Acknowledgement
December 03, 2025
00:01:00
The Hamilton Minute is a power packed 60 seconds where we tackle the issues of the day through the lens of God’s Word. You don’t want to miss a moment of it.
The Hamilton Minute is a power packed 60 seconds where we tackle the issues of the day through the lens of God’s Word. You don’t want to miss a moment of it.
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In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
One of Satan’s oft-repeated strategies is to dislodge God’s people from His promises. The way that strategy is executed is to get us to focus on the current trial or problem to the exclusion of God’s character, nature, and historical record.
The key to overcoming that scheme is to acknowledge God in every circumstance. “Acknowledge Him” in Scripture comes from the Hebrew word yāḏa, which means to carry forward into every circumstance the full scope and weight of God’s character and nature. The same God who has delivered us from the clutches of eternal darkness leads and guides us now by His Spirit.
“For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
One of the deleterious consequences of the digital age is that it has given rise to the overwhelming scourge of pornography. It is ensnaring men and women at heretofore unspeakably alarming rates.
But, I want to remind you that Jesus is still in the business of delivering people from the snare of the devil and the bondage of sin. He frees us also from its guilt and shame.
We must, however, accept the free gift forgiveness and set our course, in fellowship with like-minded Believers, to live in the freedom He’s secured for us.
Jesus sets captives free!
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:10 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
During the upper room discourse Jesus explained to His disciples that keeping His commandments flows from the heart of the one who loves Him. Then he added,
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:11.
Fullness of joy is contained within in our obedience to Christ. Joy, unlike happiness, is an internal disposition regardless of what may be swirling around us externally. Maximum joy is the by-product of obedience to Christ.
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word.” John 17:20 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
During a portion of what is widely regarded as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, the Apostle John records the LORD praying not only for His disciples present with Him during the upper room discourse, but also for those who would become followers of His in the future. John 17:20.
Brothers and sisters, that includes you and me. As we face the various trials and the darkness of our day, it is encouraging to know that Jesus prayed for us. And that He currently intercedes for us. Romans 8:34. We are not alone. Be strong, in our LORD the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10.
“For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus.” Esther 10:3(a) (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Mordecai is introduced to us in scripture as a Benjamite descendant of Kish who adopts and raises Hadassah after her parents died. He is faithful to God throughout his life and appeals to Queen Hadassah when wicked Haman initiates an Old Testament holocaust plan to annihilate the entire Jewish population within the Persian empire.
God sovereignly intervenes to deliver His people, working through Mordecai, Hadassah, and the Persian King. What often goes unnoticed is that through his faithfulness to God, Mordecai rose to become second in command over the entire Persian empire. Mordecai was to Persia what Daniel was to Babylon.
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Apostle Paul penned these words while instructing Believers how to navigate anxiety. Much of what befalls us in terms mental or emotional distress usually stems from us, at some point, believing a lie.
That’s why the Apostle’s words here are so vital. As Believers, we have the unique ability to set our minds and emotions and not be set by them.
The LORD’s mental health prescription is to set our minds on what’s true. Feast on what’s true.
“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?” Luke 14:34 (ESV).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Dr. George Barna’s American Worldview Inventory has revealed results that are tremendously troubling. His research indicates that Evangelicals are more likely to be shaped by the prevalent American culture than to influence it.
Instead of being salt and light, Dr. Barna’s study indicates, that being lightly salted is the more likely reality. This proves what I’ve said repeatedly. America greatest and most desperate need is repentance. That work, the work of repentance, must start with the people of God.
Our nation needs revival, but the revival must start in our own hearts, our homes, and our churches.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2(a) (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The LORD warned us that the last days would be evinced by the ubiquity of pernicious deception. Discernment is not an optional quality to retain. When Paul wrote to Christians in Rome, he exhorted Believers to refuse to conform to the world around them. Rather, be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
He continued, transformation whilst resisting worldly conformation was vital to knowing God’s will. Reverend Charles Spurgeon said, “discernment isn’t merely distinguishing right from wrong, it includes distinguishing right from almost right.”
Sharp discernment is one of the benefits of living holy, set apart, lives.
“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
In this epistle to the gentile Believers in Galatia, Paul presents two notions that are fundamentally incompatible: man-pleasing or living to please the LORD. There is no middle ground.
We will either live to please men and consequently live tossed to an fro, unstable in all of our ways. Or, we will live a lifestyle of worship unto the audience of One and our Christ-centered devotion will be evident in every aspect of our lives.
Choose wisely. Live wisely.
“Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He did right in the sight of the LORD.” Excerpted from 2 Kings 22:1-2 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Josiah’s ascendancy to the throne in Judah followed 57 years of wicked monarchial rule. Josiah’s grandfather was Manasseh. He reigned in Judah 55 years. The Scripture records him as one of the most wicked kings in Judah’s history. Manasseh’s son, Amon, followed him as Judah’s king. He was wicked too, just like his Daddy. He reigned 2 years in Judah.
Then comes Josiah. Though he was Amon’s son and Manasseh’s grandson, he charted a different path.
No matter how wicked your family history may be, that doesn’t dictate your destiny. Like Josiah, chart a new path.
“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you.’” Genesis 12:1 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Genesis 12 begins with God calling Abram to leave Haran, his relatives, and all that was comfortable and familiar to him and directing him to the Promised Land. One of the first things Abram encounters in the Promised Land is famine.
When God directs us, we should never assume His will comes without difficulty. However, the presence of difficulty doesn’t nullify God’s direction. Our faithfulness to Him should never be determined by surrounding circumstances. When God calls, follow Him. Rejoicing follows obedience.
“For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:7-8 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The Apostle James introduces us to the notion of a double-minded man as one who doubts whether God can grant the wisdom necessary to successfully navigate and overcome trials.
The one who remains steadfast, unwavering in their confidence in God, in the face of adversity is able to rejoice in the midst of trials because of the faith produced by intimate communion with God and full persuasion of His unyielding goodness.
The unstable man is “double-minded” as to whether God remains trustworthy at all times and in all seasons.
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Jesus gets us, but do we get Him? Jesus is God. He left Heaven, came to Earth, lived among us—fully God and fully man; to show us the way, to tell the truth, to give his life for us on the cross, and conquer death by His resurrection. Tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He didn’t sin. And He loves us enough to pay the penalty for our sin. Don’t be fooled by those who say love means tolerance. No! Love means truth.
Yes, Jesus gets us. Through repentance and faith, we can get Him… eternally!
“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:2-3 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Just before his execution, Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy by the Spirit of God to seek out faithful men, who would be able to teach others, and pour into them all he’d received from the incarcerated Apostle. He then exhorted Timothy to anticipate times of hardship and to press forward with Jesus commission to make disciples nonetheless.
Jesus warned that hard times would come. We must press forward in obedience even while suffering hardship.
“For this reason a man shall leave his Father and Mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:5 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
It’s often repeated that 50% of marriages end in divorce. However, that statistic is not based on hard data and it doesn’t apply at all to committed Christians who marry.
Over 70% of married, Bible-believing Christians, who are active in their local churches have never divorced.
Though the rate of divorce is still too high, it isn’t nearly as high as the world would have you believe.
Simply put, marriages comprised of a husband and wife who place their faith in Christ Jesus for salvation individually usually remain in tact and thrive.
“When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
The word we live in likes to emphasize emotions. Our government educational system is riddled with social-emotional learning. Our young people are being indoctrinated into the notion that feeling is synonymous with thinking. All of this undergirds an unbiblical understanding of compassion.
The world cultivates the notion of simply feeling our way through life. But biblical compassion is responsive and active. Jesus was moved with compassion. It compelled him to teach many things.
Biblical compassion moves us to action. Compassion teaches.
“Leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Matthew 5:24 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Jesus focused authentic Christ-following to heart evaluation in addition to conduct assessment in the Sermon on the Mount. He also highlighted the reality that worshiping God includes our relationships with Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
He described a worshiper en route to make an offering unto the Lord who remembered that he had a frayed relationship with a Brother. Christ commanded him to render a whole offering by first being reconciled to the Brother. Then, continue in worship by making an offering.
Love for God is displayed in our relationships in His Body.
"A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.” Proverbs 1:5 (NASB95).
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
As Solomon pronounced the entire purposed for the book of Proverbs in its first chapter he also noted that a wise man sets himself to hear, to learn, and to increase his knowledge as a result. That wise man, a man of understanding, also affirmatively seeks out wise counsel.
In short, the wise man knows that he doesn’t know it all. As a result, his course is set for continued accrual of wisdom. If you want to be wise, pursue sources of wisdom and learn from them. The greatest available wisdom source is God’s holy word.
“I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NASB95)
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
In Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer recorded in John 17, He makes the observation that the world would hate His disciples. Yet, He follows that by praying not that His disciples would be removed from the world, but that we would be kept from the evil one.
As difficult as times have become, we Christ-followers must recognize that our God and King saved us and planted us in the world at this time intentionally. It would be an abdication of our assignment to adopt an escapist disposition. We’ve been ordained for this moment.
"Longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.” 2 Timothy 1:4 (NASB95)
My name is Abraham Hamilton, III and this is The Hamilton Minute.
Paul’s second epistle to Timothy was written near the very end of Paul’s life, while he was incarcerated awaiting an imminent, albeit uncertain execution under Nero.
He begins chapter one of this epistle describing how he prayed for Timothy night and day and how he longed to see him. This reveals a fiber and texture that undergirded their relationship. Paul and Timothy loved each other deeply.
This deep and abiding reciprocal love is necessary to effective disciple making. Knowledge isn’t enough to make a disciple. The love of Christ must abound.
