Our Feelings and the Truth

I ran across this post today by Joshua Harris quoting John Piper in Finally Alive. I can totally relate to being swayed by my feelings.

My feelings are not God. God is God. My feelings do not define truth. God’s word defines truth. My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes–many times–my feelings are out of sync with the truth. When that happens–and it happens every day in some measure–I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth.

That’s the way I live my life every day. I hope you are with me in that battle.”

- John Piper, Finally Alive, pages 165-166

It is good to be reminded to realign them with the truth.

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Submitted by Mark Johnson, 9:10 am

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A Spiritual Diet of the Word

I would guess that almost everyone listening to me is dissatisfied with the spiritual power and consistency and fruitfulness of your life. And I do not consider that anything I say is simple remedy to that spiritual weakness. God is sovereign. He changes times and seasons. And that includes spiritual times and seasons—in cultures and in families and in individual lives.

But one thing I know: There is a spiritual diet without which no Christian can be strong and healthy and fruitful. And that is a diet of the word of God.
- John Piper (Holding fast to the word of God in 2010)

On my drive into work I often try to fill my commute time with audio books, or podcasts, music etc. This morning I listened to this sermon from John Piper that was given back in January of this year. It ties beautifully into Pastor Keith’s sermon preached a few weeks back on the importance of the Word of God in a healthy Church in Action. In listening to the message I was encouraged even further about the importance of the Word of God and how vital it is to our spiritual growth. If you can find the time, maybe on your commute, take a listen.

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Submitted by Mark Johnson, 9:20 am

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Instructions Included

Typically, reading the directions is a good idea.

Whether you are assembling a child’s new bicycle, cooking a new recipe’ or taking the first test from a new teacher, paying attention to the directions is a good idea.
Instructions

I heard of a teacher who presented a test to his class. The instructions were to read all of the questions before beginning to answer any of them. Most students ignored that and began answering the questions as they read through the exam. One followed directions.

That student arrived at the last question before the rest of the class. It read, “Ignore the questions above. Put your name on the test and turn it in now. This completes your responsibility for this exam.” Life is usually less complicated if we read the directions.

That is true for the follower of Jesus Christ. We are called upon to read the directions and keep reading the directions so we know how to cooperate with our Lord in carrying out His work on earth. Life goes better when we read the directions.

The Bible is God’s Word and God’s words to you and me. It’s how we know who God is and what He is up to in this world. It tells us how to live like Jesus. The Bible shows us how to avoid getting side tracked from the full life that God intends for us.

Cedar Grove Community Church is committed to reading the directions. Actually, we want to do more than read. The goal is to trust the directions and orient our lives according to what God has said. We will trust His promises, obey His commands, and share His comfort as we marinate our souls in the living and active Word of God (Heb 4:12)

This Sunday we will dig deeper into what God has to say about his Word as we go through 2 Timothy 3:10 – 4:5. Read ahead to get familiar with the instructions that God has lovingly included.

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Submitted by Pastor Keith, 10:05 pm

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