Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

Feelings – an emotional state or reaction.

Faith -something that is believed especially with strong conviction; belief and trust in and loyalty to God.

We are created as emotional beings. Feelings aren’t wrong, but a believer’s life is meant to be based on faith, not on feelings. Feelings have a prominent place in our lives, but we can’t use them to guide our lives. Feelings come and go and are unreliable guides to the truth and what is right. Whenever we walk by feelings rather than faith we fail.  Many people just glide through life running on emotion. Christ had feelings and emotions and he didn’t hide them. Jesus wept when he came to the grave of Lazarus. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day- Feelings Vs Faith.

They say that anger weakens the liver, grief weakens the lungs, worry weakens the stomach, stress weakens the heart and brain, and fear fails the kidneys. So where do these things come from that weaken our systems? Disturbances from our spouse, family members, place of employment, the news media, etc. These are all examples of feelings. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith. Check out my website

Knowing about God and his will and obediently following him are the basics of a believer’s discipleship. Faith has nothing to do with feelings. Faith rests on the absolute word of God.

There is a story in the bible regarding two men of faith Caleb and Joshua. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

Before God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt, He promised to bring the Israelites back to the land He had given to Abraham so many years ago. (Ex. 3:8). God was leading the Israelites to the promised land. When they were close, God instructed Moses to send 12 spies into the land to scout it out. The spies traveled around the land for 40 days, and it was just as God had promised. There was one problem: the people in the land were big and strong. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;  And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. So, they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. And they ascended by the south and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came unto the brook of Eshcol and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff, and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, we came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey, and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless, the people be strong that dwell in the land and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover, we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, we be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, the land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. – Numbers 13:17-33. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, how long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, as truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me. Doubtless, ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. – Numbers 14:26-30. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

As you can see God rewards those who live by faith. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

So, then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. – Hebrews 11:6.

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. – Mark 11:22-24.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Since we are made in the image of God we are to live our daily lives living in faith not relying on our feelings. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For the Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith. Check out my website

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Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer

The word test seems to abound. There are several types of tests. You have an assessment test you take in school, driving test, health check test, eye examination test, dental exam tests. Etc. These are tests that we are all familiar with and must take at one time or another in our lives. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

However, are you aware that God tests us as well? God tests us to prove our faith. God will allow a certain amount of trials and tribulations to come our way in this life, however, he will also use some of these trials as a way of testing all of us out from time to time to see if we have learned what He has been teaching us. He rarely, if ever, announces them ahead of time. They just come.

From time to time God will place us in uncomfortable situations that put us under pressure to show what our true character is. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. – Psalm 11:5. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

A while back I was introduced to the Book of James that has a very profound set of verses that tell us to expect tests and that we should delight in them. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diver’s temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. – James 1:2-4. Now for those of you that have a type-A personality like myself, this was not something I wanted to read or hear. I am sure no one wants to be joyful when things are not going their way. I am very sure patience is the last thing in anybody’s mind when things are not going smoothly. We want it fixed and done like yesterday! When we are in an uncomfortable situation and our flesh is not enjoying it, we want it fixed immediately. However, that is not the way God works. According to him, tests are beneficial. Tests are God’s way of moving us out of our comfort zones. “Comfort is the enemy of progress.” – The Greatest Showman quote. – Check out my website

There are several types of test but here are some of the top ones.

The People Test – Do you place your faith in people? People are human and frail just like yourself. They may be there for you for a season but eventually, God will remove them, so you can place your faith where it truly belongs which is in God. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:5. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just a Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Pressure Test – When all hell is breaking loose and things are tumultuous will you depend on yourself or depend on God? And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. – Psalm 50:15. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Faith Test – Do you have faith in God or do you operate from your feelings more? Noah operated in faith when God spoke to him and advised him to build an ark because the end of all flesh was coming because God was going to flood the earth and destroy all mankind and animals and beasts. Thus, did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. You can read the entire story in Genesis 6-8. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Patience Test – This is one of the hardest tests of all especially if you are a type-A personality. This is where you have done everything you have been asked to do, but now God is going to ask you to just sit and wait for the big breakthrough to occur. This is the position Moses was in after Pharaoh finally released the people of Israel. They had traveled and walked so long, and the promise land was on the other side of the Red Sea. Once they reached the Red Sea God made Moses and the people of Israel wait before he parted it. The people started to complain to Moses why didn’t you just leave us in Egypt with Pharaoh instead of bringing us out here to die in the wilderness and in the sea. God did eventually part the Red Sea and the people crossed over to the other side and Pharaoh’s army was killed in the sea when God brought the waters back together. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Obedience Test – There is one test in the Bible that brings tears to your eyes and fills you with joy at the same time. This is the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. God asked Abraham to put his son Isaac on an altar and then asked him to take a knife and kill his own son. As we all know, Abraham went as far as to tie his son down to the altar and had the knife in his hand ready to strike down on him to take his life, when suddenly God sends an angel down in the nick of time to stop him. Would you be obedient to God to this length? – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

Most tests that God puts you through are not this daunting. Tests are more in the realm of do you trust God, or do you worry? Do you have patience in a traffic jam or in line at the supermarket? Do you throw your hands in the air and give up as soon as you are disappointed? Where would we all be if Thomas Edison just gave up and didn’t pass the test?

Thomas Edison Quotes:

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

What we all need to do while we are waiting for our breakthrough is pray. However, the type of prayers you should be saying is to ask God to change you. God is interested in refining you and changing you and he does this through these tests. If your weakness is patience, then God will see to it that you are always in the wrong line in the supermarket. Or you always get caught up in traffic just to test your patience. The thing about tests is that God will allow you to take them repeatedly until you pass them. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

Keep praying even though it seems like God went on vacation. God knows exactly where you are in life. Pay attention to the areas you are being tested in. It will make you more aware once God decides to test you. When you become familiar with the same patterns you will realize it is just a test. Pass it and move on. The faster you do the faster God will be able to open the skies and rain down exceeding and abundant blessing on your life and bring you into your divine destiny. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer

Essence – the most significant element, quality, or aspect of a thing or person the essence of the issue.

Prayer – an address (such as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought; something prayed for.

Your prayer life needs to be simple. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye, therefore, like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. – Matthew 6:6-13. This is a very simple prayer that Jesus gave us to pray. Your prayer life should include the following:

Devotion – We need to let God know that we are dedicated and loyal to him.

He did that for us when he sent Jesus to the cross for all of us. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. – Colossians 3:17. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs- The Essence of Prayer. Check out my website

Confession – We need to confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness. As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. – Romans 3:10-12. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer.

Gratitude – We all need to give thanks to God daily for every gift we receive. Water to drink, food to eat, use of our senses, sunshine, etc. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. – Psalms 136:1. Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. – Psalms 106:1. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer.

Praise – When we praise God the heavens rejoice. Praise is a vital part of a life surrendered to God, and it gives credit where credit is due. Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. – Psalm 150:1-6. By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. – Hebrews 13:15. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer.

Here is a sample prayer you can say daily:

Father God, I pledge my loyalty to you. I ask you to forgive me for my past sins. I am truly grateful for all the blessings and gifts you have bestowed upon me. I praise you for all the things you have done for me, as well as all the things I am currently praying for. I thank you for the things that you haven’t done because you knew with your infinite wisdom they were not right for me. Amen.

For those of you that are new to prayer, you may want to use the prayer I gave you but eventually, you may want to use your own words. Whichever route you take just remember to keep it simple and incorporate the true meaning of The Essence of Prayer. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer. Check out my website