Abounding Grace eNote

Monday, May 5, 2008

WOMEN OF CALVARY: Bring your favorite dish to share, and join us tomorrow night at 6:30 pm in the café for an evening of food, fellowship, and testimonies. Call the church if you have any questions at 303-628-7200.


"Faith & Feelings"

Romans 12:3 (NKJV) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Good morning to you in Jesus!

Do you know where I often get hit? My feelings and emotions, that's where. All can be going well around me. Situations are lining up in wonderful ways. God is opening great doors for me and closing others. It's all great, grand, and glorious. BUT... I don't feel good. I'm a little bummed out. I'm not my chipper self. I don't know exactly why. I'm not sure what's going on but I do know this, I don't feel good.

Oh the strength of our emotions to take us down - if we let them. They battle so often with the faith that wells up inside us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5-6)!

Faith is a gift from God. So is air, but you have to breathe it in. So is bread, but you have to eat it. So is water, but you have to drink it. So how do we accept this wonderful gift of faith? Not by a feeling since, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)." We aren't to wait for faith to come upon us with a strong feeling of some kind, but rather, faith comes when we take God at His Word.

Friend, endure through the "feelings" and please, take God at His Word. I'll pray for you as you pray for me!

By Grace,
Pastor Ed

eNOTE RESPONSE:
"Dear Pastor Ed, I just wanted to let you know how much your messages mean to me. I am a Colorado native and although I am not a member of Calvary Aurora, I would often attend services there because your sermons resonated with me. I am currently living in southern California but my family still attends your church. About two months ago, my brother signed me up for your email messages because he knows how your messages have helped me in the past. Since then, I find myself eagerly checking my inbox because your messages have really helped me through some rough times. Recently, I have been going through a particularly rough time and this morning, I opened my email and there was your message about how God sandpapers us to polish us and smooth us out. It really touched something inside of me, especially the part telling us to hang in there and that we will not be disappointed. This is something that I try to do, but often fall short of being able to do completely. Just this morning, I found myself at my breaking point where I was on my knees before God asking him to help me and when I saw your message, which so mirrored what I am feeling and filled me with hope and the much welcome feeling that things will be alright. I just felt that I needed to email you to thank you for the hope and encouragement that your email messages bring to me. So, thank you and I look forward to your next message. Have a blessed day."