I Don’t Trust My Own Ideas, Feelings, or Desires
Shift from trusting in your own understanding and begin to trust in and rely on the Lord’s revelation both in Scripture and in His direct communication to your heart. Devour and savor the Bible and cultivate deep intimacy with the risen Jesus.
Make Jesus your best friend. Pour over His love letter to you–the Bible. Listen directly to and obey His inner voice. You don’t want to just listen to and/or read what other people say about your best friend. You want to directly interact with Him heart-to-heart. Spend your time in two-way communication with the living Jesus. It’s not enough just to hear religious talks about Him. Continually open up your heart to Him and chat with Him!
These two teachings from the Protestant Reformation can help you do that. “Sola Scriptura” (Latin for “By Scripture alone,”) is the belief that the Bible alone is the only written authority for Christian faith and practice. “Solus Christus” (Latin for “In Christ alone,”) is the belief that salvation is through Christ alone–that “Christ in you,” (the Holy Spirit actually living inside of and directly leading all true believers) is the only Lord, Head, and Savior of His followers.
Sticking with the Bible’s own words is much more powerful than any curriculum or devotional that people might write about it. When the Bible itself is read, shared, heard, and absorbed with the heart, the Holy Spirit Himself makes it burn in people’s heart, gives them amazing spontaneous insights, and trains them to be Spirit-led.
Jesus never said, “Come and take a seat.” He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16;15)
There is only one body of Christ in this world, and it isn’t any of the human organizations that call themselves a church. The true body of Christ is supernaturally united in the Spirit by Christ living in each one of His true followers (Colossians 1:27) who are being actively and directly “led by the Spirit.” (Romans 8:14) It contains people from “from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)
None of the tens of thousands of Christian denominations worldwide are the body of Christ. There is only one body, and it is united by God’s Spirit. If you are not experiencing and maintaining that unity, you are disobeying Scripture. (Ephesians 4:3-4) Continually absorbing the Bible, listening to and obeying “Christ in you,” and giving no place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27) will launch you into a glorious relationship with the risen Jesus.
The devil works
Behind your back.
He’s got a knack
For getting you
Off of Christ’s track.
He likes to hack
Into your thoughts
And to attack
Your peace of mind.
When his thoughts come
Don’t let them stay.
Be sure to smack
All of them down.
And to drive them
Far, far away.
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