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.
(2 Ti 3:4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
What brings you pleasure, Reader? There are many different answers; especially today! This sin says that in the end times, people will be lovers of pleasure MORE than lovers of God. I believe everyone is guilty of this at some point or another – even Christians. Lovers of pleasures comes in different forms. There are so many worldly pleasures today: cell phones, drugs and alcohol, video games, theme parks, cruises, etc. Somewhere, someone will come up with something pleasurable which will distract the population even more.
But do pleasures really distract from God? As I said yesterday, the devil is hard at work trying to distract mankind from anything spiritual. He does not want man thinking about God and has, therefore, created so many pleasures to capture man’s attention. Just 200 years ago, there were few things distracting people, such as newspapers or town gossip. They did have telephones or televisions to distract them. They were busy with chores because they didn’t have modern conveniences. Today, we are bombarded with information all around us. It’s easy to find anything we want at the touch of our fingertips.
Here’s an assignment for you: take an inventory of the pleasures in your life and put them under one of two columns: Worldly and Godly. Do the results speak to you? I’m as guilty as the next person and this is convicting! Thank You, Lord! Nothing should be put ahead of God.
Putting God at the center of our pleasures will not only benefit us spiritually, but will be an act of obedience. The Bible has a lot to say about this:
(Mat 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(Mat 6:24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(Col 3:2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(Rom 8:5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Is it any wonder that this sin is in the list for the end times? Just when I think technology can’t get any more advanced, I hear of something new! Just another attempt of Satan’s to distract people away from God. The result is lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. I don’t want to be in that category! I want the Lord to find me faithful and focused when He returns. I want to hear these words from the Lord:
(Mat 25:23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2 Ti 3:4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
As I sit here in the wee hours this morning, I think of households waking up and going about their daily lives without any thoughts of God in their lives. How very sad it is that they do not have the privilege of approaching God’s throne and sharing what is on their heart! Most precious Heavenly Father, what would my life be like without You in it? Where would I be? I dare say that I would be in that place prepared for the devil and his angels, burning and suffering, for all eternity! I’m so thankful that You sent my dearest friend to show me how to be born again before I went through with my thoughts of ending my life! Thank You, Lord for your endless mercy! Thank You for the opportunity to tell others about You! Thank You for watching over me and keeping me under Your wings! Please bless this post today and lead others to it so they may be saved! In Jesus’ precious and holy Name I pray! Amen!
The Apostle Paul covered so many words in the first nine verses of 2 Timothy! Each word has to be taken all the more seriously because of the times in which we live. We are to take them as a warning; whether it is for you personally or for you to warn others. Salvation is for you personally! You are no better than anyone else and in need of forgiveness, just as much as that bum you look down upon. In fact, you need salvation more because it will be easier for a bum to get saved. That bum isn’t presumptuous at all. In fact, he knows the state he’s in better than you do.
That word highminded is an easy word and its definition isn’t complicated. It’s just another term for being proud or arrogant and it most definitely describes the attitude of many today. If it weren’t true, mankind would be humble and we all know this is not the case. Just try telling someone about the Lord and see the reaction you get. Man’s thoughts are not on spiritual matters. They do not see their sin and think they are above needing a Saviour. But alas, they are displaying the spirit of the antichrist. Lucifer was cast out of Heaven because of the sin of pride – he was highminded. The sins go hand-in-hand.
(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.
Lucifer (Satan) was so highminded and proud that he thought he could do better than God. So are the highminded people who live in today’s world. They think they don’t need God because they’re doing fine on their own. They attribute their success to their own efforts.
Our churches are filled with people but their hearts aren’t in it for God. They go through the motions but there’s no desire to have a close relationship with Him. Then once church is over, they’ve done their duty and they move on with their lives – lives that do not change.
(Mat 15:8-9) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
It is this same high-mindedness, this pride and arrogance, that makes man think he is better than the prostitute, bum, or better than the drug addict. “As long as I don’t do what they do, I’m doing OK.” But are you? This contempt of others only serves to make the heart cold to the things of God. One presumes that he’s doing OK but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Just as Lucifer exalted himself, the world is doing the same today.
We must point people to Christ. He came to die for their sins as well.
(Rom 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
This sin is no better or worse than let’s say lying. Any sin keeps us from entering Heaven; even just one sin. It is difficult to admit you need a Saviour if you suffer from the sin of high-mindedness/pride. However, it is not impossible. This sin makes one think you’re too good to go to Hell. Maybe you don’t even believe in Hell. I would rather be born again and find out that there is a Heaven and Hell than not believing and finding out it is real. What have you to lose? You have everything to gain by humbling yourself before God and admitting you are in need of salvation!
The devil knows his time is short and does not want anyone to get saved. The Holy Spirit of God is hard at work in these last days and is delaying the Rapture so that one more soul can be saved. Can that soul be you? Don’t let the sin of high-mindedness keep you from being born again. If you are born again and are guilty of this sin, confess and forsake it. You are no better than anyone else in the eyes of God. All are equal to Him.
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2 Ti 3:4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Good morning, Reader! I pray you are being blessed by this series! Please leave me a comment, whether you’re in agreement or not. Today’s word was an eyeopener for me. I always thought the a traitor was a person who betrayed his country, like Benedict Arnold. But as I studied this word, I discovered there was a tad more to it!
Luk 6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
(Act 7:52) Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
The same Greek word was used in today’s verse as well as the other two above:
G4273 προδότης prodotēs prod-ot’-ace From G4272 (in the sense of giving forward into another’s [the enemy’s] hands); a surrender: – betrayer, traitor. Total KJV occurrences: 3
Did you happen to notice that these two verses refer to Jesus’ betrayal? It causes me to think that the third occurrence of this same Greek word in 2 Timothy 3:4 could be referring to betrayers of Christ as well. If so, how much more have we seen the great falling away in Christianity than today? According to the Pew Research Center:
Currently, 43% of U.S. adults identify with Protestantism, down from 51% in 2009.
The 43% of those who identify with Protestantism (any religion that is not Catholic) does not mean that they are born again believers. It’s easy to do a Google search to find out just how many born again Christians there really are – and who is to know if they are truly born again or just saying they are because their parents were.
(Luk 18:8) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
There are a lot of “Christians” out their in name only. They don’t read their Bibles, they don’t pray, nor do they practice the basic tenets of the faith. They have become as traitors to the very faith on which this country was founded. Our Constitution was built on this faith and Scripture is strewn throughout many of our government buildings and monuments. Granted our country was not without sin or error. But its foundation was solid until 1963.
There are many betrayers (traitors) of the faith. Satan is at the root of them all. Christ called Peter out on it when Peter didn’t want to admit that Jesus would be killed:
(Mat 16:23) But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Jesus wasn’t saying that Peter was Satan but that Peter was speaking with the “spirit of Satan” – Peter wanted to stop the fact that Jesus would die. But the Scriptures had to be fulfilled so Christ could bear our sins on the cross. Scripture will also be fulfilled when Jesus comes again.
Religious people can be compared to traitors just as Judas Iscariot. They don’t point to salvation through Jesus Christ – instead they’re more interested in filling their pews and getting monetary gain. Isn’t this betraying the cause of Christ? Are we born again Christians any different? Are we also traitors of the cause of Christ? The decline of Christianity in America doesn’t lie on the shoulders of the unsaved. It rests on the shoulders of every born again believer because we are not actively telling others about Christ’s payment for their sin and His plan of salvation.
Search your heart, reader! Have you slacked off and, therefore, betrayed Jesus and His gospel? Or are you someone who was led to this blog in search of some answers. If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2Ti 3:3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
As we continue with this series, I pray that you realize that these posts are not based on my opinions. I provide Scriptures for everything so that you can know the truth. Some of my own family despise my boldness for the Lord. But it’s not me they hate. It’s God, whether they want to admit it or not.
Jesus said that when we began to see certain signs, we would be able to recognize that we are at the “beginning of sorrows.” I quote scripture because I know that God’s word is Truth!
(Mat 24:4-8) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. &7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Today’s sin goes hand-in-hand with these verses. We have wars in the Middle East and rumors of greater wars coming. We also have nation rising against nation, especially against Israel. We also have famines and pestilences like we’ve never had before. Covid-19 has affected the whole world. There has never been a pestilence that has affected every single nation on this earth! This is certainly monumental!
Most countries who don’t practice democracy are anti Christian. This is why democracy is so important for our country. You can be certain that Christians will be persecuted if our country abandons democracy. Open Doors USA yearly publishes the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted; there are currently 65 countries in total who do so but they list the top 50. When we stop to look at statistics, we find there are 195 countries in the world today. That means that 33% of this planet persecutes Christians! When looking at their map, we find that two countries south of our own borders do so! Drug cartels do not want Christians “cleaning up” their business so they are eliminated. Open Door states:
There are countries on the list which have a rather large Christian population and remain on the list for numerous reasons. In countries like Colombia, Christians face persecution from rebel groups in certain parts of the country. While non-Christians also experience violence from these groups, Christian leaders are specifically targeted because many people have left the rebel groups after coming to Christ. The church is often seen as a threat by these groups because of this and is often attacked.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) released a report on how hate crimes against Christians and Jews have increased dramatically. Compared to the previous year (578), it means a 70 percent increase in crimes against Christians. The number of anti-Semitic hate crimes also increased, from 600 to 2,316.
Just in Europe alone, hate crimes against Christians went up 59% and against Jews it almost quadrupled just in one year! It’s easy to see how those who do good today are being attacked in unbelievable proportions!
Look at our own country! Good, honest, hardworking people who protect their property from rioters and looters, are being attacked! Nor are law enforcement allowed to go in to stop it. Their properties and livelihoods vanish in just a few minutes of rioting! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the country we came to love so dear has changed; and it’s not for the good.
But don’t be discouraged, dear reader! We are not to fret because we have Jesus Christ, and nothing is catching Him by surprise! We are to continue to do good and to tell others the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone. He will put everything in order, in Good order, when He returns!
(Act 4:10-12) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (11) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2 Ti 3:3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Good morning! This series is seriously going by so quickly! I can’t believe that we are nearly half way through already!! I’ve learned so much and stand convinced we are living during an exciting time! Christ could come rapture His church at any moment. Nothing needs to happen before this event. However, it is the restraining power of the Holy Spirit that keeps this world in order. This study shows us the attitude of mankind at the end times. Can you now imagine once the Holy Spirit is removed? 😲 I’m thankful I won’t be here to witness it. But I am heartbroken knowing that some family members will be left behind. I pray that you are not one of those.
As we continue our study, I find that today’s word is an unusual word to be applied toward the attitude of mankind in the end times! It obviously doesn’t mean what we “think” it means in today’s English. Merriam Webster defines it as:
not continent: such as: (1) unable to voluntarily control retention of urine or feces in the body (2)a: lacking self-restraint (2)b: not being under control
I’m sure this isn’t what the Apostle Paul meant – it wouldn’t make any sense. So let’s dig a little deeper and see what the word actually meant at the time that the Bible was translated into English. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary (which contains the definitions of words used during that time period):
INCON’TINENT, a. [L. incontinens.] Not restraining the passions or appetites, particularly the sexual appetite; indulging lust without restraint or in violation of law; unchaste; lewd.
The definitions in Merriam Webster’s dictionary came second while this is the primary definition in Noah Webster’s. We should lean toward the latter’s definition if we are to make any sense of mankind’s attitude in the end times.
Today’s mindset is whatever “feels good, do it”! But is it a biblical mindset? Is this what God would ask of us? No! So how are we supposed to gauge the moral compass of the world? How can we be sure what is right and what is wrong? God’s word, the Bible, is our ultimate guide, reader! God gave His word to mankind to be their “measuring stick, or ruler” in life. We can’t measure ourselves by comparing ourselves to someone else. God wants us to measure our spiritual lives to His word.
(Joh 12:48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Just because the world says it’s OK to have babies aborted, it doesn’t mean it is right! Just because it has become law doesn’t make it right. One must turn to the ultimate guide and that is God’s word. It’s should not be, “what does the world or the law say”? It should be, “What does God’s word say?”
God’s says that in the end times, incontinence will be prevalent amongst the unbelieving world. There are anywhere from 64-100 genders according to Google. Really? A world that is incontinent came up with that and is currently pushing their agenda so much that it is gradually becoming accepted. Kids in public school can’t use pronouns to refer to a person! Has this world gone crazy? What does the Christian do with this? Do we sit by idly and keep quiet? No! What is evil is still evil and what is good is still good, no matter what we are told by a sinful world.
(Isa 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!
(Isa 5:21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
(Isa 5:23) Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
God’s word is quite clear as to what happens to people who do these things. They have eliminated God’s word from the schools, from the government and now from their homes. It’s no wonder the unbelieving world is incontinent. God will have the last word, however.
(Isa 5:24) Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
These sins laid out so clearly in 2 Timothy 3:1-9 are exactly what the heart of man is like today. Is it any wonder we are in the end times? Don’t take this lightly but do take a spiritual inventory of your own heart and see where you are. Do you come up short according to God’s word?
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2Ti 3:3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Good morning, dear Reader. 😀 Every morning I wake up looking forward to spending time with the Lord as well as sitting at my laptop and writing. I pray for inspiration and wisdom to be able to communicate what God wants me to, not what I want to write. Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes not so easy. My heart fears that I will receive negative comments and be falsely accused but that fear must be set aside and left in the capable hands of my Father. Lord God, Almighty and King of the universe. There is nothing that is too hard for You, Lord. I know that You want the world to know and love You. I pray that You would use this blog to reveal Yourself to them. I also pray that You use these topics to Your glory and honor, Lord.
It isn’t difficult to know the meaning of today’s sin. A false accuser is someone who wrongly accuses another, or a slanderer. Boy, can we say YES that this is definitely prevalent in our current times? The news reports false information; they report stories filled with lies so that they can influence their viewing/listening audience. Why? The spirit of the antichrist is alive on earth and the goal is to move us toward his agenda, which is a one world government where he reigns.
Our country is on the verge of anarchy and it will happen if the righteous do not stand up in defense of Truth, amen? We must call out what is wrong and say what the Bible has to say about the devil’s agenda to enslave people.
(Psa 107:2) Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
(Eph 5:11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
We must be bold for the Lord and speak up when someone is wrongly accused. The evil works of Satan are running wild and if Christians don’t speak up, we are literally turning this country over to his control. False accusers come in many shapes and forms, at any given time. We must be wise as we deal with false accusers.
(Mat 10:16) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Christ told us to be wise but yet be harmless as doves. We are not to resort to the same violent tactics as the unsaved world. It is best to arm ourselves with God’s word and let His word fight our battles. Truth is what defeats the lies of false accusers.
(1Sa 17:47) And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.
The Lord is always there amongst us and His Holy Spirit will provide exactly what is needed when it is needed. Remember, the battle is His and He always wins His battles.
Deu 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deu 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Jos 23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
Psa 60:12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Psa 108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
We are so blessed to have God Almighty to fight our battles against false accusers. Remember, the Lord wins in the end. Be encouraged and fight for what is truth and righteousness!
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2 Ti 3:3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
I woke up to what will be a glorious day! There’s a heavy frost on the ground in my part of the country. Some of you have snow already! Today’s picture even “feels” cold, doesn’t it? 😄 However cold it is, it is a necessary season that prepares us for Spring! Not only is it necessary for the earth, but it speaks to us spiritually, amen? We don’t want our hearts to become hard but to be soft and ready for the seed of faith to grow. So let this seed of faith grow, Heaven Father. Take that seed, water it and regenerate our hearts so that we may be of service to You and Your Kingdom to come!
As I continue writing on this topic, I find today’s word, “trucebreakers,” quite disturbing. The term explains itself but it’s interesting to see what was intended by the Holy Spirit. Just what did He have to communicate to us? Who is the only one who has never broken a promise? The answer is emphatically God!
God has never broken a promise or a covenant! We can find 272 verses in the Bible that contain the word “covenant.” With so many verses, it must be important to God, amen? Is it any wonder to you that covenant breakers would be prevalent in the end times? It isn’t to me. Can you imagine if God broke His promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ? What would we do?
A good example of trucebreakers can be found right in the institution of marriage. What used to be considered holy is now considered “old fashioned.” At one time, vows were taken seriously and couples would work through their difficulties in marriage because feared what divorce would do their family. Divorce not only separates husband and wife but it destroys the children. The world today has convinced itself that it is OK and the grass is always greener on the other side. After all, the world says it’s easier to just leave and marry someone else. But what does God say?
(Mar 10:4-9) And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. (5) And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. (6) But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. (7) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; (8) And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh .(9) What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it as:
Also known as breaking a promise, commitment or contract.
TRU’CE-BREAKER, n. [truce and breaker.] One who violates a truce, covenant or engagement. 2 Tim 3.
To examine it even further, the Greek word for trucebreaker is:
G786 ἄσπονδος aspondos as’-pon-dos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G4689; literally without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), that is, (by implication) truceless: – implacable, truce-breaker. Total KJV occurrences: 2
I find it interesting that this word is also used in Romans 1:31. The same Greek word for trucebreaker is used here for “implacable”:
(Rom 1:31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Noah Webster defines “implacable” as:
IMPLA’CABLE, a. [L. implacabilis; in and placabilis, from placo, to appease.]
Not to be appeased; that can not be pacified and rendered peaceable; inexorable; stubborn or constant in enmity; as an implacable prince.
Not to be appeased or subdued; as implacable anger; implacable enmity, malice or revenge.
Now that you have read these definitions, don’t you see that the words don’t mean the same as today’s modern definition? We can have a clearer understanding of what the Scriptures say and we can see how it applies to marriage. Couples live together rather than get married – it’s unbelievable how this is even seen amongst “Christian” couples! My heart aches to see the decline in marriage and the choice being made to live together. God says that fornication is sin but no one wants to think about that. The divorce rate amongst “born again Christians” is 33% according to these statistics! Is it any wonder that born again Christians are not the testimony they should be to the unbelieving world? We are no different than they are! We ought to be ashamed of ourselves! Is God not the center of these Christians’ lives? Apparently not! They have taken Him off the throne and put self on it.
Dear reader, if Christians are trucebreakers, then we cannot condemn the world for doing so. Is it any wonder that this is a sin indicating the end times? It’s not being done by an unbelieving world, but by believers also!
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2 Timothy 3:3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Good morning, dear Reader! Is it a good morning? How did you start your morning? Did you sit down with your favorite beverage and watch TV? Or did you sit down with your favorite beverage and read your Bible? Jesus said,
(Mat 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
So what is your treasure today? Is it in your wealth? Is it with the one you are in love with?
I truly believe that today’s reading proves we are in the end times! Our world is filled with people who are “without natural affection”! Just what is this natural affection? When a husband and wife have a baby, they don’t have to fall in love with that baby. The love that spills forth from their heart comes naturally. It is a God-given gift and one that cannot be replaced. Therefore, this type of affection is one that is between parents and their children. This affection was not under scrutiny in previous years; it was reserved for those families that were severely broken and dysfunctional.
Statistically speaking, in recent years (since the 1960’s), we have seen a terrible decline in the institution of the family. Single family homes is one of the contributors. Another is the legalization of abortion 51 years ago, in 1970. Prayer and the teaching from the Bible were removed from schools in 1963. This decline was a direct result of the removal of God in our society. This decline resulted in parents not teaching their children from the Scriptures. We do, on the other hand, see parents looking down at their cell phones and wasting countless hours instead of spending those hours loving their children and teaching them what the Bible has to say about the things they are learning in school.
We see parents who leave the teaching to the public schools, television and others. The results are children who do not have that respect and love for their parents, and vice versa. Parents don’t have a vested interest in their child’s spiritual education.
(Pro 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
(Eph 6:4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
(Deu 6:6-7) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: (7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Friend, God is holy and desires a relationship with His creation. He desires that we grow in truth and grace. His word teaches us how to be good parents and how to raise children who will love Him and grow spiritually. Today’s children are disrespectful and belligerent to their parents; they mimic what they see in the home, but foremost what is on television and their friends’ homes. Children should not be a nuisance to their parents but viewed as a precious gift from the Lord!
(Psa 127:3) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Women have lost focus on what is important in life. I understand that many women have to work outside the home in order to make ends meet. A working mom comes home exhausted from work, knowing that her chores don’t end when she leaves the office. She has more at home waiting for her. Her family receives the dregs of her energy and patience. It’s even worse if she is the only parent in the home! Her challenges are great but still doable if the Lord is kept the center of the home. Even though I was born again and a working wife and mother, it was very difficult to have anything left for my family at the end of a hard day at work. It took every fiber of my being to give my family the very best of me and not what was left over.
Children need both mother and father because each parent has a set of different skills given to them by God. On a side note, I’ve been married over 47 years at this point, and I’ve seen what strengths my husband has and how he applied those strengths in raising our sons. He taught them to be men. What a wonderful father he is! As their mother, I taught them how to take care of themselves so when they left home, they would be prepared (such as doing their own laundry, cooking enough things to keep them alive, cleaning their surroundings so they don’t live in filth).
An eye opening experience for me was growing up with a mother who worked a full-time job and two part-time jobs to help get my father out of debt brought on by alcoholism. Because she was not at home most of the time, I didn’t learned to sew, cook or do laundry before I was married. I learned things from my best friend’s Mom, as well as my precious mother-in-law. She was the one who taught me most things that a woman should know to take care of her family.
Natural affection for children thrives when God is in the home. When God is not in the home, children are thought to be a burden; and what is in the heart comes out of the mouth and in the parent’s attitude.
(Mat 15:18) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Granted we have seen the decline of the family for the last 60 years so you may think that this is not indicative of the end times. But tragedy such as this does not happen over night. It’s a slow process and what we see today is kids raising kids without God as their center. The natural affection of a husband and wife toward their child is no longer the majority, but sadly the minority. How sad this is! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2 Ti 3:2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
As I am writing today’s post, the sun is just coming up and the sky is a beautiful hombre of reds in the distance much like today’s picture. The Lord reveals to me His artistic abilities and paints a sky like no artist can match! The Bible says that no ear has heard or eye has seen the things which God has in store for us. We have heard the sound of birds, ocean waves and the gentle coos of a baby. We have seen glorious sunrises, colorful birds and flowers. But God has more waiting to show us in Heaven! Can you imagine?
(1Co 2:9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
So now my house is quiet and I turn my attention to the verse that we are focusing on today. It contains that six-letter word “unholy.”
People have difficulty defining what is holy and unholy today. It is not uncommon to hear the Lord’s name in vain, or see pornographic commercials on television. Our society has become so focused on sex and profanity that it no longer seems to bother them. Their hearts seem to have become hard to the things of God, doesn’t it? My heart aches for my beloved Country! I realize that God’s judgment is upon us and that it will only get worse if revival doesn’t come!
Oh Father, how I pray that the hearts of Americans be convicted of their sinfulness, repent and turn to You. I long for Your coming but I ache for those who will be left behind to face what is coming! Father, I beg you to change hearts today as your Holy Spirit draws someone to read this post. Please Father, use this for Your glory and honor!
Let’s back to this little word. What exactly does “unholy” mean and what actions does it involve? I like Noah Webster’s definition best:
Not holy; not renewed and sanctified. 2 Tim 3.
Profane; not hallowed; not consecrated; common. Heb 10.
Impious; wicked.
All I can say is, “Wow”! 😮 Re-read what I’ve underscored and then ask yourself if you think Noah’s definition is prevalent for today. Why do you think the world so unholy? First of all, they are not renewed, or born again. Second, if they are born again, they are not sanctified or set apart from the world. Reading the Bible every day is what pricks the heart and leads us to repent of our sin. When we apply what we have read in the Scriptures, we become sanctified. Christ reminds us how we can be sanctified in the following verse:
(Joh 17:17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The Bible holds the truth that God wants us to know. So doesn’t it stand to reason that Satan would make it a priority to corrupt God’s word so he can keep us away from it? If he can succeed to do so, he can keep mankind from the truth and they’ll listen to his lies. After all, he’s known to be an angel of light and the father of lies, amen?
(2Co 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
(Joh 8:44) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
As of 1611, the King James Bible was the only accepted Bible in the English language used by mankind. In the late 1800’s, the first “revision” came and since then, there have been over 100 different translations. Any time there is a new version, words have been removed and/or complete sentences (1 John 5:7 is an excellent example). Satan wishes to destroy the truth through these new versions. He wants to remove Christ from His throne by removing Christ from the Bible. Verses about Christ’s deity and His shed blood for the remission of sins are removed or re-worded to remove truth. Is it any wonder that mankind isn’t drawing closer to God but further away?
A good example of this is an antibiotic. If you take it at full strength, it will eventually help your body to heal. But what would happen if you diluted it with 25% water or broke the pill in four pieces and only took three pieces? It’s effectiveness would not be as good as full strength. Again, what would happen if you further diluted it with 50% water or swallowed only two of the pieces? With each watered-down version, the less effective it becomes. The true medicine, the Word of God, has the power to sanctify you. Is it any wonder this is what Satan is using in these end times? He began in the Garden of Eden by twisting God’s words:
(Gen 3:1) Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
And thus it continues today through all the versions. Take out a little here and change a little there, you end up with a diluted book. It is only through the Scriptures that we can be saved, cleansed and sanctified.
(Psa 119:9) BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
In relation to today’s sin, I can see unholy people all around me. I’m not trying to be pious or self righteous. As a born again Christian, I should be able to determine the difference between what is holy and what is not, amen? God’s word reveals it to us.
When one does not heed the Scriptures, his moral compass changes direction. His “true north” changes direction and he finds himself deep in sin. Dear reader, it is only through the Word of God, Jesus Christ, that we can become holy. We cannot do it on our own nor can we purchase it. Christ’s blood is what cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Then we have His Word which sanctifies us and creates in us a desire to grow spiritually.
(Joh 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(Rev 19:13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Where is your moral compass today, Reader? Are you born again? If you are, are you daily asking the Lord to change you into His image? If you are not born again, do you have a gnawing ache in the pit of your stomach? Is your conscience leading you to seek the truth before it is eternally too late?
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
(2 Ti 3:2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Good morning, reader! What do you think of today’s picture? It was shared by a dear missionary to Croatia, Mrs. Tori Leslie. I chose it because the tree had bent branches and, to me, it depicted a person who is not upright in his life – ungrateful of God’s blessings. Do you remember “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens? I’m certain it was intentional that the author depicted Ebenezer Scrooge as an decrepit old man. He was miserable and his one true love was money. He was not thankful for anything because he felt that everything he had, he worked hard to get for himself. It’s not wrong to work hard for the necessities in life but to take the credit for it all instead of thanking God for His blessings, is wrong. Scrooge was not a grateful or thankful person at all.
What a good segue to today’s sin, amen? 😀 The verse below tells us to give thanks in everything! Wow! Giving thanks to God for the goodness in your life is one thing. But what about thanking Him for the difficult things or the seemingly impossible things?
1 Thess. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
These are only two verses but there are countless others. I’ve seen the results of unthankful people and it never ceases to amaze me how someone can be so ungrateful! You give them a gift or you do something nice for them and there’s not even a thank you. It’s not that I need to hear a thank you, don’t get me wrong. It’s the fact that they are ungrateful and more or less “expect” that they desire your kind gesture or gift.
But as we approach the times and the coming of the Tribulation, we can see it more and more. People are not thankful for the job they have; or the spouse they have; or even, the home God has blessed them with. Why do you think that is? The following scriptures outline it well:
(Rom 1:18-21) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
As the whole earth lunges toward a one-world church and government, the hearts of mankind have become vain and their foolish hearts were darkened by the devil himself. Satan’s lies have made man doubt God and His word since the beginning in the Garden of Eden. In turn, man has become “self-sufficient” without the need for God in their lives. Being ungrateful removes our eyes and heart away from the One Who provides everything! A darkened heart no longer recognizes God’s blessings in his life and, therefore, is no longer thankful. Oh how we see this today! People are not satisfied with what they have. They want more and more trying to fill that empty hole in their heart – that very same heart that God desires to love Him. We were created to commune and fellowship with Him. The unsaved search their entire lives to fill that hole which was originally created to be “at one” with God. Instead they try to fill that hole with “things” thinking that this will bring them joy. But it doesn’t.
Christians should lead the way in having a thankful and grateful heart. Scripture is very clear on this topic. Offering praise depicts a thankful heart:
(Psa 50:23) Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
(Psa 140:13) Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
The world lacks thankfulness because their hearts are cold and deceived. Is it any wonder that it is one of the end times sins?
If you happen to be reading this and are not saved, it is no coincidence. God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
