Take Heed

"And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. . . . See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. . . . All these are the beginning of sorrows [birth pains]." (Matthew 24:4,8 NKJV)

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."
(Matthew 24:9-12 NKJV)

Worldwide, Christians have never been more hated, more targeted for persecution. It is reported that more Christians have been slain for their faith in the last hundred years than in the previous nineteen hundred years since Christ came.

Birth pains signal intense suffering followed by intense joy. It cannot be a time of lawlessness and love grown cold. It must be a time of knowing the Word and abiding more closely with Christ than ever before, lest we are deceived.

Father in Heaven, Your Word is faithful, exalted, and stands forever. Draw us to rely upon You more intently every day. Enable us to heed You, recognize deception—and love You fervently.

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