Godliness: Pray Consistently
Friday, April 12, 2019
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"Never stop praying." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Consistent prayer is a key to growing in godliness. God is willing and able to respond to our cries for help, but sadly we often turn to him only for the occasional crisis.
We cannot grow in our walk with God if we don't talk to him! Imagine expecting to build a relationship with a person without ever speaking to him or her. Or perhaps just a casual hello now and then. And yet we do that with God. How can we get to know him that way? How can we learn to hear his voice?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Consider this …
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Paul talks about the increase of ungodliness in the last days.
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! (NLT)
Look around. What do you see? Isn't this a perfect description of today's world?
What can we do? Grow in godliness. Use the three resources God gives us to make that possible: his Word, his Spirit, and his people. And never stop praying. God will help us make a difference in this hurting world—an eternal difference.
Prayer
Father, I commit to spending more time with you in prayer. More time in your Word. Help me be sensitive as the Holy Spirit leads. And may we, as believers, motivate one another to good works. Help me make an eternal difference in the lives of the lost and hurting.
In Jesus' name...
These thoughts were drawn from …Insight Group: Discover the Path to Christian Character byJimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. With its emphasis on developing Christian character, it is a powerful group for those who want to be sure to prevent life-controlling problems from developing in their lives, as well as for those who need to overcome a current problem.
- It enhances people's understanding of themselves and others.
- It helps people bond together in meaningful relationships.
- It helps prepare people for more meaningful relationships in subsequent small groups like home groups and Sunday school classes.
- It surfaces people for help who may otherwise never seek help.
- It helps break down the segregation of people in churches, turning "those people" and "our kind of people" into just "us."
- It helps prepare people to minister to others.
- It serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by ministering to people's felt needs and then pointing them to Christ.
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
©Living Free 2019. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
