Hearts Growing Cold
Jesus did say in the last days men’s hearts would wax cold and we truly see it like we’ve never seen before. It really should not be a shock when we see those things which JESUS spoke about come to pass! I have to remind myself of this.
“And,” Jesus said, “because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24: 12).
2 Timothy 3:1–4 says, But, mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
The word cold means lacking affection or warmth of feeling; unemotional. Callous means showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others and heartless means displaying a complete lack of feeling or consideration. Boy, are we not seeing this behavior displayed right before our eyes?
I’ve looked in the faces of people possessed by demons. I’ve had to deal with people whose hearts are callous, jealous, and downright evil. Some smile in your face, but they despise you inwardly, just as Michal the daughter of Saul despised King David (2 Samuel 6:16). I’ve been talked about, lied on, mistreated, dishonored, disrespected, envied, threatened, verbally attacked, but if God is for me, who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? I know there are other remnant believers who has gone through some of the same things.
Lord knows, it could always be worse. After writing this blog, my spiritual mother told me that a close friend pulled a gun out on her. Lawd have mercy!
I must testify that the LORD has given me beauty for ashes and has honored me indeed and in ways that I cannot even articulate. I give Him GLORY! It’s dangerous to come up against God’s anointed. We see what happened to Saul. Things did not end well for him at all.
However, I’ve also ran across sweet, godly, thoughtful and precious men and women of God whose love and acts of kindness I will never forget. I forgive and bless those who have hurt me. I have to bless my enemies and those who despitefully use and persecute me because this is what the Bible instructs us to do. The LORD regularly reminds me that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers, darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). However, I dare not fellowship or be in a relationship with those that despise me and wish me harm and not good.
2 Corinthians 4: 8-10-We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body.
Jesus said, you will know my disciples by the love they show toward one another. John 13:35-By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
One of the Hebrew words for love is Avaha, meaning to give. Christ love asks, how can I alleviate your burdens? How can I help you and ease or lighten your load? It encourages, inspires, builds up as well as rebuke.
The Bible tells us to love not only in words but in deeds (1 John 3:18). The word compassion means sympathetic, pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
1 Corinthians 13
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight
in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
and always perseveres.
Love never fails.
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus said, “Hear oh Israel the LORD, our GOD is one! Love the LORD your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength! And love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29).
Sometimes you can see so much jealousy, ugliness, wickedness, ungodliness, and evil to the point where it can overwhelm you if you are not careful. The adversary wants you to think that everyone is evil, selfish, heartless, and mean-spirited, but that’s not the case. You can’t magnify them or give these people your energy, time, or thoughts. They will reap what they have sown. The same measure they give will be returned to them.
God still has a few good men and women in the world today; those who are honest, loving, caring, and kind with the sincere heart of the Lord Jesus. I have been so fortunate to meet such people, and for that, I am super grateful. Although, they are few and far between (rare). Throughout the Bible, we see that God had righteous men and women strategically placed in different places for different seasons and reasons. He uses who He pleases to execute His will, promises and His Word!
Even though Saul resented King David, his son Johnathan was knitted together with David like a brother. They had a special bond/relationship. God used the prostitute Rahab to hide Joshua and the spies. Her life and the lives of her family members were saved because of her act of courage. Elijah had Elisha, who attached himself to the Prophet Elijah and received a double portion of his anointing. Be strategic about who you attach yourself to. Ruth vowed herself to her mother-in-law Naomi who was like a mother to her and received blessings and rewards. Naomi’s bitterness was turned into blessings.
I want to urge you to continue to love, continue to do what is right and just. God will reward you in so many different ways – peace, love, joy unspeakable, divine/perfect health, prosperity, strength, protection, supernatural insight/wisdom/blessed marriage, and so much more! You can’t put a price tag on God’s blessings! There is not enough money in the world that can buy them. HE is indeed faithful, loyal, and trustworthy! There is none like Him, none beside Him, and none to compare to Him!
I want to encourage you to set your gaze on JESUS, the Author & Finisher of your faith. Lover, Keeper, and Bishop over your soul.
Who is like you, glorious in his holiness, fearsome and glorious and doing wonders? … Who is like to thee among the gods, O Lord? who is like to thee?
Exodus 15:11
God will always assign a special person to help you walk through difficult times in your life and will show you the love of Christ. I’ve seen it countless times. When one person doesn’t do what they are supposed to do for you, He will raise up someone else. As the old saying goes, one monkey don’t stop no show. He will always rescue and take care of His own.
As believers in CHRIST, you will be hated, persecuted, ridiculed, and talked about, but remember JESUS said, they hated me first, so don’t be alarmed or surprised. It’s a part of this Christian walk. This walk is not for the faint of heart. JESUS has promised that those who endure until the end shall be saved. Hallelujah!
Know this; He will give you double for your trouble. The blessings of the LORD will overtake and overshadow you! He will give you recompense, restoration, and restitution for all you’ve been through. I am a living testimony! I’m not telling you what I read or heard. I’m telling you what I know to be the truth! All Glory to You LORD JESUS! He will give you beauty for ashes, joy for mourning and the garment of praise for heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). HE is a MAN of HIS WORD! HE cannot lie!
Let me say the blessings of the LORD are overtaking me like I can’t explain or properly articulate. God has carried me, held me up with His mighty right hand and outreached arms. God’s PERMANENT BLESSINGS are upon me and my household. I give HIM ALL the GLORY!!
Who wouldn’t serve a GOD like this?
While the haters hate, I have seen the LORD JESUS prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies as He promised in His Word and as He showed me in a dream. People think they are hurting you but are only hurting themselves. GOD sees their filthy hearts and will judge them accordingly. Many will fool men but can’t fool the GOD of Israel, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Blessed be HIS GLORIOUS name forever and forever! Unlike man, God looks at the heart and not the outer appearance.
Because I am a giver, and I endeavor to do right and just according to the Word of God, the blessings of the LORD are chasing me down. I can’t even tell it all. He said when we give, He will give back to us good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. He said He would cause men to give unto our bosoms. Also, we are Sabbath and Feast-Keepers, which guarantee blessings and rewards on a whole different level. Since celebrating God’s appointed Feasts, the spiritual insights have been beyond words. Words cannot describe the personal intimacy and fellowship that has increased with the LORD.
I love to help God’s people. However, when it becomes one-sided and not reciprocated then we have a problem. There are some people who only wants to be on the receiving end. It doesn’t work that way. We are supposed to help one another. There are times when you have to draw a line in the sand and not allow people to take your kindness for weakness or take advantage of you.
GOD will always reward us when we do what is RIGHT (in His eyesight, not ours) and help His people. However, if your heart is defiled and wicked, don’t expect certain blessings or answered prayers until you repent and get right with the LORD and those you have wronged.
In my closing, people need to be cognizant of how they loosely throw around the words, “I love you.” I implore you to research what the true biblical word love means. Do you truly have the “Love of Christ”? When I say these words, for me, it’s the God kind of love. Love is an action word, not just lip service. Truthfully speaking, there is only a remnant who exudes this true authentic genuine love of CHRIST.
I have watched how the elderly and less fortunate are mistreated, used and taken advantage of, and observed the social and economic injustices and inequalities in the world. It’s really sad and displeasing to God, and He is taking notice. Evil doing is a stench in the nostrils of a Holy God. He will reward you according to your deeds whether evil or good.
The Bible tells us that those who He loves, he does chastise. As a mouthpiece of God, I implore you to repent and turn away from your wicked/evil ways while you have time and do what is right/just in His eyesight.
Jesus said I didn’t come to bring peace but a sword! “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief]
Mathew 10:34.