By Pastor Jeff,
First of all I want to say feelings are important, God created us with emotions, and I sure wouldn’t want to go through life not be able to feel. Who doesn’t love to feel the kiss of a loved one, or the happiness when a child is born, or the presence of God. But feelings can also get us into trouble and I believe this is a major issue in our churches today.
Have you ever wondered why we have so many different denominations in Christianity in our world today, according to “The Center for the study of Global Christianity” at “Gordon-Conwell Theoligical Seminary” it is estimated that there are over 40,000 denominations in 2012 when in 1900 it was about 1,600!
So why all the different denominations? after all, we all are supposedly following Jesus Christ, aren’t we, have pretty much the same bible (hopefully)? Well feelings play a large role in this; have you ever talked to someone about the scriptures and received the comment, “well I feel it is saying this or that.” Well if you are relying on your feelings or what you have heard over what the bible says then this becomes a problem. According to “The Barna Group”, 88% of Americans own a bible, yet 57% only read it four times or less in a year, with only 26% reading it regularly. Many Christians cannot name 2 or 3 of the disciples or name the four gospels. 82% of Americans believe “God helps those , who help themselves” is a bible verse, and 50% of graduating high school seniors believe Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
Read Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
We are living in a time when people will not search out things for themselves but will trust the person at the pulpit, the author of a book, or the news they are hearing is the truth. Many times because what they are hearing and seeing make them feel good! We must rely on what sayeth the Lord not what maketh me feel good, if you are establishing or believing in a doctrine that is not found in the scriptures you have an obligation to read and study it for yourself. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
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Janesville Apostolic Ministries 