Lovers of Pleasure

2 Timothy 3:4 - " treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

Paul in 2 Timothy talks of the characteristics of those in the last days. What struck me here is "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". It doesn't say evil or bad pleasures. Even good pleasures can keep us from serving God and growing in Him. We may neglect reading God's word, praying, attending church, not serving in the church, and serving others because we are engrossed in some earthly pleasure. Some of the pleasures that may be harming our relationship with God and others is T.V., Social media, internet, sports, entertainment, and socializing, among others. If you noticed, I didn't name any of the bad or evil pleasures, while these are surely included.

What pleasure in this life has taken the place of your love for God or diminished your love and commitment to Him?

Prosperity Doctrine is Self-centerdness

The prosperity doctrine is very strong in the church, and at its root it is self-centered.

James 5:3 - ".... You have hoarded wealth in the last days."

James 5:5 - " You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter."

The apostle James is rebuking those Christians who are materialistic and self-centered. The Lord has promised to meet our every need, not our every want or desire. Our Father loves to give good gifts, but hates selfishness and greed.

Often people use the O.T. scriptures to preach their prosperity theology, but don't consider why God blessed Abraham and the people of Israel. It was that they might be a blessing to the nations and the furthering of God's kingdom and glory.

2 Corinthians 9:11 re-enforces this idea. "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

How many cars do you need? How big or fancy does your house need to be? How many expensive vacation trips do you need to take? How many shoe or clothes do you need? How many times do you need to eat in fancy restaurants? How much investments or savings need to be socked away? How many toys or things do you need?

Ultimately only you and God can answer these questions, but I encourage you to take a hard look at your own life. Many a person could live off of 50% of their income or returns on their investments and give the rest to help others and the work of the Lord.

Remember, your wealth and money is not yours to do with as you will, but is God's to do with as He wills.

Let us be ready to meet Christ

There is one thing that I have been reflecting on more lately. Maybe it is because I am getting older. The topic is heaven

Jesus put great importance on heaven and His coming. Matthew 24 goes in to some detail on this. Some key ideas in this chapter are:

- Signs before Christ's return are:

1) There will be great upheaval in the world before His return.

2) There will be great persecution.

3) Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.

4) Many false prophets and teachers.

5) Wickedness will increase and the love of most will grow cold.

- When He comes for His saints:

1) There will be much mourning among non-believers.

2) Christ will gather His saints, and leave the rest for judgement.

3) No one knows the hour Christ will come.

4) Life will be happening as normal.

5) It will be a surprise appearance.

- What are we to do?

1) Keep watch.

2) Be ready.

3) Be faithful to Christ and wise.

4) Be faithful to what Christ has called you to do.

- What happens with those who are not doing what they should be doing?

They will not spend eternity with God, and will be judged with an everlasting judgment.

Let us not get so caught up in ourselves and this life that we are not caught off guard. Let us seek first Christ's kingdom first and live in His righteousness that we may be taken up to meet Him when He comes.

Repent God's People & God Will Heal Your Land

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

As I read this verse again this morning, God showed me that we often misuse or misunderstand this verse. We tell the people if they humble themselves, pray and seek God. God will heal the land. Others add when the nation turns from its evil ways, God will heal the land. We miss the whole point of the verse.

God is not speaking to the nations of the world. He is speaking to His people. He says, when the nation of Israel (his people) repent that He will forgive their sins and heal their land.

In today's context, it is when the church repents that he will heal the land that the church dwells in. The verse is not for unbelievers to repent, but for God's people to repent. The church is the salt and light. If we are not living according to God's will, we are no longer salt and light. We the church are key to the blessings of God upon our land. We the holy church are the ones who are able to stem the tide of God's judgment.

Remember when Abraham pleaded for Sodom. The Lord said he would not destroy it if He found 10 righteous people in it.

This verse is not saying that the unbelievers are to humble themselves and repent. This verse is not calling us to intercede for our nation. This verse is calling His church (people) to repent.