The Judas Connection

Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned; repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders; saying, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood . . . Mat 27:3,4

Shedding innocent blood is such a grave sin that even Judas recognized it, and was appalled at himself. IF churches taught the Gospel correctly, more would be like him -- repenting and ceasing to kill the children in the womb. Instead they have chosen the wickedness of silent agreement.

ALL will be punished for ALL are guilty. Just as the chief priests and elders will for sacrificing our LORD; so will today's butchers and enablers pay. Be careful that you are not one of them, even by silent inaction. Get up! Get out! Go and plead for little baby lives!!

Life Focused on Him

I realized recently that I can hardly talk about my life without having to include the LORD. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it's a bother to do so. No, I'm saying that He is so much a part of my life that almost every story must include Him to be complete:

"I did this, because the LORD showed me this; or The LORD led me here; or This happened because they misrepresented His word; or His Spirit welled up in me and I began to preach/teach/call them to repentance" . . . and on and on and on.

It's neat, because I can remember when "I" was the center of my universe. It was a miserable time. Not sure I did anything right! Now, even in the struggles and tears, His presence comforts me and I, in turn, am able to bless people! That is instead of making their lives more miserable, or complicated -- as self-centered people always do; I am a well of hope and joy to many. (Obviously, that's not my true nature. No, it's His coming through me.)

So, when people hate me for refusing to stop speaking about Him I think: "But wait a minute! He's the BEST part of the story. You're asking me to leave out what makes the story worth listening to!"

Seriously. Life is just that much better focused on Him.

Regarding Demons

We live in an epically wicked time. That means we come in contact with those who are possessed or oppressed all the time. In addition, demons constantly roam among us looking for someone to afflict. There really is an epic, ongoing battle for the souls of men.

If we are fully His, we can and should rebuke those demons. If you are spiritually aware of them, remember who you are and do not be silent in your opposition. They are far more afraid of ...you than most realize.

However, in regards to possession/oppression we should never forget that unless the one delivered then chooses to be His, those demons will most likely come back. The "doorway" will not have been sealed. So, they'll come back, bringing some "friends" with them. This cycle can go on indefinitely. So, be on your guard, and keep taking the fight to them.

If you run a ministry or work in outreach, you should consider this just part of the job. People must be freed from demonic influence to have the opportunity to change, and demons will come against anyone who tries to interfere with their dragging folks to hell. So, it's serious warfare.

It can get very intense. Fortunately, we are not standing against them in our own power; but His. Neither do we stand alone, but surrounded by His warrior angels. That is why the demons tremble when we oppose them. They see all the hordes of heaven with their swords drawn! They see the LORD in His role as our Deliverer! Is it any wonder they run screaming?

Observations

The intentionally sinful think Christians judgmental. What they fail to realize is that we are in love with our LORD. He law is law to us. So, when He calls something wicked, we cannot but agree with Him.

The lost think Christians self-righteous. They don't understand that our only righteousness comes from Him, binding us to His will. So, it isn't about our holiness. It is about His.

The unsaved see Christians as unloving. What they do not grasp is that it isn't love to pretend God will not prevail. No, love offends in order to pull them from His certain wrath.

Some believe we are obligated to love and accept them while they remain in sin. They either don't care or don't realize it would be like a lamb trying to have dinner with a lion. Not that we don't have defenses. We certainly do. However to use them could cost the "friend" everything, and most Christians do not want that.

We can love the sinner, but still be horrified or repulsed by their sin. We know what our LORD went through to deliver them from it. So, it isn't just the sin, but the suffering He endured that they have rejected.

There really is a dividing line. Once one chooses the devil, one has deliberately separated from those who choose God. Typically, though, they still blame the one they separated from for the separation.

Bits of Dust

When I contemplate His greatness to our insignificance, I am invariably, profoundly moved. We literally are little bits of dust supported by His mercy.

How Willing are You?

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land. -- 2 Chr 7:13-14

Certainly it is the Almighty Himself who has come against our nation, and certainly we are guilty of horrific and alienating sins. So, it is He we have to deal with. He uses our leaders, our weather, our enemies -- anything and anyone He choses. But it is He who threatens our very existence.

The thing that some miss is the intensity required in this Scripture. The humility required is not merely limited to fasting. It is taking a position of total surrender, a letting go of all things related to our comfort and ease for His correcting rod. Like little children, we must recognize that we are helpless without Him -- meaning we will even accept punishment rather than depart from Him.

The prayer we are called to is an attitude of prayer. We are to dwell in it, calling out to Him without ceasing. These need not be eloquent or lengthy. "Abba, Father!" works. "What would You have me do?" is one of my favorites. The point is to be persistent, present, and diligent. Don't stop until He responds.

Add to these an intense desire to draw ever nearer to Him, an earnest need to know where we have missed it, a willingness to be completely broken, and an eagerness to turn from whatever sin He reveals. So the intensity required is profound. We can't move Him to mercy by mouthing the words or committing to social gatherings. We have to get completely honest and exceedingly serious about our position before Him.

Our Lord takes utterly useless beings and turns us into useful, productive servants, but He cannot change us until we are willing to be changed. We have to want it enough to choose to be remade. We have to desire Him above all else.

That is what this Scripture from 2 Chronicles is really about for us -- the importance of returning to right priorities. I cannot promise that our nation will be saved. The promise of 2 Chronicles was arguably made to Solomon and the Israelites upon the dedication of the temple, a specific promise for a specific people. However, I can tell you that His call to me has included forgiveness and provisions for those who earnestly apply its principles. Further, it is consistent with Who He is for Him to be merciful when a people return to Him.

However, even if our nation is destroyed we will fare much better personally for having returned Him to His rightful position of complete authority in our own lives. God can do much with one righteous, faithful servant. We just need to be willing to let Him.

Be Submissive to Him

Did you not have to submit to God, taking the LORD as your Master to be saved? Now, granted, that submission was not enough to earn you your salvation. Only His sacrifice could do that. However, you did do something. You submitted. You chose. Folks, like it or not that is action. Just saying the words isn't enough. You must actively submit. You must choose.

How then you do expect the children of abortion to be saved by words only? Obviously, in most cases not even the words are being said. That is most professing Christians won't even discuss or pray over abortion, much less do anything about it.

Taking a stand for life is like the act of being saved. It starts with the commitment to obedience. It starts with submission. Many do not realize what they actually have -- in ignoring the children -- is a submission problem. However, that is exactly what the issue is.

We are called to uphold His laws. Part of that is the command to take up the case of the innocent as if to win it, to prevent the shedding of innocent blood.

Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will NOT acquit the wicked.  Exo 23:7

Defend the poor and fatherless. Do justice to the afflicted and needy.   Psa 82:3

That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.  Deu 19:20

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.  Jam 4:17

Exodus assures us that we are not to kill the innocent, or God Himself will consider us wicked. Psalms calls us to take up their case as if to win it. Deuteronomy warns us that failing to do so destroys our nation. And James warns us that inaction is not acceptable.

I have found that once we make the decision to take action, God leads. Like salvation, we surrender, and He wins the battle. In man's view, I have saved many babies. In reality, God granted that I reach those mothers. All I did was show up and be submissive to Him.

Be submissive today. Take up the children's case. Defying God never ends well.