“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 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 24:10-13
Living in Central Illinois in 2025 has brought several cold fronts blowing through that the weather experts call ‘Arctic Blasts” and that phrase is very accurate. The title ‘Èske ou frèt?’ which asks ‘Are you cold’ came to my mind after reading the recent article from Trinity HOPE “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” that was written by Pastor John Gierke. I would like to be in the heat of a Haitian kitchen in today. While thinking about his devotion, I came across this photo of an ice delivery truck along the highway near St. Marc and my thoughts went from ‘cho’ to ‘fret’; from ‘hot’ to ‘cold’. Has your heart ever been so cold that the heat from a roaring fireplace been unable to begin to slow your shivering? Yea, I been there. You probably can attest that fireplaces don't always warm hearts. No, a cold heart can be warmed only by the fire of the living God. I was sitting in my recliner during one of the recent Arctic Blasts trying to get toasty and I thanked God for His fire that has never burned down to a pile of embers. I am leaving you with one short message to close this message. If your Spiritual Heart is getting cold this winter, put another chapter of God’s Word on the fire daily. Stay in the Word and increase the prayer time as needed.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay