“At Any Time” Devotional #40

          2 Timothy 3:1-5, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (NIV)

            How amazing is it that the Apostle Paul penned this so long ago?  This is what is going on today.  People are “lovers of themselves.”  Have you ever heard Burger King’s slogan, “Have it your way?”  People think very highly of themselves in our world today.  How about the “lovers of money” part?  How many people do you know in your personal circles that are this way?  They’ll do just about anything for money.  There have been countless crimes, divorces and suicides that have been committed because of money. 

            This passage begins with “there will be terrible times in the last days.”  We are living in the “last days.”  Now, my dear friends, I am not making any special predictions of when the world is coming to an end.  No one knows when that will be; only the Lord himself knows that!  I am saying that we are getting close.  Some experts say that it may be as soon as two generations from now but, keep in mind that’s a “guess-timate.”  1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,  for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (NIV)

            It is because we do not know for sure when is the “end” that we need to live each day as if tomorrow is the end.  This is the kind of urgency the authors that penned the God-inspired New Testament Scriptures lived their lives.  Their writing suggests the urgency in their hearts to always be ready to share the Gospel of Christ with others, to live a God-centered life and to teach others to do the same.  2 Timothy 2:1-7, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.  Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.  Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (NIV)

            What does this mean then?  Ephesians 4:14-16, “No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.” (MSG)

            My dear friends, you and I as followers of the One and Only True Living God, need to live our lives committed to the truth.  That all of those that surround us in our daily lives have no doubt that there is something different about us.  That it is clearly evident that Christ lives in us because of how we speak (always being honest), and how we respond to all life throws at us (always reflecting Jesus’ integrity).  I know that sometimes it’s easier to do this than other times but no matter what, with no matter who, we always need to reflect Jesus to others.  The time is now to be ready so that “at any time” we can “fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,” for which we are “ambassadors in chains,” Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV). 

 

My dear friend, thank you for reading this devotional.  Know that I appreciate you and am praying for you.  Thanks for passing on this blog to others!  Also, I have a Facebook page for the ministry!  It’s a great way to get updates on the ministry and to the latest “Thought of the day” postings. They’re short reads and have gotten great reviews.  Come and join by pressing “like!” on the page:  www.facebook.com/ReflectingTruthMinistries  God bless you!

 

*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com

 

 

“Extenuating Circumstances” Devotional #39

            Have you ever found yourself in an extenuating circumstance?  I have.  There have been times when I have tried to make my mistakes less serious than they really were.  There was a time when I was the Youth Leader of a small church.  I was in college at the time and working part time.  We had planned a Spaghetti Dinner but, because of the lack of time and planning I decided to cancel it.  I thought I had let everyone know that the dinner was cancelled.  There were two ladies that showed up the night the dinner was supposed to be held.  They hadn’t eaten dinner and were looking forward to the meal.  To this day I will never forget the look of disappointment on their faces.  I apologized and gave explanations as to why it was cancelled.  Though to everyone else there the excuses seemed to have calmed the situation but I felt bad about trying to make light of the situation. 

            There were so many times in my life that I tried to cover up my tardiness problem.  They seemed to have been excused all of the time, at school, work, or church but there was one time that the excuses didn’t save me.  I was a new mommy back then and felt like I was in way over my head with my life.  Why?  Wife, mother, almost full time employee and volunteer at church and family functions.  Time was very limited and I was tired all of the time.  I was given a warning and was only given one more opportunity.  If I were to come in late one more time I’d be fired.  It was rough hearing those words but it had to happen.  I didn’t do what I needed to in order to solve my tardiness problem.  They had no choice but to let me go.

            I know that these issues may not sound as bad as the many other “Extenuating Circumstances” that occur in the world every single day.  Some stand out more than others but there is something that ties them all together.  We all have the same reason to make up excuses, to make something sound less serious than it really is.  It’s pride.  Our pride, the fear of “losing face” can become too unbearable if we let it.  It’s the fear of us being “found out” or of someone else being “found out” that causes the pride to take over.  Instead of being honest and deal with the circumstances making up excuses seems to be better and sometimes even easier to do.

            As followers of Christ should we get involved with these “Extenuating Circumstances?”  Should we be doing what the dictionary defines extenuating as?  “Diminish the seriousness of: to make a mistake or wrongdoing seem less serious than it first appeared, e.g. by providing a mitigating excuse for it.” (Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.) 

             Ephesians 4:24-25, “take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.  What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.” (MSG)

            In the end no matter how much we try to make something “bad” not look so “bad” we need to remember that it’s the same as lying.  Just about anything can be justified but a sin is a sin no matter how many different ways we try to cover it up or make it look better.  Just because you can find justification doesn’t mean that you have turned the sin into something good or acceptable.  The circumstances, even if they are “extenuating” remain the same.  Once something is done it is done. 

My dear friends thank you for reading my devotional blog!  Know that I care about you and am praying for you.  It is so exciting to know that these devotionals that have been inspired by God are being read throughout the world!  If you have access to “Facebook” I have a ministry page!  The site can be found at www.Facebook.com/ReflectingTruthMinistries.  God bless you! 

*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com