Paul gives nineteen negative characteristics of many professing believers during these difficult times.

You and I were created to worship - a worshipping family or indeed individual will always rest on a godly perspective, even when things are at its worst! Worship sets you up to battle with God at your side. The Story of 2 Chronicles emphasises that whatever you’re facing it worship and the Lord house keeps you on the winning side.

When you experience problems, difficulties, set backs or hurts in life, they can either make you better or bitter. You really have a choice. You can either grow up or give up. You can become who God wants you to be, or you can become hard-hearted. When you go through difficult times, what happens to you is not nearly as important as what happens in you. You’ll take your character with you into eternity—not your circumstances.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus’ Resurrection means that his sacrificial death on the cross was sufficient, and therefore our sins can be forgiven.

As God’s people:

We must receive God’s word

We must be set apart

We must be cleansed

We must respect God’s boundary

We must restrain the flesh

We must know we come to a holy God

Never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it.

When we take time out to really learn and understand who Jesus is for ourselves, we prepare ourselves for an encounter that will change our lives.

For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 

You can afford to live without a personal relationship with the Lord, but you can’t afford to die without one.