Easter and betrayal

We are in the middle of the week of one of the most important weeks of the year. Friday we remember the cross of Christ and Sunday His resurrection. Here we are, and how we think of the week, the influence of Jesus and what is to come make a difference.

One of the most troubling this about the Easter story is Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus. Yet Jesus allowed and even called Judas to be with Him. Jesus washed His feet. Judas experienced the most exciting and intimate parts of Jesus’ ministry just like the other disciples.

Most likely Judas was stealing as he handled the money of Jesus’ ministry. He was often angry about the way money was used or the way people were acting around Jesus.vvThe only person that really knew Judas’ motives was Jesus. Turning to the events of the last week of Jesus’ life religious leaders used Judas to get to Jesus.

Like Judas our outlook on Jesus makes a difference. None of us want to be like Judas, yet the in truth we have all acted the way he did or thought what Judas thought.

Let us choose to have a proper view of Jesus and seek to allow God to sift our motives, mold our hearts and guide our ways. This happens as we spend time with God.

Jesus was always spending time with His Father God.

Deuteronomy 8:6 NLT

So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him.

Be honest about yourself and about Judas. He might have been used by the wrong people, but Judas is part of the story of the greatest story ever told and the event that changed all of history. Sad because of betrayal. Yet it is sweet because Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Ephesians 1:7 NLT

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Prepare yourself for Easter and celebrating the resurrection. Join us at The Community Fellowship this Sunday at our future location (700 Commerce Court in Martinsville) for Resurrection celebration at 10:10. We will also have breakfast at 9 and an Eggstraviganza right after the worship service.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog