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He
who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "From his
innermost being will flow rivers of living water." (NASB)
John 7:38 |
He
was talking about a life filled with the Holy Spirit. He was talking
about an ongoing experience or walk with God through the Holy Spirit.
It is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to know the deep things
of God more and more (1 Cor. 2:10-13). It is the Holy Spirit who
sheds the love of God in our hearts (Rom. 5:5). It is the Holy Spirit who
pulls us deeper and deeper into relationship with Jesus (1 John 2:12-14),
if we want to grow.
David expressed the passion of his deep relationship
with God when he wrote,
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As
the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God? (NASB) Ps. 42:1-2 |
He
was in love with God. He was earnestly seeking a deeper and closer
relationship with God with all his heart (Jer. 29:12-14) - as one
friend knows another very close and personal friend. All through
the Psalms David was seeking after God. The "something more" is
found in seeking God with all your heart day after day. I would encourage
you to read the brief study called "God's
Great Passion." It
is the Holy Spirit who fills the inner being
Conclusion: There
are no spiritual disciplines when one is seeking God. There is only
Jesus! There is nothing more. He is found in the pages of scripture,
and not in routines or in going through the motions of spiritual
disciplines. One will read scripture because that is where Jesus
is found. It is there that we learn more about Him. One will not
read scripture to just know scripture but to know Him. One will not
pray because it is a duty but because that is your heart's passion
to communicate with the One you love! One will not confess sin because
it is a duty but because one loves Him. May I encourage you to read "God's
Great Passion" and to seek Jesus with all your heart
and soul. Love Him with all your heart (Matt. 22:37; Rev. 2:4)! This
is true spirituality
We
want to encourage you to mention your concerns to your pastor, and ask him to
explain why he has made the changes. This can open communication. We also want
to encourage you to pray for your pastor regarding the decisions he is making.
God wants us to pray about everything and not complain (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 2:14).
May the Lord give you wisdom.
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