For The Time Will Come…

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.

Have you ever been warned about something that was pending – something that was going to happen in the future? I had a teacher who would often say – mark my word – and then tell us something that was going to happen – like – mark my word – this will be on the next test.

Maybe as a parent you have said something like this – or your parents did – mark my word – if you do that again – you will get punished. Maybe it was like this – if you don’t stop fighting – if you make me get out of my chair – if you don’t get up now – if you don’t eat all your food – than “whatever” was going to happen – mark my word.

Paul gives us warning in today’s passage – 2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. He could have added – mark my word.

Learning To Be Generous

Acts 2:44

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

I just attended the graduation ceremony for my two five-year-old granddaughters. We saw picture after picture on the big screen of children sharing and having a great time. Children from all walks of life – from various communities – and from diverse races. Children don’t care about our differences as much as their parents do. Children just care if someone is nice and plays nice. I wish we adults could learn something from our children.

Most children learn early in life to share – especially if they have siblings. When they are very young – sharing is something they learn or should learn. It may not come naturally to us all – but thru time and training – most of us learn to share. We take turns in games – we learn to share our crayons and other materials. I know my daughters taught this to our grandchildren – even sharing with their cousins after they learned to share with their siblings. Now – they wouldn’t think of letting a classmate go without if they had something and could share.

A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

As the Baltimore riot has unfolded the last few days – the media has made a point of focusing – it seems – on those who were doing destruction. Burning buildings – burning vehicles – vandalized businesses – rock and bottle throwing crowds. As the police commander said – when asked about using force – did folks want 14-15-16 year old bodies lining the streets?

Some officers were injured for sure – broken bones and other injuries. Probably millions of dollars worth of damage was done. The restraint of the officers was amazing – they should be commended. The mother caught on film dragging her son home – went viral – and she has become a national hero – an example I wish other parents had followed.

Several young men and women placed their safety on the line as they fought fires and tried to contain those who would do them harm. I knew several police officers that were on the scene. I know of several pastors who walked the streets – trying to calm folks down. I so wanted to be there – walking with them. I’m a bit disappointed I didn’t go. Not sure if I would have been a help – but I knew some brothers on the line and I would have loved to have supported them.