Today's Passage: 2 Timothy 3

It's hard to read this chapter and not be discouraged.  The first four verses starts by saying that there will be terrible times and goes on to describe things that we're seeing in today's society, "...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."(vs.4) The discouragement continues when Paul says "evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse deceiving and being deceived."(vs.13) 

So how can we be encouraged reading this passage?  We must remind ourselves of the good news.  Jesus said in John 16:33, "...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  Romans 8:37 tell us, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."  Paul puts it to Timothy this way in verse 14, "...continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of..." These words are as good for us in the 21 century as they were for Timothy.  In spite of what is going on around us, we must continue on in the truth of scripture, "...which is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that [we] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (vs.16)