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Feelings

Feelings, nothing more than feelings …

by TerryLema January 2, 2022

I am a bundle of feelings this morning, many left over from last month and some new ones from this month already. I used to be constantly overrun by my feelings, but over the years the LORD has taught me a few things. (Still there are times when it seems my emotions have control.)

One thing I have learned is that feelings are neither good nor bad, they just are. They are common to all people. How we handle our feelings, however, is what is really important.

Another thing about feelings is that feelings are not facts and don’t always express the truth. Many times they are far from what is true.

The third thing about feelings is that they are not to lead, they are to follow.  Scripture is quite clear that believers are to be led by God’s Spirit. “All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s [children.”  [Romans 8:14 HCSB]

Being led by the Spirit of God is the same thing as walking with the Spirit. That is not always easy because walking with the Spirit is not simply a matter of passive surrender. It means we actively and knowingly yield to His control. We follow His lead with purpose. We allow Him to exert His influence over our decisions, our choices, our activities, our attitudes, and yes, even our emotions.

Believers do not need to pray for the Spirit’s leading, because He is already doing that. What we need is to seek for willingness and obedience to follow His leading.

So, feelings, get in line with the Spirit’s leading!

January 2, 2022 0 comment
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Action!

by TerryLema June 14, 2021

When I opened my newsfeed this morning there were multiple stories of “celebrities” who were once again changing partners. One in particular just left her partner a couple months ago but now was “in love” with someone new.  It seems at time that they change love interests as often as they change clothes.

Love, as defined by those stories is nothing more than feelings, and feelings as we all know are often misleading.

Love, however, as defined by God in the Scriptures is far more than an emotion. It is an action.  We see that especially in those precious verses in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” [HCSB]

Everything Paul says about love is an action directed toward others, and in particular, how a person is to treat people. As I once again read those actions that are to define the way I treat others, I realize how far short I often am. I can stumble over just the first three words … love is patient!

If I get past those first three words, I certainly stumble over the last three … endures all things.  I wonder if I can ever love like that. I so often am concerned with my own interests and issues and how others affect me. Still, I know I must continually try because that is the way our God loves us and the way He expects us to love others.

Of course, here is the Good News. Through Christ all things are possible, and we can love others through the grace that He provides rather than following our own self-centered instincts.

We must remember to call on the grace of God for everything we need to keep our love genuine and Christlike!

 

June 14, 2021 0 comment
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Pastor Terry Lema

Pastor Terry Lema has been married for 53 years, and has 3 children and 3 grandsons. Terry graduated from Trinity Bible College, and and recently retired as Lead Pastor at The Way Church in Middleton, Idaho.

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