Knowing Christ Brings Your Spirit to Life -- and How NOT to Crowd God Out of Your Busy Life with Sue Donaldson (EP 36)

NOTE FROM JON:  "I’ve got something I’d like you to try, if you haven’t already.  It’s my Spiritual Self-Assessment. You’ll get an honest picture of how healthy your relationship is with God. The Assessment is free. Access it HERE." “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5-7 NIV) Do you remember that day when Christ became your Savior? You were given new life. One moment you were spiritually dead and the next moment you were spiritually alive. Boom! Instantly. The Holy Spirit came into you when you came to know Christ. As Jesus says in that passage, “The Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Claim that truth as your very own. You were born again! This whole concept is quite mysterious. Jesus affirmed that in the next verse. Yes, we are born again, spiritually alive, but it’s hard for our minds to grasp that concept. “The wind blows where it pleases,” he says. “You hear its sound but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 NIV) You’ve got the Spirit, but you can’t easily explain how He works. The more you know Jesus, the more clear this mystery will become. Knowing Jesus brought your spirit to life. Knowing Jesus keeps the fire alive. Knowing Jesus puts him on the pedestal. It puts him at the center of your life. Yearn to know him above all other interests and activities. Let knowing Jesus consume you. When that happens, with the power of the Holy Spirit, you’ll grow from a baby to a mature man or woman of God. Even though your growth was stunted at some point, you can return to that vibrant life-giving experience. Your Story Will you take time right now and admit your sin of putting yourself at the center of your life? Then give the rightful owner, Jesus, his spot back at the center. When you do that, you’re allowing the Holy Spirit to work his transformation in your life. FEATURED GUEST: Sue Donaldson is a longtime Christian and servant of the Lord. Like me, she’s a podcaster. Her podcast is called Living a Legacy Life. But more than that, Sue Donaldson is a speaker, an author, Bible teacher, former missionary, as well as a wife and mother. If there’s ever a candidate to fall into performance Christianity, it’s Sue. You see, she’s a doer. She has the gift of hospitality, and that means she serves, and serves, and serves. Hear how she avoids the performance trap with God, and how she keeps her relationship fresh. LINKS AND RESOURCES: Get Sue's Three Paths to Spiritual Growth in the Wilderness Spiritual Self-Assessment Fresh Faith 24/7 14-day FREE TRIAL Sue Donaldson's Podcast: Living a Legacy Life Sue's books on hospitality (and other resources)