TODAY'S HEADLINES ARE RIGHT OUT OF THE BIBLE!

SEVEN BIBLE VERSIONS: 

ACCURATELY DESCRIBING TODAY'S WORLD!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - King James Version - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - Amplified Bible - But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. ² For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, ³ [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, ⁴ traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of [outward] godliness [religion], although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - Easy-to-Read Version - Remember this: There are some terrible times coming in the last days. ² People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud and boast about themselves. They will abuse others with insults. They will not obey their parents. They will be ungrateful and against all that is pleasing to God. ³ They will have no love for others and will refuse to forgive anyone. They will talk about others to hurt them and will have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ People will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking and will be so proud of themselves. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. ⁵ They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - Good News Translation - Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. ² People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; ³ they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; ⁴ they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; ⁵ they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - International Children's Bible - Remember this! There will be many troubles in the last days. ² In those times people will love only themselves and money. They will brag and be proud. They will say evil things against others. They will not obey their parents. People will not be thankful or be the kind of people God wants. ³ They will not have love for others. They will refuse to forgive others and will speak bad things. They will not control themselves. They will be cruel and will hate what is good. ⁴ In the last days, people will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited and proud. They will love pleasure. They will not love God. ⁵ They will continue to act as if they serve God, but they will not really serve God. Stay away from those people.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - Living Bible - You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. ² For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. ³ They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. ⁴ They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God. ⁵ They will go to church, yes, but they won’t really believe anything they hear. Don’t be taken in by people like that.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - New American Standard Bible - But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

HOW THE WORLD HAS COME TO THIS CONDITION! 

ROMANS 1:22-32 - King James Version - Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed forever.  Amen.
       For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
       And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY 

TO ESCAPE GOD'S SOON COMING WRATH!

YOU ARE TO BE AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-21 - AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

For the love of Christ (for us) constrains (overwhelms; motivates; moves) us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all (of us), then (we) were all (spiritually) dead:  and that He died for all, (so) that they (all) which live (who are spiritually alive) should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him Who died for them, and rose again.

Wherefore henceforth (therefore, from this point on) know we no man after the flesh (our relationship with others is no longer governed by our human nature): yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh (even though we once knew the man Christ Jesus as a human being - See Philippians 2:5-8), yet now henceforth know we Him no more (we now understand that He was not merely a man).

Therefore if any man be in Christ (if anyone has been baptized into Christ - See Galatians 3:27), he is a new creature (a new creation; "he has gone from being a caterpillar, to being a butterfly"): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (our perception of all things has changed from seeing things from a human perspective, to seeing them as God sees them, a spiritual perspective).

And (we recognize that) all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ(taken away the enmity between ourselves and God by the death of His Only Begotten Son Who died for our sin), and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation (the task of telling people about what Christ has done to establish fellowship between us and God); to wit, that God was in Christ (the Spirit of the Father was in Jesus - See John 10:38; 14:10-11, 20; 17:21-23), reconciling the world (for the purpose of reuniting the lost people of the world) unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (no longer counting their sins against them); and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation (and has called us to proclaim the work of Christ which removed the wall of sin between us and God).

Now then (as a result) we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us (as such, He has sent us to plead with you to trust in His forgiveness): we pray you in Christ's stead (so we plead with you as Christ's spokesmen), be ye reconciled to God (accept God's offer).

For He (the Father) has made Him (Jesus) to be sin (a sin offering) for us, Who knew no sin (Jesus was sinless - See Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5); that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus took our sin and gave those who trust in Him,  His righteousness - "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...." - Matthew 6:33).

IN OTHERS WORDS, IF YOU BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS,

AND THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD 

TO REIGN AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, 

DO TWO THINGS:  LIVE FOR HIM AND GO TELL SOMEBODY!

ALL GLORY BELONGS TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER!

IT IS ALL ABOUT GRACE:  GOD'S UNMERITED FAVOR!

HE CREATED ME - Genesis 1:26-27 - And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

HE LOVED ME - John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

HE DIED FOR MY SIN - Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

HE DREW ME TO JESUS - John 6:44 - No man can come to Me, except the Father Who has sent Me draw him:  and I will raise him up at the last day.

HE GAVE ME FAITH - Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are you saved through faith; and that is not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God.

HE SEALED ME AS HIS OWN - Philippians 1:12-13 - That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In Whom you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation:  in Whom also, after you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.

HE GUIDES MY DECISIONS - John 16:13 - Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth:  for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak:  and He will show you things to come.

HE GUIDES MY WORDS - Luke 12:11-12 - And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say:  for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say.

HE WORKS THROUGH ME - Philippians 2:13 - For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

HE IS COMING FOR ME - John 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled:  you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

HE WILL PERFECT ME - 1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE THESE THINGS ARE TRUE,

YOU WILL NOT ONLY BE FILLED WITH HUMILITY,

YOU WILL TELL OTHERS OF GOD'S LOVE FOR THEM!

THE THINGS TO COME: A BRIEF OUTLINE!

THE CHURCH AGE:  

FROM PENTECOST TO THE RAPTURE!  

Acts 2:1 - Revelation 4:1

THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH:  

NO MAN KNOWS THE DAY AND THE HOUR!

Matthew 24:36-44; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST:

THE WORKS OF THE RAPTURED ARE REWARDED!

1 Corinthians 3:1 - 4:5

THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION:

GOD OPENS THE EYES OF ISRAEL!

Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:3-28; Romans 11:17-27; Revelation Ch. 6 - 18

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:
THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH!

Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19:11-16

THE JUDGMENT OF LIVING GENTILES:

DETERMINED BY HOW THEY TREATED THE JEWS!

Matthew 25:31-46

THE MILLENNIUM KINGDOM OF CHRIST:

THE 1000 YEAR EARTHLY RULE OF JESUS!

Revelation 20:1-9

THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF MANKIND:

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT!

Revelation 20:10-15

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH:

OUR ETERNAL HOME WITH ALMIGHTY GOD!

Revelation 21:1 - 22:7

A FINAL WARNING AND 

THE LORD'S PLEA TO TRUST IN HIM!

Revelation 22:7-20

HAVING YOUR HEART EXAMINED!

DIAGNOSING A HEART PROBLEM!

I have had more than my share of dealings with heart doctors over the years, and fortunately for me, my Cardiologist, Matthew Sweat, has kept my "ticker" going ever since my heart attack while a student in seminary in 1988.  Time and time again, he has correctly evaluated the latest issue, and responded with much success (otherwise, someone else would be writing this blog - LOL!).

But, I have a different "Cardiologist" Who is monitoring my spiritual heart - the Holy Spirit!  He sometimes gets my attention with a "little murmur-like reminder," and He has had to "shock me awake" when a "murmur" was not sufficient to get my heart back on track!  And instead of a EKG to show me where my problem is, He uses the Word of God!  Below are ten questions the "Doctor" asks me:
                 
1 Chronicles 28:9 - Whom does my heart serve?  And do I serve Him with whole-hearted devotion?  

Psalm 19:8 - What causes my heart to rejoice?   What brings joy to my heart?   What does my heart delight in?

Psalm 28:7 - Is my heart trusting in God or in myself or others?

 

Psalm 51:10 - How clean or pure is my heart?   Am I harboring any unconfessed sin?

Psalm 51:17 - Is my heart broken and contrite (deeply grieved over sins I committed)?

 

Psalm 95:8 - How soft is my heart toward God's Word and the needs of others?

Psalm 119:11 - What do I have treasured up in my heart?   Is God’s Word at home in my heart?

Matthew 6:21 - What does my heart hold dear?  Does my heart love obedience to God's will?

Matthew 22:39 - Does my heart love others more than self?   

Ephesians 5:19 - What kind of melody is found in my heart?  What song does my heart love to hear?   

Yes, my heart needs a constant check-up.  It is the "organ" most vulnerable to the attacks of the evil one!  But I must also remember:  my heart is desperately wicked, and often deceives me (Jer. 17:9)!  When the Spirit "nudges" me and lets me know there is something, I need to ask the Lord to:

Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:  and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN, BUT LIKE ANY GOOD PARENT, HE DISCIPLINES US WHEN WE STRAY FROM HIS CHOSEN PATH FOR US.  IF YOU ARE LIVING A LIFE THAT IS AT ODDS WITH THE TEACHING OF GOD'S WORD, AND YOU ARE "GETTING AWAY WITH IT," YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK YOUR "BIRTH CERTIFICATE" - PERHAPS YOU ARE NOT A LEGITIMATE CHILD OF GOD (HEBREWS 12:5-8)!

OXYMORON OF THE DAY: ARROGANT CHRISTIANS!

SALVATION IS A GIFT; GIFTS ARE NOT EARNED!

Ephesians 2:1-10 - In my own words!

       And God has made you alive, you who were dead in your trespasses and your sins; in which you lived according to the ungodly way of the world.  Yes, you lived a life pleasing to Satan and his demonic spirits which are at work in those who refuse to obey God, and you relished your life filled with lust, and went about fulfilling them, as do all those who will face the wrath of God!
       But God, Who is rich in mercy, showed His love for us by offering His Only Begotten Son to die on our behalf.  For even when we were spiritually dead due to our sins, He made us alive and raised us up together with Christ, and made us fit to sit together with Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come, He will point to the loving grace He showed us as a testimony of His awesome benevolence.
       For it is by faith that we believe we are totally saved by grace, and that we have contributed nothing to our salvation:  it is the gift of God; not of our works, but by His so that we have nothing about which to brag.  Yes, our salvation is the work of almighty God, Who calls us to do good works out of gratitude toward Him!

EVEN OUR OBEDIENCE OUT OF GRATITUDE 

IS THE WORK OF GOD IN US!

Philippians 2:3-13 - In my own words!

       Allow nothing to be done through strife or pride; but in lowliness of mind, esteem others as being better than ourselves.  Do not focus upon your own things, but focus on the things of others.

       Think like Christ Jesus, Who being one with God, did not see His equality with God as something stolen.  He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being seen by others as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

       Wherefore His heavenly Father has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:  so that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and even things under the earth.  And bowing, every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

       Therefore my fellow believers, obey God even when you think no one is looking, and live out your relationship with your heavenly Father with gratitude and respect.  Remember, it is God Who is working in you to do what pleases Him.  

GENUINE BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS KNOW THAT THEY DID NOT EARN GOD'S FAVOR, BUT THAT HE SAVED US THROUGH HIS GREAT MERCY AND GRACE!  OUR RESPONSE TO GOD SHOULD BE OBEDIENCE, AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS OUGHT TO BE THAT OF TOTAL HUMILITY!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS? THEN TELL SOMEBODY!

THE SALVATION OF A JAILER AND HIS FAMILY!

Acts 16:23-34 - In my own words.

       And when the magistrates had severely whipped Paul and Silas, they cast them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them securely:  the jailer obeyed their order and thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  
       And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:  and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken:  and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's restraints were loosened.  
       And the jailer, awakening out of his sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm:  for we are all here.  Then the jailer called for a light, and trembling with fear, he rushed in and fell down before Paul and Silas being grateful that they were still there.  
       He then brought them out of the prison, said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your whole family as well.  
Taking them to his house, the jailer and his family listened as Paul and Silas proclaimed the Gospel which has the power to save the lost!  
       And he, and his family as well, believed the Word of God, and after the jailer washed their wounds, Paul and Silas baptized him and his family.  And when he had brought them back to his house, he fed them, and he and his family rejoiced, having trusted in God.

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL AND BE SAVED!

BELIEVE YOU ARE AN UNSAVED SINNER! 

Romans 3:23 - All have sinned.

BELIEVE THAT THE PENALTY FOR SIN IS DEATH!

Romans 6:23 - The wages of sin is death.

BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED IN YOUR PLACE!

Romans 5:8 - His love for you was revealed in His willingness to die for you.

BELIEVE IN THE RISEN JESUS AND GO TELL SOMEBODY!

Romans 10:9-13 In my own words.

If you shall publicly confess your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and do sincerely believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes and is declared righteous by God; and with your mouth, confession of your faith results in salvation.  For the Scripture clearly says, Whosoever believes in Jesus shall not be ashamed.  And there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile, for the  Lord will save all who call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT FROM GOD!

GRATITUDE MOVES US TO PROCLAIM THAT 

JESUS IS LORD!