I remember that time with a smile, but then I think of her fear for me because she loves me. That same kind of love and passion is expressed in our next leadership principle as I read Paul’s warning to Timothy with the same fear for him as my granddaughter had for me. He does’t spare the words to tell him to buckle up with Truth! It’s going to be a rough ride!

“Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes their animals. Stay clear of these people.”
2 Timothy 3, Msg

Do any of these words describe our world today as it was in Timothy’s day? Where are we in the “list”? Cleanse us, LORD! Bring us under Your protection as we fasten our seatbelts with YOUR Truth. Don’t let us compromise Truth. Don’t let us limit who you are in our small thinking. Give us boldness to simply believe Your pure, Truth. Truth that is unchanging. Undeniable. Absolute.

“These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them, women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” 2 Timothy 3, Msg

“But nothing will come of these latest impostors. Everyone will see through them…” 2 Timothy 3, Msg

Dear Heavenly Father, 
Continue to protect us from anything that is not You, Truth. Remind us to keep our belt’s of Truth fastened tightly around us so we will recognize untruth in people and circumstances. Trump our naiveness with your wisdom, insight and understanding flowing through us. You are God…and we are not. In Jesus Name, Amen.