Difficult Times Ahead, But Not Without Hope
2 Timothy 3:2-5 (MSG) 3 1-5 “Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.”
The Message Bible says it plain and straight. We are seeing this in our world today. “Bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God.” It’s shoved in our face. Those addicted to lust are trying to force us to accommodate their lifestyle choices that invade our privacy rights and beliefs. Believers need to pray for God’s mercy on America.
God gives every one the freedom of choice. The freedom of religion is being eroded away piece by piece and the majority of believers in God are remaining apathetic. This week a pastor who also works in the secular sector preached on Sunday against a particular sin and was fired on Monday because of what he preached. This is happening in America!
I believe without a doubt that the Bride of Christ will be taken out of this world before the great tribulation of seven years. We are now living in that end-time of pre-rapture and evil is flooding through this world as torrential tornadoes of sin trying to destroy everything in its path.
As a counselor, I see it even in the church. We have the sins of porn addiction, sexual abuse, and all types of sexual activity with singles outside the God-given boundaries of marriage. Oh, Yes! The devil is delighted that he can entice believers into sin through the modern technology that we carry in our purse or pocket.
A minority of profane people in our nation is trying to extinguish freedom of belief and speech that does not agree with their sinful lustful desires. America! Wake up! We must stand up in all ways speaking and living God’s truth! If we are apathetic about what is happening in our beloved America, we will drown in the great flood of sin. The people controlled by their lustful flesh do not just want freedom of choice, as they desire, they want to crush anyone who disagrees with them! This is dictatorship, not freedom of choice!
The church cannot tolerate sins or brush them ‘under the altar.’ Paul instructs the church of Corinth to expose the sinner committing the sin and encourage genuine repentance and restoration. Who is exposing the sin? Who is teaching the Word of God for spiritual, emotional and relational growth? Who is willing to preach the above scripture and challenge the church to stand up for righteousness? Jesus is returning for a Bride without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish!
I cannot imagine how sick the heart of God must be as He observes what is happening on the earth He created. I will stand for truth and speak truth as long as He gives me breath and strength. God says if we are luke-warm He will vomit us out of His mouth! Revelation 3:16 (NLT) 16 “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
I’m praying daily, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” Titus 2:11-13 (AMP) 11 “For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, 13 awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”
Yes, we live in difficult times, but we must walk in the Light as He is in the Light. 1 John 1:6-7 (AMP) 6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].”
I’ve read the end of the story and we win with God for all eternity! Let’s stand strong in the power of His truth! God shines His love to the world through us. As we stand for God’s truth, let’s speak the truth and do it in love!
© Carol Clemans – April 2016
Carol Clemans – Holy Ghost 61 yrs., Bible Teacher over 50 yrs., Certified Pastoral Counselor 24 yrs., Certified Christian Life Coach, Certified Sexual Addiction Recovery Facilitator. Anointed speaker for churches and conferences. Provides nationwide Bible counseling by phone/Skype (636) 448-0121.Youtube channel-Carol Clemans.
www.carolclemans.org – bio, 290+ articles, teaching CD’s & DVD’s, book: God’s Design for Marriage soft cover or eBook: amazon.com