I am starting a new series today titled \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pursuing Godliness.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I just returned from a four month break. I am amazed how much God taught me during that short period of time. I expected to spend most of the time working on my next book. But God had greater plans. The main thing God had me focus on this summer was godliness.<\/p>\n

Paul instructed Timothy to:<\/p>\n

H<\/strong>ave nothing to do with godless myths and old wives\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Command and teach these things. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. <\/strong><\/p>\n

1 Timothy 4:7-12<\/strong><\/p>\n

I took a cross-fit class last spring. It was once a week for six weeks. But in order to keep up with the level of intensity of the class, I had to also workout at home several days a week. My reason for taking the class was probably different than others in the class. I took it to be pushed beyond my limit to strengthen me spiritually, not physically.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t taken a cross-fit class, it is best described as a boot camp workout. Our instructors told us they specifically design the workouts to torture us. At the first class, my friend who introduced me to cross-fit said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153See that guy over there? He threw up four times his first day!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

At the end of my first class, I text my husband to tell him I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think I could drive home. I could barely lift my foot from the gas to the break. It was physically the hardest six weeks of my life. After the six weeks, my friend asked me if I was going to continue taking cross-fit, but I said I already received what I set out to obtain: motivation. Seeing the strong commitment and devotion from these men and women for something that is only temporary, strengthened me in my spirit to make that same devotion to pursuing godliness.<\/p>\n

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2 Peter 3:10-12<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sadly, we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see godliness being a predominant focus in the body of Christ today. It seems that being in style and hip are the main focus. I received a flyer the other day from a new church. They advertised that their music rocked. Their seats were comfortable, and they wore flip-flops to their service.<\/p>\n

I went to a Christian conference last month. It was more entertaining than spirit filled. They had dance music, comedic skits and an average message in between. When the conference ended, I left with the desire to dance more than the desire to run home and read my Bible.<\/p>\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t understand why so many ministers and churches feel they have to entertain people to draw them in. Jesus didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t act like the world to reach them. He was so filled with the Spirit that people were drawn to Him. The power of the Holy Spirit in Him didn’t entertain people. It transformed their lives!<\/p>\n

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds<\/span> from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him<\/span>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Matthew 4:23-25<\/strong><\/p>\n

If we follow Jesus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 example, the Spirit of God will be so powerful in us that it will draw people to us, eager to find out what we have. We won’t have to entice them to come into church. They will be running to church!<\/p>\n

Jesus said:<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?<\/strong> A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBrother, let me take the speck out of your eye,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eye. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Luke 6:39-42<\/strong><\/p>\n

The church is trying to reach the world to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153clean them up\u00e2\u20ac\u009d when they haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even cleaned themselves up. I remember a famous preacher coming to town once, preaching about not giving up on the church and giving them another chance. His message was about not looking at the church leaders who are unholy, but instead looking at God who is Holy.<\/p>\n

His message wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t completely wrong. We are to look to God, but the Bible also shows us that church leaders are to live godly lives as examples to those they minister to (Read 1 Timothy 3:1-12). <\/strong><\/p>\n

In Acts 6, <\/strong>the twelve disciples gathered all the other disciples together and said to choose seven men from among them who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom, just to distribute food to the poor. It isn’t just the preachers and teachers that are to be godly examples. We are all called to be.
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The Apostle Paul exhorted, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (1 Corinthians 11:1).<\/strong><\/p>\n

How many of us today would have the confidence and courage to say to others, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Follow my example because I am following Christ\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s example!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

In this series, we will focus on learning how to follow Christ\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s example by pursuing godliness. I pray this series will bless and encourage all of us to seek the Lord with all our hearts.<\/p>\n

Heavenly Father,<\/em><\/p>\n

We praise You for Your love for us. Lead us in this series and help us on our pursuit of godliness. Teach us through Your word and help us follow Christ’s example by living the life You created us to live. <\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

In Jesus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 precious name, Amen! <\/em><\/p>\n

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*Come back next Monday as the series continues. You can subscribe below to receive email reminders of new posts. You can also use the share tabs below to help spread the word of this series to bless others.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Have a blessed week seeking the Lord!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Steve Sawyer is starting a series on his blog tomorrow titled \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Brokenness.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/strong> Steve\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s series goes along with my series on pursuing godliness. He talks about realizing how wretched our sin is and how true brokenness is the only way for Jesus to get rid of it, not forgive it, because He did that anyway, but get rid of it. Follow this link<\/a> to his blog.
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*Do you want to pursue godliness in your marriage and raising your family?<\/strong> I recently revised and republished \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You Can Have a Happy Family.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The ebook version is FREE TODAY ONLY<\/strong> at Amazon. Follow the link below.<\/p>\n