Tag: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Any Day Now – Day 59

On July 17, 2024

How do we know that we are living in the end times? We know that all of prophecy revolves around Israel and her Messiah. Israel turned from God and God allowed them to lose their country. Then on May 15, 1948, Israel once again became a nation. This started the prophecy clock ticking moving forward with the end times. We know this because of:

Isa 11:11-12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. (12) And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Eze 20:33-38 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: (34) And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. (35) And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. (36) Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. (37) And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: (38) And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

There are more verses revolving around Israel becoming a nation once again but for brevity’s sake, I’ll leave it with these two. As a result of this miracle, we know that the world entered into its last days. The Apostles Paul and and Peter warned us about the conditions of the world during these end times. Just take a look at the following verses:

1Ti 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (3) Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

2Ti 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.

2Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Pe 3:3-5 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. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

We can see that the world we currently live in has reached this point. We have “churches” (and I use the term loosely) who preach that homosexuality and other sexual immorality is acceptable in God’s sight. On the other hand, we have churches that are hung up on man-made traditions rather than relying on the Word of God for instruction. These same churches add to the simplicity of the Gospel. God made salvation so easy to grasp that even a child can understand its meaning!

Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Rom 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

There is only one sure way to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ: not the church, not some prophet who had a dream, not some god with who takes you to a higher plane.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Lord did not want us confused – He didn’t want us to follow a path that led me one place and then another. No! His path is straight and narrow. There is no mistaking it. You proceed in one direction and not many go with you. But it is a clear path and is well lit by God’s Word:

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

Oh friend, you must be born again in order to participate in the Rapture, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, 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. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 42

By Kate Plourde

On June 7, 2024

In Any Day Now, Devotionals

Are you paying attention to today’s news? Even just a little bit, you have to come to the conclusion that our world has drastically changed. It appears to have lots its mind! If you have noticed, I’m in total agreement with your conclusion and it is absolutely spot on, reader! Today’s world is not the same world as back in the first decade of this millennium! So what do you think has changed? More importantly, what do you think has caused this change?

Let’s take a look at what the Apostle Paul warned Timothy would happen when this world would reach its near end:

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.

Anyone who reads this passage can see that each and every one of the things Paul warns us about is occurring today. Yes, they’ve been going on for hundreds of year, but not all together at the same time! I challenge you to take each one of the underlined words and study what God has to say about it. Look up the definitions, and write down what you see in the world around you which defines it to a “T”! There are some words which were vague to me as I didn’t know exactly their definition. But after I researched them, my eyes were opened.

Living in these days is quite exciting, at least it can be if you look at it with anticipation that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Jews’ Yeshua Messiah, is about to Rapture His Church! The Rapture is a mystery that was not revealed in the Old Testament. However, just because it was not, we can clearly see that it is beautifully revealed in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul would have brought up the Old Testament prophecies if it had been prophesied.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (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. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Paul begins to teach on the Rapture by informing the Corinthian Church that not everyone will sleep when the Rapture occurs. What do you mean, Paul? Christians who have already died, are in Heaven with Jesus. Their souls are with Him but will unite with their incorruptible body at the Rapture.

2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

So what actually is Paul referring to in 1 Corinthians 15:52? Paul is saying that at the time of the Rapture, those who are “asleep” (dead in Christ) will be changed just as those who are alive at the time of the Rapture. Paul says twice in today’s passage that we shall be changed. Changed into what? As you know, Scripture interprets Scripture and we see that interpretation in the verses following this change.

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

The physical mortal bodies of every born-again believer cannot enter Heaven because our bodies are corruptible. Those who are in the grave at the time of the Rapture can attest to that. But what about those who are alive at that time? Our bodies are still as corrupt as the ones who are in the grave. Corrupt with what? The answer to that is sin. We were born into sin and have a sinful nature. Because of that sin, our bodies die. If Adam and Eve had never sinned, the sin nature would not have been passed on to every generation and death would not have followed. Therefore, our sinful bodies cannot enter into Heaven. Corruption cannot be in an eternal heavenly body so our body must be assigned an incorruptible body like Jesus had at His resurrection from the dead!

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Not only did physical death occur at the time of the first sin, but spiritual death as well. That is the whole purpose of Jesus’ ministry! When we are born, we are born with a sinful nature. The life of the unsaved person is already destined for Hell. We can only change that destination by believing on Jesus Christ!

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Once a person is born again, that person will live eternally whether he dies before the Rapture or is alive at the time of the Rapture. No corruptible body of sin can enter Heaven. The born-again believer has become part of the body of Christ, the Church/Bride, and at the Rapture, that body will join the Head of the Church, her Lord/Groom! Jesus Christ will not allow His own body, the Bride, to go through any part of the terrible Tribulation period. He calls her out of the world to join Him in the clouds so He can protect her from it.

That is the whole purpose of the Rapture! It is not to judge the church because Jesus took that judgment upon Himself.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

If we are in Christ Jesus, then we are counted worthy because HE is worthy! Jesus Himself gave us a glimpse of this when He spoke of the end times in Luke 21:5-36. The key verse is:

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

What is Jesus referring to when He says “all these things”? The response is all the things from verse Luke 21:5 through 35! He is speaking of the end times! Just as God gave Noah and his family protection, as well as Lot and his family, He is providing protection to His Church, His Bride; His own flesh and blood!

As we learned in the last post, the word Rapture doesn’t appear in the King James Bible. The New Testament was initially written in Greek. It was translated into Latin from which the English translation came.

The Greeks’ word for rapture was “harpazo”;
when it was translated into Latin, that word was translated to “rapturo” which is where today we get our English word rapture;
but when the word was translated into English, it was translated as “caught up.”

Paul tells us that this “Rapture” will occur in the twinkling of an eye. Our physical bodies will be changed into the same type of body that Jesus had at His resurrection. (Luke 24:36-39) When we receive this new body, we can then have what it takes to enter Heaven with Jesus. Be encouraged, reader!

Friend, 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 to 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 – Jealousy

By Kate Plourde

On November 20, 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.

Jealousy is a dangerous emotion in any relationship. Once it is introduced and it is not kept at bay, it is like a fast spreading fire through dry brush. It is not called the green-eyed monster for nothing! What exactly is jealousy? Noah Webster defines it as:

That passion of peculiar uneasiness which arises from the fear that a rival may rob us of the affection of one whom we love, or the suspicion that he has already done it; or it is the uneasiness which arises from the fear that another does or will enjoy some advantage which we desire for ourselves. A man’s jealousy is excited by the attentions of a rival to his favorite lady. A woman’s jealousy is roused by her husband’s attentions to another woman. The candidate for office manifests a jealousy of others who seek the same office. The jealousy of a student is awakened by the apprehension that his fellow will bear away the palm of praise. In short,jealousy is awakened by whatever may exalt others, or give them pleasures and advantages which we desire for ourselves. Jealousy is nearly allied to envy, for jealousy, before a good is lost by ourselves, is converted into envy, after it is obtained by others.

As we approach the Tribulation, we see this emotion more and more. The introduction of social media has exacerbated this emotion. We see people spending more time looking down at their phones than their surroundings. They can’t see who matters most to them. Our spouses, our friends take a back burner and realize that a cell phone has more importance than our relationship. Men have placed their own desires ahead of their families.

Is it any wonder that children act up to get their parents’ attention? Is it any wonder that a man wonders why his wife or girlfriend spends more time looking at her phone than paying attention to him? They are jealous of whatever means more to you than they!

Friend, if you are guilty of this, it is not what the Lord wants for you. Do you realize if you are, you are not only taking time away from your loved ones, you are also taking away from your time with the Lord? He is a jealous God and will not have you replace Him.

Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Check your relationships! What’s important to you? Do you want to be responsible for allowing jealousy to destroy your relationships? Are you the cause? Start with the Lord and that relationship in order. Repent and move forward to those relationships in your life that actually mean something.

Rapture and End Time News – After-School Satan Clubs

By Kate Plourde

On May 29, 2023

In Devotionals, Rapture and End Time News

To me, this is probably one of the most disturbing signs of the end times! We are watching Satan’s attack on our children happening right before our eyes. He managed to succeed in the abortion industry and now he is attacking the children who are alive. Did you ever imagine children signing up for this type of event? Parents are failing in their role to raise their children.

Launched in 2020 and promptly opposed by most parents, the clubs, associated with the Satanic Temple, are being pitched as an alternative to Christian after-school groups for those who identify as agnostics, atheists and religious minorities, such as pagans.

Last Monday, the Satanic Temple and the ACLU scored a legal victory after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled against the Northampton County school district, which banned the club from meeting on its grounds.

“In a victory for free speech and religious freedom, a federal court has ruled that the Saucon Valley School District must allow the After School Satan Club to meet in district facilities,” the ACLU said in a statement. Totally not Satanic?
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/after-school-satan-clubs-are-hot-hot-hot

2 Cor 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Is it any wonder that people fall for this kind of thing? Satan is diligently working to attract the lost to believe that his way is the way to joy and fulfillment. There can be no joy or fulfillment except it be found in Jesus Christ.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

There is great judgment for those who lead children astray; not just Satan worshipers, but also the parents who allow it!

Luk 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

The Apostle Paul said this would be part of the signs that we are in the last days! He spoke of blasphemers, unholy, and despisers of those that are good. Oh how true this is! Think about it – could you have imagined seeing this type of after-school activity when you were at school?

2 Tim 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.

Just look at what they are promoting!!! The worst of seven things is “personal sovereignty”!

Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Satan is doing his best to plant his wicked doctrine into the minds of impressionable children. They are in school and after-school events longer than they are in the home. They are being bombarded by this evilness. How can they escape if we don’t do something about it! We should be enraged but do we hear about these things in the liberal media? Of course not! Wake up!!!

The time is coming when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, repent and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. 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 to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Rapture and End Time News – Love Growing Cold

By Kate Plourde

On May 24, 2023

In Devotionals, Rapture and End Time News

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Born in the late 1700’s in Ireland, Adam Clarke was a studious itinerant preacher living in London. He is known for his commentaries on the Bible. I found his description of this verse extremely interesting:

The love of many shall wax cold – By reason of these trials and persecutions from without, and those apostasies and false prophets from within, the love of many to Christ and his doctrine, and to one another, shall grow cold. Some openly deserting the faith, as Mat 24:10; others corrupting it, as Mat 24:11; and others growing indifferent about it, Mat 24:12. Even at this early period there seems to have been a very considerable defection in several Christian Churches; see Gal 3:1-4; 2Th 3:1, etc.; 2 Ti 1:15.
Adam Clarke Commentary

Adam Clarke wrote this in the 1800’s and it amazes me that he recognized it in his day. How much more is it evident today!??

I also look at this verse, Matthew 24:12, as how cold men’s hearts have become because of the lawlessness and sin. The more it is allowed in a country, the more the country’s moral values decline. One of those moral values is abortion! Our elected officials can’t even stay on track! Their platform changes with the wind of change. Their political party changes direction to achieve a hidden agenda:

President Biden’s support for abortion is well-documented. He actually started his long political career as a centrist on the issue. In 1974, then-Sen. Biden told a reporter that a woman should not have the “sole right to say what should happen to her body,” and in 1982, he voted in favor of an amendment that would have allowed states to overturn Roe v. Wade. But Biden, like his party, has shifted dramatically in a pro-abortion direction.

For decades, Biden supported the Hyde Amendment that prohibits taxpayer funds from paying for abortions. He even voted in favor of the partial-birth abortion ban, but as a presidential candidate, Biden tacked hard to the left in the 2020 Democratic primary. Since that time, he has pursued increasingly aggressive pro-abortion policies.
https://harbingersdaily.com/abortion-champion-the-biden-admin-has-secured-its-place-as-the-most-forceful-defender-of-murder-in-the-nations-history/

How can one kill a baby when it is supposed to be in the most protected environment, the mother’s womb?!

Our country’s problems are evidence of what is inside of its citizens. The more the unbelievers cold-hearted beliefs succeed and the less Christians speak out, the more cold-hearted the country becomes!

During these end times, we see the difference between Christians and non-believers. We have become a loveless country. We have to place the blame where it is needed. This started with us, Christian. We are to be the light and the salt of the world. We are to shine the lost and point them to the Word of God for salvation. We are to cause the lost to thirst after righteousness. Because of our growing lack of love for the lost, we have reaped what we have sown (or not sown, for that matter). This began with us; it crept into the churches, then into our towns and cities.

Are you ashamed yet? Are you guilty of your love waxing cold? Yes, there will always be critics and unbelievers but that does not give us the right to ignore our duty as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Paul told Timothy what was going to happen in the last days and we are seeing this being fulfilled:

2 Tim 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.

Have you ever seen a more self-loving generation than our own? But rather than having our eyes on them, why not place our eyes on our own hearts to see if we are guilty of the same! We have to examine ourselves daily to make sure that we are practicing our faith! We can’t allow ourselves to grow cold toward the things of God. We can’t allow the things of this world to dictate our walk with Christ. Yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit and using the gifts He has given to us to reach a lost and dying world will keep us “in the faith.”

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

We can’t blame the world for everything. We need to do moral inventory and compare it to the Scriptures, not man’s definition of what is right. We all know man’s definitions change all the time. The Bible is our measuring stick and plumb line. It never changes – it is not God who moves away from us, but our hearts move away from God. Be vigilant!