03.31.21—Brotherly Love! – Matthew 24:12
My friend, may I ask you a question? As Christians do we need to focus less on ourselves and our own problems and more on the needs of others?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I’m M. Clifford Brunner
Yesterday’s radio news was particularly distressing. The previous night had been a violent one in the area. Murder, assault and other forms of violent crime had been busy overnight. The radio DJ, a local talk show host, was frustrated and looking for answers. It was implied that local officials needed to address the seriousness of the issue and not just “paint around the corners of the problem.” “What is wrong with us?” he complained. “Why all this senseless violence?”
As psychologists and sociologists search frantically for the answers and politicians poise themselves for the inevitable solutions that look good on the surface but do very little at really addressing the core of the issue, perhaps it’s easy to overlook the obvious--we just don’t love the way we used to.
Here’s a story: In his book “Open the Door Wide to Happy Living,” T. Huffman Harris told of a young man named Eddie who became tired of life and decided to leap from a bridge into a turbulent river. Jim, a total stranger, saw Eddie being swept downstream and plunged into the water in an effort to save him. Eddie, a good swimmer, noticed the man floundering desperately in the strong current and knew that without his help he would drown. Something stirred within him. With all of his strength, Eddie swam over to the man and rescued him. Saving that stranger, who had attempted to save him, brought new hope and meaning to Eddie’s life.
Sometimes it does take a crisis to shock us out of a “poor-me attitude.” When shocked sufficiently, we can begin to see once again our value to God and to others. The Bible tells us that in the (last days), “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). It isn’t surprising then that crimes of violence and passion are on the increase. Many people’s hearts have grown cold. They don’t love like they used to. As Christians we need to focus less on ourselves and our own problems and more on the needs of others. True love is what we feel for others and not for ourselves. There is no room for “poor me” in a heart that truly loves God and others first. While the love of many may grow cold, the love of a few, super-heated Christians, is sufficient for God’s purposes and the day.
We pray. Heavenly Father. You tell us that in the (last days), “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). It isn’t surprising then, Lord, that crimes of violence and passion are on the increase everywhere. Many people’s hearts have grown cold. They don’t love like they used to. Dear Lord grant that we, as Christians, focus less on ourselves and our own problems and more on the needs of others. Forgive us when we forget and become too self-focused in this life. True love is what we feel for others and not for ourselves. There is no room for “poor me” in a heart that truly loves You and others first. While the love of many may grow cold, the love of a few, super-heated Christians, is sufficient for Your purposes and the day. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.