2 Timothy 3 - 5.30.23

SCRIPTURE:  2 Timothy 3:1-5  "But mark this:  There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with such people."

OBSERVATION:  Two thousand years ago Paul taught Timothy about the difficult times that would be going on in the last days.  If two thousand years ago was the "last days", the days we are living in now are even closer to Jesus' return!  

When Paul taught Timothy to have nothing to do with those kinds of people, he meant, don't allow yourself to be influenced by them.  Don't conform to their ways.  What Paul did want Timothy to do was to stand firm in his faith as he remembered all that Paul had taught him from the Scriptures, and the way he had lived his life; his purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance.  Even in the most difficult of circumstances when Paul was persecuted for his faith, he endured the persecutions because God was with him.  

As we draw closer to the 2nd coming of Jesus, universal godlessness will increase drastically!

APPLICATION:  The deterioration of humanity has come in cycles throughout the last two thousand years, but EVERY TIME God has been faithful to keep His promise to the ones who confess the name of Jesus and turn from their sins.

"Evil people and imposters will become worse, deceiving and being deceived, BUT WE have received grace from God through Jesus to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations, on behalf of His name. 

PRAYER:  Thank You God for being so faithful to Your children.  I pray when we deal with the ones who are opposing You that we will be gentle as we instruct them in Your Word in the hope that You will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will. 

Whatever period of time we are living in, I pray we will continually align our thoughts and actions with Your plans as You use us to partner with You in sharing Your truth -  that NEVER changes, is NEVER shaken, and that will NEVER fade. 

- Robin Orefice