Another Kind of Judas

Who betrayed Jesus with a kiss? The answer: Judas Iscariot – the guy with the infamous kiss of betrayal in Gethsemane Garden that identified Jesus to his enemies. His name has gone down history as the traitor. He is best remembered for his betrayal of Jesus.

No one wants to be called a traitor, and no one wants to be betrayed. As it’s true of many Christians today, we will be quick to condemn Judas for betraying the Lord. But upon a more sober reflection, we can see we’re not any righteous than him. Daily, we betray the Lord Jesus in our lives. I looked up the word betray  in the dictionary and found this simple definition by Merriam-Webster,  “to hurt (someone who trusts you, such as a friend or relative) by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong.” And if hurting a friend who trusts you be betrayal, then the question is, how many times have you betrayed Jesus? “You’re my friends,” says Jesus.

"You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

 John 15:14-15 NIV

Jesus trusts you. Do you trust Him? He loves you. Do you love him? He gave his life a ransom for you. Do you live to please him daily? The Lord has made known to you his Father’s business. He went about his Father’s business. Do you go about the Father’s business he left for you to occupy till he comes? He has entrusted you with the truth of his Word. He has sanctified you through the truth of his Word. Do you boldly proclaim the truth of his Word to the lost that they too may be sanctified? He has revealed to you what is the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven; the deep thoughts of His Father. Do you stand in awe at the beauty of His Holiness, worshipping His majesty?

I don’t know what your answers to the above questions are, but if we can’t answer in the affirmative then we’re not any different from Judas – we all betray Jesus. Just like Judas, we hurt Jesus “by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong.”

He gave us His commandments. We hurt and betray Him when we don’t obey them. We deny Him and do not love Him when we fail to keep His commands.

"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me."

John 14:21 NIV

How many times have you betrayed the Lord? For how many pieces of silver have you traded your faith in the Lord Jesus? Are you another kind of Judas? For thirty pieces of silver, Judas betrayed his Master. For how many pieces of silver do you betray the Lord and Master of your life? Is your silver the lust of the eye, the riches of this present world, or the opposition of this world? None of these is worth our kiss of betrayal.

Let this Easter season be a time of repentance and reconciliation. Jesus is giving you every opportunity, and encouragement to turn back to him for reconciliation. He’s not mad at you. The Lord knows your weakness, yet He loves you. He chose you, you didn’t choose Him. Peter had a second chance, so can we.

Keep His commandments so you will love Him. Happy Easter!

God's Best Gift came in a Manger

"This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) 

As we celebrate Christmas today, let’s not be carried away by the ‘noise’ that comes with it. For us, as believers, Christmas has always been and will continue to be, all about Christ. On this day our Lord and savior was born.

Let’s us remember that it was on this day that God’s love invaded the earth, bringing us good tidings of great joy, peace and good will. God’s ultimate gift to mankind came wrapped up in a manger. In a manger? Yes! In a manger. It was no coincidence. It was part of the divine protocol needed to be observed. It would later become a sign to the shepherds to find the new born king. ("This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”)  Among the many new-borns in Bethlehem on that day, he was to be the only one in a manger. Hallelujah! An identity that leaves no doubts about which baby was the Messiah.

The baby was to be called Jesus (which means saviour), which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb (Matthew 1:21). Think about this for a moment; that the saviour of the world came wrapped up in an open manger, in an open farm house somewhere in an open neighbourhood. Isn't it amazing that God had us all in mind when presenting His best gift (salvation) to the world? This royal birth didn't take place in a castle, a royal hospital or a palace. It took place in an ordinary farm house so that even the least of persons could have access to the new born king and saviour. The ordinary shepherds had access to the saviour, likewise the great wise men. This was the plan of God that His gift of salvation be made available and accessible to ALL men regardless of their ‘state’.  

In Luke chapter two, we see Simeon called baby Jesus the ‘Salvation of God.’

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. 

                                                                                                                      (Luke 2:28-32)

Simeon saw the salvation of the LORD. Have you seen Him yet? He's Jesus; the reason for this season. He's available and accessible to ALL who would seek Him. He's God's best gift to humanity.

And today, this very same gift of salvation that came in a manger is still OPEN for ALL to see and receive. Are you willing to look upon the salvation of God? If you’re willing, this gift of salvation can be yours too. Come to the open farm house and see the salvation of God. 

Accept Jesus into your heart today, and partake in this wondrous love of God.

God's best gift came in a manger. 

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

True Sabbath Worship

Picture Credit:godzgurls.com

The Law of Moses required that the Sabbath be kept holy (Exodus 20:8-11). The Pharisees held a long list of actions (about thirty-nine) that were forbidden on the Sabbath. These taboos of the Sabbath forced the people to observe rest.

In Matthew 12:1-14, some Pharisees confronted Jesus. He had ‘worked’ on the Sabbath Day which was against their law.

"At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day."

"And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, ‘What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days’. Then saith he to the man, ‘stretch forth thine hand’. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him." 

Matthew 12:1-2; 10-14.

Jesus was no radical revolutionist fighting the law of Sabbath. He did not come to turn the people against God. He did not come to disprove and replace the law. He came to fulfil the law. He stated: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil"(Matthew 5:17). Jesus demonstrated the intent of the law - the original purpose of the law.

The Pharisees protected laws they did not understand either. Jesus is greater than the law and the temple because "the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." He came to fulfil the law, yet they did not learn from Him.

In this account we notice that there was a necessity to meet on the Sabbath day. His disciples were hungry, and they needed food. The man had his hand withered, so he needed healing. Someone needed relief; someone needed bread, someone needed a miracle. Jesus saw this, and He was interested in responding to those needs. The Pharisees only saw a religion to practice; a law to protect. You are interested in religion; God is interested in people.

For us today, we won’t be any different from these Pharisees if all we do is attend mass, sing, clap and dance, without love for people in need. It would be wrong to ignore meeting someone’s need because you are on your way to worship. Jesus did not ignore the needy even on His way to worship in the synagogue. On His way to the synagogue, His disciples had their need met. He did not stop them. Jesus, in the synagogue, amidst the Pharisees healed this man with a withered hand. He met his need.

John, in John 5:1-18 accounts that by the sheep market in Jerusalem a pool with five porches laid. The pool was called in the Hebrew tongue, Bethesda. A great multitude of impotent folks desperately waited for the moving of the water. The first to step in is healed. Then on a Sabbath day came Jesus, noticing this helpless folk who had given up on receiving his miracle. He had lain there, with his infirmity, helpless for thirty-eight years.

Jesus had come to worship also in the temple yet being moved with compassion met a need. He healed this man. And for the first time in thirty-eight years this man could walk again. He carried his bed praising God for his healing. There was no other better way to observe the Sabbath than this true worship. This man worshiped God! The Pharisees saw him defiling the Sabbath. Jesus saw him worshiping God.

God cannot be caged! He is far more important than the laws, instruments, or means of worship. We sure cannot get it all together for God when concentrate on the means of worship than the One we worship.

Jesus was free from the bondage of rules and traditions. That explains why He could heal even on a Sabbath day. He is the ‘Lord of the Sabbath’. Seven times, He performs miracles on the Sabbath day; He sends a demon out of a man (Mark 1:21-28), He heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31), He heals a lame man by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18), He heals a man a deformed hand (Mark 3:1-6), He restores a crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17), He heals a man with swollen arms and legs (Luke 14:1-6), He heals a man born blind (John 9:1-16).

God is a God of people, not of rules, customs, traditions, and religious taboos. Christianity is not a long list of ‘don’ts’ as many think. The best time to help or reach out to someone is when he or she needs help. Do not say to your neighbour, go and come tomorrow when you can help him today. "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee"  (Proverbs 3:27-28).

Religious norms or rules should not keep you blind to human need. God sees both actions and motives―we are accountable to God, not rules. God desires a true Sabbath worship!

Return To Your First Love

The church of Ephesus was full of believers who neglected their first love for Christ. They were careless believers. Are we guilty of the same negligence? Even though we may keep on with our good works, if our love for Christ is not as great as it was at first, we are in danger. It is time to return to our first love. The hour of restoration is now! How do we return to our first love, you may be wondering? Christ answers that:

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works… Revelation 2:5 

In this scripture, Christ outlines a road map to returning to our first love.

He mentioned three things:

Remembrance: We must remember our honeymoon love with Christ and see how far we have fallen.

Repentance: Repent and turn from our sins. This is the turning point. It is not enough to just remember. We must repent!

Repetition: Repeat the first works. Do the first works you did. We cannot end our quest for restoration half way the road map! We have to complete it, and that is to repeat our first works of love for Christ.

The road map therefore is:

Remembrance + Repentance + Repetition of first works = First Love Restoration.  

           
This is the formula for restoration and revival.

We need persistent perseverance to reach the finish mark. You may have fallen so far, but God needs you back to the level of your first love. Turn from your sins and do what you did at first; love! The bridegroom is awaiting your return; make haste while there is still time. He says: “with deep love I will take you back I will show you my love forever.” Isaiah 54:7-8 TEV

This letter to the church of Ephesus is the very same letter God is writing us today. He wants us to be faithful to the very end. The epistle of Jude encourages us that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called, to stay in the love of God.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21).

Let us make haste and return to our very first love!

Faith is KNOWING

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 KJV

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On the subject of faith, Hmm! what can I say to help you understand? I thank God that I have no seminary training (seminary training is a good thing though; I would gladly pay for it, if I have the opportunity) so I don’t bring you some ‘high sounding’ theological words and their Greek or Latin meanings.

So, just as you, an ordinary Christian and a layman who loves the Lord, this is what I have to say about the subject of FAITH. I pray you’d be blessed.

If you’d ask me, I’d say that FAITH is a special kind of knowledge. That ‘I just know it’ kind of a thing. You just know it in your spirit, period! If God says He will do, you don’t believe He will do, you don’t trust He will do, you just KNOW He will do. You can’t explain it because it’s not a feeling; neither is it a belief. You simply just know you KNOW God can!

Faith isn't “I believe God can or will do it.” Faith is “I Know God can do it”. Faith isn't “I just feel it!” Faith is “I just know it!”
Faith isn't “I've seen it before.” Faith is “I’ll see it!”

The Bible mentions countless men and women of faith. They just knew it; not believe it, not trust it. They KNEW it, and that made it faith. Hebrews chapter eleven has the Hall of Faith. Think of Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Rahab. Oh, how I love Noah! I see faithless multitude mocking him as he builds his famous ‘I Know Whom I Trust’ ark. He just knew it; he knew it will rain.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Hebrews 11:32-34

It’s time to grow deeper and more intimate with your God. It’s time to stop believing, stop trusting and start KNOWING.

It’s a good thing to believe and to trust, but to know it in your spirit is best. You become unstoppable when you know. You’ll do exploits because you know. Daniel 11:32b says, “but the people who do KNOW their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Why didn’t Daniel say people who believe or trust in their God? Believe and trust has it’s own place in God’s Kingdom. But to KNOW is FAITH. Like the disciples prayed, “increase our faith.” Let God increase your faith.

Don’t keep God waiting, it’s your time to do exploits! Only by knowing can you do exploits.

What Are You to Know?

• The God You’ve Believed

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 1 Timothy 1:12

• The Word of God

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8

• The Promise of God

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

LIFE APPLICATION

• Have you been praying so long for something? Just KNOW that you’ve got it now.
• Do you have a word from God? Just KNOW it’s true.
• Has God promised you something? Just KNOW He’s done it.
• Are you in need today of a job,  a healthy relationship, marriage, children, health etc? Just KNOW you have it now.

Always remember, that KNOWING our God is able to do just what He says He will do is FAITH.

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I’ve Got No Stone To THROW

Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her… Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:7&11

Unlike Jesus, many of us are guilty of casting the first stone at a fallen brother or sister in the Church. We’re quick to condemn, to satisfy our self-righteousness. I pray every “Pharisee” in you be cast out in Jesus’ name! 

In the John 8:3-5 we read, “The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”

Was the woman caught in adultery? Yes!  Was the act sin? Yes! Did the Scribes and Pharisees quote the right law? Yes! So what was wrong with this new Rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth? Absolutely Nothing! 

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

The Law of Moses was pure and righteous, and Jesus would only fulfill it and not break it. Only through GRACE could the Law be fulfilled and not through stoning to death. 

The law shouted, “stone her to death!” Grace shouted, “neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more!” It’s only when we, like this adulterous woman, encounter the GRACE of God that we find the TRUTH that sets us free.

Let’s all like Jesus, choose the way of GRACE to share the love of God and restore sinners back to fellowship. Don’t be quick in condemning others. See them through the eyes of grace.

But for grace, I’ve got many sins for which I should be stoned to death by the “Pharisees” of this age. Today, grace says, GO and SIN NO MORE.

I’ve got no stone to throw, do you?

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IS THERE YET ANY ROOM LEFT AT THE CROSS?

Yes! There is more than enough room for ALL who would receive the free gift of God. There is yet left a room for you too at the Cross. The truth is, there has always been, and will always be more than enough room for as many as would receive Christ. John 1:12 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

GRACE INN is never out of rooms! Just call on the name Jesus and you and your house will be saved. Make a decision today, and now, to come to the Cross of Jesus. There is salvation there for you. There is rest for your toil; faith for your fears, and forgiveness for your sins.

John saw in Revelation Chapter 7:9, "… a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." ALL people are accepted at the Cross. Jesus died for ALL, including YOU. Receive Him today for a room at the Cross. There is yet enough room at the Cross.