Rescued and Redeemed

2 Timothy 3:10-12 (NIV)  You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,  persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Paul is teaching Timothy and us a lesson about following Jesus.  His words to his friend, or as Paul refers to him in his greeting, "My dear son," are words of warning.  He is preparing Timothy for a difficult life.  He is telling him it isn't going to be all roses and candy; it will be tough.  It might even be dangerous to be a Christ follower.

Paul's letter is also meant to be an encouragement to his young charge.  "Yet the LORD rescued me..."  We need to hear this too.  We need to be prepared but confident.  Life as a Believer will have troubles and it could be dangerous.  We read of persecution in other countries, severe hardships some followers experience and we might feel safe, but not so.

There will come a time when it will be very unpopular to proclaim Christ as our Savior.  Some are already feeling the wrath of the world.  It begins imperceptibly and before we know it, it is the norm.  It starts when we are told when and where we can pray; and this is just the beginning.  

Those we look up to, our heroes, turn dark. Our children struggle to find role models worthy of emulation. These times are on us now, but we still can cling to Scripture, for it is living and active. As a popular song says, "Word of God Speak, won't you pour down like rain?"  

While it might even be dangerous to be a follower of Christ, would you have it any other way? I will be remembering the line, "Yet the LORD rescued me..." and find my peace there.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

Where are all the Knights

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)  But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

There has been lots of talk lately about these being, "the last days".  It is easy to understand when we consider the many changes in society.  People we once looked up to now attempt to lead us down paths of wickedness and inhumanity, all in the name of tolerance. Unborn babies are casually slaughtered because it is inconvenient timing.

Values are different, courageous Christian living looks different than it did 50 years ago. Some folks will say we need to get with the times, loosen up a bit.  The stigmas that accompanied certain behaviors of my childhood are now laughed at.  It used to be that living together outside of marriage was something done in the shadows.  Planning a family was part of a process, a progressive and natural way of doing things.

It seems there is no longer order to our lives, to the world.  It is frightening at times when we get caught up in the ways of the world.  This may or may not be the last days.  The Bible teaches the last days are the time between Christ's resurrection and His return.  That is where we are.  It is obvious we have much work to do before His return.

There are fewer and fewer role models for our children to emulate.  We, as parents and grandparents, need to be the shining example for our young.  In a time when real heroes are few and far between we need to step up.  It is time to polish the armor. We need something or someone to cheer, why not root for one another.  Lift up the goodness, point out the positives and take a courageous stand.

Jesus will return at just the right moment, we can be assured of that.  When that moment is, is not for us to know.  It is for us to keep on living, loving and reaching out to those the Holy Spirit is preparing.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3