,,,Having a form of godliness but denying its power . Have nothing to do with such people..2 Timothy 3:5

We went to church today and this was one of the scriptures he shared.  This is talking about in the latter days when there will be difficult times and what to watch for.  If you look at the previous verses, they say that men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, brutal, slanderous, and so on...(2 Timothy 3:1-5)  We can see that in many homes, on the news, our politicians (both Democrats & Republicans), our youth!  But it is also in so many churches in America!  That's what caught my attention in the sermon. 

One of the things he talked about is in vs. 5 where it says  "having a form of godliness but denying the  POWER...have nothing to do with such people."   There are many "churches" out there that deny the power of Christ and what He did for us on the Cross.  (He did so much more than just make a way for us to go to Heaven!)  The Holy Spirit isn't welcome there to minister to the Children of God.   There is no repentance from sin, because it isn't preached.  It isn't "politically correct" to talk about it!   You never hear about the "blood" of Jesus!  No songs being sung about being "washed in the blood of the lamb" anymore!  The "gifts of the spirit" aren't for today they say.   So many pick and choose what they want to believe in the New Testament. (If they read from the Bible at all!)

If you want to know what Jesus did and thought about sin, read the gospels!  See how BOLD he was!  Plus, he didn't try to explain why or what he said all the time.    He did when he was teaching through parables.  He did a lot of things that you don't see anyone doing these days, because it wouldn't be "accepted" in the church.    We believers are the church or the Body of Christ and He is the head of the church.  Yes,  we meet in a building, but we must be aware of what group we are meeting with and does that group acknowledge the power of Christ?

So, what I got out of what my pastor was saying is that we need to avoid the places & people that have a form of godliness BUT deny its power.  That didn't come out, of course, the way it was preached by my pastor!   What I'm saying is at this time in my life I have to have the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my heart, mind, will, emotions and body!   There is too much evil going on in this world . I want His protection and to walk in His power through Jesus. 

I believe we all do in these latter days.  We are all going through some kind of attack.  If you aren't at this time, then you will be at some point.   That's just life.  We live in a fallen world.  Eve ate the apple.  God did have a plan to redeem us, Jesus did carry out the plan, and the Holy Spirit is to help us share that plan with others (the Great Commission) & walk it out in our lives.  He is our POWER!!!  We can't deny that power!!!  It is only through Him we can do anything that will last and mean anything in the Kingdom of God. 

Well, those are my thoughts for this Sunday.  I am excited about the power of God & what He is doing in my life!  We as Christians should be!  Without that power what do we have to look forward to but dying and going to Heaven some day?  Sorry, folks, but I don't believe that's God's best for me!  He died on the Cross for more than that!  He wants me to walk in health, prosperity, peace, joy, abundant life, the fruit of the Spirit and all things that pertains to life and Godliness!   Not perfection as the "world" views it,  but being prosperous and healthy!

There are so many promises in the Word of God that I wanted to start looking up as many as possible again!  So I  dug out my old Bible from about 25 yrs ago just so I could see all the highlighted and underlined scriptures!  (I had a newer one.) You can see the link on this blog of YouVersion Bible.  I love it because you can see about 8 different versions of the Bible. (And you can get it on your Cell Phone!)  Plus there is a devotion section you can go to and choose the one you want.  I personally like the 'Project 345 Plus' Devotion because you can go through the OT and NT and the Proverbs and Psalms.  It also doesn't take forever to read the daily reading.

Okay that's enough about the online version of the Bible...sorry!  I am just so excited about God's Word and what He is doing in my heart.  There is Power in it and when my pastor taught on that this Sunday it really got me excited again!  It was so right on!  We in America are so ready to say, " Yes, I am a Christian."  But a lot of people don't even know what that means!   They can talk about "God" all day long, but don't know who Jesus is unless it's used as an expletive!  So, my prayer for you & me is that we remember to ask the Holy Spirit to be a part of our lives on a daily basis.  And to separate ourselves from those that have a form of godliness but deny its power.  Have nothing to do with them.  We need discernment in these last days and wisdom to act in the power that God gives us daily. 

On a completely different subject I went to my Great Uncle's 93rd birthday celebration Saturday.  My cousin, once removed, gave me a picture of all my siblings with him and his brother from 1954.  I was a little over 2 yrs old in this picture.  So, I wanted to post it.  I'm the short one!   There are six children in my family. From left to right is our cousin Larry Vawter then it is: Beverly, me, Mary Jo, Sandra holding Barry, Harold Ray Vawter, .and Frank.  I am 2 yrs old in this picture.  We are all approximately two years apart. The oldest to youngest is Sandra, Frank, Mary Jo, Beverly, myself and then Barry.  Just a little bit about my family.....