Betrayal Returns

 
Betrayal.

It seemed to permeate everything I read this morning. It shouldn't surprise me. Betrayal is everywhere.

I talk to women everyday that feel betrayed. By husbands. By children. By friends. By employers. By the church. Some betrayals are deeper than others, but betrayal is still, just that, betrayal.

So what do you do when your husband betrays you?
When a child betrays your trust?
When the church, that is supposed to show God's love and truth, betrays you?

Run to Jesus. He has been there.

Mar 14:18  While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, "I can guarantee this truth: One of you is going to betray me, one who is eating with me!"
Mar 14:19  Feeling hurt, they asked him one by one, "You don't mean me, do you?"
Mar 14:20  He said to them, "It's one of you twelve, someone dipping his hand into the bowl with me.


A close friend, one that Jesus hand picked, one he has shared three years of his life with. Betrayed him. And for all those three years, Jesus knew the betrayal was coming.
He loved him anyway.

Ok, Ok, so Judas HAD to betray Jesus for the plan. Maybe, maybe not. But just in case you need something else.

Mar 14:29  Peter said to him, "Even if everyone else abandons you, I won't."
Mar 14:30  Jesus said to Peter, "I can guarantee this truth: Tonight, before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me."
Mar 14:31  But Peter said very strongly, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that I don't know you." All the other disciples said the same thing.

But Peter did just that. Betrayed Jesus that very night. All the other disciples ran away. In his darkest hour, those closest to him, left him alone and betrayed.

So what does this mean for you?

When you are betrayed by those closest to you, you get one step closer to being like Jesus.
That's what the purpose of life is to be, right? Become more like Jesus and point others to him.

So what do you do when you are betrayed? Let's let's see what Jesus' last words were after his betrayal:

Luk 23:34  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing."

It all lies in forgiveness.

Who do you need to forgive in your heart today? Talk with the One who has been there, then do it. There is a new day waiting for you free from the bondage betrayal puts on us.

You can beat betrayal with love and forgiveness.

Jesus did.

Chasing Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson
twitter.com/GlendaJohnson63

I Want To Touch You

Last night at bible study, a new thought came into my mind,

that I have missed even all these years as I

read Scripture;

Luke 4:40

 ⁴⁰ At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

The creator of all, 

the King of Kings,

the Savior of the world

took the time to touch,

physically touch

His creation.

He didn't have to touch people to heal them.

A simple word, from Him would have sufficed.

But He chose to touch each person,

individually,

personally.

He was saying,

"I want to touch YOU."

So, I am called to be like my Savior.

Who has He called me to touch, 

literally, physically, lovingly

touch today?

 

The power of a touch, could change someone's

day

week

life.

Open my eyes, and my heart today Lord,

to be like You.

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson

Daily Devo- Psalm 56 " Feeling Beat Up Today?"

 I talk with people everyday who just feel beat up. For some it is physical, but for most it is verbal, or in attacks that are not quite so obvious. It comes from people just treating others badly. What can you do when you are feeling beat up by those around you? This is what David did. He cried out to the Lord honestly, and put his trust in God. Let's read:

Psalm 56

 ^1-4 Take my side, God—I'm getting kicked around, stomped on every day.
   Not a day goes by
      but somebody beats me up;
   They make it their duty
      to beat me up.
   When I get really afraid
      I come to you in trust.
   I'm proud to praise God;
      fearless now, I trust in God.
      What can mere mortals do?
^5-6 They don't let up—
      they smear my reputation
      and huddle to plot my collapse.
   They gang up,
      sneak together through the alleys
   To take me by surprise,
      wait their chance to get me.
⁷ Pay them back in evil!
      Get angry, God!
      Down with these people! 

 ⁸ You've kept track of my every toss and turn
      through the sleepless nights,
   Each tear entered in your ledger,
      each ache written in your book.
⁹ If my enemies run away,
      turn tail when I yell at them,
   Then I'll know
      that God is on my side.
^10-11 I'm proud to praise God,
      proud to praise God.
   Fearless now, I trust in God;
      what can mere mortals do to me?
^12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
      and I'm thanking you with all my heart.
   You pulled me from the brink of death,
      my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
   Now I stroll at leisure with God
      in the sunlit fields of life. 

Are you afraid to cry out to God the way David did? Don't be. God sees what you are going through. Even if you do not pray to Him with what is on your heart, He knows. Why not trust Him enough to say, " I am feeling really low right now. See what is happening to me? Please do something God!"

David was said to be a man after God's own heart. He was not perfect, but he loved and trusted God. He also was open with God. He was close enough to the God of all creation to just pour out his heart to Him.

David says he trusts in God three times here:

I come to you in trust (vs 3)
 fearless now, I trust in God (vs 4)
 Fearless now, I trust in God (vs11)

Not only does David trust but he praises God three times as well.
 I'm proud to praise God (vs 4)
I'm proud to praise God (vs10)
proud to praise God (vs10)

Trust and praise go hand in hand. you cannot have one with out the other. David could praise God because he trusted God. David could trust God because he knew that God was worthy to be praised.  

So as you and I walk through our days, let  us know that God sees all we are going through, we can trust that He will bring us through it, and in the darkest of times, praising Him will be just what we need to do. 

Interesting thought to add; if we are praising God when we are being persecuted, it keeps our focus on God. When we start focusing on those who are wronging us, we may be tempted to sin, or to let a root of bitterness take root in our heart. 

Concentrate on God. Praise and trust Him. He is and always will be your protector!

Chasing After Their Hearts,

Glenda Johnson