Pursue Godliness!

Good morning to all on this wonderful Tuesday morning. God is in His Heaven and all is right with the world! All is well in the Kong household and I am looking forward to a very productive day. Please continue to lift ET and his family up in prayer as well as JKS. Any of you who are in need of comfort and healing may want to read 2 Corinthians 3-11. If you ever doubted that God is concerned with your welfare, these verses will be a great blessing to you.

I am continuing my journey in 1 Timothy 6 verses 11-21, " But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all." Amen and amen!

Paul has ended his 1st letter to Timothy with an admonition to stay away from godless chatter and "opposing" ideas which is falsely called knowledge. What a good admonition!  In our world, people always want to explore the "what ifs"; I  have learned that the "what ifs" will not add a day to your life either here or in eternity and becomes at the end of the day, godless chatter. Waine and I try to watch 60 Minutes every Sunday and this Sunday they featured a US Cardinal who is a rising star in the Catholic church. He is well liked and has become a beacon of hope for this beleaguered religion. Although very affable, he refuses to discuss things that have been "settled" by the Catholic church such as abortion, birth control, and female priests. Well Paul wants us to be "SETTLED" on the precepts of Christ, not a man made church or religion, but be settled on what Christ teaches in His Word. That we should pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. At the start and end of each day, reflect on whether you were an obedient servant to the teachings of Christ. Did you turn away from evil when presented to you through the Internet or other media that bombards us daily? Did you praise and worship God for your life no matter in what condition you find yourself in? Did you exercise your faith on the things you have prayed for--believing that you have already received that for which you prayed? Did you love yourself even though you might think you are un-lovable? Did you love others? Well if you don't love yourself can you truly love others. Are you enduring through your trial? The Bible teaches that we would share in the sufferings and blessings of Christ and we are to endure through our faith. Were you gentle and kind to all regardless of whether you thought they deserved it. Whew! These Spiritual matters will have you occupied 24/7 which is why Christ tells us to KEEP OUR MINDS AND HEART ON HIM! Be blessed to today and renew your mind. Start you day with Chirst on your heat and mind!

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. Hallelujah and amen!

Stephanie