SWHW Bible Reading Plan: November 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Caren Fehr:

I am sure I don’t have to tell you that we are living through some really difficult times. This brings 2 Timothy Chapter 3 in a new light for me. Take a moment to read verses 1-7 then meet me back here! 

What you’ll find is a clear description of the human condition in the last days laid out plainly in these verses. These people are: 

• idolizing themselves instead of denying themselves. 
• lovers of money instead of lovers of God. 
• boastful and proud instead of modest. 
• abusive instead of gentle. 
• disobedient to their parents instead of honoring their parents. 
• ungrateful instead of grateful. 
• unholy instead of holy. 
• without love instead of full of love. 
• unforgiving instead of forgiving. 
• slanderous instead of truthful. 
• without self-control instead of with self-control. 
• brutal instead of kind. 
• lovers of evil instead of lovers of good. 
• treacherous, rash, and conceited instead of faithful, cautious, and humble. 
• lovers of pleasure instead of lovers of God.

Lastly, they have a form of godliness but deny its power. In other words, they are “spiritual” but are not submitted to the authority of God and His Word. They refuse to be led by God and deny His power.

The command from Paul to Timothy is to turn away from such people. Anyone else feel the tug to raise their hand and ask, “But wait, aren’t we supposed to love them and minister to them?” Or, “Well I am not like that but I have some friends who are. As long as I don’t act like that, can’t I still be around them?”

What I have learned is that there is a big difference between evangelizing to the lost and becoming intimate (in deep fellowship) with them. We should absolutely love and serve unbelievers so that they may see God through us and turn to Him in praise! In the same breath, intimate relationships with unbelievers can quickly and easily turn into a hindrance to our walk with Christ.  

• “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”  1 Corinthians 15:33  
• “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”  Proverbs 12:36

We are influenced by who we follow and who we spend time with. The evidence may start small and seem harmless, but with time it grows, and before we know it, our hearts become hard toward God.

This balance has been something at times challenging for me to navigate. I love to love people. Praise God we have His Holy Spirit guiding us and helping us create holy boundaries that allow us to remain salt and light without conforming to the patterns of this world. It starts by honestly evaluating our closest relationships and asking if we are surrounding ourselves with those who point us back to Christ or further away.

Father, thank You so much for Your presence in me that is also constantly with me. Thank You for Your Word which helps me navigate day-to-day life in a world where there are both lovers of good and lovers of evil. I ask today for discernment when it comes to my friendships. Please reveal to me which friendships need firmer boundaries and which ones I need more in my life. I don’t want to flirt with the ways of this world. I desire to keep my feet in the narrow way. I love You. Amen.