Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Betray:
• to lead astray
• to deliver to an enemy by treachery
• to fail or desert especially in time of need
• to reveal unintentionally
• to disclose in violation of confidence
Betrayed:
• treacherously abandoned, deserted, or mistreated
Betrayal:
• the act of betraying someone
• the act of betraying something
• the fact of being betrayed
• violation of a person’s trust
• violation of a confidence, of a moral standard
• revelation of something hidden or secret
The scripture verse today is from the John and starting at verse 21 through 30 is annotated in my bible as the “Announcement of the betrayal”
Jesus knows that he will be betrayed and by whom. Jesus was “deeply disturbed” because he had provided safe places for his disciples along with intimacy and trust, and now one of his own disciples was going to be his betrayer. But what did Jesus do, he faced his betrayer with honesty, safety and love. I can’t even fathom how hurt Jesus was by this act.
Have you ever been betrayed?
Have you ever been a betrayer?
Have you fallen victim to a betrayal?
These are all difficult things to think about and even worse to experience.
Life can be cruel at times.
People can be cruel at times.
Will live in a sinful world, filled with sinful fallible humans. God has not orchestrated bad things to happen to us, but they do. Accidents happen, diseases occur, fortune and fame exist, famine and wars happen…I don’t have answers as to why these things happen to some and not others. What I do know is that God loves all! God commands us to love.
1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
I have friends and family in my life who feel betrayed by their bodies. Young and old alike, diseases do not differentiate who it strikes. Death too is not particular who it comes calling for, but as Christians and children of God we know that death has no hold on us, our spirit is secure in God.
John 11:25, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
2 Corinthians 5:8, “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.“
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
The scriptures also tells us that God is in control and that he has plans for each of us, plans for good not evil. “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
My message is a message of hope, place your hope and trust in God, no matter what you might be struggling in or with, He will be will you every step of the way. He truly loves you that much.
I had the honor of speaking with a friend yesterday who is currently fighting cancer, she is strong and brave and faith-filled! She told me a story that left me awe-struck and wanting a measure of her courage. She told me that when she is struggling with the pain of her cancer treatments she thinks about Jesus and the enormous pain he endured carrying his cross to Calvary and that he never gave up, and that encourages her to continue. Although Jesus could have said at anytime, no I don’t want to do this anymore, “He Chose The Nails”. He knew that the cross was the only way that we could be saved. To my friend and the many others struggling with things (losses, betrayals, illnesses, finances, relationships, addictions and so many more) please claim of the power of Jesus for your strength, comfort and peace. The more we practice circles of safety and love in difficult times, the more our trust will grow and we will become more effective in doing what Jesus does. Love is always the right answer.
Lord, open our hearts to love, help us to welcome adversities and life challenges knowing that you are always with us no matter what. ~Amen
Friends you are so very loved! 💙🙏🏻
Breath Prayer: In betrayal,…help me not become bitter.
~Peace~
References:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
HOPE SEEKER 
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