“Karen’s Notes!
Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Selected Notes
Volume 5 Number 34 “Assurance in Alarming Situations!”
August 24th, 2022

I am grateful for the many friends who have encouraged me to continue sharing clips from Karen’s notes. During this month of August, I’ve opened an entirely different notebook containing notes that Karen wrote to herself during messages I’ve preached. I am taking you back to 2010 when she as well as Billy and Rachel (who were teenagers then) accompanied me to Camp Manitoumi in Low Point, Illinois.

I was the family camp speaker and preached in morning and evening chapel. We had such a delightful week with those dear folks. The theme I used during the week was “A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ.” This was based on Paul’s statement to Timothy about viewing himself as a good soldier of Jesus Christ and how to please the Lord (2 Timothy 2:1-3). On Friday morning of the week, I spoke about “When Hard Times Come!” I will share what Karen wrote that I preached as well as her own personal notes. Last week I shared about the help in hurting times. Today we move to the letter A.

Karen wrote: Let’s have a pointed and precious C.H.A.T. together from the book of 2 Timothy. When hard times come, and they will, it will be important to remember these four things that Paul wrote to Timothy.
C stands for conviction in confusing times.
H stands for help in hurting times
A stands for assurance in alarming times
T stands for triumphant in trying times.

A stands for assurance in alarming times.

Times can be alarming to us. Listen to what Paul wrote to Timothy. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:1, 12-13).

But we continue to live and serve the Lord by trusting in His Word.

Think of the ability of the Word of God.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:15).

Think of the authority of the Word of God.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (3:16).

Think of the accomplishment of the Word of God.
“That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (3:17).

Michael’s observation: I can tell you from personal observation in the lives of others as well as from my own experience that God’s Word really does produce assurance even in the midst of alarming situations. The idea of “perfect” in 3:17 doesn’t mean sinless. Rather, it speaks of completely equipping us for daily living. I hope that your times are not alarming today. But if they are, wonderful assurance can be found in the Word of God.