But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which focuses on the corrosive power of ungratefulness. John Piper first starts the devotion by referring us to Paul's words to Timothy regarding what we can expect during the last days. He then pivots to the anti-dote of this last days heart condition - and he points to the how ungratefulness is found at the end of v2. Exploring this anti-dote, Piper moves to Ephesians 5:4, where Paul says "[l]et there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." Piper sums up the devotion by stating that the reason gratitude is the anti-dote "is that the feeling of gratitude is a humble feeling, not a proud one. It is other-exalting, not self-exalting. And it is glad-hearted, not angry or bitter. Bitter thankfulness is a contradiction in terms. The key to unlocking a heart of thankfulness and overcoming bitterness and ugliness and disrespect and violence is a strong belief in God, the Creator and Sustainer and Provider and Hope-giver. If we do not believe we are deeply indebted to God for all we have and hope to have, then the very spring of gratitude has gone dry." Gratitude must extend beyond the upcoming holiday of Thanksgiving, and be part of a daily discipline of humbly going to God, recognizing that He is our provider and sustainer - without Him we can do nothing.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the great Provider and Sustainer - in You and through You we have it all, including abundance in this life and eternity and in Heaven. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
