totallylovedbygod65
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- Mar 12, 2024
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GUEST DEVOTIONS
"HARDSHIP IS COMING"
From: Ron Hawks
"A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world…John 16:32-33."
Life can and will be difficult. Challenges and hardships that will seem to be beyond your capacity to process, answer of even endure are coming your way. This is not a negative fortune or word of prophecy; it is simply an aspect of life in this world for everyone - Christians included.
If tough times come - and they will - what will you do, and what will be your focus? You don't have to wait till they fall upon you to develop your approach. As a matter of fact, now is the best time to chart your general course for when the "bad" times hit.
In John 16:32-33 we see one of Jesus' last conversations with His disciples before He was arrested and crucified. He was giving them crucial preparation for facing times of confusion and hardship. He said, "A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Jesus spoke to His disciples to give them peace and to help them take heart, yet He was describing a season of desertion and abandonment. Jesus made it clear that though He looked all alone, He would not in fact be alone; His Father would be with Him. This is a key point that Jesus wanted them to understand and live - the presence of the Father is everything!
The presence of the Father gives us access to peace amidst every challenge. What challenges on earth are overwhelming to God? What challenges is a surprise to Him or too much for Him? The God of the universe not only oversees your life but also resides within your person. In light of this reality of presence, intimacy, comfort and revelation, how formidable are your trials? You are not alone; God is with you. He who led Jesus to overcome is dwelling within you.
Today is the day to resolve to cultivate and increase the intimacy of your communion with the Father. Today is the day to remind yourself that your peace is not contingent on your circumstances, but His presence. "Above all else, guard your heart (and your intimacy with the Father), for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)
Don't wait for the hardships to come to seek intimacy with Father - carve time with Him now ... no one can do that for you.
When the extreme challenges come, don't obsess over your circumstances; enthrone the triune God in your heart and intentionally delight in Him. He will lead and guide you in due time.
So glad the Father is with me,
Pastor Tom
DR KENNY MCCLINTON
"The Root of ALL Evil! Mark 14:10-11
Text: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
1 Timothy 6:10.
Good morning, wise-discerning Christian! When you are reading Holy Scriptures from your KJV Bible, you are reading and studying carefully the texts you are seeking to understand. You do well, my friend, you do very well – for it is the ‘love of money’ that causes a big problem, not its necessary use day by day; and the text has more to do with each person’s heart than it is to do with his/her purse. Read on with wise discernment, true believer.
The now world-widely despised Judas Iscariot, who acted as Christ’s treasurer in the days of His earthly ministry was, as was Simon, a zealot (Zelotes), one whom himself despised the Roman occupation of his country, and longed for the day that a Messiah would come and deliver Israel from foreign rule. Judas looked for a political deliverer, a charismatic figure who would lead the Jewish nation to political freedom from foreign occupation by Rome. His heart was never right.
“The Zealots were a group of Jews who began to emerge as a religious/political movement around the beginning of the 1st century CE. They strongly opposed Roman rule and turned on everyone, including other Jews, who cooperated with Rome. A subgroup of them, known as the Sicarii, frequently attacked Romans and those considered to work for them.
“The term 'zealot' is from the Hebrew kanai/kana’im (those who are "zealous on behalf of God"). The Greek term was zelotes ("emulator," "admirer," or "follower"). In the modern day, 'zeal' is applied to a person who is sometimes considered a fanatic or radical in the cause of an idea or movement.” (World History Encyclopaedia)
Judas found himself placed in the most favourable position any man could be placed in, right next to God the Son, Jesus Christ, actually watching the Lord Jesus daily performing Supernatural miracles – healing the blind; raising people from the dead; creating bread and provision enough to feed thousands of hungry followers! Yet, he was never a true believer!
If we properly define the office of an APOSTLE, as being ‘an eye-witness of the risen Christ Jesus’ – then Judas was clearly never a genuine ‘apostle’ – unfortunately, there are many such ‘false apostles’ around today having, “…a name that thou livest, and art dead.” (Revelation 3:1)
In the Gospel account of John, we find the Lord Jesus proclaiming Judas to be “…a devil…”! “Jesus answered them (the disciples), Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.” (John 6:70-71)
From our selected Bible reading today, we see that a love of money was Judas’ downfall, for a promise of financial gain, Judas Iscariot betrayed the sinless Jesus into the cruel hands of the chief priests of dead religion. His love of money, revealed his heart of evil reality.
J.C. Ryle Comments:
“In these verses, St. Mark tells us how our Lord was delivered into the hands of His enemies. It came to pass through the treachery of one of His own twelve disciples. The false apostle, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Him. “We ought to mark, firstly, in this passage, to what lengths a man may go in a false profession of religion.
“It is impossible to conceive a more striking proof of this painful truth, than the history of Judas Iscariot. If ever there was a man who at one time looked like a true disciple of Christ, and bade fair to reach heaven, that man was Judas. He was chosen by the Lord Jesus Himself to be an apostle. He was privileged to be a companion of the Messiah, and an eye-witness of His mighty works, throughout His earthly ministry. He was an associate of Peter, James, and John. He was sent forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to work miracles in Christ’s name. He was regarded by all the eleven apostles as one of themselves. He was so like his fellow disciples, that they did not suspect him of being a traitor. And yet this very man turns out at last a false-hearted child of the devil, departs entirely from the faith, assists our Lord’s deadliest enemies, and leaves the world with a worse reputation than any one since the days of Cain. Never was there such a fall, such an apostasy, such a miserable end to a fair beginning, such a total eclipse of a soul!
“And how can this amazing conduct of Judas be accounted for? There is only one answer to that question. “The love of money” was the cause of this unhappy man’s ruin. That same grovelling covetousness, which enslaved the heart of Balaam, and brought on Gehazi a leprosy, was the destruction of Iscariot’s soul. No other explanation of his behaviour will satisfy the plain statements of Scripture. His act was an act of mean covetousness, without a redeeming feature about it. The Holy Ghost declares plainly “he was a thief.” (John 12:6) And his case stands before the world as an eternal comment on the solemn words, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10.)
“Let us learn from this melancholy history of Judas, to be “clothed with humility,” and to be content with nothing short of the grace of the Holy Ghost in our hearts. Knowledge, gifts, profession, privileges, church-membership, power of preaching, praying, and talking about religion, are all useless things, if our hearts are not converted. They are all no better than sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal, if we have not put off the old man, and put on the new. They will not deliver us from hell. Above all, let us remember our Lord’s caution, to “beware of covetousness.” (Luke 12:15) It is a sin that eats like a canker, and once admitted into our hearts, may lead us finally into every wickedness. Let us pray to be “content with such things as we have.” (Hebrews 13:5) The possession of money is not the one thing needful. Riches entail great peril on the souls of those who have them. The true Christian ought to be far more afraid of being rich than of being poor.” (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)
Thought: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) Amen!
"HARDSHIP IS COMING"
From: Ron Hawks
"A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world…John 16:32-33."
Life can and will be difficult. Challenges and hardships that will seem to be beyond your capacity to process, answer of even endure are coming your way. This is not a negative fortune or word of prophecy; it is simply an aspect of life in this world for everyone - Christians included.
If tough times come - and they will - what will you do, and what will be your focus? You don't have to wait till they fall upon you to develop your approach. As a matter of fact, now is the best time to chart your general course for when the "bad" times hit.
In John 16:32-33 we see one of Jesus' last conversations with His disciples before He was arrested and crucified. He was giving them crucial preparation for facing times of confusion and hardship. He said, "A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Jesus spoke to His disciples to give them peace and to help them take heart, yet He was describing a season of desertion and abandonment. Jesus made it clear that though He looked all alone, He would not in fact be alone; His Father would be with Him. This is a key point that Jesus wanted them to understand and live - the presence of the Father is everything!
The presence of the Father gives us access to peace amidst every challenge. What challenges on earth are overwhelming to God? What challenges is a surprise to Him or too much for Him? The God of the universe not only oversees your life but also resides within your person. In light of this reality of presence, intimacy, comfort and revelation, how formidable are your trials? You are not alone; God is with you. He who led Jesus to overcome is dwelling within you.
Today is the day to resolve to cultivate and increase the intimacy of your communion with the Father. Today is the day to remind yourself that your peace is not contingent on your circumstances, but His presence. "Above all else, guard your heart (and your intimacy with the Father), for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)
Don't wait for the hardships to come to seek intimacy with Father - carve time with Him now ... no one can do that for you.
When the extreme challenges come, don't obsess over your circumstances; enthrone the triune God in your heart and intentionally delight in Him. He will lead and guide you in due time.
So glad the Father is with me,
Pastor Tom
DR KENNY MCCLINTON
"The Root of ALL Evil! Mark 14:10-11
Text: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
1 Timothy 6:10.
Good morning, wise-discerning Christian! When you are reading Holy Scriptures from your KJV Bible, you are reading and studying carefully the texts you are seeking to understand. You do well, my friend, you do very well – for it is the ‘love of money’ that causes a big problem, not its necessary use day by day; and the text has more to do with each person’s heart than it is to do with his/her purse. Read on with wise discernment, true believer.
The now world-widely despised Judas Iscariot, who acted as Christ’s treasurer in the days of His earthly ministry was, as was Simon, a zealot (Zelotes), one whom himself despised the Roman occupation of his country, and longed for the day that a Messiah would come and deliver Israel from foreign rule. Judas looked for a political deliverer, a charismatic figure who would lead the Jewish nation to political freedom from foreign occupation by Rome. His heart was never right.
“The Zealots were a group of Jews who began to emerge as a religious/political movement around the beginning of the 1st century CE. They strongly opposed Roman rule and turned on everyone, including other Jews, who cooperated with Rome. A subgroup of them, known as the Sicarii, frequently attacked Romans and those considered to work for them.
“The term 'zealot' is from the Hebrew kanai/kana’im (those who are "zealous on behalf of God"). The Greek term was zelotes ("emulator," "admirer," or "follower"). In the modern day, 'zeal' is applied to a person who is sometimes considered a fanatic or radical in the cause of an idea or movement.” (World History Encyclopaedia)
Judas found himself placed in the most favourable position any man could be placed in, right next to God the Son, Jesus Christ, actually watching the Lord Jesus daily performing Supernatural miracles – healing the blind; raising people from the dead; creating bread and provision enough to feed thousands of hungry followers! Yet, he was never a true believer!
If we properly define the office of an APOSTLE, as being ‘an eye-witness of the risen Christ Jesus’ – then Judas was clearly never a genuine ‘apostle’ – unfortunately, there are many such ‘false apostles’ around today having, “…a name that thou livest, and art dead.” (Revelation 3:1)
In the Gospel account of John, we find the Lord Jesus proclaiming Judas to be “…a devil…”! “Jesus answered them (the disciples), Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.” (John 6:70-71)
From our selected Bible reading today, we see that a love of money was Judas’ downfall, for a promise of financial gain, Judas Iscariot betrayed the sinless Jesus into the cruel hands of the chief priests of dead religion. His love of money, revealed his heart of evil reality.
J.C. Ryle Comments:
“In these verses, St. Mark tells us how our Lord was delivered into the hands of His enemies. It came to pass through the treachery of one of His own twelve disciples. The false apostle, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Him. “We ought to mark, firstly, in this passage, to what lengths a man may go in a false profession of religion.
“It is impossible to conceive a more striking proof of this painful truth, than the history of Judas Iscariot. If ever there was a man who at one time looked like a true disciple of Christ, and bade fair to reach heaven, that man was Judas. He was chosen by the Lord Jesus Himself to be an apostle. He was privileged to be a companion of the Messiah, and an eye-witness of His mighty works, throughout His earthly ministry. He was an associate of Peter, James, and John. He was sent forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to work miracles in Christ’s name. He was regarded by all the eleven apostles as one of themselves. He was so like his fellow disciples, that they did not suspect him of being a traitor. And yet this very man turns out at last a false-hearted child of the devil, departs entirely from the faith, assists our Lord’s deadliest enemies, and leaves the world with a worse reputation than any one since the days of Cain. Never was there such a fall, such an apostasy, such a miserable end to a fair beginning, such a total eclipse of a soul!
“And how can this amazing conduct of Judas be accounted for? There is only one answer to that question. “The love of money” was the cause of this unhappy man’s ruin. That same grovelling covetousness, which enslaved the heart of Balaam, and brought on Gehazi a leprosy, was the destruction of Iscariot’s soul. No other explanation of his behaviour will satisfy the plain statements of Scripture. His act was an act of mean covetousness, without a redeeming feature about it. The Holy Ghost declares plainly “he was a thief.” (John 12:6) And his case stands before the world as an eternal comment on the solemn words, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10.)
“Let us learn from this melancholy history of Judas, to be “clothed with humility,” and to be content with nothing short of the grace of the Holy Ghost in our hearts. Knowledge, gifts, profession, privileges, church-membership, power of preaching, praying, and talking about religion, are all useless things, if our hearts are not converted. They are all no better than sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal, if we have not put off the old man, and put on the new. They will not deliver us from hell. Above all, let us remember our Lord’s caution, to “beware of covetousness.” (Luke 12:15) It is a sin that eats like a canker, and once admitted into our hearts, may lead us finally into every wickedness. Let us pray to be “content with such things as we have.” (Hebrews 13:5) The possession of money is not the one thing needful. Riches entail great peril on the souls of those who have them. The true Christian ought to be far more afraid of being rich than of being poor.” (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)
Thought: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) Amen!
