Wednesday, October 17, 2012

October 18, 2012

"Add to your faith.........godliness......" II Peter 1:6

Jesus is the reason we know what godliness looks like. He came to live out God's love and power in a fallen world.
 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:25-30

"Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” esus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves." John 14:8-11
 
In His first public teaching, Jesus described what godliness looks like, how it acts and how it thinks. We know this teaching as The Sermon on the Mount.
 
Godliness is where eternity intersects with time.

Godliness is where God's holiness condemns mankind's sinfulness.

Godliness is where the God's power connects with man's weakness.

Godliness brings Heavenly truths to bear against earthly troubles.

Godliness allows God's healing to touch hurting hearts.

In short, godliness brings God's Kingdom to earth so His will can be done!

Godliness came through Jesus.

Jesus wants godliness to come through you!

October 17, 2012

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness" II Peter 1:5-6
 
I want to be godly!
 
You want to be godly!
 
Peter says that God has given us everything we need to live godly lives.
 
So, how do I know if I am godly?
 
I know I am godly if I enjoy His presence.
 
When there is ungodliness within me I feel very uncomfortable in His presence. I can't read His Word because it will make me feel condemned and guilty.
 
I know I am godly if I people are drawn to God through me.
 
Here's a fact, my life will either draw people closer to God or drive them further from Him. No one is neutral in their influence. Your not. I'm not. When someone interacts with me that person either walks away feeling more positive about God or less interested in Him. Which is true of my life? Which is true of yours?
 
I know I am godly if I find it easy to hear his voice.

In John 10, Jesus idedntifies Himself as "the Good Shepherd" and He said, "My sheep know My voice".

You can quickly recognize the voices of those you love. Do you recognize His voice?

I know I am godly when I have less fear and more fruit in my life.

One of the most frequently used phrases by Jesus was, "Fear not!"

John wrote, "There is no fear in love because perfect love casts out fear."

Godliness is possible!

Are you godly?

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."