#45 Times Hard to Deal With, 2 Tim 3:1.

(The following accounts are of course typical the world over, and have in many ways been everyday occurrences since Cain onwards. However these things, for most part, in the coming system, should not be more than a learning examples as they should rarely be seen, nor heard of occurring at all.)

Conduct unbecoming

Speaking of the conduct of such ones, a woman who was sharing a house with a young woman, a housemate not related to her, was asked by this one, “why do you speak to the neighbours”? She was astounded, this young one had no idea that community and relationships are of any value at all, and still doesn’t.

She tried to explain that people need each other, with no resulting benefit, “I don’t talk to anyone” was her response.

Proverbs 18:1 states this truth, “One isolating himself will seek (his own) selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth”, becoming so self-absorbed such ones are looking after themselves only, at their own expense.

There appears to be greater pressures on your heart than in the past. 2 Tim 3;1, "But know this, that in the Last Days, critical times hard to deal with will be here".

This has increasingly proved to be accurate about the current time period.

I realise that men in the past have been headstrong and lovers of money etc, but today, the attitudes of many are such that they stick to them, even if it causes themselves harm. They are determined to have the attitude of "I will Do whatever I want".

Clear Evidence

Young and old alike are entrenched in idolatry, without knowing it, with the added potential danger of ruining a good relationship with God.

Today the young are not only bombarded with ones of fame, musicians, sports stars or other ones of celebrity to idolise. They are encouraged to either follow or become "INFLUENCERS" themselves, individuals who's whole existence revolves around "likes", and "Hearts" and "Swipes".

All of which are an illusion of popularity and substance. Here today and gone tomorrow.

To be swept up by following certain individuals who replace the love we should be giving to those who deserve it, like Mothers and Fathers and ones who actually care about your welfare.

Not ones who are riding the wave of fame and you just follow?

Jesus clearly warned, "It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to Him ALONE that you must render sacred service".

Is it wise then to give our hearts, time and devotion to influencers or celebrities who, like us, are here today and gone tomorrow and who, can not even save themselves from the death in front of all of us in this system we inherited from Adam?

So, how can loving them, add one minute to your life or give you anything of lasting value?

Sure, some are talented and are sure to be an influence on our lives, but they too need us to treat them as normal. Otherwise they could become unbalanced and begin "To think more of themselves than is necessary", as many do and abuse their status and encroach upon the boundaries of others, wanted or not.

Those doing Bad

Again, we employed a man to do some work at our home, He quoted a ridiculous price but needing it done promptly, which he assured he would do, we agreed, after doing a search to see if he had qualifications. Yet again, BIG MISTAKE.

Day 1, he only did 3hrs work and wanting money up front to continue $2000 and he left. He didn’t show up for 1 full week. Finally, he didn’t show up on yet another agreed day till one day he did another 3 hrs work, which was done very badly well and not according to instruction and I had to spend the next 1hr 40min undoing a large section and redoing it myself. He proceeded to take the majority of his tools and not return. We exclaimed, give us back x amount and we will get someone else. After some discussion he replied.

2 days’ work, $2000. And if we go to the authorities or do anything to threaten his livelihood, he has no problem with going back to jail and he knows where we live.

Of course, we are sick of greedy thieves who masquerade as tradesmen with little qualifications.

We will see how things progress as peacefully as possible of course. This man commented early on, “I prefer cash jobs, so I don’t have to give my ex as much money”, not wanting to help provide even for his own children.

Concerning this, me first, life style, this man has found himself living.

I witnessed a group of young men, just yesterday, I was sitting on a dock with my family, they decided to go for a swim, one jumped into the water splashing me, coming out of the water he said, “ooh it’s cold”, not that worried, jokingly I said “can you please try not to splash me, it is cold’ laughingly. Nicely, the older one apologised.

Immediately one companion seized the opportunity, jumped in close to me, deliberately splashing me, he quickly emerged and spun to get my reaction, of course I didn’t give him what he wanted.

They began swearing in conversation top each other a lot. These young men had obviously missed the point of life and seeking a happy future. They, as the terms are, desired a “rep” (reputation as a tough, cool guy) with “street cred” feared by their contemporaries, constantly calling each other “bra” (Brother), doing their fancy handshakes or fist bumps.

It soon became obvious they were not leaving any time soon so not wanting such trash flooding my ears, it physically hurts and upsets me, besides, I used to swear in my young days, not as ridiculously as these young men, but nonetheless, I do not want to hear it, or potentially have it creep back into my speech by mistake.

As I walked by, they increased their volume, along with the vileness and aggression in their words. Not directed at me, but to intimidate me and to impress each other. Before long one boy, or young man, walked over to a pair of young girls these were sunbathing, barely dressed.

Immediately she and her friend walked to where they were. The boy who approached was from the “good looking” side of the gene pool, his friends, not so much.

The one who thought he was just it; “fist bumped” his friend for attracting the girls. He, however, was not attractive, a shaved head with a blond rat’s tail. The second girl soon became uninterested and walked off. The second boy, realising his “street cred”, his Bader than bad “rep” was not such a good thing.

A friendly nice personality, despite his genetic appearance could have been desirable. He soon put a cap on his head, but too late, he reluctantly strolled off to his associates who were not included in the initial introduction.

Insecurity

Those like him go through life feeling, deep down, they just don’t measure up and if they eventually do marry, they have no real life-skills. They view intimacy as a right and a victory, and if she says no for some reason, he feels as though she doesn’t love him, nor find him attractive enough.

Then a spiral of doubt and depression may follow or if his heart is damaged enough, he might force himself on her if the circumstance allows. All because they did not have good role models or develop emotional maturity.

Some, especially males, tend to manipulate their partners. Even becoming violent and somehow turning the blame on the innocent one. and many other unhealthy things people do while in a relationship. But if ever the other does leave, then the threats start. the stalking and often much worse.

Women soon enough realise men like these, are hollow, without substance, not really a dependable partner and often ends in a breakup of the relationship. even the women can behave this way.

Being warped in thinking herself, a women often find herself attracted to another man, just like the first one, and it starts again, no stability, no happiness. And this sadly is the model for life left for their little ones follow. All these are lacking the necessary maturity to either be a good mate or for the other.

Back to the young ones yesterday. Within a few short minutes the girl was scuffing her fingers through his hair. He in turn complemented her body and within a few more minutes you would think they were married. All these ones miss the point of life, impressing others, being cool and hooking the best-looking boy or girl.

This behaviour is not a recipe for a happy life. Likely, over the years, this boy and girl, and others like them would likely have many partners, many sexual diseases, more than a few unwanted pregnancies for the girls and women.

Being so shallow in wisdom or feeling for any other than themselves, any who marry such ones find they still have little, to, no ability to say no to themselves. Jesus warned, “if a man has a passion for a woman, he has already committed adultery in his heart”, all that is missing is opportunity.

Could such a person be a suitable marriage mate?

So, to, it is not a loving thing to flaunt one’s body, male or female, in front of others. Showing cleavage, muscles or abs, revealing as much skin as possible. Are you who thinks such behaviour is helping others gain self-control, or is boosting your own self-worth or ego of more importance than the possible destruction of someone’s future, even their standing before God.

Their conscience or chastity belongs to their future life partner, that is, their future husband or wife.

When you think about it, young ones who like these date, were only little children a few years earlier. Their brains and bodies have not even fully developed yet.

But as these young ones have this “body of a man, or curves of a woman” they just have to use it, nobody will tell them no..

This does not set them up for a pattern of life based on love, trust and mutual respect.

Any potential future relationship likely would be primarily sexual in basis.

Not even based on friendship, they “hook up” with ones they personally might not even like.

Things like this many of us in this old system have done, or been involved in, often with regret. especially considering the emotional trauma this behavior can pass on, effecting future relationships. it really is a futile pursuit. Just for an Ego boost or a few moments of pleasure.

This in part is the purpose of having our eyes opened in this System of things and one additional purpose of God's word. So we can, "Hopefully" come to the conclusion that life is not meant to be like this. With so much heart ache and pain.

Conduct becoming

Imagine doing these things in the new system?

In those days to come, we will marry for much longer than a handful of decades. You would hope a mate was a least mature, capable, dependable, a real friend and support, always, not just now and then, but every day forever.

The young need time, they need to be children, to play, to dream big things, to soak in life and learn. They then need time, to be tested and test themselves as they grow into young adults.

Then they need to work out for themselves, asking; "who am I, what do I really like, what sort of life will I need, am I mature enough to do this or that, or to resist that temptation?"

Not to put a blanket rule, but in my mind and in line with the maturing brain. It seems we may need; 12 years a child, 12 years to grow to maturity. 12 years to work it all out.

This is just my thinking. Whether God agrees, I don't know.

The results for most for not getting it right?

The same as for the man who stole from me; broken families, and broken hearts. Also, like the man, many, trying to be tough, not backing down from any man or situation, and having no respect for others, he, likely will either end up crying in a jail/gaol cell or alone.

And by the time they are 30 years old wondering what went wrong, and thinking, "why me"!

Real Love

These are all missing one thing, A-ga’pe. What is that? Love guided or governed by principles.

This is the kind of Love God has for man. It is different from romantic love; it is a stabilising force in any relationship. I suppose it is like the love that a new parent has for their baby, when It comes up into your heart, it changes a person.

They develop a completely new focus, the days of youth simply fade away along with their hope and outlook, their priorities and their entire life. And, in addition, a new, deeper, respect for their mate.

No longer influenced as much by emotion, they become the protector and supporter in whatever way is required, to help each other in loving and protecting this new life.

Guided by something bigger than themselves alone, they begin to realise the depth of sacrifice their own parents made for them.

How much deeper then, the Love (A-ga’pe), the sacrifice of Our Heavenly Father in sending his firstborn as a propitiatory (covering sin) sacrifice, and Jesus personally giving himself for those who do not even know him.

If people do not see this in their own lives, or feel others care for them at all; they are on the road to nowhere. No love, no guiding principles, no example or voice in their head (of a good role model, or scriptural principles) to guide them.

They, as the scriptures state are, “in want of heart”, so, the result, they take! and when things go wrong? There is always some excuse or someone else to blame.

It seems that this generation has not concept of a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

Many say, “I won’t get out of bed for less than $1000 a day, when that is way more than the average weekly income for many in my part of the world, these are expecting the older generation, who spent their entire lives, many on minimum wage or less, raising a family and paying for a house and not owing anyone a single thing. That these ones should now hand over their retirement funds to highwaymen, thugs and thieves. Many who will not even do a half decent job of the task at hand. The problem is, many in this situation have no choice but to pay, or they can’t get the help they need, especially if their own children can't or won’t even help them out.

It is even more frustrating for many like me, who were once genuine tradesmen, with real skills and qualifications and formerly could do these things, but old age and declining health has robbed us of self-sufficiency. Still; we know how long it should take, we know how much it should cost.

For example, a particular concreting job. 2 days’ work for three men, maximum, including materials it shouldn’t have costed $15,000 we paid $20,000. That was the best quote we could get from someone reputable. Another quoted $40,000, for the 2 days work.

Another job. $8,000 worth of work. $40,000 quoted by 1 man. I replied, “that’s obscene”, his response, “would you like an invoice”. Not only greedy but arrogant as well. And it goes on and on.

Living in a Bubble

Many within the general public are seemingly oblivious to the existence of any peoples needs, outside their personal circle of devotion.

For example; A young woman, heavily pregnant, twisted her ankle outside her apartment and could not get up or move for 2 hours, people walked around and even stepped over her.

Just the other day, I was standing on the side of a wide path, 12’ or 3.5 metres wide. A family, 3 adults and a child plus a baby in a pram headed my way from about 40 meters away. Instead of adjusting their course to accommodate my being on the path, they headed straight towards me, so much so that it was as though I did not exist. They walked straight at me without even a glance. Only feet away, I moved, having to step into a small gully and they still didn’t even acknowledge my existence.

I have heard it said of this generation, they are “the entitled” generation. Of course, not all, but good-hearted ones are hard to find.

Jehovah must surely act soon, even on this evidence the world of mankind is heading for calamity.

Sorry for going off the reservation a bit or a lot.

Yes! It's true, "Times hard to deal with" are here. 2 Tim 3;1.

But! when tomorrow comes! And Jehovah God has placed within us, Hope! Real Hope and a future where their will be children. Children raised without the devastations that sweeps away hearts and hopes. Then we will know what "Paradise is". Lu 23;43.

May Jehovah remember the Good Hearted. Man in expectation :)

The mash-up! "You must love Jehovah your God, with your whole Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength and keep His Commandments. If you do, you will be wise enough to bypass any trial with ease, and have an indefinitely lasting name with The Living One. Those who fail to take these things to heart, will suffer shame and fall short in a large way, all that is his, will be destroyed and cease to exist.

You who love Him, however, will flourish with joy, under the tent cloths of Jehovah, always." Ecc 12:13, Mark 12:30 and Ps 37:18-20.