Devotional Time with God

aàspondov (aspondos)

1. without a treaty or covenant of
   1. things not mutually agreed upon e.g. abstinences from hostilities
2. that cannot be persuaded to enter into a covenant, implacable

Mistakes are bound to happen.  I’m not infallible.  People are not perfect.  I’ll say or do things that will offend people.  People will do things that will irritate me.  During my daily commute to/from work is the perfect example.  What raced through my mind is how incompetent people are when they drive.

I have to remember, every time, that I can make those mistakes.  I must be willing to forgive them.  I must not hold a grudge.  The more I forgive, the more I let go of my hurt, anxiety, and stress.  The healing process starts with forgiveness.  I must do this more often.

For people will be… unforgiving…

2 Timothy 3:2-3

aàstorgov (astorgos)

1. without natural affection
2. unsociable
3. inhuman
4. unloving

People are increasingly rude and unkind.  They have to be because they’re looking after themselves.  Affection and love are perceived as signs of weakness.  What is bad is considered “good”.  What is unkind is considered “cool”.  What is heartless is considered “unique”.

I long for the day when everyone teach their kids to be loving and affectionate to each other.  I’m certainly doing that to Kaitlyn.  She has to be sociable and always loving.  The way God is – always wanting to communicate with us and loves us, dearly.

For people will be… without love…

2 Timothy 3:2-3

a)no/siov (anosios)

1. unholy
2. impious
3. wicked

During my high school days, the words that came out of my every vocabulary were either “f*” this and “s*” that.  Profanity seemed like the cool thing to say.  People seemed to pay attention when I was crude.  As I grew older and being filled with God’s spirit, the Lord makes me realize that it’s not right to be crude and profane.  Sure it’ll get me attention, but it’s the wrong attention!  I’m a witness to Jesus so I have to act and behave like Him, not of this potty world.  I  have to take the higher ground and think of the heavenly rewards, not of this petty world.  I must stay clean, proper, and kind.

For people will be … profane.

2 Timothy 3:2

a)xa/ristov (acharistos)

1. ungracious
2. unpleasing
3. unthankful

I take a lot of things for granted these days:  running water, working electricity, smooth road, affordable gas prices.  Then there’s God natural gifts like the air I breathe, my heart that keeps on beating, a mind that keeps on thinking, and the sun that rises every morning.  I take all of those for granted because I still have them, and never short on them.

So what if one day they’re gone?  Will I miss them?  Of course I do.  I’m hardly thankful when things work.  But when they don’t work, I look for God to fix it.  I under appreciate God’s gifts of the everyday life.

I don’t want to be unthankful.  I don’t want to be ungracious.  I want to appreciate everything you give me, Lord.  I thank you for everything.  I thank you for your grace.  Amen.

For people will be … ungrateful.

2 Timothy 3:2

a)peiqh/v (apeithes)

• impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious

Sometimes I wonder why people tend to disrespect each other.  I don’t have to look far.  As a kid, I remember my common reaction to people was always rude, judgmental, contemptuous, or disrespectful.  It’s not natural for me to be loving, giving, obedient, and respectful.  Those qualities have to be taught.  Those qualities are given by God, because He’s the only one who’s eternally loving and giving.  If only I’m more respectful to others.  If only I’m more obedient to my parent’s teachings.  If only I’m more obedient to God’s commands.

If only everyone’s nicer.

Imagine what the world would be like?

For people … will be disobedient to their parents…

2 Timothy 3:2

bla/sfhmov (blasphemos)

• speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive

It’s sad to know that people are disrespectful to God these days.  When did it ok to make jokes about God?  One of the commandment is to not call God’s name in vain, yet people break it, out of spite, without fear of repurcussion.  It’s amazing that God gave us grace and salvation, but yet we can abuse His name and sometimes associate evil thoughts with it.

I look forward to one day be in heaven and worship God, always.  I’m practicing it right now, on this earth.  For His name is above all name.  Jesus’ name heals and drives off all evil.  For His name holds the power in my life.  In His name, I prayed.

For people … will be scoffing at God…

2 Timothy 3:2

u(perh/fanov (huperephanos)

1. showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent
2. with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty

What I’ve noticed among the young people these days (20 something), is the amount of pride they have about themselves.  They haven’t done anything significant, yet they claim they’re on top of the world.  “Look what I’ve done!” they shouted.  They think they run this world.  They demand high salaries and want to work less hours.   They want recognition because they think they’re entitled to it.  They are young and beautiful, therefore they are the best.

The liberal media fans these “values” to them through their music, movies, and the internet.  They instilled ideas that doing whatever they want is the right way to do it.  The sad thing is, it’s also influencing the other generations, including the older ones.  Conform or be cast out.  Where have I heard that before?

Oh yeah… I’ve been there before.  I was young before.   I was a mean person before.  I claimed I was on top of this world before.

In fact, I wasn’t in control.  I wasn’t even on top of my own world!  I believed the lies of this world.  I had to be better than everyone else when in fact I wasn’t.  I tried to be, but failed miserably.

God showed me that I have to devote myself to Him.  The rest He’ll take care.  I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.  The only status I must  look for is being a friend of Jesus Christ.

For people will be… proud and arrogant…

2 Timothy 3:2

a)lazwñn (alazon)

• an empty pretender, a boaster

Living in this competitive world, especially in big cities, I am forced to be “better” than the next person, in terms of skill, number of friends, money, posession, etc.   Otherwise, how else would I get ahead in my career and recognition?  It’s a rat race that I’m beginning to get tired of.

I don’t want to pretend that I’m much better off than everyone else.  God put me in this world to help others and not to be a self promoter.  A sign of a good leader is not to take credit – let someone else gets the compliments.

God, please remind me to be humble.  Every day.  Amen.

For people will be … contemptuous boasters.

2 Timothy 3:2

fila/rgurov (philarguros)

• loving money, avarice

One thing this world teached me is that money is everything.  I’ll never have too much of it.   I must never have to little of it!  Money means security.  Money means comfort.  Money means status.

Money defines all aspects of my life.  It’s what I think about every day when I go to work.  How do I make more money?  What can I do to make my company more money?  Will my colleagues make enough money to make ends meet?

Money is in everyone’s mind these days too.  Will the economy improve so everyone has enough money to make ends meet?  Can the government cut spending so they’ll spend less of the people’s money?  When will Obama print more money to help us get out of debt?

It boggles my mind how money-centric I can be.

God certainly didn’t make me to think about money all the time.  He wants me to praise Him and be grateful that I’ve been given a life to live.  He wants me to help others, and not focus on hoarding all the money I can get.  I must not be crazy to choose money over eternity.

For people will be… lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth…

2 Timothy 3:2

fiðlautov (philautos)

1. loving one’s self
2. too intent on one’s interest, selfish

How many times have I been guilty of this?  Way too many times!  I was born selfish.  The world has always taught me to look out for #1: myself.  The World According To Me is the greatest show in my life.

It’s easy to forget I came to this world because of God!  All that I have are from God.  I am nothing without Him.  Being selfish is a sin.  I must try very hard not to be self absorbed!

For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered…

2 Timothy 3:2