2 Timothy 3 - 8.15.25

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Observation

The Apostle Paul is giving a warning to Timothy and to us about what it is going to be like in the last days. Paul is trying to prepare us for what is to come. There will be a moral and spiritual decline. People will be self-centered and materialistic. The priority of many will shift from loving God and others to loving themselves and their desires. They will not have respect for others. Paul gives us a checklist that reflects a deep-rooted problem in people’s hearts and society. When we put ourselves and our desires ahead of our love for God and others, we create a world where kindness and compassion can become rare.

Application

I don’t know about you, but I firmly believe we are living in the days of 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and this is not a good thing. This is a prophetic passage of scripture and as true believers we need to pay attention to Spiritual Drift and keep focused on the things that matter most.

We must pay the most attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1)

This passage is describing a world where the vast majority of people, including many who identify as Christians, that live a life that is self-focused and evil. They are only concerned about themselves and what they can get from you. They lack affection for their parents and family members. They will slander others to get what they want and would never give a thought to forgive anyone for the smallest offense. They are ungrateful and unkind.

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A lot of these people will have an air about them that they are Godly, Good People and they live by “Christian Values”, but they are lacking the Holy Fear of the Lord. They look good from the outside; they behave appropriately but they do not put their faith in Jesus. They do not have a relationship with God and they are not obedient to His word. God does not look at the outer man, He looks at the condition of our hearts.

Paul’s message should be a wake-up call to all of us that we need to stay focused and present in our lives. We don’t need to hide from the world but we need to be a bright light in the darkness. We need to surround ourselves with loving, uplifting people who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I wrote this last month, but I am going to write it again…Daily Practices!

Read your Bible daily, let it penetrate your heart. Memorize scripture so you can pull it up anytime you need it. Spend time in the presence of God. Cherish and protect the Word of God and OBEY His Commands, so you will live a long and fruitful life. It’s Truth, it’s Real…Live it!

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,

Living in these perilous times can be overwhelming, but we trust in You. We have faith that you are in control of all things, so we rest in You. Help us to be obedient to your Word and live our lives awake and ready for your return. Change our hearts Oh God, so we are ready to do Your will. We love and adore You!

- Michelle Craig

2 Timothy 2 - 8.14.25

2 Timothy 2: 1-7

S – 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

O -  Paul knew that he would be executed soon and so he wrote his final thoughts to Timothy, a man he loved like a son. He wanted to encourage and prepare him for the things he would need to continue to do once Paul was gone. He wanted to remind him of the qualities necessary to be a faithful minister of Christ. He wanted him to remember the calling on his life and to use his gifts with boldness to prepare others to follow him in the ministry. He wanted to encourage him in his faith and let him know it would take discipline, and that he would endure suffering, but that he needed to keep his eyes and mind focused on Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27  - 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

A – Our walk with God is not passive. We need to actively do our parts. We need to be disciplined people.  If the church were to consistently follow Paul’s advice, it would grow exponentially as well-taught believers would teach others and commission them, so that they would then go out and teach others. The chain reaction could be off the charts if we all followed Paul’s advice and obeyed Jesus’ command:

Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Paul talks about suffering for Christ. That word suffer naturally gives us a negative feeling because the word means to endure pain, hardship or distress. Let’s be honest, NONE of us wants to feel any of that! However, when we suffer, we share in a common experience, not just with those alive today, but with all those who have ever suffered for the sake of the gospel. All the martyrs, missionaries and pioneers of the faith had to face what we face. Let us have the same courage, commitment, and willingness to renounce worldly pleasures in order to serve God.

Paul used the comparison with soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes we must train hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient.

Galatians 6:9 - 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

We must keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ and one day living eternally with him.

P –  Lord Jesus, I pray for us as you CHURCH, to not run away from suffering but endure the suffering as those endured before us. Your word says that you will give us insight to your words when we read and reflect on them. Help us to discipline ourselves to read your word, study your word, and SHARE your word so that others will come to know you as we do. Give us your boldness and courage to share with others. Thank you that our suffering here on earth does have and end for us as Christ-followers. May those who don’t know you yet, see the hope that we have in you, and open their hearts to hear what we have to share with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

- Crystal Flory

2 Timothy 1 - 8.13.25

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-8

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Observation

I admire people like Tina and Robin and Leo, to name just a few – people who step out in boldness and pray for people and share the good news of God’s love wherever they go. I really need to grow in this area. But I can see times recently, when God is meeting me where I am, shy and timid, and providing opportunities for me. At park outreach nights I’ve had people come to me and ask questions and ask for prayer. I am so excited that the God who knows me is willing to use me, with all my weaknesses and flaws.

Application

Although I am shy and timid by nature, I cannot use that as an excuse for not sharing about God’s love. Verse 8 really stuck out to me today – I am not ashamed!

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

I once read something written by an unbeliever that said (paraphrased), If you truly believe that I’m headed for hell, why aren’t you trying harder to save me?

So today I remind myself that God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power – power to walk in his word and share that with others!

Prayer

Thank you God for loving me enough to give me grace and help me grow, little by little, every day. Thank you for your patience with me. Please continue to put opportunities in my path to share your love with others.

- Debbie Dunn