February 2015

"Sound Doctrine"

February 28, 2015

“Sound Doctrine”

Blessings folk!

We have seen the charge of the Lord.
We have seen what we are to do.

2 Timothy 4:1-2
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.


Why are we to…

  • preach the Word
  • be ready in season and out of season
  • reprove
  • rebuke
  • exhort
?

The next verse tells us.
We live in these days.

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,


“For” connects this verse to the previous.
The time will come.
The time has come.
Sound doctrine is rarely desired.
Sound doctrine is ridiculed, rejected, rebuffed.
Sound doctrine is nonexistent in a large part of the organizational church.
Sound doctrine is not pursued.
Sound doctrine is assumed by many based upon the faith of others. Such is error.

Are you grounded in sound doctrine?
Do you know the Truth of the Lord?
Are you pursing the Truth of the Lord?
How? By the way of man or the way of the Lord?

"Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort..."

February 27, 2015

“Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort…”

Blessings folk!

The instructions associated with the charge that the Spirit gives through Paul to Timothy/us seems foreign and alien to the functioning of the Body that we experience today.

Such should not be.

We have seen that we are to proclaim the Word in season and out of season.

Look at the next instructions.
Remember, these are to be done in love through the leading of the Lord..

2 Timothy 4:1-2
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.


Reprove - elegcho

  • convict
  • refute
  • by conviction to bring to light
  • to expose
  • to correct...by word, by deed

Rebuke - epitimao
  • to admonish
  • to charge sharply

Exhort - parakaleo
  • to call to one’s side
  • address/speak comfort, instruction, admonishment, strengthen, encourage, instruct, teach, etc.

We are to do so with each other as fellow Believers.
We are to reprove.
We are to rebuke.
We are to exhort.

We are to do so with great patience.
We are to so with instruction.

We are to do so with the heart of God.
Not the heart of man...the flesh.

When the Lord functions in this way through us great growth of the individual and the Body occurs.

When man seeks to functions this way through the flesh (though in the “name of the Lord&rdquoWinking, then control, manipulation, witchcraft, etc. will be manifest. The deeds of the flesh.

Allow the Lord to flow through you.
Love one another as He has loved us.

"Preach the Word..."

February 26, 2015

“Preach the Word...”

Blessings folk!

Are you a True Believer, or a tare...a false believer...a religionist that goes through religious motions, yet have never been transformed?

The True Believer is evident by their fruit.

They will be known by their obedience to the charge of the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:1-2
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.


We are told to be ready in season and out of season.
We are to be ready at all times to the things listed here.

be ready - ephistemi

  • to stand by
  • be present
  • to be at hand
  • to be ready

season - eukairōs
  • when the opportunity occurs

We are to seize the opportunities that arise to speak forth the Truth.
To…
preach - kēryssō
  • to be a herald
  • to proclaim openly
  • to publish

word - logos
  • a word
  • sayings of God
  • moral precepts of God
  • doctrine, teaching

To “preach the word” is not limited to what we in the western church call “preachers”.

All believers are to “preach”.
All believers are to speak forth the “logos” of the Lord.
We are to be ready to do so in any moment.

The world is growing in darkness.
We are the light.

The heart of the world is growing colder.
We are the salt.

Again, this does not speak of having a “sermon” at the drop of a hat.
Nor a “bible study”.
(Though both would do no harm to have at the ready!)

It speaks of each believer being the vessel of the proclamation of the Lord at any time, in any situation.

Are you willing?
If not, why?
If willing, begin to do so.
Learn the Word.
Speak the Word.
Live the Word.

"Snow..."

February 25, 2015

“Snow…”

Blessings folk!

In honor of the weather situation across much of the united States… Happy

The Scripture mentions snow several times.
Often as a term of comparison/contrast “whiter than snow”, etc.
The book of Job has amazing insight into the Most High.
Insight that is often neglected or ignored by the Body.
An error.


Job 37:5-6
5 “God thunders with His voice wondrously,
Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’

God does wondrous things which we cannot comprehend.
He speaks these forth.
One of them is that He tells the snow to fall on the earth.
He knows where every flake lands.
He knows the design of every flake.
He knows the number of them.
He knows the rate of melting.
He knows...

Job 38:22-23
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved for the time of distress,
For the day of war and battle?

The Lord is asking an extended series of questions to Job.
One of them…”have you entered the storehouses of the snow”?
Did Job understand the mystery of snow?
Did he know the purpose?

In the same sentence the Lord mentions hail.
Hail reserved for the time of distress...for the day of war and battle.
Hail was used by God to deliver Israel from Egypt.
Hail was used by God in battle.
Hail will be used by God when He judges unbelieving mankind…

Rev 16:21
And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, *came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe.

Have you considered the wonder of God’s creation?
We experience the Creation once judged.
We rejoice in it.
Yet, something greater is come.

As we watch the flakes of snow, may we rejoice in the wonder and glory of the Most High.







"Charge..."

February 24, 2015

“Charge…”

Blessings folk!

Paul now “charges” Timothy.
Seek the Lord as to what He is saying to you.

2 Timothy 4:1-2
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Charge - diamartyromai

  • to testify, to religiously charge
  • solemnly affirm

The charge comes in the Presence of God and of Christ Jesus.
This is not a charge from Paul.
This is the Word of the Lord

What do we learn about Jesus in verse 1?
He will judge the living and the dead.
When?
By/At His appearing.
When His Kingdom is established.

Those who are True Believers will be judged.
Their works will be judged at the “bema seat” judgment…for the purpose of reward.
They will enter into the Presence of the Lord.
Forever.

Those who are not believers will be judged.
Their works will be judged at the great white throne judgment.
None will be found worthy because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
They will be cast into the lake of fire.
I believe they will be able to see the Presence of the Lord from there, yet not participate.
Forever.

What is the charge?
  • Preach the Word
  • Be ready in season and out of season
  • Reprove
  • Rebuke
  • Exhort

And to do so with great patience and instruction.

...to be continued…

For now, do we do as charged?

"All Scripture..."

February 23, 2015

“All Scripture…”

Timothy had been taught the Scripture from childhood by his mom and grandmother.
He had learned.
Through the Scripture he was convinced that the gospel that Paul presented was Truth.
The wisdom of the Scripture leads to salvation through faith in Jesus.
Paul then builds upon this with a declaration about the Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.


All Scripture…

  • not just the part “we like”
  • not just the part “we agree with”
  • not just the part that we think “applies to us”

All Scripture is…
  • inspired by God...not be man
  • profitable for teaching
  • profitable for reproof
  • profitable for correction
  • profitable for training in righteousness

It is the inspired Scripture that teaches, reproofs, corrects and trains in righteousness.
Anything else is fraudulent and will fail.

What is the purpose of teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness through the Word?
So that the man (person) of God may be…
  • adequate
  • equipped for every good work

The Body of Christ is sorely lacking in those who are adequate and equipped for every good work.

The Scriptures are neglected.
Oh, it is true.
We have many “bible studies”.
We have many “sunday school classes”.
We have many “…groups”.
But, rare is that group that truly opens the Word to see what it says.
To hear the Lord.
To receive from the Lord.
To allow the Lord to do as He desires.
Those that do so, find transformation, life and power for the work of the Kingdom.

"Sacred Writings"

February 22, 2015

“Sacred Writings”

Blessings folk!

The Lord now gives us a command...through the Spirit through Paul to Timothy/us.

Read the following.
What is the command?
How as the command to be accomplished?

2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.


The command?
Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of…

We are to press on in the Truth of the Lord.
But, how do we know Truth?

From Paul.
From the sacred writings.

Timothy had learned from the sacred writings...from his childhood.
His mother and grandmother made certain of this.

2Ti 1:5
For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

The sacred writings...from Paul’s/Timothy’s perspective this would be the Old Testament...are able to give wisdom.

This wisdom from the Word leads to salvation…
Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

There is no other way.
There is no other truth.
There is no other light.



"Impostors"

February 21, 2015

“Impostors”

Blessings folk!

Again, a profound truth that needs to be repeated and understood.
Those who desire to be godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

2 Timothy 3:12-13
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The pursuit of a life of holiness will be resisted.
Persecution is promised.
This persecution may range from the simplest resistance of a “smart comment” to persecution unto death.

Again, if you desire to be godly in Christ Jesus you will be persecuted.

“But”...there is that word again.

Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse.

What kind of evil?

I believe we gain insight in the sentence.

Impostors - goēs

  • wailer
  • a howler
  • juggler
  • enchanter
  • deceiver

Wow.
Impostors are those who claim/profess on thing and yet live/manifest another.
How many have I heard that “howl, wail” the gospel message, yet they are deceivers when their lives are manifest.

I believe these impostors will be a source of persecution to true believers.

Do we act/react as the world?
Then we are impostors.

These evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse.
Such is today.

Another hint is the last wording.
They deceive.
They are being deceived.
They are in a position that allows for deceiving...some form of leadership, teaching, etc.

Do not be one of them.
Repent.
Confess.
Manifest the life of faith and trust.

"Persecutions and Sufferings"

February 19, 2015

“Persecutions and Sufferings”

Blessings folk!

We can understand the Lord exhorting us to follow someone’s example in the area of…
  • teaching
  • conduct
  • purpose
  • faith
  • patience
  • love
  • perseverance…

But...look at what is next...

2 Timothy 3:10-12
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11
persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.


The Lord is telling us through Paul’s conversation with Timothy that we are to understand that persecutions and sufferings in Christ will come.

Persecutions: diōgmos

  • means “persecution” LOL

Sufferings: pathēma
  • external and/or internal
  • misfortune
  • calamity
  • evil
  • affliction

Paul gives specific examples of persecution he had endured…Antioch, Iconium, Lystra.
Timothy would have known the fullness of these.
Paul was telling him to fear not.

Realize that persecution and suffering will come.
Persecution is to be endured in the Lord.
He will rescue.
Sometimes to remain in this corporeal existence.
Other times to the reward of glory.
Be reminded of verse 12.

If one desires to live godly in Christ Jesus, persecution will come.

We know from the Word that persecution and suffering will increase in the last days.
Such has been true.
Such will be true.

Are you ready?

"Pursue Perseverance..."

February 19, 2015

“Pursue Perseverance…”

Blessings folk!

We are to persevere.

2 Timothy 3:10-12
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Let us continue from yesterday...more of what the Word says about perseverance.

Romans 8:24-25
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, with
perseverance we wait eagerly for it.


We persevere in awaiting for the hope of our salvation - the return of the Lord.

Romans 15:4-6
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through
perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Now may the God who gives
perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have hope through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures.
God gives perseverance.
Again.
God gives perseverance.

Ephesians 6:18
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all
perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Persevere in alertness...through petition and prayer...for the saints.
How different the Body of Christ would be if we simply did this.

1 Timothy 6:11
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
perseverance and gentleness.


Perseverance is to be pursued.

Are you persevering in the faith?
Are you pressing on to the upward call that is in the Lord?

"Perseverance..."

February 18, 2014

“Perseverance…”

Blessings folk!

We are told to follow the example of Paul in persevering.

2 Timothy 3:10-12
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.


Perseverance: hypomonē

  • steadfastness
  • endurance
  • constancy
  • patient enduring
  • “in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings”

Perseverance in the faith is evidence that one is truly saved.

1 Timothy 4:16
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.


Perseverance presses on.
Perseverance believes.
Perseverance hopes.

Perseverance is sorely lacking within the “professing” organizational church.

We are to persevere in giving close attention to ourselves...to sin not, to live holy.
We are to persevere in the teaching of the Word…the Truth...to be not deceived.

The Word speaks much of perseverance.
Read and give heed.
Then, persevere.



Romans 2:5-8

But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:
to those who by
perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.

In what do we persevere?
In doing/seeking good?
In selfish ambition?

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about
perseverance;
and
perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

True Believers are justified.
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In peace we will still have tribulations.
These tribulations bring about perseverance.

Rejoice.
Persevere.

...to be continued...


"Faith, Patience, Love"

February 17, 2015

“Faith, Patience, Love”

Blessings folk!

We are being encouraged to follow the example set by Paul...

2 Timothy 3:10-12
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.


Faith: pistis

  • belief
  • conviction of truth
  • trust

Patience: makrothymia
  • endurance
  • steadfastness
  • perseverance
  • forbearance
  • longsuffering
  • slowness in avenging wrongs

Love: agape
  • affection
  • good will
  • brotherly love

Paul was not bragging in the flesh.
He is simply stating the pattern of his life that Timothy was to follow.
It was the Spirit of the Lord that enabled Paul to live this way.
Not his power or ability in the flesh.

True salvation will manifest a life of faith/patience/love.

Do we show evidence of such?
In what do we trust?
What do we love?
What does our life reveal?

"Teaching, Conduct, Purpose..."

February 16, 2015

“Teaching, Conduct, Purpose…”

Blessings folk!

Do we live according to the Word?
Can we say to another, “live as I live?”
Can we specifically delineate the areas?
Paul could...and did.
So should we.

2 Timothy 3:10-12
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.


Timothy followed Paul’s teaching, conduct, purpose.

Teaching: didaskalia

  • instruction
  • precepts
  • doctrine

Conduct: agōgē
  • leading
  • course of life
  • life led

Purpose: prothesis
  • setting forth of a thing
  • placing of it in view
  • the shewbread in temple...an example

Paul told Timothy, and us, that he not only taught the Word, but that he lived in a manner that provided an example.

His course of life…
His leading…
His life provided a clear view of the life of holiness...the life of the Kingdom.

It was in plain view.
All could see.

What do all see when looking at our lives?
What does the Lord see?






"Desire to Live Godly..."

February 15, 2015

“Desire to Live Godly…”

Blessings folk!

The Spirit now moves from warning to exhorting and encouraging...then warning.

Give close attention to the “bookend” statements.

2 Timothy 3:10-12
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Look at two truths for today.

Timothy followed/learned/knew Paul’s teaching.

We should live in manner so that we can tell folk “to following my teaching”, “do as I do”.
Paul gives specifics...which we will cover later.

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

This is a truth that rarely is known in the Body of Christ.
Most do not want to hear it.
They want to have their ears tickled.
They want to think that everything will be perfect (from the fleshly perspective) as Believers.

This is a promise.
Do you desire to live godly in Christ Jesus?
Then you will be persecuted.

Note, this is true Godliness…”in Christ Jesus”.
Not fraudulent religious activity.
Godly in Christ.

There is no other way...

"Jannes and Jambres"

February 14, 2015

“Jannes and Jambres”

Blessings folk!

We are now experiencing the men of the last days.
Yet, it will become worse.

These men will oppose the truth.
Such is today.
In the world.
In the organizational “church”.

These men are of depraved mind.
They will seek their own mind.
They will not seek the mind of the Lord...even as they do things “in the name of the Lord.”

These men are rejected in regard to the faith.
We saw that they have a form of godliness, yet deny the power thereof.
I believe that this speaks of a form of Christian faith, not an overtly pagan religion.
They “believe”, yet they deny the power of True Faith.
They are not True Believers.

These men will be revealed as folly...in time.
They will not make further progress.
Their foolish, fraudulent, folly-of-a-faith will be exposed as powerless manipulation of man empowered by the evil one.

We are given an example.
The Old Testament does not give us the names of the participants.
The New Testament does.

2 Timothy 3:8-9
8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.
9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.

Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses.
They opposed the Lord God.

Be not as they were.


"Always Learning..."

February 13, 2015

“Always Learning…”

Blessings folk!

We continue to learn about the men of the difficult time of the last days.

2 Timothy 3:6-7
6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,
8 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Some of these men will literally enter into households and captivate women.
Weak women.
Women weighed down by sin.
Women led on by various pulses.

These men are the same.
Weighed down by sin.
Led by various impulses.

These men...having a form of godliness, although they deny its power...are always learning.
Yet, they are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Why?

Because they seek to have “head knowledge” about the things of the Lord, yet they reject the heart-transforming power of salvation.

This is the reason that one can “know” much information about the Word of God, and yet not believe unto salvation.

Many fall prey to this strategy of the evil one.

Be not one.

"Powerless Form of Godliness"

February 12, 2015

“Powerless Form of Godliness”

Blessings folk!

So, are the truths of the Word having an impact on you?

The Spirit of the Lord led Paul to speak this to Timothy...and to us.

We must realize.

In the last days difficult times will come.

Difficult: chalepos
  • hard to do
  • hard to take
  • hard to bear
  • troublesome
  • dangerous
  • harsh
  • fierce
  • savage

Read the passage one last time...yes!
Repetition is the heart of learning.

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5
holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.


The last defining characteristic of such men is one that is often ignored.

They hold to a form of godliness.
They are religious!
They might even “look good” in their religious activity.

godliness: eusebeia

  • reverence
  • respect
  • piety towards God

holding to: echō
  • to have in the hand, in the sense of wearing
  • to possess of the mind
  • to hold one’s self or find one’s self so and so, to be in such or such a condition
  • to adhere to a thing

form: morphōsis
  • forming
  • shaping
  • the mere form, semblance

The definition of the underlying Greek words give us insight.

These men look as if they are godly.
They take on the shape and form of godliness, yet they deny its power.
They profess some form of faith.
Yet, they deny its power...thereby denying faith.

They are not true Believers.
Yes.
They look like they are, but, they are tares.
Many are in organizational church leadership...very many.
We see them daily.
They prance about in the garb of religion..be it “spirit” or literal clothing.
Yet, they are not true believers.

The major seat/position of the men described in this passage is the seat of religion.

Beware.
Be forewarned.
Allow the Spirit to release His discernment.
Have nothing to due with such men.







"Treacherous, Reckless, Conceited"

February 11, 2015

“Treacherous, Reckless, Conceited”

Blessings folk!

When we examine a list like we have in this passage, we must continue to remind ourselves where our hope lies.

Our hope is in the Lord.
Not in situation.
Not in circumstance.
Not in man.
Not in organization.
Not in our power.
In the Lord.

He has warned us about the difficult times that are on the horizon.
We can hear the rumbling of thunder.

Knowing these truths about how man will be...how man is!...will prepare us to stand firm every moment.

Read the passage again, giving close attention to the bold words...

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4
treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.


Treacherous: prodotēs

  • betrayer
  • traitor
Such men will be unworthy of trust.

Reckless: propetēs
  • rash
  • precipitate
  • to fall forwards, headlong, sloping, precipitously
These men will reckless press on in the flesh, giving not heed to the Lord.

Conceited: typhoō
  • to raise a smoke
  • to wrap in a mist
  • to blind with pride
  • to render foolish
  • to be stupid
  • to make proud
  • puff up with pride
  • render insolent
  • to be puffed up with haughtiness
  • beclouded
  • besotted.

The verb “conceited” encapsulates much of what we have seen of these people.

We see why we are to avoid such as these.

Are they irredeemable?
No.

We are to speak the Truth of the Kingdom of God.

But, we are not to walk in the path of the world with them.

Wait until tomorrow...have you seen where these people might be “hanging out”?

"Uncontrolled, Brutal Haters of Good"

February 10, 2015

“Uncontrolled, Brutal Haters of Good”

Blessings folk!

The men of the last days are full of varied forms of evil.

Give heed to the next traits we consider.

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.


They are:

Without self-control: akratēs

  • intemperate
  • without self control

brutal: anemeros
  • not tame
  • savage
  • fierce

haters of good: aphilagathos
  • opposed to goodness
  • opposed to good men

Apparently the difficult times of the last days is due to the character of man.
We see the evil.
It will only increase.

Are you prepared?
Avoid such men as these.

"Irreconcilable, Malicious Gossips"

February 9, 2015

“Irreconcilable, Malicious Gossips”

Blessings folk!

If it grieves our hearts to see the state of man, how much more the Heart of God.

The Lord has warned us that in the last days man would increase in evil.

We continue to see the detail the Lord gives…

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,
disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.


Men will be:

Irreconcilable: aspondos

  • without treaty or covenant
  • implacable
  • refuse to enter into covenant

These men refuse to be reconciled with God.
They refuse the Covenant of the Lord.

Malicious Gossips: diabolos
  • prone to slander
  • false accusers
  • act the part of the devil
  • siding with the devil

Not just gossips.
Malicious gossips.
We often think that “gossip” is an unserious sin.
It is a serious sin.

Note these men literally act the part of the devil...they side with the devil...when they speak malicious gossip.

The Word tells us much about the power of the tongue…

Psa 10:7
His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression;
Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.


May we…

Psa 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.

Psa 35:28
And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness
And Your praise all day long.

Psa 37:30
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.


Speak with the righteous tongue the Lord provides.





"Un..."

February 8, 2015

“Un…”

Blessings folk!

We have seen some of the characteristics of man during the last days.
It is not a pretty picture.
Much like today, yet more intense.

We continue...

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant,
revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving
, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.


Man will be “un-”

  • ungrateful
  • unholy
  • unloving


Ungrateful - acharistos
  • unpleasing
  • unthankful
At its root, “sin” is ingratitude toward God.

Unholy - anosios
  • imipious
  • wicked

Unloving - astorgos
  • without natural affection
  • unsociable
  • in human

Obviously these are not traits/characteristics of True Believers.
The world knows we are Jesus’ disciples by our love for one another.
A True Believer is grateful, holy and loving.

Let us be so.
Avoid such men as these.




"Revile Not, Be Obedient"

February 7, 2015

“Revile Not, Be Obedient”

Blessings folk!

We are considering the characteristics of men in the difficult times of the last days.

They will be…
  • lovers of self
  • lovers of money
  • lovers of pleasure
  • boastful
  • arrogant

Many are such today...but more will come.

Consider now the next traits listed by the Spirit through Paul to Timothy and us...

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant,
revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.


These men are:

revilers - blasphēmos (Greek)

  • speaking evil
  • slanderous
  • reproachful
  • railing
  • abusive

Sadly revilers can be found among the professing Body of Christ.
I know of “church leadership” that revile.
Such should not be.
All reviling should be cast away from the true Believer.
Jesus did not revile.
Michael did not revile against satan when they fought over the bones of Moses. Jude 9
Nor should we.

disobedient to parents: apeithēs goneus
  • non-compliant
  • disobedient

The Lord is serious about obedience to parents.
In this passage we see this trait listed among others that we often think are “more serious”.
Really?
Is “disobedient to parents” on the level of haters, lovers of self, etc.
Yes.

Romans 1 has a similar passage…the final sentence...

Romans 1:28-32
32 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
33 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
34 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil,
disobedient to parents,
35 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
36 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

There it is.
In the midst of a list of horrific sins…”disobedient to parents”.

Obedience to parents is important.
It carries a promise.

Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),
3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

May we be obedient.
May we not revile.
Avoid such people.







"Boastful, Arrogant"

February 6, 2015

“Boastful, Arrogant”

Blessings folk!

The last days will be difficult.
Man will be the pawn of the man-of-lawlessness.
We continue with some of the characteristics...

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,
boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.

People will be…

Boastfulalazōn (Greek)

  • boaster
  • empty pretender

I like that definition - empty pretender.
We see it in leadership.
We see it in the media (great example happening now with Brian Williams).
We see it within ourselves.

The Lord calls us to put to death the flesh.
Boasting resurrects the flesh.

Arroganthyperēphanos
  • showing one's self above others
  • with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits
  • despising others or even treating them with contempt
  • haughty
Such are the men/people of the last days.
We see it now.
It will increase.

Be not like them.
Rather, avoid them.




"Lovers..."

February 5, 2015

“Lovers…”

Blessings folk!

We have been told/warned that in the last days difficult times will come.

The Lord now gives greater insight into what that will look like.
True, such behavior has occurred since Cain/Abel, but it will be far worse in the last days.

Read the following.
Note the description of men.
Note what we are to do.

2 Timothy 2:1-5
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be l
overs of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.

Quite a list, no?

Look at the command at the end.
We are to avoid such men as these.

Men of the world behave in such manner.
Fraudulent “believers” in the organizational church likewise.

We are to avoid them.

Let’s look at the description.

Lovers of selfphilautos (Greek)

  • too intent on one’s self interest
  • selfish

Lovers of moneyphilargyros
  • loving money
  • avarice
Lovers of pleasurephilēdonos
  • means “lovers of pleasure”
  • their pursuit if chiefly and foremost that which bring personal please with no regard for others nor consequences

These men do have love.
They love themselves in an inordinate, perverted way.
They love money.
They love pleasure.

It is a perversion of the love that the Lord desires for man to experience.
They truly are “look’n for love in all the wrong places…”.

Remember, the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)
Or, as stated today, “follow the money”.

True Believers love God.
True Believers love OneAnother.
The world will know we are His disciples, True Believers, by our love for OneAnother.

If a Believer, do so.
If not, today is the day of salvation...repent, confess, call upon the name of the Lord.

...to be continued...

"Last Days, Difficult Time"

February 4, 2015

“Last Days, Difficult Time”

Blessings folk!

The Spirit of the Most High is teaching, encouraging, exhorting Timothy through Paul.
We receive the same.
Much has been communicated.
Much Truth related to the Life of the Kingdom of God.

Then, an apparent sudden shift in topic...but not really.
Now a Word of warning…
A Word to strike awareness…
A prophetic Word for then related to now...

2 Timothy 3:1
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

We are to realize.
We are to know.
We are to understand.

Difficult times are coming.
Yes. Difficult times are now.
But, far more difficult times are coming.
The Word tells us such.

Difficult times will occur in the last days...which begs the question...when is/are the “last day”s.

In Acts 2, Peter mentions that his current time was the last days…He was quoting Joel.

Act 2:17
‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

Hebrews tells us that the last days begin with Jesus’ time on earth…

Heb 1:2
...in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

James and Peter both gives us more details about these days.

For today, are you ready?
Do you know the Truth?
Do you live in the Truth?
Will you walk out the calling of the Most High in the evil of the last days?

Learn what the Word tells us about these days.
It will change your life.







"The Bond-Servant Must Be..."

February 3, 2015

“The Bond-Servant Must Be…”

Blessings folk!

We have see that we are to…
  • flee youthful lusts
  • pursue righteousness
  • pursue faith
  • pursue love
  • pursue peace
  • refuse foolish and ignorant speculations

Now, more...

2 Timothy 2:22-26
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

True Believers are Bondservants of the Lord.
Bound by choice.
Bound by faith.

We must…

  • not be quarrelsome
  • be kind to all
  • able to teach
  • patient when wronged
  • correct gently those who oppose

There will be opposition.
Gentle correcting may lead to the Lord granting them repentance...which leads to the knowledge of truth…
Perhaps they will come to their sense and escape the snare of the devil.
They are held captive.

The manifestation of the Love of the Spirit may lead to setting the captive free.

"Foolish and Ignorant Speculations"

February 2, 2015

“Foolish and Ignorant Speculations”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday we saw that we are to…
  • flee youthful lusts
  • pursue righteousness
  • pursue faith
  • pursue love
  • pursue peace

I remind us because the next verse begins with “but”...it is connected to the previous.

2 Timothy 2:22-23
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

“But”...we are to refuse…

  • foolish speculations
  • ignorant speculations

Such passes for “bible study” in many venues.
The foolish thoughts of men.
The ignorant speculations of men.
The “what do you think?” without any foundation of Biblical understanding.

It is rampant within the Body of Christ.

The fruit of foolish and ignorant speculations?
Quarreling.

Well, that explains much.

The Lord is encouraging/exhorting us…
  • to know His Word
  • to stand on the Truth of His Word
  • to reject the foolish/ignorant speculations of man
  • to do so in love
  • to quarrel not

Immerse yourself in the Word of God.
Watch what He does.

"Flee...Pursue..."

February 1, 2015

“Flee...Pursue…”

Blessings folk!

The Lord continues to instruct Timothy through the Spirit via Paul.
The same Word is for us...

2 Timothy 2:22
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.


We are told…

  • to flee.
  • to pursue.

We are to flee youthful lusts.
As I age, I realize that “youthful lusts” are not just things that youth do.
“Youthful lusts” can stay a lifetime if we allow.
We are not to pursue such.
Youth are immature...not a bad thing...just young.
Youth are impetuous...not a bad thing...just inexperienced.
Youth are ignorant...not a bad thing...we are all unlearned in most things.

The “youthful lusts” likely is a reference to the calls and cry of the flesh.
We are not to pursue such...be we young or old.

We are to pursue..
  • righteousness
  • faith
  • love
  • peace

We are to pursue these with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Not with the religionists who have deceitful hearts.

So…
  • flee youthful lusts
  • pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace
  • live in relationship with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.