Devotionals – Page 14 – Maranatha – Awaiting Christ's Return

2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

The word “pride” or proud has been hijacked by the liberal agenda today. Sadly, it has become totally the opposite of what the Scriptures intended. The first sin committed was the sin of pride and that was committed by Lucifer.

Isa 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

It is not surprising that the Scriptures state that being proud is a sin! The definition has changed through the years but God’s Word never changes! It is settled, once and for all in Heaven. (Psalm 119:89) Look at the difference between the definition originally intended for the word “proud” and what today’s dictionary describes:

Proud

Having inordinate self-esteem; possessing a high or unreasonable conceit of one’s own excellence, either of body or mind. A man may be proud of his person, of his talents,of his accomplishments or of his achievements. He may be proud of any thing to which he bears some relation. He may be proud of his country, his government, his equipage, or of whatever may, by association, gratify his esteem of himself. He may even be proud of his religion or of his church. He conceives that any thing excellent or valuable, in which he has a share, or to which he stands related, contributes to his own importance, and this conception exalts his opinion of himself. Proud is followed by of, before the object, supra.

Arrogant; haughty; supercilious.

noah webster’s 1828 dictionary

proud

Feeling pleasurable satisfaction over an act, possession, quality, or relationship by which one measures one’s stature or self-worth.”proud of one’s child; proud to serve one’s country.”

Occasioning or being a reason for pride.”a proud moment when she received her diploma.”

Feeling or showing justifiable self-respect.”too proud to beg.”

the american heritage dictionary

Is it any wonder that the world doesn’t see pride as a sin? But friend, it truly is! This sin of pride is from the devil himself. The Lord Jesus humbled Himself, leaving a kingly throne and became man so He could be the sacrifice for man’s sins. Humbleness is not taught today and it is so desperately needed!

Exo 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

2 Chron 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

Pride is not something to one should practice as a Christian. Instead, humbling ourselves is far better. If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see today’s topic as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Ungrateful

By Kate Plourde

On December 13, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

2Ti 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

It doesn’t surprise me that the sin of unthankfulness is prevalent in these end times. Have you seen a more ungrateful people than those in America today? They loot stores – not for food or necessities, but for televisions, brand name items, cell phones!

This world is filled with ungrateful people! People who are not thankful for the blessings they have. They always want more. People are given a gift and do not say thank you. It’s as if they believe they deserve the gift! How sad is that? My parents taught me to say thank you no matter how I felt about what was given to me. They taught me to be grateful for what we had, and that was not much! I grew up in a tar paper shed that my father bought and did the best he could for our family. It wasn’t until I was in my teenage years that he put siding on the house. Was I ungrateful or unthankful? Absolutely not! We had food on the table and clothes on our backs! Our family was together and that is all that mattered.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Today’s post is short but the few verses shared are to the point. This generation is not teaching their children to say thank you. How very sad! Children need to be taught to be content with what they have. The more you give children, the less content they will become. It has been proven that children with less toys are more creative. The more they have, the less they use their imagination.

1Ti 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see today’s topic as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Disobedient

By Kate Plourde

On December 11, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

Rom 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Today’s topic has to do with disobedience. Is it me, or are there more disobedient children in our society? It makes me so sad when I see children left to their own devices and they rule the house with their tantrums. Rather than deal with teaching them and disciplining them at that moment, they are too tired and leave them alone. The problem with that is that no directions from Dad and Mom let the children know that your silence means accepting their behavior.

But today’s devotional is not about a child’s disobedience, although it fits in nicely. It’s about adults’ disobedience. Notice verses 29, 30 and 31! Look at all those sins! They are not normally committed by young children but by grown adults! Verse 32 even attributes it to those who know the judgment of God!!! Children do not know in the early years, but adults sure do.

Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:9-10 that disobedience to the Law, meaning the Ten Commandments, is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:1-5), Paul says that these sins will increase in the end times. These warnings are not in the Bible for nothing, Reader. You must take heed to what God wants you to know! You commit these sins because you have not repented of your sin to be saved. Repentance is a reversal of one’s direction in life. When you were born, you inherited a sinful nature handed down to you by Adam and Eve. You don’t have to teach a toddler to do wrong because it is part of him from birth. You DO have to teach that toddler to do right. Jesus said:

Luk 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Friend, repentance means that you must consciously make a decision to follow Christ and His teachings. The Law, the Ten Commandments, prove to us that we are sinners because there is not a day that goes by in a person’s life where he doesn’t break at least one of those commandments. The first of those commandments is to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind and soul. Do you? Ding, ding, ding! You have broken one. Have you lied to someone today? Ding, ding, ding! There’s another. They add up after a while. But even if you only had ONE sin (which is virtually impossible), you are found guilty before God of breaking all the commandments!

Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

So know that the Ten Commandments teach us about sin. That was God’s old covenant to the Jewish people. People needed to realize that they could not possibly live a sin-free life, a righteous life, because they failed every day. Israel had to sacrifice lambs to “cover” their sins. They had to shed the innocent blood of a lamb.

From the beginning of time, God provided a way to be reconciled to Him. He gave us a new covenant. Jesus became the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb to die for our sins. The blood of goats and lambs could not wash away our sins. But the blood of Jesus can. When we repent and confess our sins, Jesus hears us. His blood on that cross gives Him the power to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all sin. Furthermore, He is faithful so this will always be!

1 Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Some believe you can go to confession and tell a priest your sins and that is it. You’re good to go. But that is not repentance, friend. So what exactly is the repentance? The Greek word is:

μετάνοια
metanoia
met-an’-oy-ah
From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): – repentance.
Strong’s concordance

Notice the one in needs to have repentance must feel the guilt and shame of his sin. Secondly, that person must be reformed (John 3:3, 3:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Thirdly, to be repentant means to change directions. If you were facing South and wanted to go in the opposite direction, you would go North. In the case of repentance, means you turn around from your current sinful path and go in the exact opposite direction – meaning, you go toward the Lord. Fourthly, you change your mind completely. Instead of giving in to sin, you seek salvation through Jesus Christ and say no to sin. There is no other way to be saved!

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Sin is a choice after salvation. You are no longer a slave to sin. You can now say no to it.

Rom 6:20-23 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. (21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Friend, do you know how many so-called “Christians” are out there that have not repented? They go to church and think about God during the service (if they are not sleeping or reading their phone). But after church, they go back to their lifestyle and they’re happy with that. That is not repentance. These people do not feel guilty or remorse for their sin.

After you have read today’s devotional, do you see the difference of what believers call nominal Christianity and true Christianity? You can call yourself a Christian, but if you haven’t changed from your old life, you are not. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see today’s topic as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Blasphemers

By Kate Plourde

On December 8, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

Blaspheming is a sin that is looked upon lightly anymore. There are different types of blasphemy: (1) Using the Lord’s Name in vain, (2) severe curse words, and (3) light vulgar words. You might think I’m crazy, but I can remember being brought up to NEVER use the word “God” in a sentence unless I was speaking of Him specifically. For example, to say “Oh my G**” was not allowed in my parents’ home. Now, people use God’s name flippantly. We hear curse words all around us now; vulgarity is heard in the most innocent of places, like restaurants, stores, etc. It didn’t use to be that way.

BLASPHE’ME, v.t. [Gr. The first syllable is the same as in blame, blasme, denoting injury; L. loedo, loesus; The last syllable is the Gr.,to speak.]

To speak of the Supreme Being in terms of impious irreverence; to revile or speak reproachfully of God, or the Holy Spirit. 1 Ki 21. Mark 3.

To speak evil of; to utter abuse or calumny against; to speak reproachfully of.

noah webster’s 1828 dictionary

It is a sin that is noted to be prevalent in the end times as shown in today’s Scripture verses. It’s no wonder that the hearts of men are growing harder and colder as we get nearer to Christ’s Second Coming after the Tribulation. Can you imagine just how bad blasphemy will be during the Tribulation? Men’s hearts will fail them due to the 21 judgments which will be dispersed on the earth and its inhabitants!

The worst blasphemy of all, however, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit!

Mat 12:30-32 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (31) Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (32) And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

The Holy Spirit is the one who leads us to salvation in Christ. One cannot be born again unless he receives the Spirit of truth. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). No man can go to the Father but by Him. Once a person is born again (John 3:3, 3:7), he receives the Holy Spirit. If one is not born again, he does not have the Holy Spirit.

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Therefore, if you do not receive Christ as your Saviour and repent of your sins, you are blaspheming the Holy Spirit and, therefore, have committed the unpardonable sin. Your mind and heart have become so hard that you can’t possibly be saved.

There is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Unholy

By Kate Plourde

On December 6, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

“Unholy” is a song by English singer Sam Smith and German singer Kim Petras. It was released on 22 September 2022 through EMI Records and Capitol Records as the second single from Smith’s fourth studio album Gloria and as a bonus track on Petras’s debut studio album Feed the Beast.
Wikipedia

Is it any wonder that when you Google “unholy,” the only things that come up refer to the song with this title, and video games of the like? If you happen to voice your opinion on social media, you are told that these are merely publicity stunts to increase sales. Really? Do you truly think it’s a coincidence that we are living in the end times and this is the kind of garbage that is promoted to our young people today? Impressionable minds follow fads and whatever pops up on their social media. It’s no coincidence at all. I have relatives who love this kind of music. 😥 It is truly sad when the devil is given so much attention. But it doesn’t end there. The hair on the back of Christians’ necks should be standing on end!

The news media is bent on reporting only unholy news items. What are they? Well first, let’s take a look what the definition of unholy is:

UNHO’LY, adjective

1. Not holy; not renewed and sanctified. 2 Timothy 3:2.

2. Profane; not hallowed; not consecrated; common. Hebrews 10:29.

3. Impious; wicked.
Noah webster’s 1828 dictionary

Notice the first definition of the word unholy: it refers to 2 Timothy 3:2. The state of men’s hearts in the end times prior to the Tribulation. The news reports on things which the Bible condemns. Examples are (1) a right to an abortion; (2) homosexuals’ right to be married (3) gender transitions, to name a few. Unless one is watching a Christian broadcast, one won’t see any biblical viewpoints in the news media.

One only has to look to the Ten Commandments to see a comparison. Everything God wants His people to pay attention to and adhere to is listed in those Ten Commandments. Is it any wonder that everything opposite would glorify the “god of this world”! However, Almighty God will have the last word and those who follow after Satan’s darkness will pay the price.

Heb 10:29-31 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see being unholy as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Boasters

By Kate Plourde

On December 4, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

Rom 1:28-30 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Finding humble people can be difficult to find – they are far and few apart these days. It’s sad to say the least. Today’s verses describe sins that God abhors. So much so, He gives the sinner over to a reprobate mind. What exactly is a reprobate mind? The word reprobate is defined as someone who has devoted himself to sin. They don’t care about the judgment hereafter and only care about their sinful pleasure.

I find it interesting that boasters are included with fornication, unrighteousness, etc. But they are! Is it any wonder that they are the complete opposite of a humble person? Noah Webster defines humility as:

In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.
Noah webster’s 1828 Dictionary

(Pro 15:33) The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

(Pro 18:12) Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

(Col 2:23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

(1Pe 5:5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

I was raised that I should never “honor” myself or speak of my accomplishments. But today, people brag about what they have done in life. They are proud of their accomplishments, which is fine in and of itself. But they take it a step further and brag about them.

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

What is the saddest about this is that people don’t think anything about committing this sin! How hard the hearts have gotten today. What seemed sinful yesteryear is considered OK today. We see it well depicted in the abortion issue. That was not an issue a hundred years ago except in the back alleys. But today, it is touted as a woman’s right!

The root of this sin of boasting is pride. The first sin ever committed was by Lucifer and that sin was pride.

Eze 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Isa 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Just look at Lucifer’s pridefulness and boasting in the above verses!! Friend, boasting is not of the Lord – it is of the devil. If you are guilty of this, humble yourself before the Lord. Study the Bible in the area of humbleness. Learn from God’s Word.

If you are not truly born-again, you won’t see boasting as a sin. But there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Self Absorbed

By Kate Plourde

On December 1, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Can you imagine if the world applied today’s verse to their own lives? There would be no animosity or hatred! However, we are seeing a rash of self-absorbed people in these end times. The “It’s all about me” syndrome is alive and well, and it’s not just in the United States.

People can be so easily led astray. Give them a cause (other than the cause of Christ) and they get on the band wagon without thinking of what their involvement does to others. They mind earthly things, as Paul warns us below. Can you picture in your mind self-absorbed people whose god is their belly? Just what does that mean, anyway?

Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

The belly is the root of appetite. Therefore, it makes sense that a self-absorbed person would feed his worldly appetites. We see this today with the latest fads and marketing techniques. One “has to be the first” to feed this appetite.

As we see in today’s picture, another form of this is being in love with oneself more than others. It’s me, myself and I! Notice the man putting a crown on his head – that speaks volumes, amen? We have become a people who think more highly of ourselves than others. It’s totally the opposite of what our opening verse teaches.

When sinful pleasures of the world take hold of us, they leave little room for others. How can the church produce missionaries if all those who were supposed to be called of God to go in the mission fields are absorbed with fulfilling their own needs? How can we “go ye therefore” if we are busy going to places that fulfill our desires?! An authentically born-again believer has the love of God living in his heart. That loves is displayed in action towards others. Love points to others, never towards one’s self. Is it any wonder the Apostle James said,

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Lovers of Pleasures More Than Lovers of God

By Kate Plourde

On November 29, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Lovers of pleasures – is that not the type of person that the mainstream media wishes to capture? They try to attract your various senses in order to achieve the devil’s goals. What they are selling must “look” better, “sound” better, “smell” better, “handle” (touch) better, and “taste” better. The latest iPhone is $1,600! The sad thing is that Americans will stop at nothing in order to have the greatest and best.

A Google search revealed that low-income people spent their money on smartphones despite their lack of money. It is sad to think that the latest smartphone will take precedence over much-needed items for the home.

	Cellphone	Smartphone
College graduate	98%	93%
Less than $30,000	97%	76%
$30,000-$49,999	97%	83%
$50,000-$74,999	97%	85%

It isn’t wrong to want a smartphone. But, does it take priority over your love of God? To love things more than God is the issue in today’s Bible verses. It encompasses many areas. Do you love food more than God? Do you love nice clothes more than God? Whatever your heart is set on having, do you desire it more than you desire God? We see this prove out in church attendance.

In 2006, Gallup reported that the lowest rates of church attendance among the 48 contiguous states were in Nevada and the New England states of Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine.

How very sad to see my home State of Maine in this report, although it does not surprise me. Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God are quite prevalent in our world today.

Even “religion” is guilty in this area. It almost seems like an oxymoron, but is it? People will cling to their religious upbringing over God’s Word! The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were guilty of this. But before you get too harsh with them, look at the church you attend. Are you obeying teachings from the pulpit only because the preacher said to? Did you compare what he said with what the Bible says on the issue?

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Popular social platforms, such as abortion, should not even be considered in religious circles! What born-again Christian can support abortion? That’s truly a lover of pleasure over a lover of God. What pleasure, you may ask? It’s the pleasure of convenience. Killing an unborn child is convenient if it is not “a good time” to have a child.

You must ultimately decide your own “platform.” Will your platform be built on the pleasures of this world or on the pleasures of God? If you are born again, your ultimate guide is your Bible. If God speaks against something, you must be against it; and vice versa. It’s the Scriptures that will open your eyes to God’s desires for your life. His Word should be your platform! God’s Word is the measuring stick for everything. (Acts 17:11)

Psalm 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Scoffers

By Kate Plourde

On November 27, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

2 Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Surely you have been in a situation such as pictured above. You have stood alone in something you believe strongly while the rest of the world laughs at your convictions. So what exactly is a scoffer? It is someone who openly mocks God’s Word. Today’s scoffers are people who are walking after their own lusts. Just what does that mean? Strong’s Concordance defines “lust” as:

ἐπιθυμία
epithumia
ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah
From G1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): – concupiscence, desire, lust (after).

Put the two together and you have someone who makes fun of God’s Word by doing the opposite of what it says and saying it’s OK. We see it in churches that distort the Scriptural marriage between a man and a woman. We see this distortion morph into something sinful and abhorrent. What God called good, the scoffer calls it evil. Is it any wonder Satan has nearly succeeded in destroying marriage between a man and a woman?

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Today, we have an agenda that wishes to eliminate the difference between good and evil. We have witnessed men performing wicked acts in front of children and it is glorified by the world. On the flip side, we have seen street preachers condemned for preaching the Gospel!

Satan continues his efforts to make sin less offensive, Heaven less appealing, hell less horrific, and the Gospel less urgent.
John macarthur

Scoffers come in all walks of life. There are Christians who have given up on the “Blessed Hope” of Titus 2:13. They claim that these end-time signs are not signs at all and that they have been going on since the beginning of time. Well, yes, the signs have been happening for thousands of years. However, they have never converged upon our planet all at one time. These are the birth pains that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24. Just as labor starts out light, it not only increases in severity of pain but also in the frequency between pains. This is what is happening today. Don’t let scoffers discourage you, Christian. Christ is coming for His Bride, the Church! He will return in the generation living since the formation of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Peace Through Troubled Times – Fear

By Kate Plourde

On November 24, 2023

In Devotionals, Peace Through Troubled Times

Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

What do you fear, Reader? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it fear of a deteriorating relationship? The way I see it, fear is the very opposite of faith. If you are older in your Christian walk today and are still fearful, you are not honoring God in your spiritual life. Why? When you fear, you are not placing your trust in the Lord to take care of whatever your fears are based upon. Faith allows the Christian heart to hope that the Lord will take care of your fears. Look back on situations in your Christian life where God has come through for you. Rest in those answered prayers and know that His will is perfect for you. Whatever the outcome will be perfect!

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Jesus taught us that we are worth more in His eyes than the sparrows! He cares for them and feeds them. Why should the Lord care less for you and your fears? Have you sat down with Him and told Him? Imagine if Jesus were sitting in a chair right next to you! What would you share with him? He knows your every need. Prayer is not for Him, Reader. Prayer is for YOU! It is your opportunity to tell the Lord how you feel, what’s on your heart, your fears, and anything else that is troubling you. He loves you, Christian.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

If you are not a born-again Christian, God does not hear when you cry out to Him. He hears the desperate pleas of those who are seeking Him with an authentic repentant heart.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

There are so many today who have been misled into thinking that their little prayerette asking to be saved was enough. They continue on the same path they were on before the prayer and no change has occurred in their lives. If there is no change in attitude toward sin, then there is no repentance. No repentance means one perishes and is sent for all eternity to the Lake of Fire.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

If you must fear, fear going to Hell and burning for all eternity. Let that fear bring you to repentance and be saved. (John 3:3, John 3:7, John 3:16) If you’re saved, then cast your fears at the feet of our Lord and let Him take care of your fears.

Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Category: Devotionals Page 14 of 50

Peace Through Troubled Times – Proud

proud

Peace Through Troubled Times – Ungrateful

Peace Through Troubled Times – Disobedient

Peace Through Troubled Times – Blasphemers

Peace Through Troubled Times – Unholy

Peace Through Troubled Times – Boasters

Peace Through Troubled Times – Self Absorbed

Peace Through Troubled Times – Lovers of Pleasures More Than Lovers of God

Peace Through Troubled Times – Scoffers

Peace Through Troubled Times – Fear