Ned,
This is so true.
Vinny
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ned Benton" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 5:29 AM
Subject: Faith not feelings


> Have you ever had those times when it seemed you couldn't reach God with
> your prayers nor feel His presence, a dry time?  Here is another of the
> Campus Fellowship devotions.  I hope it helps you all.
>
> Ned
>
>
> CCF   Survival Guide
> Tuesday  8/30/05
> Faith, Not Feelings
> "THE LORD HAS HIDDEN HIMSELF BUT I TRUST HIM."  ISAIAH 8:17 (TEV)
>
> You wake up one morning and all your "spiritual feelings" are gone.  You
> pray, but
> nothing happens.  You rebuke the devil, but it doesn't change anything.
> You
> go through
> spiritual exercises, have your friends pray for you, confess every sin you
> can imagine,
> then you go around asking forgiveness of everyone you know.  You fast,
> still
> nothing.
> You begin to wonder how long this spiritual gloom will last.  It feels
> like
> your
> prayers bounce off the ceiling.  In utter desperation you cry out: "What's
> the matter
> with me?"
> Nothing!  This is a normal part of the maturing of our faith in God.  We
> all
> go through
> it!  It's painful, but absolutely vital to developing our faith.  God is
> always present,
> even when we are unaware of Him.  His presence is too profound to be
> measured by
> intellect or emotion.  He's more concerned that we trust Him, than that we
> feel Him.
> Faith, not feelings, is what pleases God.
> So what can you do when you're going through a time when God seems
> distant?
> Remind
> yourself that He is not, regardless of your feelings.  Focus on God's
> unchanging
> love for you.  Cling to His promises.
> During times of spiritual dryness, rely on God's Word, not your emotions.
> Realize
> that God is taking you to a deeper level of maturity.  Any friendship
> based
> on emotion
> is shallow indeed. So don't be troubled by trouble. God's grace is still
> in
> full
> force.  He's for you, even when you don't feel Him.
>