Is Your Priority The Kingdom Of God Or To Prosper In This World?

 

Mark 8:36 KJV; All that we say and think and do should glorify our Father in heaven.

Don't Fret About The Evildoers

Psalm 37:1-7 KJV; Don't worry so much about the damage evildoers are doing. It is but a distraction to keep you from turning to the Lord in prayer and trusting that He has a good plan. He will work things out. But, don't isolate so much that you don't know what's going on in the world. It helps to know what to pray for.

In Whom Do You Place Your Confidence?

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. (Prov 25:19 KJV)

I recently had to have emergency dental care and am acutely aware that a bad tooth can put you down quite quickly. Proverbs tells us that trusting a person who is only faithful to their own desires is like a bad tooth. He or she will only put you down. They will do anything to lift themselves up; to look good in the eyes of others, to prosper themselves. They have no problem throwing you to the wolves if it means that it will benefit them no matter how small that benefit might be. 

Rather than trust in one who is faithful only to themselves; trust in the one who put your welfare even before his life. Trust in the Lord Jesus who lived and died and lives again for you! Rejoice! Jesus lives! Have confidence in him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Betrayed

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

                                                                                (Luke 22:47-53 KJV)

Jesus was betrayed when a disciple, a friend, kissed him. It is sad to think about; but, how often do friends betray friends? Under the cover of darkness, a friend is betrayed. Under the cover of darkness, darkness reigns.  It is difficult to know who will betray you. It is difficult when you are betrayed by someone who has at least pretended to be your friend or maybe they are even someone who has claimed to love you. It is most difficult when you realize that the relationship has not been about concern for you or your relationship with them; but, about concern to protect or prosper themselves. Whatever the reason; it is difficult when one finds out that the love and concern you perceived has been a lie all along.

Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray him. Yet, he did nothing about it. He knew that his betrayal had a good purpose in the end. The good purpose was worked through a trial, suffering and death. But, in the end, we can see that the betrayal played a huge part in God's blessing of all people.

When betrayed or persecuted, be not afraid. God is with you. He can turn the worst circumstances into a blessing for you and for others.

God's Peace - Pr. J