Feelings

 Many people try to focus service to God only on facts from the Bible. This can be admirable, but we must not forget God made people with feelings. While they should not be the primary guides for the Christian life, they are nonetheless a vital part of it. At one point, we find the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept," Jn. 11:35. Many of the actions done by Jesus are accompanied with the understandings, the emotions, the feelings of the people surrounding Him.Imagine the feelings and wonder when He raised to son of the Widow outside Nain - desperation and sadness turned into relief and great joy - Lk. 7:11ff. Paul shared many struggles, and those struggles caused feelings, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies" - 2Cor. 4:8-10 (ESV). In difficult times, we need to focus on the feeling we have when we know someone is praying for us. Paul usually asked for prayers of success, that he could share the news of Jesus. One time however, he makes a global statement, "Brothers, pray for us." 1Thess. 5:25 (ESV). We need others to join us in our prayers. Paul would also say, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" - Phil. 4:6-7 (ESV). We can feel the strength when we know others are praying for us. This is our Kingdom privilege.