May 1, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Joshua and 2 Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Timothy 3 (NIV)
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, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—……Continue Reading
How telling these words are for our day. And the terrible times are upon us as the world is being prepared for the reign of antiChrist. We are not there yet, I believe, but the behavior Paul describes here is present in our day and I believe will only get worse. This form of godliness is either the religiosity that people will have even in their sin, or a self righteous attitude about their sin, thinking and demanding that their way is actually right. We must guard against the corruption they bring and yet stand ready to declare the truth of Jesus and hopefully bring some to salvation. But as we live for Jesus we will be persecuted and yet need to be strong in the presence of it, recognizing that we are blessed when it happens and we are in good company of the godly people who have been persecuted before us. We must cling to the word that is inspired and let it do its work of teaching, correcting and training in righteousness.
Reading this. I can only recollect what it was like only 50-60 years ago. Growing up in the 60’s. Streets were empty Sunday mornings. One small grocery store open. Unlocked doors houses and cars. even at night. My grandparents would be screaming from their grave. Get your priorities back. You’ve lost your first love!! No time for God anymore. The enemy shows himself as an angel of light.
2 Timothy 3
2 Timothy 3
As bad as things and people are at times, they will only get worse, if we can imagine that. This is a call for us to be strong and equipped with the knowledge and understanding of scripture as we continue in these end times.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
As I read the Bible, some days I am encouraged, some convicted, always enlightened and can always find an answer for my situation even if I don’t like the answer. When we read this chapter and see how bad the world has gotten and realize it will only get worse before better, it is more important than ever to stand firm on His word in order not to fall or become discouraged in our walk in the face of the obvious opposition we do and will continue to face.
2 TIMOTHY 3
All things listed are certainly happening today stating it will get much worse! We will recognize the evil doers for what and who they are.
We are to be rooted in God’s word so as to be ready for persecution and hopefully to save souls to come to Christ before it is too late.
2 Timothy 3
Paul went through so much persecution & suffering and yet he maintained his righteousness and Godliness. He was insistent in his encouragement and instruction.
Our instruction is to stand firm in our faith as we live in the days Paul warns us of.
2 Timothy 3
Paul advises Timothy (and us) to move forward each day using Gods word as our primary resource for teaching, correcting and training in righteousness. And by so doing, we can handle the persecution we are faced with and we are well prepared to do everything required of us by the Lord.
”For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!“
II Timothy 3:2-5 NKJV
I couldn’t help but think of the contrast between this and Philippians 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 13. People in those times will be the antithesis of goodness and love.