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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/You-Know-What-to-Do--Do-It-e1p4r2t
1 Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. 2 As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, 3 dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, 4 treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. 5 They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people. 6 These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself "truth." 7 They get exploited every time and never really learn. 8 These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres, who challenged Moses. They were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself. 9 But nothing will come of these latest impostors. Everyone will see through them, just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax. 10 You've been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, 11 troubles, sufferings - suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! 12 Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it. 13 Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They're as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. 14 But don't let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers - 15 why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. 17 Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 1 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, 2 so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. 3 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5 But you - keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant. (2 Timothy 3:`14-4:5 The Message Bible)
A blessed and wondrous Wednesday to you, dear Friend, is my prayer for you. I ask prayers for Mr. Doug Copeland, who's in the hospital in San Marcos, TX, with severe breathing problems. Doug lost his wife not too long ago, and was also furloughed from his job and needs our prayers. Prayers for his daughter and Doug's mother who is retired pastor, Rev. Patricia Jentsch, of Seguin. We believe in an awesome God who can do awesome and amazing things. Those of you who hear my podcast edition of this devotional sometimes get bonus material, such as the unexpected blessing of a free ride to the airport yesterday (Monday) morning. It's a long story involving a sketchy "Uber" driver who showed up at 4 am somehow knowing we were not going to get an official Uber driver and wanted to drive us to the airport for "cheaper money." Uh huh, since when is $70 cheaper than $40? Nellie nor I were very trusting of this individual and we headed inside the hotel lobby. A bus driver from another company had pulled up and asked about airport connections? We shook our heads no, and we were inside. The bus driver then came into the lobby and said, "God sent me to tell you that I'm taking you to the airport for free." Huh? And that's how we got to the airport! God is so good!
This passage sums up how the Apostle Paul saw his era. Interesting that it mirrors our time as well. The older evangelist telling the younger one that their work was cut out for them. I can make a list of the things Paul shares and you see we have the same issues before us today: self-absorbed people? Check. Money-hungry? Check. Self-promoting? Double check. Stuck-up? Yes. Profane. Contemptouous of parents, curde, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God? Yes to all. And the remarks that follow about making a show of religion, yet they're animals behind the scenes. Pray for these people, but steer clear of them. Their actions versus their faith will give them away. Nothing good will come of these people and their way of life.
Paul stresses that the Word of God is what will help us during these difficult times. Starting with verse 14 onward, the Apostle is stressing that for this young man to face and be victorious over the times, he should "Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers - Why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Then, the famous, most often quoted, "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way." In our denomination, as was true for others, a huge debate has been going on about the place and authority of Scripture. Within the United Methodist Church, many churches have already voted and announced their decisiion to disaffiliate from the UMC and either join the new Global Methodist Church or become independent. The entire UMC of Bulgaria has announced they have left the UMC and their conference will become Global. The Philippines also has a number of churches that will become independent of the UMC. Within the United States several churches have also voted to disaffiliate from the UMC. The question being asked, and that has been debated for many years, What authority does scripture still hold in our church? A long time friend and reader of ConCafe called me earlier this evening to share her feelings about regional meetings that are taking place where denominational leaders are sharing their views on why everyone should stay in the UMC rather than go to the GMC. And the leaders of GMC are holding similar meetings where they shave shared their views. The friend attended the UMC meeting and was very upset over what this denominational leader shared about the Bible. In what was shared with me by my friend, I told my friend that the leader was quoting from a book from another denominational leader on scripture. Time nor space does not allow for an adequate presentation of that book's purpose or the denominational leader's views; but Paul's straight forward letter to his protege is simple; you know what to do, do it. You were taught by the best, with love, do the same with others. Teach that God is love, and calls us to love all people in ways that help them know the love of God. We were called out of sin, into the fullness of love, and we should join hands and hearts to continue that work, so that all the world may know God's love.
We are called to beware of those who "Have no stomach for solid teaching," but instead fill up on "spiritual junk food," which Paul calls, "Catchy opinions that tickle their fancy." From seeking truth they instead chase mirages; we are to called to keep our eye on the prize; winning the world for Christ Jesus.
PRAYER: Loving God, we seek to do what we have been taught; may we reach the world for You, with Your leading and inspiration; we have much to do. Guide us and bless us; and we also pray for Doug's healing and for him to find employment; bless his heart and mind, bless his daughter, and bless Rev. Patricia as she faithfully cares for her son and granddaughter, in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALLTO ACTION: You know what to do, do it!
Receive my love and blessings for peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
