dependence-on-god

What Is Godliness? Part One

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment

1 Timothy 6:6 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” Our church’s small group is going through “Respectable Sins” by Jerry Bridges. His definition of godliness is like one I never heard before. It is living with the constant awareness of our need for the Lord.

It reminds me of John 15:5 that says, “…for without Me you can do nothing.” Yet how many times we live on auto pilot. We often make plans without consulting the Lord. 

I love David’s example. Here is a passage I frequently visit in  my mind. He was faced with a desperate situation. 2 Samuel 5:19 says, “So David inquired of the Lord…” and the Lord gave him specific directions.

Then the same scene was repeated. David did not go out on his own. Verse 23 says, “Therefore David inquired of the Lord…” and this time the Lord gave him a totally different direction. Both the same situations, but the Lord’s way was not the same.

Our Strength Is In God

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Remember what the Lord said to Paul? Paul had pleaded with the Lord three times to remove the thorn. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”

John 15:5 is a verse we need to use as wallpaper on our heart walls. “…without Me you can do nothing.” Not one thing. When we acknowledge our dependence on the Lord, we walk under His canopy of grace.

I love David’s expression of love in Psalm 18:1-2. It says, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Our intimate communion with Him is the pathway for strength to gain victory over every temptation.