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I've heard there is talk of mysticism in the churches today; some kind of physical experience with God. People are wanting perhaps more than what God has promised to us. He hasn't promised us a physical experience where we move up to some higher plane to see and hear things from Him.
If we ignore the way in which God has chosen to speak to his followers, we can lose our way and head towards something that feels good but is not good.
Yes, God can give people visions and dreams. There are times he will do this. But not from us seeking these things. He gives these things when they are necessary, either for us or for his kingdom.
I have heard of people in Christian circles say, "Only speak of Jesus. Don't talk about the end of the world, or what kind of people they should be. Only Jesus."
Well, what did Jesus himself say? He taught the people about how they should live and he talked about the end of the world! So, these people contradict themselves. They say, "Don't talk about the commandments." What did Jesus say about the commandments? A lot.
"You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother." Mark 10:19
"And Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matt. 22:37-40
It is vital for a Christian to read the Bible. The Bible is called the word of God; Jesus is also called the Word. If we do not know what the Bible says then we have no defense against the lies of man or Satan. We can be deceived; that is the reason God gave us his word from heaven.
"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17
In a prayer for his disciples, Jesus said, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17
"And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." 1 Thess. 2:13
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