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!

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.

A New Life in Christ

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Through Christ, nonetheless, we can trade judgment for forgiveness. He offers us the opportunity to be born into His spiritual family―the family line that begins with forgiveness and leads to eternal life.

In Christ we have a life full of grace so amazing. The once ruined and sinful people, condemned to death by the Law are now rescued, made righteous and offered an eternal life by grace.

There is a new life in Christ for everyone. By accepting Christ we are sanctified and justified, and set free from sin’s control.

Master Jesus loves you. I love you.

Lord, Forgive Me or I Die!

Is this your cry and prayer today? Good news is, you are not alone. This is exactly my cry this morning! Many more souls than you could ever imagine, cry out loud every blessed second of the clock to God saying: “Lord, forgive me or I die!”

Lord, I’m ashamed because my life doesn’t match your standards. I’m filled with a burden of guilt because I have disappointed You. I can only imagine my punishment should You hold my sins against me. Please be merciful to me, and punish me not in Your wrath. Lord, forgive me or I die! Amen.

My dearest friend, have you been there, or currently here, when all you can ever pray is the prayer I just prayed above? If YES, then you must see this.

1. We NEED God’s forgiveness for our sins, lest we die! No one can stand God’s wrath.

2. Good news is that God who is our heavenly Father is NOT surprise at all that you sinned today. He knew you would before you ever did. That’s why He will take you back if you will cry out, Lord, forgive me or I die.

3. More amazing is the fact that God’s own son, JESUS, became the scapegoat that carried our sins on Calvary. Not only that, but today, this very minute, JESUS is INTERCEDING on your behalf in Heaven.

4. Our forgiveness is CERTAIN if we shall confess our sins. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

5. God will CLEANSE us from ALL (not SOME) unrighteousness through the BLOOD of Christ.

I therefore encourage you to cry out loud right NOW, Lord, Forgive Me or I Die!