Steppingstones – The Gleaner

Pastor Joey Durham, Sturgis Baptist Church 12:02 a.m. CT March 29, 2017

Todays devotion is Perilous Times? Lovers of Pleasures MORE Than Lovers of God! My text is 2 Timothy 3:1-4, where we see, This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebeakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (KJV) In our text, the first things said about people in general in the last days is that they would be lovers of their own selves. When a people have an inordinate love for self, it is manifested in a lack of love for God, which is perilous. In these last days, people are giving themselves more and more to loving pleasures which is hedonism. Rather than putting the Lord Jesus first, they are devoted primarily to pleasures that gratify their selfish desires.

Please notice with me the context of this scripture. People are loving pleasures MORE than they love God. In the context, people have not totally kicked God out of their lives, but they have relegated God to the back-seat in their life. This is a peril causing action of immense proportions! In other words, they love the lake and fishing more than God. They love ball games more than God. They love working their job more than God. They love catching up with family or friends more than God. Yet, when trouble and tragedy strikes their life, they want to run to God and act like Hes the most important thing in their life, depending upon Him like Hes their closest, most relied upon companion. In Matthew 15:8, the Lord declares the true condition regarding this perilous characteristic. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (KJV) The Lord knows what you love most. He knows if you love HIM most, or if youre just using Him only when you need Him. Such a relationship will certainly lead to perilous situations in your life!

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Steppingstones - The Gleaner