Thursday's SOAP - 2 Timothy 3:1-17

 ¹ You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

 ⁶ They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. ⁷ (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)⁸ These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. ⁹ But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

 ¹⁰ But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. ¹¹ You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. ¹² Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

 ¹⁴ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. ¹⁵You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

S(cripture) - God uses it [Scripture] to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

O(bservation) - There's a lot going on in this text so you may be drawn to another verse or phrase.  On Sunday, I was drawn to the phrase "They will consider nothing sacred."  Paul was speaking of what happens when people turn from God - live life without Him - a life without worship.  This is the opposite of what we've been talking about the last three days - worship in loving the least, worship in our meals, worship in our conversations. . .  The Kingdom life is a life of worship.  

Which calls us back to our private worship - the call to get alone with God and His Word so that we can be prepared and equipped "to do every good work."  Letting God breath His Word into us in quiet so that God can breath into us in the workplace and marketplace - our public worship.  

A(pplication) - Are you SOAPing up?  When you do (spend quiet time with God), do you notice if your day flows different?  Are there other moments of encounter/worship throughout your day? If you don't (spend quiet time with God), what happens?  Anything like v 1-5, even on a lesser scale?  I guess my question is, what spiritual symptoms are in your life? anger? lust? pride? hate? and what is the Rx that will produce, joy, peace, patience . . . ?  

P(rayer) - Abba, do whatever it takes draw us to hunger for time with You.  Don't let us substitute religion for relationship.  Call us to recognize our need for your wisdom and the power that comes from our listening to You  - the power to make us godly (v. 5) - power that produces fruit.  Breathe into me, breath of God.  Amen.