John 13:18-30 - Desert Him?

John 13:18-30 NIV
It is not all that uncommon for someone who does not get his or her own way; who becomes disappointed in the direction that their leader or friend is going, and deserts them. This is exactly what Judas did. He became disenchanted with The Way that Jesus was heading. He had desired things of this world and wasn't quite so interested in serving God according to God's will. Becoming disappointed because Jesus was not going to be a great ruler and king of this world; he betrayed Jesus. He turned him over to the authorities for what was more desirous to him: money.

Judas had different goals than Jesus did. Often, we, too, put our own desires over the will of God for us and for all humankind. We desert him in order to pursue our desires, our priorities.

Judas really isn't so different from most of us. We may sit down to eat with a "friend" one day and the next we turn away from them because they don't think or act like exactly like us. May God help us to love our neighbor without prejudice so that we would not desert them in their time of need. May God grant us wisdom and courage so that we should never desert Him or turn from His good will for us to seek after things of this world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 32 - Live By The Sword; Die By The Sword

We read, yet, another chapter declaring Egypt's destruction. She has killed many by the sword and she will die by the sword. Assyria will be the sword that causes her such great destruction.

So much killing. So much destruction. Often, I hear how the world has gotten so much worse that we must be near the end of time. But, read the Old Testament and you will see that humans have always been violent. We have lusted after more of everything: more wealth, more power, more military strength. We have always served false gods. We have always tended to be prideful. We have caused our own problems and our own demises. We have not served the one true God. We have not listened to His will for humankind.

May God have mercy and bring to this world a peace wherein we can live together without destroying each other and ourselves. Those who live by the sword risk dying by the sword. Trouble begets trouble. That, my friends, is a no brainer... Be kind to one another so that you might live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J