The Necklace

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  “SHE WAS one of those pretty, charming young ladies, born, as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no hopes, no means of becoming known, appreciated, loved, and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. . . .  She had neither frocks nor jewels, nothing. And she loved only those things. She felt that she was made for them. She had such a desire to please, to be sought after, to be clever, and courted.” —THE NECKLACE Guy de Maupassant    France, 1884 (pic by Grok) Read this short story here:  https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/the-necklace

True Spirituality (part 4): Exploring Your Spirituality

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1. Is Christ the author of your spirituality or are you? Does your spirituality match what is on the mind of God’s Spirit? Who is the author and finisher of your faith?
    • “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” [Hebrews 5:9] 
    • " . . . looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith,” [Hebrews 12:2]
2. Do you wrestle with spirituality because someone said you were a Christian or you came from a Christian home and you've been trying to copy others--and it feels empty? Are you learning to follow Christ as a disciple, learning from The Master or are you trying to figure things out on your own? 

3. Has God reached your heart? If you've been “following your heart” and God has not been there, what is the basis of your assurance when it comes to your spirituality? How do you know your heart can be trusted when God says it is wicked?

4. Is the Holy Spirit evident as writes out the script of your life? Are His fruits evident? Do you know what your spiritual gifts are and do you use them?

True spirituality is Holy. Being truly spiritual is to be a composition of Christ, who has written permanently on the heart. He is the author and perfecter of faith.

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