Warning!

"You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

There is a reason Paul warned Timothy of the last days, and there is a reason this passage still applies to us today. We need to be warned, aware, and conscious.

These things can take root within us, our families, our homes and our Churches. For some, this may already be the case. So how do we rid our homes, our lives, our families from these things?

Three ways

1. Understand none of us are immune.
2. Go Straight to the Root.
3. Combat it with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

If we think we are immune to the attacks of Satan, we have another thing coming. He is constantly planning and scheming, he waits until we are weak, and then he attacks. We are susceptible.

We need to learn, evaluate and get familiar with the root of what causes these actions-selfishness.
When we focus on ourselves, the desires of our flesh, and feelings we literally remove Christ from the center and place ourselves in the place He should be. This will always produce problems, stress, frustration, and more selfishness. In order to put Christ back in the center you must daily put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your Cross daily and follow Him. You literally have to wake up and run to the foot of the Cross and lay your selfishness down.

Then, you have to put on the armor of Christ and be completely on guard at all times. You need to tune your ears to His voice and listen. None of these things are easy, but if we choose to do them day in and day out, we will be able to look back and see how He has guided us, protected us, and helped us grow in perseverance, self-control and faith.

The greatest asset we have is His Word. We need to be storing it within us every second, constantly meditating on His promises, seeking it out like we would lost treasure or hidden money. The more we store His Word, the stronger the Holy Spirit is within us, and the less likely we are to give into our selfishness.

Jesus, uproot the selfishness within us and replace it with Your truths, Your promises, and selflessness. Take complete control of our lives in every area. Guard us from our own selfishness. Jesus bring healing to those who are living in the bondage of selfishness. Bring freedom and healing to the families who have allowed sin and selfishness to divide them. Amen

Yet We Do It Anyway-

S-Romans 1-31-32

S-"Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." Romans 5:1

A-thankfulness for what Christ has done for us

L-Yet We Do Them Anyway

-"They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving. They are fully aware of God's death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too."  Romans 1:31-32

~I know this sounds crazy, but if we are honest with God, ourselves, and others, we will admit, in someways this hits our hearts, convicts us, and even describes us.

 Often times we refuse to understand that God's ways and timing is best.

We break our promises,rather made to God or others, we break them.

We can be heartless and unforgiving (Do you know anyone right now you need to forgive and haven't? Have you been heartless towards or about someone who has hurt you?)

We even encourage others to do them too.

      Let's look at some ways we do this and are either aware of it or not.

       ~Lying-this is done so much, it has almost become natural.
       ~Gossip-oh mercy, has this not become the norm. We all allow it and even do it.
       ~Complaining-Once one person starts, it comes a flood. Complaining is the biggest killer of joy and thankfulness.
       ~Greed-Our society reeks of greed. It says the only way to be happy is to have more money in your pocket. How do we encourage others to become greedy, by being materialistic.
       ~Drinking-For some reason and at some point, someone offered you a drink, and you took it. Then you did the same thing. Whether it was a parent, a brother or sister, friend, cousin, whomever, influence  and encouragement (in a negative sense) was there.
       ~Disrespect- This has become so contagious. It starts in our homes. If our children see us disrespecting our spouse, they will begin to do the same thing. If they see us disrespect someone else, they will too. It will take root within them so quick, that going back to make it right will be even harder than if we just displayed respect in the first place. Brethren, we have to get a hold of this. If we can so easily disrespect each other, how much more can and do we disrespect Christ? If we struggle with disrespect we need to look and evaluate whether we respect or disrespect Christ.

Again, this is not to be taken negatively. It is to be taken with understanding of God's boundaries set for us. It is to be taken as it is, be aware, check yourself according to the Scriptures, and take accountability for your own actions.

God gave us the very best, we need to give Him the very best. Not because we have to, but because we want to. Because we get to. Because we are so grateful and indebted and addicted to His amazing love.

Jesus, search us and know our hearts. Test us and know our thoughts. Point out anything in us that offends you and lead us along the path of everlasting life. Jesus help us to begin to take responsibility for our own actions. Help us to constantly stay inside the boundaries You have set for us. Thank You for giving them to us, to protect us and keep us safe, and to stay in fellowship with You. Jesus help us to put forth the effort to be consciously aware of every decision we make, every word we speak, every action, and even how we are encouraging others. Forgive us Jesus for hurting You with our refusal to understand, to obey, and to confess our unfaithfulness and sin. Amen