Lawlessness will continue to increase

"And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. " Matthew 24:12-13

Fox News recently reported that two women were attacked and sexually assaulted while out running in New York City. They went on to say that there have been other similar events across the country in recent weeks, according to local reports. In Port Huron, Michigan, a woman was assaulted while she was jogging on Monday, according to The Detroit News. Last week in Marlboro, New Jersey, another woman was also attacked while she was jogging in a park, the Asbury Park Press reported. Other similar incidents have been reported in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dayton, Ohio, and Houston, Texas. In the wake of these attacks that are most definitely on the rise, Fox News spoke with personal safety and self-defense expert Jennifer Cassetta who recommends that everyone take self-defense classes so they can learn and practice techniques that will help them in potentially dangerous situations. She added that, instead of waiting for people to stop attacking one another, it’s more important to take a proactive approach to safety. "If you feel like you can protect yourself...you just walk through life very differently than living in fear," Cassetta said.

And if you think these are isolated incidents or that people will soon "stop attacking one another," think again my friend. One need only watch the news for a few minutes to see that lawlessness, a state of disorder due to a disregard of the law (for both God's and for man's), is spiraling out of control everywhere. And because of that "the love of many" has grown cold, something that we are also seeing in epidemic proportions. But before you let this upset you, remember this... Jesus told us these things were going to happen before his return so that we could be ready. Not by taking self-defense classes though (although that's a great idea for everyone), but by studying, meditating, storing up, and strengthening ourselves in the Word so that we will be able to endure to the end. 

So if the circumstances of our quickly-changing world have you feeling a little fearful today, take heart. Not only did Jesus tell us what would happen in the last days but promised to be with us through it all, even to the very end of the age, a time we should be waiting for... not in fear but in hopeful expectation. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for preparing us for Jesus' return by clearly telling us the things that must occur before that happens. Help us to be brave and courageous during this time knowing that the worse things get, the closer "the end" is. Cause us to have a heart for evangelism Lord and give us the courage to take the Good News to the ends of the earth so that no one would perish without hearing the name of Jesus and His offer of eternal life. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen, 

Happy Running!!!