BEWARE< WHITE WATERS AHEAD!

Newsletter 209 September 5, 2010

While our text for today says, “perilous times shall come,” it would seem to the writer that such times are already upon us. Verses 2 and 3 list characteristics which are more at home in the daily news than in the Bible. Babies and toddlers sexually molested, or beaten to death, children kidnapped, teenagers running totally out of control, rape and murder as daily headlines, filthy language. Everything mentioned there is upon us now! Yet, even so, there is still a “form of godliness,” yet in many cases, it has nothing to do with almighty God. (Revelation 3:14-22) The description of the church at Laodicea also fits our era. Material wealth with many adherents, does not necessarily mean Spiritual wealth. It is interesting to note that in the earlier letters to the churches in this series of letters, the Lord calls upon the church to repent, but to this one His call is to the individuals in the church, we might be shocked at how few there may be that have adhered to the “narrow gate” and the “straight,” way as in narrow way. Don’t be ashamed to be labeled “old fashioned, out of touch, and narrow.” If it is in reference to Spiritual matters, that is the call back to the Bible, that much bought, but also much neglected book when it comes to being read and followed.

2 Timothy 3: 1-17 King James Version

PERILOUS TIMES

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (1 Timothy 4:1)

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (Philippians 2:21, Luke 16:14, 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 6:10, Romans 1:30, 2 Peter 2:10-12, Luke 6:351 Timothy 1:9)

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 1:8)

Traitors, heady, high4 minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (Acts 7:52, Acts 19:36, 1 Timothy 3:6, Philippians 3:19)

A FORM OF GODLINESS

When I think of “a form of godliness” I remember a tent meeting of the Zion Christian Church, in Soweto, Johannesburg, that I was unexpectedly, and probably unwisely, given the opportunity to address. At that time, we had, on our return flight after furlough in America, overnighter at Athens, and stood on Mars Hill, where many years before, the Apostle Paul had been given a similar opportunity. I used his opening words, (Acts 17:22-23) He was gazing upon the Parthenon, as had we. It was a magnificent pagan temple in itself, but Paul was also thinking of the man shrines that led to it, one of them to an unknown god.

The worship of the ZCC people, also has scattered religious inclusions from all religions, but claims to be “Christian. There were blood, candles, bells, drums, simultaneous prayers in many languages, all while facing Jerusalem, and Islam style, face an inch or so from the floor. They did the same thing in reverence for their crowned and scarlet robed leader and his wife. In their favor, they do immerse their converts and their wallets, three times in running water.

Their leaders are usually totally untrained. What is our reason when we do similar things?

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 5:8, Matthew 7:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Even today, it is not unheard that leaders have the same problems, Paul was refering to.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (Jude 4, 1 Timothy 5:6, Titus 3:3)

A BIBLE STUDY, BUT NO REFERENCE TO GOD’S WORD

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25)

Too often we are really listening to an author, but not to God. No wonder, we are easily diverted from truth. Test your source!

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (Exodus 7:11, Acts 13:8, 1 Timothy 6:5)

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was. (Luke 6:11, Exodus 7:11-12, Exodus 8:18, Exodus 9:11)

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (Philippians 2:20, Philippians 2:22, 1 Timothy 4:6, 1 Timothy 6:11)

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Corinthians 1:7, 2 Corinthians 12:10, 2 Corinthians 1:5, Acts 13:14, Acts 13:45-50, Acts 14:1-7, Acts 13:19, Acts 14:8-20, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Romans 15:31)

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (John 15:20. Acts 14:22, 2 Corinthians 4:9)

PREPARE FOR THE WORST

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived. (2 Timothy 2:16, Titus 3:3)

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (2 Timothy 1:13, Titus 1:9)

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:5, John 5:47, Romans 2:27, Psalm 119:98, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Timothy 1:1)

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (Romans 4:23, Romans 15:4, 2 Peter 1:20)

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:21, Hebrews 13:21)

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://www http.swapmeetdave.com/United/Where.htm


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I RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
SEPTEMBER
5th. Sunday – Isaiah 10, 11, 2 Corinthians 5, Proverbs 21:24-31 6th. Monday – Isaiah 12, 13, 14, 2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 105:37-45
7th. Tuesday – Isaiah 15, 16, 17, 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 106: 1-15
8th. Wednesday – Isaiah 18, 19, 20, 2 Corinthians 8, Psalm 106:16-31
9th. Thursday – Isaiah 21, 22, 23, 2 Corinthians 9, Proverbs 22:1-16
10th. Friday - Isaiah 24, 25, 26, 2 Corinthians 10, Psalm 106:32-39
11th. Saturday – Isaiah 27, 28, 2 Corinthians 11:1-16, Psalm 106:40-48
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

”The things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses; the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.”

2 Timothy 2:15

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Pet A Penguin...
A man was driving down the road with twenty penguins in the back seat.

The police stop him and say that he can't drive around with the penguins in the car and should take them to the zoo.

The man agrees and drives off.

The next day the same man is driving down the road with twenty penguins in the back and again.

He is stopped by the same police officer who says, "Hey! I though I told you to take those to the zoo."

The man replies, "I did. Today I'm taking them to the movies."