Power Denied

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Where do you turn when you experience times of difficulty in life?  Do you turn to God?  The Holy Bible?  Do you reach out to a close friend?

Recently I was talking with a pastor friend about the counsel he provides to people encountering various struggles.  I was surprised to learn that he wasn’t sharing Scripture with the strugglers, but rather a human point of view.

After a bit more careful probing, it seemed my friend clearly had a head full of Scripture, but that Scripture hadn't quite made it down to his heart yet.  He had the appearance of godliness, but there was an absence of any real power and the counsel being provided was a reflection of this.  He didn't really believe the words he read in Scripture had genuine, life-changing power because he had not experienced it for himself.

My friend, the Scriptures are nothing if not perfectly practical and powerful for our every circumstance, our every need in daily life.

Do you believe the Scriptures?  Do you put into practice what you read in them?

"For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power."  1 Corinthians 4:20

I am praying for our pastors and teachers all over this world to experience the life-changing power of Jesus to meet their every need.  And, may we never deny the ability of this power to transform our lives each day.

Goodnight, Runners.