NOVEMBER 2024
LET NOT YOUR LOVE GROW COLD
Let us read; Mathew 24 v 3:14.
Our time or journey on the earth is not just a walk or a journey. It’s a love walk with our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. If this is correct what do you think that the relationship should look like if you both love each other passionately.
Let’s acknowledge that on this love walk or love journey, we are going to have fun and happy times, but we will also have trials and tribulations. We are also going to have temptations and challenges. No one is devoid of any of this. The challenge is how we cope with them (John 16:33).
The focus in this passage in Mathew 24:12 is the end times. However we are not seeking to know dates and times as Jesus categorically said that no one knows the time or date but, the Father alone. However, there are things the Lord spoke about that would give us some idea as to how close the end was.
Also, we are told what to concentrate on and our involvement in the work that He desires we do. Jesus said the good news still had to be preached throughout the world. So how are you really actively involved in sharing the good news.
Verse 9-13 of Matthew 24; tells us that the sign of the times we are living in would be that the love in people’s heart would grow cold. We see this around us at the antagonism, wickedness, bitterness against each other. There is so much hatred, betrayal, jealousy, anger, slander, lack of grace, lovelessness that is around, even in the church. I am not talking about the world, because we can’t expect much. The church is supposed to be the light and shine bright so the world sees and follows, but we see the heart is getting cold because of the onslaught of the enemy, throwing all sorts of challenges even at those in the church.
Marriages are breaking down, even new ones, and relationships are struggling. Our ability to love well is being hampered. Because we are wrongly think that God is allowing these challenges happen, we become offended at God.
We see that it’s important that we stay focused on the assignment Jesus gave us. This gospel has to be preached to the ends of the earth. Jesus tells us He has overcome the world so we have the victory. However the times can be challenging because we can’t appropriate the victory, we are believing lies and the enemy wants to make us weary, disillusioned, feel defeated, lose hope and finally have our hearts grow cold and become traumatized.
It’s important that we realize that our God loves passion. Our love for Him has to be extravagant, passionate, unconditional, reckless, just like His love for us. That was why in the story of the woman with the Alabaster jar, she lovingly showed her love and gratitude that Jesus had forgiven her sins, and she used her hair to wipe Jesus feet. When Simeon His host and others felt this show of affection was uncalled for, Jesus told them that what she had done would be remembered when ever it’s spoken of.
The story of the woman with the Alabaster Jar, is found in all four chapters of the Bible (Matthew 26 v 6:13; Mark 14 v 3:9; Luke 7 v 37:50; John 12 v 1:7). Is it possible that it’s recorded in all four gospels so we understand how important this was to Jesus?
So Jesus is our Bridegroom and desires to engage with our love hearts. He says to love Him with all our hearts, mind, soul and strength. He says this is His first commandment to us so it must be the most important.
He therefore here warns His disciples they must not allow their hearts to grow cold because that is the enemies strategy.
If satan can assail us with problems, and challenges, and we lose focus etc, then we shut our hearts down. This means we are not engaged with Him where His love can enter in, refresh us, restore us. We have clamped up, put walls around us as a self mechanism, and Papa can’t reach us.
Just in case we can’t understand about love or a longing from deep in our heart for God, in Psalm 42:1, we see the comparison of the longing a deer would have for a refreshing stream, in how the sons of Korah really long for God.
We need to concentrate on representing God well to people. We need to be impactful leaders with God’s heart of love. It’s difficult to do this if we are not walking in love with the source of love. As we do this, He gives us the wisdom and insight and discernment to deal with our own problems and He delivers us from our foes.
Do we long for God? Are we in a relationship where we long for Him or have our hearts gone cold? Is there too much happening? As the end rushes to an end, the stress seems so much. Father God desires to help us.
REFUSE TO LET YOUR LOVE GROW COLD.
EXERCISE
…….Papa desires to take us into a deeper place of longing for Him. What is holding us back. Let’s ask Him how is our heart for Him. Are the challenges making it grow cold towards Spouse, bosses, family, friends, neighbours, church and God?
Are there walls that we have built up where we are hiding inside and that means hiding from God too?
Ask for Forgiveness.
Show me how to stir up the love in my life.
Having forgiven those He says I need to, could you feel my heart with Your love, Father God.
Thank you for Your love in Jesus’s Name, Amen.
May the Lord bless us all.
Mina Bajomo
