Quick look on II Timothy

[noobie]

You will feel a lot better about yourself as a person when you start to see the world for

what it truly is. You wont feel alone and abandoned and feel like all the weight is on just

your shoulders when you start knowing the evil around you is just demonic influence.

Often I see people in this day and age saying such like "I'm Christian so this means I'm

saved". We must not let these people be fooled and be very careful in these days

because even the Apostle Paul in II Timothy warns us that in the last days that the

people hold onto a "form" of godliness and I think they never experience its true power.

II Timothy 3:1-5,7 "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their

parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control,

brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than

lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;

always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Holding to a "form" of godliness... This reminds me of the people who will sin then turn

around and ask for forgiveness just to feel better about what they just did. If you have

had the true Godliness in you and not just a "form" of it in the first place you wouldn't

have made that bad choice to begin with to have to turn around and ask for forgiveness.

I'm not saying people with true Godliness never sin Rom 3:23 says: "For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God" What I am saying is people with just the "form" of it

is more susceptible to do so.

Also it says men will be "lovers of self". I hear a lot of "look what I have done" in this day

and age more than any other. What ever happened to giving glory to God? If you was

at work and a co-worker got finished with his or her duties before the time he or she

was suppose to and said "Glory be to God, I finished quickly" wouldn't you be shocked?

Odd to us now but there was a time like that. We must give glory of all things we do

back to our God and stop being "lovers of self" let other people praise our works not us.

Pro 27:2 says: Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and

not thine own lips.

These three examples "Lovers of money, boastful and arrogant" are also everywhere

today 1Cr 1:31 says: "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in

the Lord." This says to me if you want to boast (be prideful) about something boast

about the Lord Jesus Christ and have pride for all he has accomplished for us. Also

1Cr 4:7 says: For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that

thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou

hadst not received [it]? This here in my own words would be like a "What makes you

different then me? everything you "have" you "received" and you can only receive if

God gives it in the first place. So glory should go to Him so why act like you done it

yourself." We must not forget where to place glory.

Everything that was said in II Timothy that was going to happen is happening. There is

"without self-control" 1Cr 9:27 says: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into

subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be

a castaway. I read this as "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after

preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." Keep your eyes on the prize is what

it boils down to. You can be as holy as a preacher on Sunday one minute or as hostel as

the customer in line at wal-mart cussing at the cashier the next. We have to muster up

self-control and keep focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Never forget Self control, Self control

and more Self control. People today just say whats on there mind and have no self control

if there done wrong they think the MUST point it out. Jesus even said we must be like

servants Jhn 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall

also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour. Also there is Jhn

13:16 that says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord;

neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him." Are we greater than Jesus? No

we are not! If Jesus can let the things happen to Him like He did we should be able to

have some self control as well.

Now I will talk a little about "haters of good" that's in II Timothy. There are times when

I mention the name Jesus I get looks of hate, offense or avoidance from strangers or

even people I know. Even I hear in the news where Jesus is being banned from schools,

work places and all kinds of public places. Why do people care so much to hate a man

that just wanted peace and love? In Mat 10:22 Jesus says: "And ye shall be hated of all

[men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Why do so

many people go out of there way to mock and or ridicule Jesus or our beliefs we follow

for Him? Why does it spark rage and hate inside these people when His Holy name is

mentioned? And the look of "avoidance" I mentioned above come from the people with

the "form" godliness and not the true godliness. They want to avoid talking about Jesus

because they think they are just skimming by and don't have to change everything

about themselves. Let the haters of good hate you for Jesus name sake. He said it

would happen anyway. Let us all endureth to the end together because Jesus said you

will be saved.

The part that says "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god" is something everyone

today battels with. I myself find it easier to watch that last quarter of the football game

and be so excited about it than to pick up Gods Word or spend time with Him in prayer.

Even the disciples had this same problem in Mat 26:40 when Jesus said: And he cometh

unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not

watch with me one hour? Then goes on to say in Mat 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye

enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak." We are

very weak to the things we surround ourselves with today. Television, Video Games,

Computers, relationships with people and so on and so on. I'm not saying from the time

you get up in the morning till the time you fall asleep at night to spend every waking hour

in prayer (though that's not a bad thing) I am only saying it is better to have love for God

more than your love for those other things. That is also where self control helps you and

if you fall off the horse get back on and so forth. Maybe even challenge yourself every

once in a while and say "instead of watching this movie I think I will read the Bible". Start

substituting man made pleasures for God. This will show our Lord you love Him to.

Rom 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing

of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of

God."

[Rare Bird]

The part that says "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god" is something everyone

today battels with.

Rom 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing

of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of

God."

Amen, and AMEN.

I've found that changing my "filter" (i.e., taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ~2 Cor 10:5), and by examining myself to see whether I am in the faith on a regular basis (~2 Cor 13:5) keeps the sludge and debris from building up on the "lifters" and gives me the power to do His will, rather than my own.

"Tune-ups" are a lot less troublesome and far less costly than a "complete engine overhaul." (vroom, vroom!)

. . . it says men will be "lovers of self". I hear a lot of "look what I have done" in this day

and age more than any other.

To that insight, I was reading Philippians yesterday and took note special note of this:

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For MANY [emphasis mine] walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that THEY are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is:

- destruction

- whose god is their appetite, and

- whose glory is in their shame,

- who set their minds on earthly things.

20 [but]...OUR citizenship is in heaven, from which also WE EAGERLY WAIT FOR A SAVIOR, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. ~Philippians 3:17-21

Eagerly awaiting in a humble state,

~RB

Edited May 19, 2012 by Rare Bird

[gdemoss]

Turner, your fulfilling scripture. You have come in and worked to provoke your brethren unto good works. Awesome.

Blessings, glory and honor unto the King who is immortal, invisible and only wise!

Gary

[Floatingaxe]

Amen...we are born addicted to sin, but Jesus Christ breaks the addiction. Now I am addicted to Him!

Welcome to Worthy!

[noobie]

I'm glad to see you guys liked my post. When I first did it I had it on paper and decided to post it here. Sometimes I feel that if I jot some thoughts down for myself I'm more susceptible to listen than to hear it from someone else. I just got to make sure what I jot down goes hand in hand with the true gospel. I don't want to create any false teachings even if I am the only one who reads them. I do wish I had some local friends to fellowship with face to face sometimes but that is where this website has blessed me. Even though my brothers and sisters are many miles away it does my heart good to know we can come together in the name of Jesus and have fellowship right here. Thank you guys for your thoughts, views and opinions. Turner

[gdemoss]

I'm glad to see you guys liked my post. When I first did it I had it on paper and decided to post it here. Sometimes I feel that if I jot some thoughts down for myself I'm more susceptible to listen than to hear it from someone else. I just got to make sure what I jot down goes hand in hand with the true gospel. I don't want to create any false teachings even if I am the only one who reads them. I do wish I had some local friends to fellowship with face to face sometimes but that is where this website has blessed me. Even though my brothers and sisters are many miles away it does my heart good to know we can come together in the name of Jesus and have fellowship right here. Thank you guys for your thoughts, views and opinions. Turner

Where are you at?

Gary

[noobie]

Jacksonville Florida what about you?

[gdemoss]

Jacksonville Florida what about you?

Lafayette, Indiana. A bit to far to drive for coffee.

Gary

[xero]

Amen and thank you. Truly all glory be to God.