Devotionals – Page 13 – The Welcome Home

the signs of the times

I felt I ought to clarify, just a bit, my post of a few days ago: “One of the first gents of emergents” bcz I am concerned that I perhaps inferred favourable thinking regarding the “ministry” and work of Rob Nooma Bell. I have occasionally been thought of or called judgmental when I talk about or point out blasphemous or apostate or deceptive teachers and preachers. So, in an effort to be kinder, gentler, I think I just might have appeared to endorse the presentations, the ‘pastor’ and the work.

So, just in case there’s still a question, may I share some Scriptures that will shed light on the emergent gents and the work, the way and the deception at the core of those who rewrite Scripture, deny the power of the Gospel or deny the Truth or the only Way to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, or teach and spread cunningly devised fables, wise in their own eyes, calling evil good and good evil… that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter… woe unto them… This is the seductive, illustrious emergent conversation. This is a sign of the times.

Marvel not:

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2.18

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 2.22

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1 John 4.1-3

And no marvel; for Satan himself
is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11.14

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1.7-9

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1.7

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20.10

Fearing God, not man

An incredible amount of interest and controversy has arisen in the wake of the judge’s decision regarding homeschooling in California. And, it’s not surprising that the education system is watching this matter probably as closely as parents who home educate their children in that state and elsewhere. There’s a great deal at stake here in our nation, because, as many have stated and I have also written many times, as California goes: so goes the nation. And parents across the nation are concerned about the ramifications of this ‘ruling’ in California because of the assault on ‘freedom’ and on the home. Many public school educators believe their role as public-school teachers is paramount to the success of society – even though what’s being taught is often immoral, anti-family and ungodly. We, as homeschoolers, believe that it’s not public education, but home and family, that has the preeminent role in the success and future of society. We have come to see that, in general, it is public education that has brought the demise of the home and ultimately and profoundly, society.

As in a previous post, I know am taking a huge risk here, stating the belief that much of the demise or degradation of our society is a result of the humanistic public education system. It is based, in part, on that premise that we will never send our children to government schools — to do so would be counter to faith, counter to Scripture and the mandate of the Lord to Christian fathers and mothers to train up their children in the way they should go. I cannot even post here some of the links to articles I have read recently regarding what’s being taught in government schools, what’s on some reading lists, what’s in some curriculum and in some libraries in grade schools, and what many teachers are teaching in classes in the states.

Acts 5.24-42

“24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chirf priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said,

We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Standing in the Presents of God pt.2

presents of God
—amelia

Standing in the Presents of God

No, that wasn’t a typographical error. I suppose it might even seem as though I misspelled “presence” for what may have seemed like an intro to a Brother Lawrence book. But no.

Tonight I’m feeling like I’m standing in the presents of God. Maybe even buried in the presents of God — for He is and has been ever faithful and abundantly gracious to me — to my husband — to our family. And not only to me, to us or to ours alone, but to all of us. Exceedingly and abundantly gracious.

I smiled at the error of standing in God’s presents last week when Amelia, drawing what she was hearing during our morning family breakfast and Bible study time, shared her picture with the family. She drew a large stack of presents –packages, neatly wrapped and tied with ribbons and bows — presents stacked high in a heaping pile. And beside the pile was a man standing in God’s presents. Wes asked Amelia to describe her picture and she happily and boldly shared that Moses and Aaron were standing in the presents of God! Inside I laughed at the innocence of the drawing… the lack of understanding and knowledge of the presence of God. I smiled at her sweet delight at how wonderful it must have been for Moses. Indeed it must have been!

But the more the days passed, the more I began to realize that I am, in reality, standing in the presents of God. Just today, I was profoundly aware of the freedom to read God’s Word, the beautiful children seated at the table reading their own copies of the Bible and the meal we shared together was plenty. I thought of the delicious, cold filtered water that I freely drink, the lights I turn on in every room of our home and the clothing I couldn’t quickly decide which dress to wear, the buckets full of grain and oats and assorted other foods, cabinets full of choices, a refrigerator full of lots of different foods to make into meals for this family… and on and on the presents were piled high all around me.

And then the floor that needed to be mopped because there was dirt on it but it is not made of dirt. And our windows close and curtains hang there just to look pretty and serve no other purpose. The school books, the herbs and vitamins, the fruit and the shoes — plenty for each child. Coats – coats for work and for play, for dress and for casual. Coats. Presents of God.

Timothy phoned from Ghana, West Africa… hot and tired, achy and sore from long, hot days of work in the sun. Still cheerful, I marvel, with none of these things. Presents of God. As I type this tonight in my bright little room, a candle on my desk and a cup of delicious tea beside me, Kathryn is on a plane traveling to London and then on to Jinja, Uganda. 7000 miles away, tomorrow she will walk in red dirt to see little children she loves. And it will be worth every moment, every mile. She will have no running water and intermittent electricity — no so-called luxuries. She will be joyful – indeed- and yet will have none of these things. Presents of God.

As I practice the awareness of the presence of God, I am humbly mindful of the presents of God and His merciful kindness and lavish provision on our behalf – and I haven’t even touched on the greatest of all gifts — the gift of salvation. As I stand in the presents of God, I pray I do not neglect gratitude nor take for granted the Giver of these gifts — and as I lie down to sleep I will be humbly standing in awe of the presence and presents of God.

—pamela

[edited to correct that it was Amelia’s drawing; 2-26]

Pruning

The view from my kitchen sink seems not to have changed all that much for several months now. No leaves on the trees, no fruit on the vines, no blooms on the canes. Seemingly dead bushes and trees. But this morning I imagined a symphony rehearsing what will be a spectacular performance in a few short weeks from now. It’s as if the whole earth is rumbling getting ready for the pageantry of spring. The sun even seems to be eagerly anticipating the presentation of the spectacular!

The days are longer — several more minutes every day add to the glow of the evenings. I see the canes of the many bushes in my rose garden… I picture the pinks, whites, peaches, yellows and reds. I smile as I anticipate coming mornings where I will walk around to smell the roses and see each day’s handiwork of the Lord. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun on my face and nearly squint at the hope of the brightness of the sunshine.

But first… pruning. Soon, I’ll go out to cut back the unproductive canes, the thickest and seemingly best and strongest canes and the work will appear to have destroyed each rosebush. Each year as I prune the roses, I have this nearly gasping feeling that maybe this year the pruning will yield results opposite to my intent — and that intent is abundance of blooms and healthy plants – the deeper the pruning, the more prolific the yield – it will seem that the whole bush will be sacrificed. I used to give in to the feeling that taking away or deeply pruning canes would result in fewer beautiful roses since the canes would be fewer and shorter. So, in another of my many lessons from the garden, in those years there were very few roses and the bushes were diseased and weren’t beautifully full of rich shades of green leaves and buds.

I suppose it’s much like the children of Israel wondering if they will be protected, fed and led by the Lord. Doubting God. They chose their own way, they reasoned they knew better than God what was best for them. We often doubt that God will do what He has said He will do.

Well, I suppose that a garden of fragrant blooms isn’t exactly a promise of the Lord, but He has demonstrated to me, countless times over the years, His ways in the garden are pictures for me of His ways in my life, in my heart and in my home. The doubting He will guide and provide, the wondering if He is seeing and hearing and then the experiencing of His deep pruning the foolish, wasteful, unproductive areas of my life. Well, that’s the same with the roses. I love the Lord— and see His tender care for, in my life as in my garden, the deeper the pruning the sweeter the blooming.

I smiled as I read today’s Streams in the Desert… as God would have it, the devotion was on the importance of pruning. :o) God is sweet to me — always demonstrating His presence and confirming His ways.

So, here’s today’s Stream… may you be blessed as I am in the reading of it:

Pruned to Yield Fruit

“And every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

A child of God was dazed by the variety of afflictions which seemed to make her their target. Walking past a vineyard in the rich autumnal glow she noticed the untrimmed appearance and the luxuriant wealth of leaves on the vines, that the ground was given over to a tangle of weeds and grass, and that the whole place looked utterly uncared for; and as she pondered, the Heavenly Gardener whispered so precious a message that she would fain pass it on:

“My dear child, are you wondering at the sequence of trials in your life? Behold that vineyard and learn of it. The gardener ceases to prune, to trim, to harrow, or to pluck the ripe fruit only when he expects nothing more from the vine during that season. It is left to itself, because the season of fruit is past and further effort for the present would yield no profit. Comparative uselessness is the condition of freedom from suffering. Do you then wish me to cease pruning your life? Shall I leave you alone?” And the comforted heart cried, “No!”

–Homera Homer-Dixon

It is the branch that bears the fruit,
That feels the knife,
To prune it for a larger growth,
A fuller life.

Though every budding twig be lopped,
And every grace
Of swaying tendril, springing leaf,
Be lost a space.

O thou whose life of joy seems reft,
Of beauty shorn;
Whose aspirations lie in dust,
All bruised and torn,

Rejoice, tho’ each desire, each dream,
Each hope of thine
Shall fall and fade; it is the hand
Of Love Divine

That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks
With tenderest touch,
That thou, whose life has borne some fruit
May’st now bear much.

–Annie Johnson Flint

I receive the Streams in the Desert by email each day, but am so blessed to have an original 1925 copy of the book, Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Chas E. Cowman, right here on my desk. The book was my father-in-law’s and that, I suppose, makes it even more meaningful to me. It’s a book very well worth searching for. There are newer, edited versions of this daily devotional. I just love the old books best.

Ahhhh… another happy valentine’s day

thanks pam, for sending this… blessings —ps

Timely Words

I’m profoundly aware this morning of the timeliness of the Word – of the order of the LORD, His plans, His purposes and His timing. What a blessing it is to walk with the LORD and to see His signature on the writing of the day or to see His orchestration of sequences of events. What a wonder, what a marvel: that the God of the Universe, the Creator and sustainer of all life would think on me… would think on you and would take note of all that concerns you before as yet one day or one moment comes to pass.

This morning, even before our family gathered for breakfast and Bible study, we had some of the cares of this world on our minds and it came to pass that we would be reading a section of the Word that would prove to have been orchestrated by the LORD for us to be reading this day. Through the years, this has happened more times than I can number or remember.

We were reading in Genesis [yes… we’ve started at the beginning again, and yes, it might take us years to read through ;o) ] and in the natural course of our reading we came to the passage where Jacob is returning to his country and has great fear of Esau; and it was during that time that he wrestled with a man – whom we know to have been the LORD — and the point of God’s blessing and changing him, his life and his name. God did not need to tell Jacob His name – for Jacob, now Israel, knew he had seen God face to face and that it was God that had preserved his life.

I believe it is the same with all of us when we come to that point of wrestling with God, as it were, and when He has His way in our heart — in our life and our name is changed. That point where we no longer walk in the old path but are changed in newness of life.

If you’ve never come to that point, then maybe today’s the day you will look to the LORD — He will be found by you if you seek Him with your whole heart – you have His Word on it. You will never have a time of calling out to the LORD where He will not already be there – attentive to your cry. He says, “Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Ps 46.10)

And He says in Isaiah 43: “…I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters… Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert… because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise… I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

Well, as we read, I was comforted that God has heard our prayers, has surely gone before us and has not shifted His gaze. I see how the LORD is consistently consistent, persistently persistent and mercifully merciful through the years. He alone is faithful.

As we prayed around our table, it was evident to me that God is ever present, some were acknowledging the answers to yesterday’s prayers, some were praising for yesterday’s provisions and petitioning for today’s cares. And we have confidence that He, indeed, hears our prayers. He hears your prayers, dear friend, the cries of your heart — and is ever present. What a comfort to see Him trace a rainbow in the rain.

As we set about the day and I came into the sunroom to read, I was further reminded of the consolation of the LORD.

I wrote some of the words of this morning’s “Streams in the Desert” on a card… they ring in my mind.

“…Hide thy tempest of individual trouble behind the altar of a common tribulation and, that same night, the Lord shall appear to thee. The rainbow shall span the place of the subsiding flood, and in thy stillness thou shalt hear the everlasting music. –George Matheson”

I decided to post today’s “Streams in the Desert” entry for you to read, below.

I pray you, too, are blessed by these timely words.

The dawn of another year…

I didn’t really make any new year’s resolutions this year. I don’t ever really do well with resolutions – I set lofty ideals and then fail. But you know, there really is something about a new year, a fresh start, a clean slate that has a particular appeal to me. I want things to go well – I want things to be fresh and new and without all the problems or blemishes of the past or without the obvious failures or even partial successes of the past. So, I guess I must, deep down, have a desire to set and keep new year’s resolutions — even though I say (or feel like) I don’t.

So, I’ve been mulling over many things in the last several days. You know, the good things and hard things of the last year – the “all that happened in 2007” things. I’ve been mulling over some of my life “resolves” — things I resolve to do, be or say. Sort of the planks I stand on in life. What are they, for sure? I’ve been asking. I’ve also been praying… I’ve asked the Lord, what would You tell me or what would you show me if my whole heart was fully yielded to You? What could You do with or through me if I were totally yielded to You? I listen for the voice of the Lord — but I suppose many times I discount the voice or I think I don’t hear completely or whatever. O, how I want to be resolved that I will seek the Lord – I want to hear the voice that Elijah heard (1Kings 19), when the Lord was not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire – but was there… a still small voice. And I know God is faithful – He is and has been faithful. I think of those things I feared but that did not come to pass. Those things that I feared that did come to pass —but— the Lord was with me — He was before me. He is before me and behind me. His grace is sufficient for the day and His provision is steadfast and abundant: beyond what I could ask or imagine.

On this first day of 2008, I’ve had the privilege of seeing some of the most spectacular sights on earth. From the rising of the sun to the darkness of night, I’ve been keenly aware of the presence of the Lord. Early this morning, I stood on a hilltop looking out over the vast prairie of Idaho; it was still and quiet except for the sound of snow crunching under foot and a few birds that would occasionally swoop down. The view was absolutely breathtaking; it seemed I could see for a thousand miles — and I was filled with astonishment at the beauty of the Lord and of His creation.

Later, as we traveled west, over hills and valleys, through strong winds, over great rivers and hundreds of miles wheat fields blanketed with fresh snow which was illuminated by the sun and it seemed to glisten like millions of millions of diamonds. We were again mesmerized by God’s handiwork — His provision — His creation. Many hours later, as we traveled down our lane, we could see the little twinkle lights in the windows seeming to say: welcome home… and now in the warm house we’re mindful of His answers to prayer, His merciful kindness, His protection and provision and all we can say is: thank You.

I Stand In Awe Of You
Mark Altrogge

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.

It is the dawn of a new year, and I am filled with both awe and hope – for what He has done and what He will do. And I do stand in awe of the LORD… I’ve had time to think of what God’s done in the past year – again, those things I feared that did, and those things I feared that didn’t, come to pass in the last year. O, the countless miracles and tender mercies of the Lord. It’s because of these things and more that I resolve to obey the LORD and I do stand in awe.

So, the first plank I want to stand on this year is the plank of faith.
The second plank I want to stand on this year is the plank of wisdom.
The third plank I want to stand on this year is the plank of truth.
Still another plank is the plank of discretion.

At the dawn of this new year… may I — may we — be found faithful. I pray God will complete the work He’s begun.

The arm of the Lord

Many times I have stated or thought in times of trial: The arm or the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save – nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. I say this in response to difficult situations, poor health, wayward children, financial reverses or adversity and, among many other things, despair.

Have you ever sought to understand or answer: How long is the arm of the Lord or how great is the hand of the Lord? And if we cannot begin to answer the question: how long is the arm of the Lord, then how can we possibly fathom that the arm or the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save.

Behold, the LORD’S
hand is not shortened,
that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear:”
Isaiah 59.1

How great is the Hand of the Lord? The Lord who holds His hand over the sea… The Lord who shakes the trees of the wilderness… The Lord who calms the sea that the wind and the waves obey Him… The Lord who who says (Isaiah 52.2) “Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem?” Do you see: at. all. “Is my hand shortened at all…”

There is nothing too hard for the Lord. I may face a mountain of troubles, I may grieve or struggle with health trials or disappointment or loss or financial adversity – but this I know —I know— there is nothing too hard for the Lord. Nothing. The hand of the Lord is not shortened at all. There is no life, no situation, no trial, no hardship too far or too hard for the Lord. The hand of the Lord is not shortened at all. The enemy of God, the enemy of our souls would have us to believe otherwise. The enemy, the devil, would have us to believe that we are without hope, that we have failed too many times – or worse, that though we might not be failing at the moment, it’s only a matter of time where we will fail again and then again we will be too far for the Lord or beyond hope – beyond hope of ever doing better – ever getting things right. The enemy may even persuade us to believe that it would be better if we were dead – that our life is of little use – of little or no worth – that we are the only ones with the type of troubles or the sins or the perpetual destructive habits.

The enemy is constantly waring against our members seeking whom he may devour. He is at once our tempter, deceiver and accuser. Consider that when temptation comes, it is sweet… seemingly harmless, easy and without consequence: Here… have this food, tell this lie, destroy this evidence, no one will see, no one will know, tell that secret… or whatever. But then if we yield to temptation – whatever it is, instantly(!) our tempter becomes our accuser: Ha, how could you have been so dumb, how could you have done that, you always do that, you’ll never get past this, you’ll never be thin, healthy, strong, trustworthy, competent… or whatever.

But God. We turn to God, we turn to the Truth: And we hear: “Is my hand shortened at all…?”

I think of the verse: “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 34.6) You see, the Lord hears and the Lord heals and the Lord lifts. He is at once indeed Jehovah-jireh (the Lord our provider) and Jehovah-rapha (the Lord our healer) and Jehovah-shammah (The Lord is present) and Jehovah-Shalom (the Lord our peace).

He is our All in all – for this I know: He saved this girl. And if He thought on this girl, He will surely think on you. This poor girl cried and the LORD heard her and saved her out of all her troubles. Because this whosoever believed. This whosover believes.

That all the people
of the earth might know
the hand of the LORD,
that it is mighty:
that ye might fear the LORD
your God for ever.

Joshua 4.24

We trust in and proclaim His greatness… we consider that His arm is not short nor His hand shortened that it cannot save. Over the past week I have thought on the hand of the LORD… my own hand in pain because of gout/arthritis in my thumb – my hand has failed me, so to speak, a few times – pain prevented its use. But the Lord is never stilted or halted from His work – He is ever present, ever able, ever waiting, ever watching, ever providing, ever preparing, ever guiding, ever preventing… and on and on: ever able. And I marvel that the hand of the Lord is never shortened that it cannot save – no matter what, no matter when.

So, have you asked: How long is the arm of the Lord?

II Timothy 3.1-17

Today in my reading in chapter 3, I found great encouragement when seen in light of the previous day’s reading in 2Timothy and then, what I consider to be, atrocities in the ‘church’ today as i wrote in the previous blog entry. So, Chapter 2, in summary: “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus… the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also… Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things… If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself… Of these things put them in remembrance…” (2T2.1-2, 7, 13, 14)

It was then here in 2Timothy 3 (and I’ll post the chapter in its entirety for edification and inspiration) that I gleaned great encouragement personally and for our home and for other believers in these ‘perilous’ times. And these are perilous times. When leaders of nations are corrupt, when teachers of the Word become corrupt and misleading – by worldly methods and means of self promotion and propagation of foolishness and false teachings in the name of ‘Christianity’ literally blasphemeing the Word of God; when many fathers disregard high morals /will not protect and lead their homes, provide for the care and nurture of their children and when many women turn aside to silly fables, disregard the teachings of the Word, many mothers turn away from guiding the home and loving and training up their children and many children rebel against the teachings and admonitions of their parents; when marriage, home and family are not esteemed highly and when forwardness is lauded and modesty is mocked, when impropriety, foolishness and vulgarity are lauded and righteousness, honour and purity are disparaged; when these and so much more are so prevalent…. these. are. perilous. times.

But God.

2 Timothy 3.1-17

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with diverse lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
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.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
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.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I know this is simply a ladies blog… and I’m not attempting to direct courses here… but I do implore brothers and sisters in Christ to study the Scriptures. I pray that we would seek wisdom and the work of the Holy Spirit… that we would be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10.16).

And, again, may we be not silly women laden with sins, led away with diverse lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.