Differentiate

Emotion and spirit can feel similar though they are not the same.
Something that is deeply emotional can feel spiritual. Conversely,
something that is spiritual can feel very emotional.

So, how can you tell the difference between the two when they feel
so much alike? Pray for discernment. Grow closer to the Lord in
relationship. Get to know yourself better.

And very important: Read Scripture. It will help you with all those
things--and it has much to say about emotion (as today's verse).
  

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper
  than one who takes a city. (Prov 16:32 NIV)

Change

If you are satisfied with your life, I am overjoyed for you! If you
are not, take heart: Circumstances can change--and you can be a
facilitator of the change. How? This is what I believe:

God has the power to change a life or the Universe. However, He is
limited to what He can do for us by our authority--the authority He
gave to us and will not violate. The more you give Him authority to
work in your life, the more He can change in your life.

It has been so in mine. That is why I believe it can be so in yours.
  

 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise.
  Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have
  sinned against him, I will bear the Lord's wrath, until he pleads my
  case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light;
  I will see his righteousness. Then my enemy will see it and will be
  covered with shame, she who said to me, "Where is the LORD your
  God?" My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled
  underfoot like mire in the streets. (Micah 7:8-10 NIV)

All about timing!

Do you have a dream that God put in your heart, yet it seems beyond
ever becoming reality? Jesus said to Martha: "Did I not tell you
that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

If you concocted the dream in your mind, that is another issue.
However, if God gave you the dream and you have not seen it yet, it
is likely still out there, waiting for the right time or for you.
  

"Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister
  of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been
  there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you
  believed, you would see the glory of God?" Jesus called in a loud
  voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and
  feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
  Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
  (John 11:39-40,43b-44 NIV)

The End

"The end justifies the means." Heard that? Essentially, it means
that if something is deemed important enough, any method of
achieving or acquiring it is acceptable.

About unquestionable sin, people have said to me before: "I believe
God understands." No, God does not "understand"! We do not have
permission to violate His Word because we want something!

He is merciful and patient. He always forgives a truly repentant
heart. But His mercy is no license to disrespect Him and His Word.

Learn it. Love it. Know Him. Love Him.
  

  I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. Seven times a day I
  praise you for your righteous laws. Great peace have they who love
  your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your
  salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. I obey your statutes,
  for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for
  all my ways are known to you. (Psa 119:163-168 NIV)

Hesitant Faith

"...slow of heart...": Interesting words Jesus chose, essentially an
indictment to his followers. That suggests that they were at least
skeptical or fearful, perhaps even disinterested or indifferent.

The bottom line is that they were not passionate or committed. They
were not awaiting Jesus' resurrection. They were not expecting to see
Him again. All of which implies that they did not believe what He
had previously told them.

Do you really believe--REALLY? Do you really expect Jesus to do what
He said He would do? What do your actions say? (I ask myself these
questions as part of my "check up" on a very regular basis.)
  

 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb
  early this morning  but didn't find his body. They came and told us
  that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then
  some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the
  women had said, but him they did not see." He said to them, "How
  foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the
  prophets have spoken! (Luke 24:22-25 NIV)

Convenience vs. Commitment

Charles Stanley said: "Too many Christians have a commitment of
convenience. They'll stay faithful as long as it's safe and doesn't
involve risk, rejection, or criticism. Instead of standing alone in
the face of challenge or temptation, they check to see which way
their friends are going."

What did Jesus say about commitment? "If anyone is ashamed of me and
my words..." (Mark 8:38)
  

We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization
  and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all
  agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends
  Barnabas and Paul--men who have risked their lives for the name of
  our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:24-26 NIV)

Activator

Have you seen sci-fi movies where an artifact of ancient, other-
world technology is found that appears to be long dead? Then some
action awakens it and it powers up--as potent and powerful as it
ever was. It usually threatens the galaxy or something like that.

I believe God can activate in us what we thought was long dead. He
is life and the source of power. What enables His life and power to
"power up" in us? Faith--in the context of relationship.
  

  Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with
  a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said.
  "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time
  there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus
  said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the
  glory of God?" (John 11:38-40 NIV)