Thoughts and Feelings: Let Your Heart Rule
I saw a Facebook post yesterday, and it got me thinking. It said, “Many will miss heaven by 18 inches: the distance between their head and their heart. They know ABOUT Jesus, but they DO NOT “KNOW” HIM! (Meaning they have no relationship with God) You can be religious, but still be completely lost. You can have the Bible in your head, but not Christ in your heart.”
This reminds me that Satan is an expert at the Bible, but doesn’t embrace the love and humanity contained within our precious Bible commandments and teachings. It also brings to mind Joyce Meyer saying, “Just because you sit in a garage doesn’t make you a car, just as going to church once a week, sitting in a pew or seat doesn’t make you a Christian.”
It’s YOUR relationship with God that really matters, and if you have actually let Him in and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead you down the narrow road to salvation, you are on the right (righteous) track. As humans filled with rebellion, we must constantly evaluate and question if we are in a parallel relationship with Jesus and His teachings, or are our self-righteous opinions deciding where our heart will go? Jesus KNOWS your heart even if you don’t truly know and follow Him:
Matthew 9:4: "And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?'"
I believe that Jesus’s preaching the Beatitudes tells us much of what we need to know to keep our thoughts in alignment with a humbled and merciful heart. They teach us to turn towards Him, lean on Him and trust He is the truth, the light and the way. If we actually follow Jesus and trust Him, these words will comfort and lead us to the narrow road mentioned in the Bible as the WAY to Him and eternal life in heaven!
The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:2-12 (From the Sermon on the Mount)
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Our pain and suffering on earth and our response to it help us gain salvation and eternity in Heaven)
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Earthly suffering is a guarantee, but salvation is our reward for doing so with a God focused, positive attitude, while leaning on God for strength)
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Be HUMBLE)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. Earnestly desire to study, learn, and emulate God’s teachings, which are proven by your every thought and action)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Do not be hard-hearted, but quick to forgive and be merciful to everyone, including those who hurt you)
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (If your motives are honorable and righteous, you will live out eternity with God)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Turn the other cheek!)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Do not try to please man, but in ALL things SEEK to please God)
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Christians will be persecuted. Expect it and accept it. DO NOT turn to the ways of man to ease this persecution, for this will cause you to take the wrong turn and end up on the wide road that leads to destruction, rather than the narrow road that ensures eternal life.)
Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to (eternal) life, and only a few find it.”
The premise of my sermon is that many people who are filled with hatred and spewing angry and hurtful words are NOT in the will of God. Do not let your mind control your heart. Remember, God is LOOKING at your heart, which determines your actions. An angry or hateful mind, full of thoughts against other men, will only cause you to be distanced from your Lord and eternal life in His Kingdom.
The Holy Spirit lives inside of us and will cause us to do right in all situations if we listen to Him. He will comfort and guide us. He will edify (strengthen) us and support us even when man treats us badly. If you allow your mind to overrule your humanity and the loving heart Jesus expects from us, YOU are on the wrong road. You BELIEVE that you are on the narrow road leading into the arms of God, but in reality, you are on the wide road to destruction, pain, and suffering. AMEN. ><>
Love, hug,s and blessings, with prayers that you truly delve into this sermon and turn your heart toward The Light before it’s too late and you realize you allowed your thoughts and feelings to destroy your relationship with God.
STUDY LESSON:
Amplified Bible: Matthew 7:21-23 - “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name? And then I will declare to them publicly, I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who acted wickedly [disregarding My commands].”
If you enjoyed this sermon, check out our others here, or if you have questions, please message us.