2 Timothy 3
The Dangers of the Last Days
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of[a] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Footnotes:
- 2 Timothy 3:6 Greek and take captive.
My thoughts on todays scripture…
My main take away from this passage is that we really need to be thankful for our time here on earth. That we are in the “last days” and we dont know if that is today, tomorrow, or 50 years from now, and therefore we need to make the most of it. We are here for God, not for others, or ourselves. As much as we may love our relationships here on earth, we only need to please God. This passage brings me back to one of the previous messages at EagleBrook, that we will not be taking anything with us to heaven, not our money, not our 401K, not our clothing, etc, therefore, all we need to really worry about is how we will be judged by God when we enter heavens doors.
My prayer for today…
Dear Lord, thank you for this precious time you have given me here on earth, Thank you for my family, and the wonderful opportunity to teach my children about your Word! I am so grateful Lord that you have blessed me with this time on earth and that I get this chance to change my ways and please you Lord! Please help me to see that Lord in my daily life, that You Lord are all that I am here to please, and not myself, nor anyone else here on earth. Please help me to learn more of your Word, so that I may succeed in pleasing You. Please also help me to lead my children to you Lord, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
-Aprel
Scripture: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Application: I had a harder time with this one – which is why I didn’t get to it last night. I’m still not sure which passage spoke to me the most. None really stood out as the most important for me to take away. It more instilled a fear in me, questioning if the author was talking about my life. Am I like the people he told Timothy to stay away from? What qualities do I have that I need to work on changing. In using that, I re-read everything and took away from this that I need to fall back on God’s Word. He will lead me to where I should be, He will walk me through life, lift me up when I need it, and allow me hardship to learn from. I should turn to His Word with questions, when I’m overwhelmed, when I need guidance.
Prayer: Dear God, Please help me to trust in You to lead my life. Please use the Bible to direct me and comfort me and as a place for me to gain wisdom. As we start our Bible Study group, please help me to make lasting friendships that encourage me in my faith and that will help me with encouraging my family to see how great You are! Thank you for being in my life and I look forward to the journey ahead.
In Your Name, Amen.
Scripture: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Application: This verse tells me that reading God’s word is important as his scriptures teach us what is true and good and helps us to steer away from those things that are wrong in our lives. If we take the time to read his word and apply it to our lives we will hopefully truly lead better lives.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing your scripture so that I can read it and learn how to be a better person. Help me to understand your word so that I may live it and convey it to others. Help me to make the time to read your word and to make this as important to do, actually more important, as everything else I manage to do every day such as computer play! Don’t let me make excuses and help me to understand how necessary this is to learn and grow.
Barb