A CULTURE ADDICTED to “SELF”
by ‘Pastor Dave’
“Yesterday, I read a report about an Ohio State University study involving 900 adults ranging in age from 18 to 90 which claimed that young Americans place such a high value on their sense of self-worth that they crave praise and compliments more than food, friendship, and sex! The study also observed that this craving is akin to an addiction. It is insatiable. The participants in the study are not all narcissists, of course, but they’re kissin’ cousins.
The professor who conducted the study identified the 1969 book The Psychology of Self-Esteem as the launching point for a generation of Americans obsessed with self-esteem. He concluded that the obsession is only going to get worse — “as each new generation enters a culture that puts a premium on self-worth, younger Americans spend more time craving and searching for self-esteem boosts–and less time thinking about others. All that time spent thinking about yourself not only contributes to depression, but it makes society a less kind and gentle place.”
The seismic shift that began in 1969 has resulted in the tsunamis of Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, reality TV shows and life- enhancement church services. Americans just can’t seem to get enough of being true to self, expressing self, fulfilling self, improving self and advancing self. This addiction has had an enormous impact on the Christian community. Choosing a church to attend is no longer a matter of finding where the Word of God is taught and where people are striving to live in a manner that pleases God. It is now a matter of finding a church that has the best programs, preferred music, and activities.
American Christians have become consumers rather than practitioners. We look for the most enjoyable services, the most convenient schedules, the most engaging presentations, and the programs that fulfill our desires to the greatest degree. We seem drawn to the churches that are most like the world. Our primary concern about church is not how we can serve the church body, but how the church body can serve us.
Churches that are preaching that Christians are deserving of and entitled to good things, happiness, blessings, and personal fulfillment are bursting at the seams. Churches that preach poorness in spirit, mournfulness for sin, meekness, purity in heart, and a hunger for righteousness, are struggling to find people willing to listen. Are we witnessing the fulfillment of Paul’s warning to Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
We can’t be hungry for righteousness and addicted to self at the same time.”
If you name the name of Jesus, God is calling you to repent at once and lay down your life before it’s too late. You must learn the daily cross if you are going to truly follow Christ and be with Him eternally. The Laid Down Life
Articles
5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]

5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2
- Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation.
- He took upon Him the form of a servant.
- He was made in the likeness of men.
- He humbled Himself.
- He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:2-10
“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
At Gethsemane the death before the cross, before His death on the cross occurred.
“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
“He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8
Living in the mind, the disposition of Christ means you are truly following Him.
As Christ’s disciple, your devotion, your love is first to Him, then to your neighbor, not self (Matthew 22:37-39). You are commanded by the Savior to set self aside and to lift others above yourself—to prefer, to put God and others first. Those who do so, experience true freedom, liberty.
Being one with Christ, who gave all to save you, means your life is over—you now live to serve the LORD and others, not self (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3).
Have you poured prayerfully over Philippians 2:3-5 today? If you will begin every day this week pouring prayerfully over this passage, asking the LORD to internalize it in your heart, God will begin to deeply instill the very “mind of Christ” into your innermost disposition.
Part of the dying…. IS GOD calling us to Himself, to forsake this world, including the attempt to save an unrepentant nation long in rebellion against Him – America?
Prayer: LORD, I want to walk in the disposition You walked in on earth. I will esteem You and others above myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Articles
Greedy, Covetous, and Beguiled! [podcast]

One man has wisely stated that “Greed and covetousness will damn more souls than all other sins combined.”
“Spiritual Blessings”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:3-7
“If we are in Jesus we have the the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). Unfathomable (in our small minds), infinite wealth and spiritual blessings! Endless mercy, grace, and forgiveness. That is inexhaustible! Why do we need any worldly riches that will rot and corrupt our hearts!? Lay up in your hearts God’s riches! Which are eternal!” Karen Cochran
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:36
The only wealth that will last, forever, is that which is gained by obeying God in this life – thereby laying up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
Got an “education” but going to hell eternally. Self-serving idolaters.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10
America is full of those who claim to be saved and yet paid big money to get a piece of paper to get more money in this life and yet it’s clear that they’ve been serving money, mammon all along, not Christ.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single (full of Christ, not covetousness), thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil (greed filled), thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24
They’ve never repented and aren’t presently, literally serving God. This means they are hell bound.
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7
Real repentance or reprobate?
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5
The souls of millions who think they are saved are going to be damned due to not being truly given over to the LORD they claim to know and be saved by. If their lives were truly given over, they would be helping others and the work of Christ to be advanced in this fleeting world.
Their covetousness – “I want this” or “I just bought that” – is telling on their wicked hearts (Luke 12; 1 Timothy 6). They are sinning away their day of grace as they live unto self and are rich toward self and not Jesus. They are “not rich toward God” to use Christ’s own words (Luke 12:21). Jesus promised these would be damned for their turning a dead ear and blind eye to the needs of others – “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” (Matthew 25:45) The light bills and rent/mortgages of some in-need Christians go unpaid. The pantries of some remain empty. True, New Testament ministries go unfunded …. and Why? – Because of the waste of millions who call themselves by the name of the One who came and gave ALL. They do not resemble Him which clearly shows that they are not following Him and merely rendering lip service to Him in order to deceive their own darkened hearts into the vain imagination that they are going to be with Him eternally.
Their GOAL is your GOLD, not your SOUL! Get a clue! Read 2 Peter 2:1-3; Philippians 3:18-19.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” 1 John 3:16-19
What you refuse to do (omission) when you see another in need, is indicative of who you are serving – self instead of the Savior. The Son of God says: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:19-21)
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
The fruit of the Spirit and good works are the clear indication that one is truly saved (Galatians 5:19-24; Titus 3:8; James 1:22-27). If you are not literally a giver, the LORD is calling you to repent and obey God’s Word by giving up first your whole life and will to Him. Then, all you have in your possession will go to His glory in loving your neighbor. If all you have isn’t Christ’s, it’s time to repent and get saved friend (Luke 14:33).
Prayerfully read Luke 12 and 1 Timothy 6 every day for the next week.
Toni S. writes:
“Not just helping in ministry, but also the widows, poor, prisoners and fatherless. In addition, so many just hand their tithes over to a church pastor expecting Him to do this with their money. But what they end up supporting is not a ministry but a lavish lifestyle that many pastors live. People also donate money to ‘charitable” organizations without even researching where that money really goes too.” Toni S.
Wolves patty cake with you because they want your money and could care less about your eternal soul (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy:2-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
“And who are we to support? 3 John 8 “We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” Those who are devoted to the truth of God’s word! And are speaking the original gospel once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. Then we become fellowhelpers to them who are spreading truth. And actually participate in their ministry by giving to them. As opposed to bidding God speed to the deceivers and false teachers (2 John 9-11). We aren’t to support financially or participate at all in their ministry. Or we become partakers in their evil deeds and will suffer the same punishment as them. So we have a choice, participate in those preaching the whole truth and receive rewards (treasures in heaven) or participate in the deception of false teachers and suffer eternal consequences!” Karen Cochran
PRAYER: I here and now confess to You Father that I have been a self-idolater, I have committed spiritual adultery against You. I have not had You but rather myself first. Please forgive my sin, wash me clean, and fill me with Your Holy Ghost afresh. Circumcise this heart and replace the stony places with a heart of flesh. Bless this vessel to abide crucified with Thee and bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Articles
Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures in Heaven [podcast]

“LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES”
The only wealth that will last, forever, is that which is gained by obeying God in this life – thereby laying up treasure in Heaven.
Money Has Wings
“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Proverbs 23:4-5
- Instruction: “Labour not to be rich” v4
- Instruction: “cease from thine own wisdom” v4
- Question?: “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?” v5
- Wisdom to ponder: “for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” v5
Note this phrase in v5 (please read carefully) – “riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Now watch this – “they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” What does that mean? Simply, the way we spend our money on earth will testify about our lives on Judgment Day and we will thereby be rewarded or stripped of rewards or even kept out of the kingdom (Lk. 16:19-31; James 2:1-7; 5:1-6; etc.). The usage of our money is a direct reflection of the priorities of our hearts (Matt. 6:21).
Treasures In Heaven
IN previous generations, young men and women gave up their whole life of luxury in America to go to a foreign land to preach the Gospel of Christ. Today we have a generation of professing “Christians” who won’t so much as give up a penny to support the preaching of the Gospel of the glorious Savior they claim to be saved by.
How important is Christ and His Gospel to you? Jesus told us exactly how important we count Him and His Gospel….
People spend, waste money on every frivolity under Heaven and seldom lay up treasures in Heaven using their temporal coin (Matthew 6:19-21). Read Jesus’ teaching recorded in Luke 16.
Our LORD instructs us to lay up treasure, but in Heaven not here in this temporal world where the dollar will soon be obsolete, superseded by rewards earned during this earthly life.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures (lots) in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Matthew 6:19-20
Saint of the Most High, are you going to look back in eternity and deeply regret the opportunities God gave you in this fleeting life that you passed up? – to bless another believer or to support the work of Christ and send forward eternal rewards?
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21
WHERE are you laying up treasure?
Your investments into God’s kingdom work in this short life are truly safe, secure, life-giving, and eternal. No one can take them away.
DISCIPLE OF JESUS, Jesus Christ is all-knowing and sees everything and will reward every good deed or work done in His name and love.
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10
Tithing is not commanded under the New Testament. Yet giving and putting God first is commanded and is the privilege of the saints of Christ (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:33; Luke 6:38).
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Feedback:
“No matter how much I give he keeps giving back to me… pressed down shaken together and running over. God is great and greatly to be praised.” Steven M.
More on Stewardship | Cheerful Giving
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