We have received…the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. —1 Corinthians 2:12
My experience is not what makes redemption real— redemption is reality. Redemption has no real meaning for me until it is worked out through my conscious life. When I am born again, the Spirit of God takes me beyond myself and my experiences, and identifies me with Jesus Christ. If I am left only with my personal experiences, I am left with something not produced by redemption. But experiences produced by redemption prove themselves by leading me beyond myself, to the point of no longer paying any attention to experiences as the basis of reality. Instead, I see that only the reality itself produced the experiences.
Be relentless and hard on yourself if you are in the habit of talking about the experiences you have had. Faith based on experience is not faith; faith based on God’s revealed truth is the only faith there is.
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December 21 2015
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Good morning God and thank you for the reminder to keep the “main thing the main thing”. How often I cloud the issue searching for the right scripture, song, doctrine or prayer. I have looked for answers in experiences, parables, bible studies, and from others I though more “spiritual” than me. Then you remind me and bring me right back to Jesus.
And God says…”It is not because you focus on surrender, connection, curiosity and obedience that you experience a peace that passes all understanding and look forward to each new day with eager anticipation and enthusiasm. It is because of whom you surrender to. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require, including the strength and power to surrender, be connected, curious and obedient. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and do not rely on your own understanding or experiences, and I will make your paths straight. And recall that is it perfectly fine to look back in your rear view mirror and recall times when you were rescued and lifted up. But first recall who did the lifting.”