Imagine powerful preaching. It hits you right where you live! You are convicted of sin in your life or you are greatly stirred with a sense of the need to reach people with the gospel. You are so impacted that you are going to deal with the sin problem or maybe prayerfully determine if you are called to serve in some capacity such as a missionary. It could be a deeply felt need for a more serious commitment to Jesus. Looking at it another way, the singing has touched you, prompting a strong desire to love the Lord more intensely. Whichever of these things stirred you, you can't wait to get started. You are all excited! You leave the service with renewed determination to get down to business and go all out for God. What a blessing, this service! However, something changes overnight or in the next few days. The fervor fades. It is forgotten until the next time you are stirred. You may even have gone through this cycle a number of times with little lasting change. Why? You were stirred but not moved very far. As the emotion fades, the follow-through fades quickly. Emotions do not have staying power. There has to be the will. A disciple must decide: "I will do the right thing, no matter how I feel." Relying on God, do not let good or bad feelings dictate your life and relationship with Him but rather exercise your will in ruthless determination to keep on keeping at it. Selah! If you let this article stir you but not move your will to action, even if your feelings do not co-operate, you will only add to the cycle mentioned above. Ron
Consider Paul, struck down on the road to Damascus, confronted by Jesus. He is instantly converted. Immediately, in Acts 9: 6, he says, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" Then, he did it against all temptation to follow his feelings, nice ones or discouraging ones. What about you and me?
Hello Ron, this is Herb. You are right on the mark on your site today. It has been very good for me. Everything this week has really made me stop and do some serious thinking. Keep up the very good work. God Bless you, Have a great day. Herb
Posted by: Herb Edwards | February 12, 2009 at 09:42 AM