ANOTHER REASON FOR JUDAS

     Everything included in the Bible is for us to learn from in some way and measure, including why Jesus--knowing who Judas was and what he'd do--allowed Judas to be with Him from almost the start of His ministry, until the betrayal in Gethsemane. I'm going to skip over the obvious reason and move on to one that came to me during time in the book of Mark this morning:

    Judas was never all-in as a true follower of Jesus. 

    And this made me think of the prophecy Jesus spoke of, about how some who believe they are Christians will Do Church, maybe even for decades, but never actually Be the Full-On Church Jesus instructed His followers to be, which is another way of taking the Lord's name in vain... taking it on in vain and not actually representing Him as we're supposed to.

    Not only that, but how many of us who call ourselves Christians could hold up under what some in the world are experiencing? If we really are in the End Times, and if Tribulation is about to unfold, how many will "endure to the end"?

    It's something for all of us to think about. I mean, Judas was with Jesus pretty much every day for three years. A 24/7 gig. And he still didn't get it. Why? He never surrendered his life to the purposes of God. I get it: It can take a while to reach that point for some of us, but it is required. That takes absolute trust in God. 

    My prayer, uttered nearly every day and often more than once a day, especially if I feel myself judging another or others (or did it), is to repent and ask God to open the eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of ALL OF US to His Truth, His Righteous Ways, and His Kingdom Ways so we walk in Kingdom and represent our King well in the world and in the spiritual battle we're engaged in. Because, we want to be those who not only stand but withstand, as instructed in Ephesians 6 and elsewhere in the Word.

    May the peace, joy, and strength of our Lord be upon you and your loved ones. In Jesus' name. Amen.

GOD NOT ONLY LOVES YOU, HE LIKES YOU!

Exalted as they are, however, the highest ranking angel hovering over the throne of the Most High is outranked--wonder of wonders--by the most insignificant human being who has been born again, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

- Paul E. Billheimer, Destined for the Throne

Seek the Lord Now, While You Still Cam

You see what's happening in the world. You see where some intend--are determined--to take us and this world. It's just as our Lord forewarned us. So...

Have Mercy on Me, O God

 Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to you.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

you who are God my Savior,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 Open my lips, Lord,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.

Psalm 51:1-17

Trusting God

It does take courage. But through experience, we learn that we have greater inner peace, deeper insights, and joy (and or understanding) when we do. I've experienced this so many times that I eventually learned to trust God, and to see and trust the brilliance in His solutions or resolutions (I may still experience a level of fear, but I trust Him to have His hand in and on my life). I've also learned that when I can settle into that trust, I let go of most or all of my stress. One night, while speaking with God, I expressed my admiration and appreciation for His wisdom. He then asked me a question that sent me onto the path I needed to travel. The question: "Do you trust my love as much as you trust my wisdom?" Like many, my experience had been that love was conditional. I realized I didn't trust God's love for me. After all, how could he love me with all my imperfections? If your life lesson has been one that says you will be worthy of love once you're perfect (or worthy of someone's approval), it's time to realize that, yes, that may be the way with some people in your life, but not with God. You are loved beyond measure. He knows your heart.