Christlikeness
             One thing that has really spoken to me in this course was studying the contrast of two ways to read scripture (to reinforce current beliefs vs. receiving fullness of Christ). I didn't so much read scripture to reinforce current beliefs but I was reading the Bible, keeping what I had been previously taught in the forefront of my mind and therefore was not keeping my heart and mind open to what the Spirit may have been revealing to me. Along with this, I also have learned and put into practice the six things to do when reading scripture (ie: pray before, ask Jesus to reveal himself to you, pray after and thank Him . . . etc).
             I have been spending energy trying to decrease self by consciously thinking about it but in the chapter on The Intensifying Presence, we learned that as Christ increases, we then decrease. So while consciously trying to decrease may not be all wrong, it is inevitable that when God increases, then a part of us automatically decreases. We should focus our energy on Christ and spend our time becoming continually closer with Him.
             I feel that the essence of this course is to draw closer to Christ and in doing so become more and more like Christ. The desire of my heart is to have Christ be in complete control of my thoughts, actions, and words. I want to be so filled with the presence of the Lord that when I walk into a room, people are touched by God and see Christ in me without me saying a word.
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