The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 15:1 (HCSB)
1 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
Proverbs 15:4 (HCSB)
4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 94:18-19 (HCSB)
18 If I say, "My foot is slipping," Your faithful love will support me, LORD.
19 When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.
The Word of God for encouragement:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (HCSB)
1 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,
4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!
My observation:
The last days are the topic that Paul writes about in our focal passage for today. We know from the scripture when these days started.
Hebrews 1:1-2 (HCSB)
1 Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways.
2 In these last days, He has spoken to us by [His] Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him.
When will these days end? The Apostle Paul answers that question also; this season will end when Jesus returns.
2 Timothy 4:1 (HCSB)
1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of His appearing and His kingdom:
So, yes we are living in the last days, and we can live our lives in the blessed assurance that Jesus is coming again. Things are difficult now, and they are going to get worse. However, we who belong to Christ have hope, and our hope is in Christ Jesus. Is there anybody or anything that you would rather have than Jesus?
The Apostle describes many who will have another agenda in the last days; they will be lovers of self, and not lovers of God. When self is on the throne; God has to take a back seat. That leads to a very difficult condition in the world.
When people are lovers of self they tend to turn to loving things and using people. God's design for us is that we love God. When we love God; then we have the desire to love people, and to use things.
What should a believer do? Paul gives the answer in the last part of verse five, "Avoid these people".
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you provide the wisdom that we need to live through all of the seasons of our life in the world. There is nothing that will happen in our future that will be a surprise to you.
Father, I pray that your people will follow the right examples, and stay with the word of God. We are too close to turn around now. In Jesus name, Amen.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (HCSB)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,
15 and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
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1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
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