AUGUST 21 Faith, Not Feelings… Ephesians 2:8-9
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Recently, I was in a conversation about the effects of the “pandemic” and the conversation turned to how this one man “felt!” “I feel like we ought to have done this, and I feel like you should have done that!” Thinking back, I remember that during the lengthy and ever changing “Pandemic,” I had been told that individuals “Felt” that I could have done a better job and they “Felt” like that I did not demonstrate real “Faith!” Amazingly, the instructions that I had received was all about “FEELINGS,” and nothing to do, actually, with “FAITH!” As I contemplated over these well-meaning instructions, I thought, “are they correct? Have I demonstrated a Lack of Faith? Did I allow ‘Feelings’ to dictate my actions? I am truly grateful for the counsel and instructions, and the delayed reactions! The entire ordeal forced me to evaluate my “walk with Christ,” and, through the challenges, I emerged stronger, more Faithful and Determined to “Walk by Faith and not by Sight!! FAITH MUST BE EXERCISED BEFORE FEELING IS EXPERIENCED! We cannot save ourselves, and God’s Word is True, and more than our Feelings! When we exercise our True Faith in God, our Feelings will represent His Purpose and not our earthly, temporal thoughts! Guess What? FAITH TRUSTS IN GOD, FEELINGS TRUST SELF! Our faith anchors us to the will of God and feelings are rooted in self!! “Feeling” that I am saved is different from KNOWING that I am SAVED, THROUGH FAITH! Guess What? FAITH RESTS ON UNCHANGING FACTS, FEELINGS CHANGE LIKE THE WIND! FAITH IS SAFER AND STRONGER THAN FEELINGS!! Pay attention…FAITH IN GOD BRINGS REST, JOY, PEACE, and CLARITY! When we walk in Faith and Claim His Provision for our lives, our Feelings will reflect HIS LOVE, HIS PURPOSE and not the Worldly Influences!!! So, do I feel that you should walk in Faith? No, I KNOW THAT YOU SHOULD WALK IN FAITH!! Fulfilling God’s purpose and calling for our lives, requires FAITH, NOT FEELINGS!!! By the way…God doesn’t really care about your feelings; yet HE does care about your FAITH! BY FAITH, is how we COME TO HIM! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!