear, and even suicide
cause many to turn to alcohol and drugs hoping to stop the incessant misery that
hounds them. They cry for relief, and
Jesus is the answer. Our prayers are
reaching out as we continue to make our declarations of faith.
