Form of Godliness

I have been thinking about how easily I may find myself drawn away and deceived if I don't stay fixed and committed to reading and immediately applying the Word of God to my life. I find sin in my life. Not just sin of things done, but things not done. For example, I find myself sometimes so slow and unenthusiastic about starting my bible reading, yet more eager to read my newest Christian book. Or, I have found myself slow and uninspired about having my own personal bible study, yet eager when it comes to group bible study. As I pondered how unfaithful to God I have been in these areas and others, it occurred to me that this is how I/one may easily slip into the great destructive error of having a 'form of godliness but denying the power thereof.' If we're not careful we can slip into a nice, good 'Christian' life without a growing, intimate relationship with God. And Christianity just doesn't make any sense without Christ.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV

Worldliness

Just a quick question:

"Imagine I take a blind test in which my task is to identify the genuine follower of Jesus Christ. My choices are an unregenerate individual and you. I'm given two reports detailing conversations, Internet activity, manner of dress, iPod playlists, television habits, hobbies, leisure time, financial transactions, thoughts, passions, and dreams. The question is: Would I be able to tell you apart?" 

- C.J. Mahaney in Wordliness: Resisting the seduction of a fallen world

The influence of godly women

I'm in the last 2 months of my vacation in Silicon Valley, California. I have a mental drive more than ever to use my time wisely and in such a way that I grow spiritually while I'm resting. I enjoy the church I attend here tremendously. I know God led me to this place in answer to my almost daily prayers for about 2 months before arriving in CA. I had been praying for some time whether I should try to get more involved at church or if I was just in a period where I needed to sit and be taught (fed).  Anyway, I didn't actually go forward with my little inclinations to look into the weekly women's bible studies until the very end of December '09. It was like all of a sudden, it's something I needed to check out so I went to the website, found the director's contact info and asked about it all. The classes were closed for the holidays so I eagerly awaited 2010, truly believing this was something the Holy Spirit was encouraging me to go forward with.

So today was the first session for my group after the holidays and I had a fabulous time. There were 14 ladies in class today (supposed to be 20) and almost all are old enough to be my mother or grandmother even. They were so warm and welcoming. I am excited about being in a position to gain not only from their general fellowship but from the wisdom and experience their age will lend to me. The bible study was serious and totally Word-based too. We are going through the book of Acts in an expository form and there is real opportunity to learn. They ended with authentic, personal types of prayers, just praying for the needs of one another and one woman even just confessed her sin of doing things her own way in the recent past and not seeking God or being obedient. I was shocked by that to say the least, in a good way. I didn't ask for prayer so at the end they asked me if they could pray for me. I was so blessed. After class, they usually continue 'fellowshipping' over lunch so they decided to take me to lunch and paid for my meal. Even the conversation at the table was varied,  funny and warm. It was such a good time and I am so grateful to God for the warm connections that were made already.

I got home with my desire stirred for the things of God, for real growth, for becoming a godly woman full of His word and Spirit.

Thank You LORD!