Can our hearts be trusted?

A few days back, my 10 yr old daughter had found some money. She didn't know if the money was hers or not. She had found it in an old purse my daughters' share. She wondered whether the money was hers or one of her sisters.... what to do, what to do..... keep it ... or not.....


She came to me and explained her situation. I listened and told her to pray about it. I told her if the money wasn't truly hers and she "knew" it, then she would most likely have little joy in spending it! I told her to ask God and wait for an answer. That seemed to appease her and she did just that. A few minutes later she came downstairs and said she was going to "keep it" and upon asking her if God had told her to do that, she said "well, no.... but I sure feel like it!" I encouraged her to let the Lord lead her on this one. For the next few hours she went back forth wondering if she should keep the money or not... one second she "felt" she should ... the next minute she didn't.... the result: confusion!





She also talked to my husband about it. ( he is a practicing LDS) He encouraged her to pray about it too.... but instead of telling her to wait for God to answer, he told her to see how she "feels about" it after praying. If she feels "good" about keeping it, then she should. If she doesn't "feel good" about it then she shouldn't. My daughter , told her daddy that it doesn't work that way. She shared w/ him her struggle to give this issue to God and *not* rely on her feelings.. because her feelings were "selfish" and wanting to keep the money, regardless of "whose" it was. Her daddy didn't agree and a discussion ensued. She got out her Bible and shared the following verse with her daddy:





" The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jer. 17:9





My daughter then proceeded to tell her daddy that she can't trust her heart, because her heart is selfish and wants to keep the money regardless of what God would want her to do.





My husband and I later discussed the situation. He is a practicing LDS and believes that thru the promptings of the Holy Spirit ( thru feelings given to the heart) a person is able to know what to do in a given situation. That means, if a person feels peace and good about something then they can know that God is approving of that. I explained to him, that the bible does not teach such a thing, but rather teaches us that our heart is "deceitful" and desperately wicked. How can we trust our hearts in making choices, when our heart can deceive us? Our hearts naturally, apart from God's redeeming grace, is described as "deceitful". Therefore man can not trust his own heart solely, but must leave all to God.





Because my heart feels "good" about something then that means God is giving me the go ahead? How can I be sure my heart isn't being selfish? Lots of times I may feel "good" something.. but that doesn't mean God views it that way.





As a Christian, I make sure to check what God has to say about things before I make a decision. I check my views with what God has revealed, and if my views are not in harmony with God's revealed Word, then I can be *sure* that I have been deceived.





" The hearts of men, moreover are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live and afterward they join the dead." Ecc 9:3 NIV





The Lord speaking of the children of Isreal whom He had brought out of Egypt:





" But they did not listen or pay attention, instead they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts." Jer. 11:8





When I was an LDS missionary, I taught those who were investigating the LDS faith to "pray about" the things I was teaching them. I told them that if they prayed with a sincere heart, with real intent , the Holy Ghost would manifest the truth of what I was teaching them. ( Moroni 10:3-5) When I returned to their homes, one of the first things I would ask them was "if they had prayed" and if they had, how had they "felt" while they prayed and after they prayed.


We used the passage from Galatians 5:22-23, as a gauge to teach those investigating Mormonism that if they felt "peace, love, joy, etc" they were receiving an answer from the Holy Ghost telling them that the things I was teaching were true. They had received a "testimony" . I encouraged investigators to focus on their "feelings".... did they feel peace upon praying? Did they feel any physical manifestations like a warm heart or did they begin to cry and get emotional? All of these manifestations were taught to be from the Holy Ghost. Interestingly I never taught those investigating to compare the teachings of Mormonism with the Bible and it's teachings . I never once told those whom I taught to "test" out the Mormon's claims and research out the back round of it's church, history, leaders, etc. No, most definitely the focus was on the "feelings" people were experiencing.





The same rules are used today by many LDS for receiving answers to prayers. If they feel peace,and good about something, then that is a "yes" answer. That was what my husband was trying to tell my daughter about her issue with the money she had found. If she felt "good" about it, then that was the Holy Ghost confirming to her that she should keep it.





My concern with that pattern is 1. it's not biblical. 2. it opens one up for being emotionally driven instead of being driven by solid truth and 3. it's leads to confusion





For LDS readers , you may ask "how so"?





1. It's not biblical: No where in the Bible does the Lord tell us to use our feelings as a guide to determine truth, or find answers to questions. On the contrary we are told to "trust the Lord with all our hearts"..... Proverbs 3:5-6 and "lean not unto our own understanding. Be not wise in thine own eyes and depart from evil." We are being warned in this passage to trust GOD , not our own understanding, our own hearts. We are not to be "wise" in our own eyes. Why? Because we are naturally interested in our own selfish ways! As believers, we are to trust GOD, not ourselves. Not our hearts, not our feelings but God.





2. It opens one up for being emotionally driven: When we focus too much on our feelings... we can become immune to what God has already revealed and spoken. For example, if God says we are not to fornicate or commit adultery, it doesn't matter how much I "feel like" I may be in love with another person. I am a married woman. Regardless of my feelings, I am to not look at another man, for to do so would be to commit adultery. Not even to peek at a man to lust after. God's word is pretty clear. I don't need to "pray" about such a thing or focus on my "feelings" . Focusing on feelings has led many many a soul into adulterous relationships. Our feelings are simply not safe enough to trust. We need God's wisdom.





3. It leads to confusion: Simply put our God is not a God of confusion. He does not work in confusing ways. If we are confused, we can now for a surety God is not in it. If we trust our feelings for answers, we may find ourselves confused. In all honesty, especially for women, our feelings are constantly changing! Our feelings are effected by how much we sleep, eat, the weather, stresses in life, etc. They can change from one hour to the next... how can we possibly trust our heart to lead us? We can't. God is to lead us. We are to trust in God, not our feelings.





Recently a good friend of mine, who was born and raised LDS mentioned to me , after attending my church for prayer meeting, that she had felt the "tingling up the back , goosebumps, and a burning in the heart" while at the prayer meeting .... according to her LDS beliefs, she then could conclude that "my church" was the correct church to attend, right? She sincerely wanted to know what I thought. I told her that the "feelings" she experienced at prayer meeting, were simply that... "feelings". Emotional expressions and responses to the heartfelt prayers she heard offered up. They were not to be taken as any manifestation from the Holy Ghost. They were the tender feelings of her heart, but not to be equated with "truth" .





Many LDS stay LDS because of their "testimonies". They have felt the goosebumps, chills, and a warm fuzzy feeling in the heart. They sincerely believe this is how God reveals truth to them. As sincere as they may be, and I don't deny in any way that they experience these feelings, I would point out that they are simply that... "feelings" nothing more and nothing less. My concern is that many souls are basing truth on feelings, instead of God's Word.





So how does one know truth? How can one know what God's will is for you? May I share with you a passage from the book of John, these are red letter verses:

" If ye continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32

Jesus identifies the true disciples as those who believe in Him, and continue in His word, unlike the Jews who did not believe, disciples will be freed from sin by the truth. ( Jesus it the TRUTH) They will not be sinless , but blameless -- free from the power and eternal effects of sin ( death & hell).



We can know God's will for us , by reading what He has said and spoken in His revealed word , the Bible. I am constantly amazed at how much ground God has covered! I have yet to face a problem that has not already been dealt about and written about in the Bible!! When I have a problem, I turn to the Lord and seek for answers in His Word. I also wait for God to open doors and close doors. That is, if something is not for me, God will close the door. Literally. We must ask according to His will.





Never, am I told to rely on my heart or my feelings. This is precisely what my daughter my husband that day with her money issue. The heart is a deceptive thing. To trust our hearts, we could be led to sin. We should seek out God's will, continue in His Word, and trust in Him with all our hearts. My 10 yr old daughter has also learned to trust God, not her heart. God is growing her in HIS Word and revealing Himself to her daily as she studies His Word. As tempting as it may be, our hearts can not be trusted. We need God's wisdom, guidance and direction in our lives if we hope to navigate our lives. I am so grateful God is teaching my 10 yr old daughter that as well as me!

God bless,
gloria

Corporate Prayer

Yesterday I was talking with a dear friend of mine who happens to be LDS. ( born and raised, in fact!) She knows that I am born again in Christ and have resigned from the LDS faith. Fortunately, we have stayed very close. We love each other so much. I am blessed to call her my friend. Somewhere during our conversation the topic of prayer came up and I shared with her how very blessed I am to be able to be in a church that prays "collectively" or holds 'corporate' prayer. My friend didn't know what this meant, so I explained to her what it means to have a "prayer meeting" or to pray collectively as a body of believers. She thought it was really neat that the Church I attend sets aside time each Sunday for prayer, and also holds a prayer meeting weekly.

I realized again, how very richly blessed I am to worship with a body of believers that truly believes in the power of prayer and collective or "corporate" prayer. For my LDS readers,
"corporate" prayer involves praying together with others. The practice of praying together with other believers is a Biblical one and was practiced in the New Testament Church. One of the earliest accounts of corporate prayer took place in the "upper room".

" Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the Mt. Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath's day journey. And when they were come in, they went into an upper room where abode both Peter and James, and John and Andrew, Philip , and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer, and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his bretheren." Acts 1:12-14

Both women and men had united in prayer and supplications. The Mother of our Lord was even present and praying as well. How beautiful a sight this must have been.

Then there was the account of collectively praying when Peter & John were released from prison and they went "into their own company" and when their friends heard the great things that God had done for them, they " lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said: Lord thou art God, and hast made heaven and earth and sea and all that in them is..... and now Lord behold their treatings, and grant unto thy servants that they with all boldness they may speak thy word...... And when they had prayed, the place was shaken were they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."

What an awesome experience!! They lifted up their voices to God -- that is more than one person at that time raised their voices! That is various believers raised their voices with one accord ( at the same time) and the when they prayed the place was shaken & they were filled with the Spirit! Wow - now that is a prayer meeting! Wow!

Then there was the precious prayers offered by believers as Paul embarked on his journey to Jerusalem ....

" and when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way and they all brought us on our way with wives and children , till we were out of the city and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed. " Acts 21:5

We also have the precious account when Peter, who had been miraculously released from prison by an angel came to the house of Mary the mother of John , where "many were gathered together praying". Acts 12:12

All these accounts give us beautiful illustrations of "collective" or "corporate" prayer........

Our Lord said beautifully when He stated : " when two or more are gathered in my name, there I am also".

From the earliest days , believers have gathered to pray. Believers continue to do the same today. Many churches offer "prayer meetings" and that a set time set aside for prayer. This can be done in various ways:

1. the pastor calls for prayer requests and he prays for them , while others listen and are in 'agreement' with him .

2. a prayer meeting is open to all who wish to offer up prayers - so various believers can pray one at a time ..... while others listen and then pray as well.

3. collective prayer can also be held like the first account mentioned here where various believers lift up their voices "with one accord" and with supplications. That is one person may begin a prayer and others join in and pray along with that person, so that various people are praying at the same time. ( usually for the same reasons or over the same person)

I have experienced each one of these methods of praying as a "group" or collectively.

Each Thursday night my Church hold prayer meeting. At the beginning the children are invited to pray.... we break up in small groups, children with parents. Each child is encouraged to offer up a prayer. We take turns praying. Then afterwards, the women have a time of praying together and then the men have a time to pray together.

It is a precious experience! Not only do we get to lift up the burdens before the throne of grace, we come to truly taste of what "fellowship" is all about. It's simply wonderful to know that my brothers & sisters in Christ are praying for me, and lifting up my burdens before the Lord! It's also a blessing to be in prayer for others who may need it. The Lord knew that we needed one another - that is why he told us to not forsake the fellowship with other believers. We simply need each other!

As I shared this with my LDS friend, she was touched by this. She admitted that there is no prayer meeting in the LDS church, and they do not take time to allow for prayers to be lifted up during their Sunday meetings. They do allow their members to add the names of those who need prayers to be added to the temple "prayer roll/list". And each day these requests are prayed over in the LDS temples, although there are no specific names or requests made in behalf of individuals. That is the closest the LDS get to collective or "corporate" prayer.

As I mentioned in previous blog posts, prayer has become a precious blessing to me. Not only praying as an individual , but also praying with other believers.

"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it unto you.... ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full". ~ John 16:23 -24

There is a fullness in joy when we pray. The sweet fellowship we experience with our Lord and with other believers unites our hearts and souls.

In Christ alone,

gloria

Praying

" Pray without ceasing " ~~ 1 Thess. 5:17

Some of my LDS friends have asked me "what" aspects of my life have changed since becoming a born again believer of the Lord. A few of my closest friends really wanted to know "what" could be better in my life now as a Christian vs. when I was LDS. I would have to honestly say that there are many areas that God has completed transformed in my life, since coming to a personal & saving relationship with Jesus -- but "if" I had to choose one area...... I would have to say the most drastic change that I have experienced has been in my prayer life.

When I was a young child, my mom would pray with me each day before bed. We would recite the Lord's prayer each night before bed, and then she would tuck me in and kiss me goodnight. This gave me a great sense of security knowing not only my mom loved me, but " My Father" did too. As I grew older though, this traditional prayer was simply not enough to satisfy my longing to have a closer relationship with God. When I became LDS I learned how to pray a more spontaneous prayer, but formal with the formal language of "thee, thine and thou". This is what I call the King James language. I say that because the Hebrew and Greek languages ( the languages the bible was written in) do not have the formal "thee and thine".

Even though as a LDS I did become more spontaneous in my prayers -- it still did not satisfy the longing I had to really fellowship with God. I so longed and looked for a more intimate and personal relationship with Him. In the last year of my time in the LDS church, I did begin to have some more personal prayers addressed to Jesus ( the LDS do not pray to Jesus, all their prayers are addressed to "heavenly father".) I noticed when I dropped the formality and focused on what I was expressing, then my prayers took a drastic change. They became more intimate.

Now, as a Christian I can say that my prayers are radically different than when I was LDS and when I was a child!!!! Now, I can't wait to get up in the morning and spend time with my Lord in fellowship......... it's a precious time of day for me. Just me & my Lord. It's the first thing I think about when I get up in the morning. I could never do that as LDS!! I could never no matter how hard I tried, get myself out of bed to pray early in the morning! I was lucky to sneak in a few minutes sometime in the morning between getting breakfast for my family and getting babies cleaned up! Now I find that is not the case! I am so anxious to get up in the morning to be with the Lord -- it's something I just can't wait to do!

The content of my prayers have changed dramatically as well. I no longer just focus on "my needs" but I have learned to love praying for others. It's such a blessing to sit and just pray for friends and family and even total strangers who may be sick, afflicted, needing encouragement, etc. I recently started a prayer journal to keep track of prayer requests, and answers too. I also love just taking time to give a prayer of thanks. I usually do these kinds of prayers at night before bed. I will just thank the Lord for everything......from food and good health, to the birds outside.

I also find that during the day, the Lord beckons me to pray ........ if I am being led, I will grab a cup of coffee and head off to a quiet place and spend some time in prayer again. Another thing I notice is the Holy Spirit's leading in prayers. As I sit to pray, I always love to begin my prayer time in worship... singing a song of praise to the lord.... at that time the lord may impress a certain thing I need to pray for. It's amazing how the Spirit can lead in prayer.

Not only has prayer become something absolutely precious -- I have seen huge changes in my children's prayer life!! They too have learned to pray from their heart. No longer the formal "we thank thee for food, clothes, we ask thee...." I am amazed at how intimate their prayers have become. They no longer need to fold their arms across their chests, as they did when they were LDS. LDS have a tradition of folding their arms across their chest . It supposed to help people maintain reverence..... and although I do believe one should be respectful when addressing our Lord, we certainly don't need to have our hands folded. Many times during prayer I will lift up my hands to heaven or just fold them simply on my lap.... there is no 'set way' of how we should keep our hands. The Lord truly cares about what is in our heart, not the formalities of "how" it's done. Thank you Lord! The kids love that freedom to express themselves as they feel led during prayer. I do ask that they maintain a worshipful attitude but they are not required to fold their arms, as when they were LDS. No more formalities.

I also want to note that prayer is a huge huge part of the Christian's life. I realized this quickly when I became involved in our local church. I began to attend prayer meetings, and there is also a time set aside each Sunday at the beginning of service for prayer. My pastor has also called on us to have a time set aside at the end of Church to pray for the lost. Each Thursday night, the women in our church get together for prayer. The men do the same. We pray with the children of our church. Believers are a praying people -- that is what I have noticed. When I talk to a friend who is a believer, and they are having a hard time or are sick or in need of encouragement, we will pray. That maybe on the phone even! It's such a blessing!!

When I was LDS I would never tell someone why don't we stop and pray and ask God for help... or healing or whatever the need may be........I would tell LDS friends that I would place their name on the temple prayer roll, but collective and corporate prayer is not a integral part of the LDS church. When a friend was sick, I would typically make them some bread and soup and drop it off and tell them I hope they feel better -- but ask to pray with them? No, that just wasn't a part of the way things are done.

Now as a believer that is precisely the first thing Christians will think of doing! "I'll be in prayer for you" is often heard in Christian circles. What a blessing! What a wonderful thing it is to know that one is being lifted up in prayer thru the difficulties of life!

Prayer has become so precious, so sweet...... such a huge part of my life and the life of my children. I'll even find myself praying while I am on the ride mower mowing the grass, or when I am in the kitchen cooking, or in the car, etc. Praying without ceasing....... the Lord has taught me what that is and how very precious it is!

" Pray always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" Eph. 6:18

I am so thankful to Jesus for teaching me how to pray, truly pray. Not just a wrote pray ... but truly a prayer from the heart........

I never realized how very precious prayer can become in the life of a believer. Thank you Lord, for lovingly teaching me what it truly means to pray. Thank you for capturing my heart, my mind and my life..... I so long to worship you...... you are my all in all.

I love you, Jesus.

Yours forever,

gloria