Peril in Distressing Times

Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader

2 Timothy 3:1-9 (The Message)

Difficult Times Ahead

 ^1-5Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.  ^6-9These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself  "truth." They get exploited every time and never really learn. These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres, who challenged Moses. They were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself. But nothing will come of these latest impostors. Everyone will see through them, just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax.

For Reflection
Don't you sometimes worry about the hundreds of self-proclaimed Christian ministers who raise millions of dollars and promise outragious outcomes?  Or look around you and see hundreds of godless folks blundering their way through life infecting like a deadly virus many who come in contact with them?

Put your worry aside. They can't beat God. Furthermore, you can't beat them!  Others will see them as they are.  Keep the faith.  Continue to work in your call as a Christian.  God will win in the end.

Pray
for those that seek justice.  Pray for all to see God's power in this world.  Pray that you will influence those who will heed the word.