"....In the last days...men will be lovers of themselves...." (2 Timothy 3)
Men have always been, "....lovers of themselves...," i.e., putting themselves before others, thinking first and foremost of their own happiness, success, promotion, etc.,------ before anyone else. Another word for it is selfishness.
In these last days, however, this will just get worse. I have been thinking a lot recently of the Ephesians passage in which the Holy Spirit says, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her...." This is the "antidote" of, "....lovers of themselves...." I have felt more and more that this is not a Word just to husbands, but to all of us toward all humanity.
Father, in Jesus' Name, by the Holy Spirit, help me to walk toward all people, "....just as Christ also loved the Church...." Amen.
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Another note to let you know that were are collecting funds for backpacks again this year. The pastor to which we took some backpacks in the Rapid City, SD, area has also requested Native Bibles for the "Freedom Jamboree" outreach, July 2 & 3.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
