Victory Blog

“[In the last days] … men shall be …  boasters…”¹

The Greek word for “boasters” means arrogant, proud, or haughty. Do we not live in the midst of an arrogant society? Look at the emphasis on what we drive, in what we live, in what we wear and in whom we know. The current teachings of self-esteem and of self-love lend themselves to pride and haughtiness. But the most dangerous form haughtiness is found in Romans 1, where this word is one of the characteristics of those who “who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.” The ultimate form of arrogance is the rejection of God as God. Is this not where we are today in our post-Christian, post-modern, and pagan society? Do we as believers in Jesus Christ and in absolute truth really care as we make choices of convenience, ease and materialism (whether in the past elections or in our daily living)?

Remember, Paul wrote in the verse preceding our text, “but know this, in the last days, troublous (difficult, harsh, fierce, violent) times shall come.” My friend, we are there.

- Pastor Stevens

1. 2 Ti 3:2 [↩]

“[In the last days] … men shall be covetous…” (2 Ti 3:2})

The Greek word for  “covetous” means  ‘being fond of or loving money.”  In light of all the financial shenanigans on Wall Street, in Washington and during this past presidential campaign, we are not surprised at this characteristic of the last days. Most people live for money and what it buys. And a lot will do anything to get that money or what it buys. Unfortunately, we believers can have the same attitude in our affluent society.  Instead of being sacrificial, we pamper ourselves and hoard our resources. We are laying up treasure, not in heaven, but upon the earth, while forgetting the lessons of the economic collapse going on around us (of which I believe we are witnessing judgment from the hand of God.)

Remember, Paul wrote in the verse preceding our text, “but know this, in the last days, troublous (difficult, harsh, fierce, violent) times shall come.” My friend, we are there.

- Pastor Stevens

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”¹

We are so focused upon externals. We evaluate men on their outward appearance. How much they impress and wow us. Man wants to package man in a glimmering, shining package. Not so God.

God does not regard how much charisma a man possesses or does not possess. God is not interested in skin color, race, economic status or a man’s connections. All these externals are emphasized and sought after by man. But not God. He regards the heart: the real man - the thoughts, the intents, the morality, the purity, and the priorities.

God is concerned with the condition of a man’s heart. In reality, it’s the man’s character that is important to God. Note the following scripture verses:

• Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Ro 1:21)
• Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Ro 1:24)
• And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Ro 8:27)
• That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Ro 10:9-10)
• Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Co 4:5)
• Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Co 1:22)
• For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Co 4:6)
• And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Ga 4:6)
• That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Eph 3:17)
• Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (Eph 4:18)
• Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (Php 1:7)
• To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Th 3:13)
• Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1 Ti 1:5)
• Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Ti 2:22)

Get the message of God? It’s what that is in the heart that is important to him. And God knows everyone’s heart.

What’s more, God knows your heart. Now, what is the condition of your heart?

- Pastor Stevens

1. 1 Sa 16:7 [↩]

“[In the last days] … men shall be lovers of their own selves…”¹

As you look around you today, you will unmistakably conclude that you are living in the last days. The apostle Paul predicted several characteristics of the people who live in the last days. The first and prominent characteristic he listed was that “men shall be lovers of their own selves.” The phrase, “lovers of their own selves,” is actually one word in the language of the New Testament. It is a compound word of “fond of” and “self”. The word means fond of oneself, self-loving, or selfish.

Is this self-love not one of the prominent emphases in our public sector today? Are we not told to love ourselves, to have good self-esteem, and that none of us should be left behind. Are we not simply told and taught to be selfish. This means we really don’t have to work because the government owes us a living and it is obligated to take care of us (give all that money, healthcare, and mortgage relief). And if we don’t get it, we demand it and take it.

Remember, Paul wrote in the verse preceding our text, “but know this, in the last days, troublous (difficult, harsh, fierce, violent) times shall come.” My friend, we are there.

- Pastor Stevens

1. 2 Ti 3:2} [↩]

“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”¹

When things are going wrong in your life, what do you do? say? think? To whom or what do you turn? For David, he turned to the Lord.

Notice that David trusted in God’s mercy. The word “trust” means to “rely on, put confidence in.” David did not lean on his own abilities or the abilities of those around him, but upon the mercy of God. “Mercy” means “loyal loving-kindness.” It has to do with God’s promise to his people that he would be loyal them in his compassion and help.

What was the result when David trusted in the loyal loving-kindness of his God? He sang songs (rejoice = be glad in singing) of deliverance and songs of thanksgiving. He knew that deliverance may or may not come in this life, but that ultimately, because of his relationship to God, he would be delivered in eternity. Also he had a thankful heart for all the blessing that he had received from the hand of God, and told his God such…Can you and I not do the same?

-        Pastor Stevens

1. Ps 13:5-6 [↩]

Just got back home last evening from South Carolina to attend my grandmother’s funeral.  I would like to thank those who helped us financially with this emergency, last minute trip. I would especially like to thank the Remaley’s for letting us borrow their car.

- Pastor Stevens