Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
2 Kings 23; Jeremiah 47-48; Psalm 81
Psalm 81:10-13
10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
It is devastating to watch people who are stubbornly heading toward consequences and tragedy. I have had the opportunity to counsel many who were manifesting stubborn selfishness. They were in the process of welcoming the consequences of sin and unwilling to listen to truth. You have heard me say it often, “we can justify anything if we want it bad enough.”
The way sin moves us toward destruction is consistently taught in scripture. First, we begin to look at things that God clearly says is out of bounds for His children. Secondly, we begin to have a desire or curiosity about those things. Thirdly, we only lack the opportunity to participate in that which God clearly forbids. Fourthly, we tend to try to hide the sin that has gripped our lives. Once a person is trying to hide their sin, often any truth that requires them to give it up is rejected. This stubborn selfishness is the tool that the Devil uses to allow the full devastation of sin’s consequences to destroy the person.
God says, “Oh that my people had hearkened unto me… and walked in my ways!” Is God taking to you this morning? Is He wooing you back to Himself? Stubborn Selfishness is just not worth it. Sweet submission gives God so many more options to care for you!
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to be careful with my heart, to guard it against the deceits of sin.
- Lord, please help me to walk closely with my God and Savior and allow you to minister peace to me.
- Lord, please help me to avoid the trap of regret because of stubborn selfishness.
Political
- Representative Phil Green
- Representative Chris Greig
- Representative Beth Griffin