Tag: difficult times
Times of difficulty ahead!
Scripture reading for October 6: 2 Timothy 3
“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
Paul sought to warn his fellow minister about what God had said concerning the time of the end before the coming again of Jesus Christ. Contrary to popular world views, man would not get better and better as time progressed. Instead, the world and it’s people would bring increasingly difficult and troubled times. The devil’s lie that man, not God, should decide right from wrong would gain more and more followers. People would act in ways that were selfish and destructive, even towards those they should love and respect. Idolatry would mark the lives of many in the worship of self, money, power and even religion.
Some of the worst offenders would be those that deceptively pretended to be ‘godly’ and ‘religious’ people. These people would put on a show of godliness, but remain unchanged in their worldly attitudes and appetites. They really did not really love God, but themselves and their money and pleasures. They would be full of pride and mistreat others, some brutally abusive. They would speak with slanderous accusations and would betray even their own parents and leaders. Paul told Timothy to avoid such people! Life and leadership in the last days will require a true love of God and His Word being faithfully applied and taught by those called to ministry. Patience, kindness, and love by the Holy Spirit will draw people to Jesus Christ.
As you observe our own culture and times, do you think that we could be living in the last days? What changes in your own attitude or world view have you made to focus on loving God rather than the idolatry of our culture? Do you have people in your sphere of influence that you may need to avoid?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your warnings concerning the difficult times of the last days. Give me wisdom and discernment concerning my own attitudes and actions that they may reflect Jesus Christ. Use me to minister to those who may be difficult or ensnared by Satan. May I reflect true godliness. Amen.
Last-day difficulties
Scripture reading for July 7th: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Psalm 46, 2nd Timothy 3
2nd Timothy 3:1-5 “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.”
Paul wanted Timothy, and us, to understand that this world would not get better as time went onward. The time before Jesus’ return would be marked by increased wickedness among the people of the world. They would be centered on ‘self’ and gratifying their flesh. They would be involved in idolatry and violence and seeking after pleasure rather than seeking after God. In all of this self-centeredness, they would cover themselves with a pretense of ‘godliness’ but lack any power of restraint from evil. Believers were to meticulously avoid association with such people. Their pursuit of God’s righteous and true holiness would bring the need for holy separation.
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Prayer: Father God, You are my refuge and strength in these times of difficulty and trouble. Help me to avoid the traps of these difficult times and to pursue true godliness and gently lead those who will listen to truth and escape from the snares of self-centered living and religion. Your Word is my guide and my message to keep my path straight and avoid a life ending in vanity.
Ecclesiastes 8:10 “Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity.”