A Two-Part Post About Staying Faithful, Loving, and Ready
The world can feel dark. Hate is growing, truth is pushed aside, and many people no longer care about sin or the pain of others. Jesus warned, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
But Jesus did not give this warning to make us afraid. He gave it to help us stay awake, stand firm, and keep loving God and people.
Part Two: How to Keep Your Heart Warm
Ask God for a New Heart
We cannot change our hearts by willpower alone. God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). He can remove a heart of stone and give us a soft heart that responds to Him.
Bring your coldness, anger, and pain to God. Confess your sin and ask Him to renew you. Psalm 51:10 gives us a simple prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Stay Close to Jesus
Jesus said that we must remain in Him because we can do nothing without Him (John 15:4–5). Spend time in Scripture. Pray honestly. Worship with other believers. Obey what God shows you. A heart stays warm when it stays near Jesus.
Do not follow every new idea or every smooth voice. Test what you hear by God’s Word (1 John 4:1). Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and keep your eyes on Christ.
Choose Love in Practical Ways
Jesus calls His people the light of the world (Matthew 5:14–16). Darkness is not an excuse to hide our light. It is the reason our light is needed.
- Forgive as Christ forgave you (Colossians 3:13).
- Carry another person’s burden (Galatians 6:2).
- Speak words that build people up (Ephesians 4:29).
- Show mercy and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
- Pray for those who hurt you (Matthew 5:44).
- Do good while you have the opportunity (Galatians 6:10).
Small acts of love matter. A meal, a phone call, a prayer, a kind word, or time spent listening can remind a hurting person that God has not forgotten them.
Stand Firm Without Fear
Hard times may come, but fear does not have to rule us. God is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Stay watchful, pray, and hold tightly to the truth. Share the gospel with love. Do not let the darkness around you become darkness within you.
Let Your Love Grow Stronger
This is not the time for God’s people to grow cold, bitter, or careless. This is the time to love like Jesus. Let us forgive, help, pray, encourage, and care. The world may grow colder, but by God’s grace, our love can grow stronger.
Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Questions for Reflection
- Is there any bitterness, fear, or selfishness making my heart cold?
- Who needs love, help, forgiveness, or encouragement from me today?
- What step can I take to draw closer to Jesus this week?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep my heart soft in a cold world. Forgive me for the times I have been bitter, selfish, or careless. Give me a clean heart and fill me with Your Spirit. Help me love the hurting, forgive others, stand for truth, and shine Your light. Keep me faithful until the end. Amen.
Minister A Francine Green, October 2026