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Listen to Your Emotions, Don't be Led by Them

Loi Palmer

    There is no denying that God has created us as emotional beings. Have you ever considered why God gave us emotions and what scripture says concerning them?

    The thing that sets us apart from the animal world is that we are not just physical beings, we are also spiritual beings. We have bodies and souls. The Bible often refers to our soul as "the heart."

    In I Samuel 16:7, God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with looks and stature...God judges people differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart." The heart is where the seed of our emotions come from.

    The media tells us "let your conscience be your guide, trust your feelings, if it feels right it must be okay." But the Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right, but its end is the way of death." God gave us emotions so we can recognize what's happening in our inner person. This does not mean that we should be led by our emotions, but that we should listen to our emotions.

    For example, if I am constantly thinking about my husband's job--he is a pilot and the future of his company is unstable--then this emotional turmoil I am experiencing is causing me to become fearful. I am putting fear of loss, material possessions, and our reputation ahead of God. Another typical example is if I lay awake at night fretting over my son who is away at college. My emotional state is telling me that I am allowing Satan to have a hay-day with me. Fear of the unknown can paralyze. My self-worth is not based on my child's performance. I imagining and assuming the worst of his character is saying I'm worried again about our family reputation. Notice the underlying sins--pride and self.

    God does not want us to live in bondage to our emotions. We have the freedom to live in victory. God's assessment of us is not based on our appearance, an orderly home, high intelligence, family status, or our contribution to society; it is solely based on the intent of our heart. Even though people might not see your "good works," you are glorifying God before the angels. Ephesians 3:10. As a Christian we must learn to be guided by scripture rather than our feelings.

Our Cell Phones vs Our Bible

author unknown

    I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible in the same way that we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pocket?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go and get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we gave it to our kids as a gift?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

    This just might be something that may cause you to say..."Hmm, I wonder where is my Bible? One more thing. Unlike our cell phones, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

    It makes all of us stop and think, "Where are my priorities?"

    Final thought...there is no need to be concerned...there are never any dropped calls!

Hearing God's Voice

Kellie Renfroe

    "The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them." Psalm 25:14

Does the Lord confide in you and make His way known? I firmly believe that God is not silent in our lives. We are too distracted much of the time with the cares of this world to slow down and listen.  When life is barreling ahead full speed  it is easy to miss God's voice or mistake our own mind or an outside influence for it.

    I'm not a theologian and my understanding is both limited and simple in trying to explain how God Almighty speaks. The most I can do is share how I have experienced the Lord. Two important things to keep in mind:

1. He can speak any way He chooses because He is God.

2. Discerning God's voice starts very simply--by knowing Him.

    Do you know God? I went to a Paul Wilbur concert years ago and heard something interesting. (Wilbur is a Messianic-Jewish singer/composer) Wilbur asked the audience if we knew God to which he received a resounding 'yes' and a round of clapping. He explained the meaning of  the  description of God as "Abba, Father" as a child climbing into their father's lap and snuggling their face into their father's neck. He asked a poignant question--do you smell like your Father? If we spend time with our Father, snuggling close enough to hear even His whispers, His fragrance will be about us. 

    Hearing God's voice comes when we slow down and sit in our Father's lap and get to know Him. I'd be lying if I told you  I hear from God and obey every time. Right where rubber hits the road in my life I often over analyze and say, "no, that couldn't have been God." I make my choice--go the way I want--and discover through my mistake that yes, it was God telling me to go the other way. Often  I think it must be my own thoughts and slowly I come to realize that sometimes it is not - it is truly God leading me. How do I know this? Over time I have come to recognize His voice more often than not. All the times I have missed Him have served to help me recognize Him too. 

     How can you know that you are hearing God's voice? His Word first and foremost. God will NEVER (yes, that is an internet shout) go against His Word.  The only way to know God's Word is to read and study the Bible. 

    The next step to hearing God's voice is prayer. Sit before the Lord and pour out your heart, then listen. Does He answer immediately? Sometimes. More often than not for me it is a process - prayer, reading the Bible, more prayer. Slowly I began to realize that the scriptures I'm reading are addressing my situation. A friend may call out of the blue and say, "hey I was thinking about you today and this scripture came to mind." Which brings me to a perfect example of hearing God's voice. Have you ever been praying about a particular need and a scripture repeatedly comes to mind? That can be God speaking His Word to you. 

    Finally, pray for confirmation. There are times when I know that I know that I know God is leading me in a decision. Other times I question whether it was God or me doing the talking. During those times I pray for confirmation. It's not wrong to let the Lord know you're having a problem discerning His voice--He's God. The noise of life can get loud and the enemy of our soul loves to turn up the volume during critical times. My prayer goes something like this, " Lord, I pray for your understanding, wisdom, and knowledge in this situation. I ask for your clarity and direction. Help me by your Spirit whom You sent to lead, guide, teach and instruct. Help me not to make a wrong choice and step outside your will. I believe You when you said that You will direct my steps. Help me Lord."

    Hearing God's voice is all about knowing and living in relationship with Him daily. He knows you and I inside out, our every thought, prayers before we utter them, the hairs on our head. However, we are the ones that need to continually seek His face and learn about Him.

   God is real. His Word is Truth. He is our Savior. And, He speaks, we just have to listen.

Books dealing with the subject of God's voice...

The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blackaby

He Speaks to Me: Preparing to Hear from God by Priscilla Shirer

Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

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Mission Statement
Mentoring Moments for Christian Women is a non-denominational online newsletter and magazine to provide encouragement, mentoring, and practical tips for women in their everyday walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our belief that God has a plan and purpose for every woman. By dropping the masks, becoming real, tearing down the walls around our hearts, and allowing the Lord to refresh and renew us, we'll experience personal revival as we depend on Him and His Word. With tips to stay sane no matter what the season of life, Mentoring Moments for Christian Women purposes to be a breath of fresh air: bringing ideas on creating a peaceful home, transparent heartfelt testimonies, and Biblical insight for women.

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