"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" Matthew 24:12,13
The windchill was ten below zero at the start of my morning run yesterday. I'll tell you that's cold enough to freeze a person's eyelashes. While some of my smarter running partners opted for the treadmill, it made me wonder, is it ever too cold to run outside? And just how cold is too cold anyway? According to the experts at Competitor Magazine, it's generally safe to run outdoors until the thermometer reaches a bone-chilling 18 degrees below zero. They went on to say that, making sure you dress for the weather is “one of the biggest things. You should wear layers, particularly layers that stay dry. Once clothes get wet they can freeze and become dangerous for an athlete.
The bible also advises us of the dangers of being cold when it gives us this warning, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,". Sadly, that increase is everywhere we look-- from TV to Twitter, sin is on display and being promoted. There is no wrong or right, only what makes a person happy. The lifestyles and habits the bible teaches us are wrong are now the very same ones the world teaches us we should tolerate. This sin cools our love for God as it begs us to put ourselves and our wants first, before Him and before others, thus loosening our morals and our "firm stand".
Friends, we can not allow even one hint of wickedness into our lives. Each compromise has the ability to cool our hearts bit by bit until we too find ourselves "cold". Don't let that be you for, "the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the bible to guide us. Your Word clearly shows us what is right and wrong with never a gray area. May we daily search it, using it to strengthen our knowledge and faith that we might not grow even one degree cooler. May we burn for you Lord that others might see you and come to know you that they too might stand firm and be saved. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Light the fire again - Brian Doerksen
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