Read Luke 22:14-23
And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. –Luke 22:23 (KJV)
I think we often give Judas too hard of a time. We forget that the disciples didn’t fully understand who Jesus was until after the resurrection and until after they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the days leading up the death of Jesus, there had to have been a tremendous amount of tension, confusion, and uncertainty. Unfortunately, Judas allowed this uncertainty to get the best of him, and he unwittingly played a part in the greatest betrayal in human history.
But, honestly, are we so much different than Judas? How often do we betray Jesus with our words, our actions, and our attitude? How often do we choose worldly gain over heavenly investments? The disciples seemed to be surprised that Jesus thought one of them even capable of such an act, and yet each one of the abandoned Him on the night of His crucifixion.
This is the beautiful thing about Jesus…He knows what we are capable of all along and loves us in spite of ourselves.
Praise be to Jesus for His unfailing love!!!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Do They Know?
Read John 13:31-35
Today’s Verse: By this shall all me know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35 (KJV)
I recently attended a military wedding and was impressed with the dress uniforms of the groom and his groomsmen. In both the wedding and reception, there was absolutely no confusion identifying those who currently serve in our nation’s military and those who were simply civilians. The pressed uniforms, the polished shoes and swords, and the pride with which they carried themselves all signified their commitment and love for our country.
As followers of Jesus, there is no set uniform to identify our allegiance to our Savior. Even though we can wear Christian t-shirts and place Christian bumper stickers on our cars, Jesus said that our world would recognize us through the way that we love one another more than anything else. What does the world see in you and me? Does everyone around us recognize that we are followers of Jesus or would they be surprised if we told them that we are believers in Christ? Let us love one another in such a way that everyone knows our commitment to Jesus.
Today, may everyone know that we belong to Jesus because of our love for one another.
Today’s Verse: By this shall all me know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35 (KJV)
I recently attended a military wedding and was impressed with the dress uniforms of the groom and his groomsmen. In both the wedding and reception, there was absolutely no confusion identifying those who currently serve in our nation’s military and those who were simply civilians. The pressed uniforms, the polished shoes and swords, and the pride with which they carried themselves all signified their commitment and love for our country.
As followers of Jesus, there is no set uniform to identify our allegiance to our Savior. Even though we can wear Christian t-shirts and place Christian bumper stickers on our cars, Jesus said that our world would recognize us through the way that we love one another more than anything else. What does the world see in you and me? Does everyone around us recognize that we are followers of Jesus or would they be surprised if we told them that we are believers in Christ? Let us love one another in such a way that everyone knows our commitment to Jesus.
Today, may everyone know that we belong to Jesus because of our love for one another.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Moving Forward
Read Isaiah 43:15-21
“Remember ye not ye the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing…” Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)
As I grow older, I become much more aware of my past. My troubled childhood, my embarrassments and foolish mistakes, my accomplishments and my most treasured memories are all a significant part of who I am today. If I so choose, I can allow this past to define who I am as a person and a believer in Christ for the good or for the bad. I can live in the glory of my finest moments or I can live in the shadow of my gravest mistake.
While our past is certainly important, God wants us to trust Him to lead us into the future. In this passage, God encourages His people to move on from their past and to dream of the new things He has planned for them in His will. Our God is a God of second chances, and His greatest desire is to see us become everything He has created us to be…no matter what our past may be.
No matter what has happened, it has all worked to bring you to this very moment…and this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Start today!
“Remember ye not ye the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing…” Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)
As I grow older, I become much more aware of my past. My troubled childhood, my embarrassments and foolish mistakes, my accomplishments and my most treasured memories are all a significant part of who I am today. If I so choose, I can allow this past to define who I am as a person and a believer in Christ for the good or for the bad. I can live in the glory of my finest moments or I can live in the shadow of my gravest mistake.
While our past is certainly important, God wants us to trust Him to lead us into the future. In this passage, God encourages His people to move on from their past and to dream of the new things He has planned for them in His will. Our God is a God of second chances, and His greatest desire is to see us become everything He has created us to be…no matter what our past may be.
No matter what has happened, it has all worked to bring you to this very moment…and this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Start today!
Friday, October 22, 2010
More Than Enough
Read John 6:1-11
Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish. But how far will they go among so many? John 6:8-9 (NIV)
In this world, it is easy to believe that you have little to offer. Our culture shines the spotlight brightly on those who are beautiful or talented or both. The average person is often relegated to sitting on the sideline dreaming about what might be if only given the chance. Trying out for the baseball team, applying for the big promotion, accepting that position of leadership-all of these and more can seem very daunting if you look at them with worldly eyes. Our world would have us believe we will only be able to succeed when we are more qualified, more physically attractive, more intellectually astute, or more confident. The message is clear-you are not good enough; in order to succeed, you must be “more”.
However, when you think more deeply about Jesus feeding the five thousand, it becomes obvious that God doesn’t think or work in the economy of “more”. He works with what we have and, with God, what we have is enough. The boy had only five loaves and two fish, but Jesus fed the entire crowd and the disciples gathered the leftovers. The disciples could only see the lack; Jesus could see the potential. Today, may you find peace in embracing the person God fully created you to be!
Dear God, help me to love the person you created me to be. Help me to accept both my strengths and my weaknesses as gifts from you. Help me to see that with you, my little is more than enough.
Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish. But how far will they go among so many? John 6:8-9 (NIV)
In this world, it is easy to believe that you have little to offer. Our culture shines the spotlight brightly on those who are beautiful or talented or both. The average person is often relegated to sitting on the sideline dreaming about what might be if only given the chance. Trying out for the baseball team, applying for the big promotion, accepting that position of leadership-all of these and more can seem very daunting if you look at them with worldly eyes. Our world would have us believe we will only be able to succeed when we are more qualified, more physically attractive, more intellectually astute, or more confident. The message is clear-you are not good enough; in order to succeed, you must be “more”.
However, when you think more deeply about Jesus feeding the five thousand, it becomes obvious that God doesn’t think or work in the economy of “more”. He works with what we have and, with God, what we have is enough. The boy had only five loaves and two fish, but Jesus fed the entire crowd and the disciples gathered the leftovers. The disciples could only see the lack; Jesus could see the potential. Today, may you find peace in embracing the person God fully created you to be!
Dear God, help me to love the person you created me to be. Help me to accept both my strengths and my weaknesses as gifts from you. Help me to see that with you, my little is more than enough.
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