Thursday, March 17, 2011

Can You Trust Your Feelings?


Feelings.  We have so many feelings.  Happy, sad, angry, hurt, comfort.  Do you base your faith on feelings?  I am an ex-Mormon, now born-again Christian, but when I was going through the Mormon missionary lessoms they asked me to read The Book of Mormon.  The Mormon missionaries asked me to pray with a sincere heart and if I did that I would get a "feeling" of a "burning in my bosom".  It was that "feeling" of burning in my bosom that was supposed to let me know that The Book of Mormon was true.  Unfortunately, feelings can deceive you and this "burning in your bosom" is one of many deceptive feelings.  Many people involved with Mormonism, New Age, Jehovah Witness, etc. are deceived into thinking that are Christians.  Their leaders want to give them a good, happy, comfort "feeling" that all is well. This subjective feeling will fade and then what?  They go back for another dose of  postive "feeling", but then they are left anxious and frustrated over and over again.  It never ends. This is spiritual bondage and you can get out of it by asking Jesus into your heart, to forgive you of your sins and to be your Lord and Savior.  Jesus said in John 5:39-40, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
 
In John 10:27-30, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.  I and the Father are one."

In Galations 1:6-9,  "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all.  Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"

If you are one of those people who trust your feelings then I would like to challenge you to prove me wrong.  Go get a Bible and start with the Gospel of John and read the Bible like you were a child.  Ask God to show you the truth.

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus, I lift up the people who are reading this blog today.  I pray that they will not be in confusion.  I pray that they will know You and the truth found in Your Word.  I would also like to pray for the people of Japan.  I pray that You will provide healing for their land and provide food, water, and electricity.  I pray that the nuclear plants will not have a meltdown.  Please keep us all safe and healthy. I say these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
God bless you all.  Have a great day.

www.karenejklein.com

Friday, March 11, 2011

Fame

Fame. Why do people want it?  Why do people admire it?  Think about it.  Unless you have Christ in your heart fame can become bondage.  Famous people can't go out to the store and relax or go on vacation with their families because there is always someone with a camera to take their picture and criticize them.  They have to constantly worry about their children and the telescopic lens of a distant camera. Their life becomes lonely and they can't trust new people in their lives.  Everyone wants to be their friend.  Not because they like them as a person, but because of what the famous person can do for them.  Famous people most likely have lots of money and that becomes their security.  As you look at my painting of this "famous" ballet dancer she has just given her life to Christ and has taken off her (4 sizes smaller than your regular shoe size) dancing shoes and is finally free to walk and not feel lonely and afraid.  The weight of the world is now off her shoulders.  Her security is not in her fame or money, but in the Jesus, found only in the Bible, who made her and loves her more than we can ever imagine. 

"But seek first his kingdomn and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:32-33

"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you.  Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

Lets pray:  Dear Lord Jesus, I lift up everyone who is reading this blog today.  I pray for famous people in the world and I pray You would touch their hearts and soften their hearts so that they may come to know You.  I pray for everyone that they will not envy famous people and wish that their life was like that.  I pray that Your contentment would touch our hearts and keep us in Your ways.  I pray that we will seek You first in all things. Please keep us all safe and healthy.  I say these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

www.karenejklein.com