Do you ever feel like you just can’t get a grip?  Are your emotions ruling you, or are you ruling your emotions?  Jesus Himself gave us a perfect example on the days in Jerusalem preceding His death, burial and resurrection.  We start off with the  triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  He rode on a donkey while folks spread their coats and branches of palm crying “Hosanna, Hosanna”, to which one can only think that Yeshua was pleased that this faithful crowd were “getting it” only to be then dismayed at the atrocities that carried themselves out at His Father’s house.  When He discovered the money changing, He became quite enraged.  He was tested by tax collectors, hungry and found the fig  tree gave no fruit, so He cursed it.  At  this point, one could imagine the emotion of frustration.  He lamented over Jerusalem, and I’m sure now He was in despair knowing that they’d not see Him return until they recognize Him.  Then, Yeshua had to be betrayed, by a beloved, He then foretold another denial by a brother, and from that disappointment, He turns to anguish in the garden  in the form of a prayer,” Father, if this cup could pass”  Of course, any human could relate that He must have borne shame and humility being Who He was yet in total obedience.  He even experienced doubt, “Father, why have thou forsaken Me?”  Can you imagine going through the entire rolodex of emotions in such a short period of time?  How many of us can relate to the “snowball experience” or the “when it rains it pours” feeling?  Do you think Yeshua can relate to us?  I think He can, yet, we know that Yeshua stayed on course.  His emotions never caused Him to falter from His mission of G-D.  Today, I want to talk about how to pull on Yeshua’s strength inside each one of us through the power of His Holy Spirit to stay on the course of life that G-D has given us.

So grab your bible, a cup of coffee, and let’s study!

1 Corinthians 4:1,2:
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

The Miriam Webster dictionary defines steward as:

‘A person who manages another’s property, finances, or other affairs.  A person in charge of the household affairs of a large estate, club, hotel, or resort.  An officer in charge of provisions and dining arrangements or an attendant on a ship or airplane.’

We see that a steward has a great responsibility.  In order to carry out that responsibility, we must meet the qualifications described in vs. 2.  Verse 2 in the above scripture says that we are required to be faithful.  In this text, the Greek word used for faithful is pistos and it means to be steady.

Definition of Steady: ‘Firm in position or place, stable.  Direct and unfaltering; sure.  Having a continuous movement, quality, or pace: “a steady breeze”.  Not easily excited or upset, ‘steady nerves’, Reliable, dependable, temperate, sober.

So how are we going to be stewards unless we learn to be steady? 

Hebrews 4:12:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Let’s make this our memory verse.  Make it your own until you get it. 

We see in scripture examples of a double edged sword to fight our enemies. You can look these up on your own: Judges 3:16, Proverbs 5:4, Rev. 1:16, Rev 2:12, Psalm 149:6

It is obvious that a two edged sword is a powerful weapon.  Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of G-D is sharper than any two edged sword.  Ephesians 6:17 says the “Sword of the Spirit” is the Word of G-D.  What a powerful weapon we have at our access in any time of need, crisis, attack, or even in prosperity.  We have been given a mighty weapon indeed!!

What does this Word do?  Besides that the L-rd speaks to us through it, for all practical reasons we’ll focus on what Hebrews 4:12 says.  It tells me if I’m thinking with my flesh; my mind, or if I’m being led by the Spirit of G-d.  It dissects everything that is incoming.  The Word reveals motives, my own motives as well as anything that comes at me.  It cuts through emotional clouds and helps me to see clearly.  So, how do we set this in motion and put this to practical use?

Here is something to remember:
I must never measure the Word of G-D based on my experiences; but, rather I must measure my experiences based on the Word of G-D. 

Satan is a liar.  He can produce false signs and wonders.  He can influence my feelings.  When I’m having an emotional day, I never drive my “spiritual car.”  When in a state of emotions I don’t try to figure things out and I certainly never make decisions.  I try to ride out the wave, the emotional storm.  Knowing when the feelings pass I can think more clearly again. 

We have heard Jesus say that a wicked generation seeks out signs and wonders.  (Matt. 16:4).  Don’t look for signs, don’t look for circumstances, don’t even seek for miracle meetings where you hear miraculous things are happening.  Seek the Giver of the miracles.  Seek the Giver of the gifts.  Seek only G-D and He alone.  Miracles are good, and He will do them as He wills but remember, we are to be steady.  Miracles and blessings can give us a “spiritual high” or a great experience but these alone can not be our source of spiritual food.  These experiences are not enough to sustain our spiritual life.  Steadiness as required to be a steward of G-D’s Word is to be even keeled.

Ok, so how can we use our “measuring stick” or, the Word of G-D to begin to discern everything in our lives?

The first obvious answer is to read it!!  Spent time in the Word.  You say, “I don’t have time.”  I say, “make the time.” 

If you can’t make it a priority to read the Word of G-D, then G-D is not really your priority.

To love Him is to know Him, and we can’t know Him if we don’t spend time with Him.

I wish to say I’m guilty of this too.  Every day that may go by that I don’t pick up the Word of G-D is another day my flesh inches it’s way to exalting itself onto the throne of my heart.

2 Corinthians 10:4,5:

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments (I always argue with myself, don’t you?) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of G-D?  gulp.  Could that be me?

Isaiah 55:8:
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, 
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

His thoughts are NOT my thoughts.  Hmm, repeat this verse to yourself again.  Maybe even write it down, and memorize it along with Hebrews 4:12.

Do you ever suffer from wandering thoughts?  What if you wake up one morning and you frantically can’t find your wallet?  Immediately your mind begins to race, “where could I have left it?  I put it RIGHT HERE and now it’s gone. “  Now your thinking, “oh, my, what if it was stolen?  The credit cards are in there, the ATM card.  Oh, I’ve got to call the bank, I’ve got to report the cards stolen.  What if it’s too late?  What if someone spent all our money during the night?  How am I going to prove that I didn’t spend the money?  What if someone steals my identity, then when we go to take out that refinancing loan we planned on next year to remodel the basement the credit report will say I’ve been negligent and over spent our limit and didn’t pay the bills and meanwhile I’m INNOCENT.”  As the thoughts race, you begin to scream inside, continuing further into thinking “how am I going to defend myself, how will I tell my husband?”  The kids are now crying for breakfast and your yelling at them to shut up because you can’t find your wallet.  You start to call your husband, and hang up.  You call a friend instead.  You post on a prayer board.  You call the bank to see if anyone has used your card.  But what did you forget to do?  Pray.  You could have said in-between those thoughts, “G-D, help me” but, you really never took those thoughts captive.  Your stomach is in a knot, you have no peace, the kids are still crying and hungry.  The L-rd says, “My thoughts are NOT your thoughts.”  He is not fretting over your credit report for next year. He is already there, in next year.   He is concerned that you give your thoughts over to Him, and do it quickly before your mind can take over. 

Are all these concerns valid?  Yes, they are.  But, the difference is no matter what the turmoil is, there will always peace for those who dwell in the secret place of the most high.  Chances are your purse fell open as you were getting out of your car last night and the wallet is on the garage floor, maybe even under the car out of sight.  Or, some honest clerk found it at the library or grocery store and you can phone there after their opening hours.  You can pray protection over your wallet rather than fretting over it.  G-D is interested in your assets.  After all, He is the provider.  He gave them to you.  He is concerned with everything that concerns you.

You may say to me, Jennifer, this is just too  impossible.  I don’t have the ability that you do in order to take every thought captive.  I’m just not that strong, not that godly, not that dedicated.  I’ve heard all these statements.  I’m here to say, “neither am I”  and that’s the truth.  You see, it isn’t I who can be “so obedient” it’s the Spirit of Christ within me.  Here’s another good power statement that was inspired by something I read in Oswald Chambers’ devotional “My Utmost for His Highest”

G-D is not interested in making me a better person.   Rather, He is interested in revealing His Son in me.

Many times there are things that G-D calls us to do that we just can’t wrap our head around. Our logical thinking can’t comprehend the ways of the L-rd.  Hence, why the above quoted scripture in Isaiah, His thoughts are Not ours, nor are His ways.

How about a practical example from scripture?  I’d like to take a moment to look at Esther.  You can read it on your own in your spare time.  Great book.  In fact, in Israel we have a celebration every spring dedicated to the deliverance of the Jews because of Ester’s bravery and devotion to her people.  First, we see Esther is chosen to come to the King’s court for consideration to the position of being Queen.  In one years time, after beauty treatments and preparation she will brought before the King who will choose a new Queen.  After a year separated from her family, friends, and having a flock of maidservants attending to her, fussing over her and advising her, she goes before the King.  We know she is chosen for the job.  Now comes the time and purpose for Esther’s G-D given appointment.  She must request to see the King so she can deliver the news that his advisor, Haman is a traitor and seeks to kill the Jews.  This is a huge risk for the Queen as it is punishable by death to enter into the King’s inner court and request his attention.  She had not only risked her life, but also all that G-D appointed her to do, (becoming Queen) for His future purposes-delivering His people.

Is it possible that G-D could require of us to risk a very thing He asked us to do in the first place?  Could He ask me to cut back from a ministry that He called me to?  I won’t side shoot on the subject of pruning, as that can be a whole teaching in itself, but the answer is YES, yes, He can and sometimes He will. 

Our minds simply can not comprehend the ways of G-D.  We can identify if any of us were Esther we could have easily been ruled by a spirit of fear, or, resolved to “problem solving thinking” in trying to figure out another way other than the way G-D would have it.  When our minds begin to wander, the emotions begin to stir.  We can even physically suffer because of this. 

So, how do we begin to learn to keep steady and conquer the snare of our mind/will and emotions?

1) Pray. 

*Surrender EVERY thought and feeling to the Father.  Do not be afraid of the exposure.  It is no use not telling Him, and many times you will feel much better when you do.  (I constantly have to confess my homesickness for the states, which leads to a root of selfishness that the Father and I are working on right now). 

*Pray for the faith required to be steady.

*Pray the L-rd help you to know Him and trust Him.  (remember, one of those ways to know Him is to spend time in His word.) 

2) Be IN the Word of G-D.  Meditate on it.  Bonnie Lisech writes bible studies for “Women of the Harvest” magazine, a magazine for missionary women.  In one of her studies she wrote: “Meditation on the Word of G-D is our connection with the mind of G-D.”

*The Word washes, cleanses us and sets us apart.  (Ephesians 5:26)

*The Word renews our minds and transforms us, enabling us to prove what is the good and acceptable will of G-D for our lives.  (Romans 12:2)

*1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us that we have the mind of Christ.  We need to renew that mind, daily.

The Word is your spiritual food.  This is required to rule your body.  I’ll say again, do you rule your emotions, or do they rule you?  You don’t deprave your physical body from nourishment, don’t starve your spirit. 

If your thoughts / feelings begin to spiral and you become overwhelmed, I can guarantee you that this is not your spirit within you, it is your flesh.  Even though these feelings are very real, and even justifiable, it is imperative that you can take a stance against your own mind/will/emotions.  I’m not saying you will never have these feelings.  I’m not saying they’re not important.  I am saying “don’t let them rule you” because if you do, you can not be a steward of the mysteries of G-D, which, we have read, you are called to do.

I’m not saying that you will never be tempted to waiver either.  And, if you have a bad day, the mercy of the L-rd is with you.  That’s the beauty of knowing Him.  His mercies are endless!  If at first you don’t succeed, try again!  There is truth to this statement!  If we practice this discipline in our lives of total surrender and being submerged in His Word we will secure for ourselves a road more smooth and steady.  Notice I didn’t say life will be easier?  But I do say how you handle life can change.  Will you be “on top”, “victorious”?  Or, will you surrender to your mind/will/emotions thus giving Satan a foothold on your life?  When you give up sharpening your sword, you lay down your most powerful weapon to defeat sin and Satan in your life. 

Yes, narrow is the path to heaven, but we have the choice as to just how rocky that path will be.

Father, in the name of Jesus we pray that each and every lady will be able to discern when she is thinking with her mind or being led by her spirit.  We thank You that you  made us to be intelligent beings.  We thank you that our brains are useful for tasks at hand.  We also thank you though that when our emotions begin to get in the way and we can no longer think clearly that you  give us power from on high, through your Holy Spirit to bring into captivity every thought and feeling unto your throne and lay them at your feet.  We thank you for exposing our own hearts and wills to ourselves as we can easily manipulate and even deceive ourselves.  L-rd, we want just Your will in our lives.  Help us to achieve this goal.  In Your name we pray, Amen.

G-D bless you!