The Culture of Self

"And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares"(Luke 21:34).

Have you ever met someone who likes to talk about themselves? I have... me.

I enjoy talking about personal experiences in the past, and vision for the future. Maybe all of us do to a degree. Some people focus continually on their problems. But being consumed with ourselves is both dangerous and addicting.

I wrote the above verse in the old King James version, because I wanted us to see the word 'surfeiting.' It means 'given to continual overeating.' Does that describe us? We are a generation given to consumption in many areas. And once this is a habit, then it becomes an entitlement. Soon we deserve all the 'goodies' of life, and we deserve even more. We never compare ourselves with half the world that earns $4/day or less, but with our neighbor who has something we don't.

Today let's repent for selfishness, and all that comes with it. Jesus has called us to a higher call. He said if we lose our life we will find it. Let's pray.

Let's pray for ourselves.

Dear Lord,

I am sorry for being so focused on myself and my needs, which are often just greeds. Forgive me for laying down my cross instead of daily taking it up. Forgive me for demanding my own way, and judging others in my heart as not as good as myself. This is simply pride, and I repent. Change my heart. Show me how to learn something valuable from every person I meet by listening more than speaking.

Let's pray for our city and country.

Dear Lord,

We humble ourselves today, and acknowledge that any good thing we have is a gift from you. Any good thing we have accomplished happened because You gave us the ability to make it happen. Forgive us for our prideful and independent spirit. Help us be agents of change in our city by humbly giving all the glory to You for any good in us.

Let's pray for the global advance of the gospel.

Dear Lord,

You warned us to not be consumed with ourselves, lest we lose track of Your soon return. Awaken the eyes of not only the unreached, but especially of the reached, to see again the urgency of the hour. Bring the worldwide church back to their first love again. Revive us, so we will be like the virgins who had their lamps full of oil, eagerly waiting your return. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, amen.