Session Notes

Shovel Writings: The Application of Grace:

“As far as believing goes, we have been brought into faith. It’s going on the whole time. We become so sure that we don’t even believe Him so often, but then we find ourselves believing Him even though we find nothing left in ourselves. His Spirit witnesses with our spirits that we are His offspring even though everything around us demands that this is not possible. We do become quite aware of this real dependence from time to time, but the mistake is to think that our faith comes and goes. The truth is that WE grow in IT. I am amazed as how often I saw myself as being OUTSIDE of this faith, instead of being wrapped up inside it!!! :)Know this, that your ”miracle“ ears hear Him and you are encouraged and uplifted in faith in so many ways. Of course you will sense yourself being built up sometimes when reading or hearing the written words of the Bible (both the old writings, and the letters of the apostles). You will also discover the same in your encounters throughout the day – especially when you recognize how free you are to hear God in EVERYTHING!!”

This is a clear article on the whole disagreement about when you are saved/have a good heart. We do not have to try/apply, because like a bandage, it will come off The reason is: it is not a part of us. The Good News is that Christ, His qualities and risenness are, for He is in you!!!

Shovel Writings: In Fear and Trembling:

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The miracle of His Life is the miraculous ability to be what He was – fully human!
To be fully human – naked and not ashamed, what scintillating delight!!
The brutal honesty of His love shatters the illusions of prominence and importance………it frees me to be wholly His.

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This is an excellent support that God took away sin. It is through our weaknesses that God’s reality of love shines through us.

Shovel Writings: To him who overcomes:

“This may sound like a denial of reality in view of what you and I see happening in ourselves and would call it anything but ”walking in Christ“, but it is the denial of this reality of our life being in Christ that hurts so many believers and has them reflecting anything but Christ! When we forget who we are, we act and think as insane men, as men of this world. What we need is to be snapped out of the insanity!!! And the ONLY reality by which this can happen is through the miraculous ”hearing“ whereby we KNOW who we really are.
All of the things mentioned to ”he who overcomes“ are the REALITIES of our inheritance in Christ. These are not ”rewards“ such as may be missed out on … ”FOR ALL THINGS BELONG TO YOU, AND YOU BELONG TO CHRIST; AND CHRIST BELONGS TO GOD.“ (1 Cor. 3:22-23),”

This is an excellent article on that Christ took away sin despite appearances.

Shovel Writings: Man-Centered Gospel:

“ What is needed is the revelation from God that brings confidence that all revolves around His Son and the work HE has done. For we have received all spiritual blessings IN HIM. The words will follow as the heart is settled. The beautiful part is that those words don’t have to mimic somebody else’s words, but instead, will be full of life.”

This is a good concise article on the tension between my salvation being up to me or God. The conflict is between the witness of the Spirit and the outside. I pray we walk in the truth of what we have known all along.

Shovel Writings: The Absurd Gospel:

“While many have emphasized Paul’s statement, ”Therefore as you have RECEIVED Christ Jesus the Lord, so WALK in Him“, is it not possible that Paul’s intended emphasis would look more like this: ”Therefore as you have received CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, so walk in HIM“? What’s the difference? One revolves around us, the other around Christ.”

This is an excellent article on fear conditionalizing grace. We need to show mercy to law thinkers because we all have been so steeped in it. It is hard to understand let alone explain.