2 Tim 1:12 KJV)  ..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.

Basically deceived. Something we all need to be aware of!

 

Many of us were, or are even depressed because we have been, are being DECEIVED, OR bullied by some others. We do not have to accept the deceptions, or the false acts of bullies quietly as well. But we can also now overcome all of these past , present hurts..

 

(Psalm 109:1 KJV) Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; 2  For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.3  They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. 4  For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. 5  And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. 6  Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. 7  When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. 8  Let his days be few; and let another take his office. 9  Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. 10  Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. 11  Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. 12  Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. 13  Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. 14  Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15  Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. 16  Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. 17  As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18  As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. 19  Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. 20  Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
 
Did you know that most people not only lie daily, and often in one form or another, but also that most people can deceive others and do even deceive themselves and often as well. They also often do  live an imbalance life, filled with extreme values, false and unrealistic expectations too?

It is not just  only the ordinary persons who lie, deceive are even themselves deceived, but even the professionals now as well, Cops- Policemen, Lawyers, Realtors, accountants, doctors, nurses, pastors, politicians as well lie often.

Anyone can be deceived and often now too.You can fool most of the people most of the time, some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.

Most People are generally now  in one of two  categories,  for they are either overly submissive, slaves of others  or they are overly assertive, aggressive, dictators.

Most persons (80%) are basically like sheep, they mostly  are followers, but a small minority( 20% ) of the persons they are like goats, or wolves, they are real  bullies themselves, and these persons should be put into a jail for all of our good now too.

And who basically is behind all of these  lies, extremes, false values, bulling? Who? The devil and his followers of course

John 8:44 New American Standard Bible (©1995) "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

The apostle  Paul wrote that we must be watchful that we don't fall into the "snare" of the devil.  "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (I Timothy 3:7).   What is the snare of the devil?  It is a deception, a lie! Many persons have fallen for his lies now too.

Paul also wrote that we are to stand against the "wiles" of the devil. "Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16).

We are  to be careful for the "devices" of the devil.  "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices"  (II Corinthians 2:11)

But  he Jesus- God shall divide the sheep from the goats

 

(Mat 25:31 KJV)  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35  For I was an hungered, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: 36  Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me. 37  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?38  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:42  For I was an hungered, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:43  I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

"  It is interesting that in the KJV of the Old Testament there are two times that the Hebrew word for a "male goat" is translated "devils".     "And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations" (Leviticus 17:7).   "And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made" (II Chronicles 11:15).    It is also interesting that those who observe occult practices often use the head of the male goat for a symbol of Satan.   Even today, the goat is used to deceive sheep in leading them to the slaughter. "

 The Devil comes to us to rob, cheatl, lie, kill, destory and so do his foll Owers..  "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels."   (Matthew 13:38-39 NKJV)

(John 10:27 KJV)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.30  I and my Father are one.

The devil is also the FALSE adversary of ALL Believers.  "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him"  (Zechariah 3:1).

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"  (I Peter 5:8).   The roaring lion is "roaring" out lies!

He is basically in the business of destroying lives as he knows that  his time on this earth is short (and he will be judged). And he is angry, just wanting to take as many with him as possible. And that's just what he does! He als "sows" bad "seeds" in this world:

For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."(2 Corinthians 11:14 NKJV)

 "Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”(1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV)

The devil is the accuser of Believers.   "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). 

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:    Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.   And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (II Thessalonians 2:8-11).

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;    And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (II Timothy 2:25-26).    "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).

What are the daily lies, spins, distortions is  the enemy the Devil and his followers  still too  often are using to attack you?

The saddest part of all is when we are convinced that our sin is "justifiable". We lie to ourselves and tell ourselves such lies as, "well, because Im not getting what I think I should Im going somewhere else" (says the person who is contemplating cheating on their spouse). Or things such as "well, I would not have done that if that person had not made me mad". We come up with all sorts of excuses to justify our sin don't we? Now, while we do have to "own"  our own sin (click here: Our own worst Enemy? If you would like to find out more about this http://pohom.tripod.com/id36.html  ), we must also understand that our "adversary" the devil, does play a huge part in the problems in this life:

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."(Matthew 10:16 NKJV)

 "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." (Ephesians 4:26-27 NASB)  

 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."   (Genesis 1:1 NKJV)
 

 "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.(Revelation 20:10 NKJV)
 

 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5 NKJV)

  "Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (Matthew 4:8-10 NKJV)

 

What other sins has the devil committed? Well, pride is another one. Through His pride he has tried to exalt himself to the throne of God.

Isaiah 14:13 "But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north."
 

Ezekiel 28:15 "You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you. By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you. By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you. All who know you among the peoples Are appalled at you; You have become terrified and you will cease to be forever."
 

"I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17:15-16 NKJV)
 

"As for God, His way is perfect;  The word of the LORD is proven;  He is a shield to all who trust in Him.  (Psalm 18:30 NKJV)

 "God is our refuge and strength,  A very present help in trouble."    (Psalm 46:1 NKJV)

 "The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,  And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned."

 

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19 NKJV)

And just what kind of warfare we are in. And what we are to do about it:

  "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.   Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—"      (Ephesians 6:10-18 NKV)

PUT ON THE GARMENT OF PRAISE

AND DO GOOD WORKS rather than the bad works so you shall have nothing to be ashamed of still

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His Temple.” Psalms 27:4

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psalms 29:2

“For God takes pleasure in His Children: He will beautify the meek with salvation.  Let the high praises of the LORD be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand…” Psalm 149:4, 6a

Garment of Praise   Song written by: David Ingles
All you that mourn in Zion, I have authority,
To appoint unto you in Zion,
Oil of joy that will set you free.
Lift up the hands that hang down,
Lift up the voice now still:
Give unto God continuous praise,
Sing forth from Zion's hill.
Sing to the LORD, al le lu ia!
Worship and praise our God.
Praise and adore Him,
Bow down before Him,
O magnify the Lord.

Chorus

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,
Lift up your voice to God.
Praise with the Spirit and with understand,
O magnify the Lord. 

 

"“There is a loosening in the atmosphere, the tight powers of darkness that have tried to hold back, blind us, close the heavens by their presence… let me tell you something: You know what I’ve found – praise is the greatest weapon against any thing that you face. Praise is your greatest, greatest weapon.

 

1. Praise is the Place of God’s Residence – According to Psalm 22:3, God is holy and cannot dwell in an unholy place. Praise sanctifies the atmosphere!

2. Praise is the Way into God’s Presence – Psalms 100:4 tells us the way into God’s presence is by praise and thanksgiving. Isaiah 60:18 tells us the entrance into the city of the Lord is through the “Gate called Praise.”

3. The Purpose of God Blessing Us – God intervened in David’s situation so that his tongue could be suited to praise Him (Psalms 30:11-12, Acts 2:26). The term “my glory rejoices” in Psalm 16:9 refers to the human tongue.

4. Praise is a Garment of the Spirit – According to Isaiah 61:1-3, through the divine exchange, we are released from the spirit of heaviness as we put on the garment of praise. So, to some degree, our deliverance depends upon our actions of obeying God’s command to PRAISE!

5. Praise as a Spiritual Weapon – God has ordained praise as a weapon to silence our enemies (Matthew 21:16). Our mouths can be used as launching pads to release mighty spiritual weapons.

6. Faith is Released through Praise! – Praise is a child-like expression of faith in a world where complicated minds tend to over-analyze circumstances. Praise moves us out of human and into the divine.

7. Praise is the Way into Christ’s Victory! – Psalm 106:47: God’s intervention on behalf of his people is designed to bring forth praise and glory to His name. Colossians 2:15: Then we are able to triumph with Christ. Jesus always leads us into victory!

8. Praise is a Sacrifice Worth Giving – According to Jeremiah 33:11, a sacrifice costs us something. We do not necessarily praise because we feel like it, but rather because of what God has already done for us. Praise is the voice of the earthly bride offering “a thank offering” to her heavenly bridegroom. Let’s release the sacrifice of praise wherever we go and change the spiritual climate!

From the article: “The Symphony of Praise” by James W. Goll – Visit his site"

"  We should recognize that there are many contributing factors to depression: physical disease, over work, emotional trauma, lack of sleep, too much sugar in the diet, lack of proper exercise, improper nutrition, lack of exposure to sunlight, use of alcohol, and even the use of many antidepressants. Some additional spiritual factors are: sin, guilt, doubt, demonic influence, worry, anxiety, and fear. However, there is one overriding factor. Solomon wrote, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7a). What we think determines, to a large degree, how we feel. What we think effects both chemical change in our bodies and the emotions we feel. " http://www.wholeperson-counseling.org/doc/depressi.html

    David addresses the issue of depression when he wrote, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 42:11) (see also Psalm 42:5, 43:5). Everyone has opportunity to become depressed. This morning as I am writing this article, I am sick in bed with a rather painful headache from a sinus infection. I would much rather be in the Sunday morning service of our church worshipping the Lord with the body of Christ. However, with the situation being as is, I decided to take advantage of the time to rest and write. I first began to learn to praise God about twenty years ago while I was sick in bed with the flu. I had my wife to purchase two books on praise, then I used the time to read the books, study the Word on praise, and to begin to praise Him. We should understand that every situation is an opportunity to praise God.

    David did not deny depression by saying, "I am not depressed." Neither did he give in to it. He made a decision to do something about it. He began with self-talk. He said, "Soul, you hope in God who is the health of my mental and emotional state. He is my God." The Hebrew word that is translated "hope" means "to wait". We are not to give up hope, but we are to wait, even enduring pain, trusting that God will work all things together for our good. While waiting, we are to continue to praise God.

 (2 Chronicles 20;  20:17 “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow the LORD will be with you.” 18. “And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping God.” 21. “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, and they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever.” 22. “And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” 27.“Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy: for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.”28. “And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.” 29. “And the fear of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of the Lord.”

 

Psalms 3:8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

 

Psalms 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

 

Jeremiah 3:23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

(John 15:5 KJV)  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.7 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10   If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12    This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

 

Deceived, and What would you now, next trade for Jesus? Sex, power, money, fame? or the world? Many persons  already have too. Not just Walter.

 

“It shall be in that day,” says the Lord of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the Lord.’ And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies. And it shall be in that day that every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear a robe of coarse hair to deceive. But he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a farmer; for a man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.’ And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’ (Zechariah 13:2- 6).

7  Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.8  And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.14:1  Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. (Zec 13:7-14:1 KJV)  

 

As is it written, WHO BY THE MOUTH OF THY SERVANT DAVID HAST SAID, WHY DID THE HEATHEN RAGE, AND THE PEOPLE IMAGINE VAIN THINGS? THE KINGS OF THE EARTH STOOD UP, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD, AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST. FOR OF A TRUTH AGAINST THY HOLY CHILD JESUS, WHOM THOU HAST ANOINTED, BOTH HEROD, AND PONTIUS PILATE, WITH THE GENTILES, AND THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, WERE GATHERED TOGETHER-Acts 4:25-27; ref Ps 2:1,2.

 

Evening

 

Matthew 26:6-16

6 - While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper,

7 - a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table.

8 - When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. Why this waste? they asked.

9 - This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.

10 - Aware of this, Jesus said to them, Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to Me.

11 - The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

12 - When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.

13 - I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

14 - Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests

15 - and asked, What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you? So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.

16 - From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.

 

Judas, of all his life shows us that his SIN IS PROGRESSIVE. So next it was better of this man was never born..This is what the Bible says about Judas. He clearly wasted his life away.

 

(James 1:14 KJV)  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 

(1 John 2:15 KJV)  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

 

(James 1:19 KJV)  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.2:1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

 

Even too many preachers need to first stop preaching the word to all of the others and apply it to themselves, live the word in their own life, cause they will become another Judas now next too.

"You see Judas’ betrayal of Jesus didn’t occur suddenly. It was not a spur of the moment decision. No, it began when Judas first stole a few dollars out of the common purse...an act that made it easier for him to criticize Jesus’ actions which was not that far from betraying Jesus to His enemies. Judas’ treachery came as a result of a number of wrong choices. It developed over a period of time, which shows us that sin is like gravity. It pulls you in deeper and deeper until you are doing things that you would have never thought yourself capable of. Judas’ act was the inevitable result of the disintegration of his own character, which is something that happens to all people who continually choose to sin."

Jesus’ termed Judas “the son of destruction,” and saying of him: “It would have been finer for him if that man had not been born,” for he would certainly have had less to answer for when the books are opened if he not been born at that time and place-- Jesus Christ is saying that it would have been better if Judas never ever existed in the first place.

Jesus,  understood the hearts of men better than any other man ever on earth,  (Mat 26:24 KJV)  The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

(John 17:12 KJV)  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

 

"We find a remarkable series of facts about Judas:

He was personally chosen to be an apostle by Jesus Christ.
He forsook all to follow the Lord.
He spent 3 1/2 years traveling the length and breadth of Israel with Christ.
He saw all the miracles of Christ in person.
He heard Christ give all his famous discourses.
He watched as Christ healed the sick, raised the dead and cast out demons.
He, along with the other apostles, was sent out to preach the gospel.
He was one of the leaders of the apostolic band.
No one ever suspected him of treason."

 

" As we sat at the table sharing a most intimate dinner, His words struck me right to the heart.  “One of you is going to betray me”, He said.  All of us repeated, “Not me.”  But I knew it was me, but thankfully no one else knew it except Him.  I couldn’t understand why He said the things He said.  Imagine, the Savior of the world, the One most people confessed was the Christ, the Messiah; long awaited and long anticipated.  I witnessed some incredible moments where He forgave the sins of many, including the adulterous woman, the paralyzed guy who was not only forgiven his sins, but he was healed and walked away, joyfully proclaiming the praises of the One who healed him.  What about me?  How could He be so cruel and unforgiving?  I am a Jew, one of His own people, why did He have to say it, and in front of everyone?  The anguish is beyond belief.  “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born”, said the Savior.  I suppose there are limits to His forgiveness.  What if He said that about you?"

 

(Luke 22:54 KJV)  Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. 55  And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56  But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58  And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59  And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62  And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. 63  And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

 

Romans reminds us in chapter 8 verse 1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”   Are you in Him or did you like Judas, even one of the 12 Apostles, who by his own free will, choice, wander away from HIM? “If you are not born again, the day will come when you will wish you had .” And “If you did not repent of abusing, neglecting Jesus  Christ, the day will come when you will wish you had as well.  (Luke 22:62 KJV)  And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. In desperation, Judas cried out, “I have sinned for I have betrayed innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4).

 

"Where is Judas today? Is he in heaven or is he in hell? The Bible is very clear on that point: Judas is in hell. In Acts 1:25, Peter spoke of Judas who left his apostolic ministry “to go where he belongs.” Literally, the verse reads “to go to his own place.” “His own place” is hell. If that seems harsh, consider the words of Jesus in John 6:70-71 when he said, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) He did not literally mean that Judas was a demon, but that Judas was even then (about a year before the crucifixion) acting under Satan’s direct influence. "

 

(Luke 22:3 KJV)  Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

 

(John 13:2 KJV)  And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

 

(John 18:2 KJV)  And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

 

(Prov 28:14 KJV)  Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

 

(Gen 6:5 KJV)  And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

 

(Gen 6:6 KJV)  And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

 

(1 Ki 11:9 KJV)  And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

 

(1 Ki 15:3 KJV)  And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

 

(2 Chr 12:14 KJV)  And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

 

(2 Chr 32:25 KJV)  But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.26  Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

 

(Psa 10:6 KJV)  He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

 

(Psa 10:11 KJV)  He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

 

(Psa 10:13 KJV)  Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

 

(Psa 55:21 KJV)  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

 

(Prov 6:14 KJV)  Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

 

(Prov 18:2 KJV)  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

 

(Prov 28:14 KJV)  Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

 

(Isa 32:6 KJV)  For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

 

(Isa 57:17 KJV)  For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

 

(Jer 48:29 KJV)  We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.

 

(Oba 1:3 KJV)  The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

 

(Luke 12:45 KJV)  But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

 

(Heb 10:28 KJV)  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

 

(Heb 10:29 KJV)  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

 

(Heb 10:30 KJV)  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

 

(Heb 10:31 KJV)  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

(Prov 29:1 KJV)  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

 

But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people." Num. 15:30.

 

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." Ps. 19:13.

 

The story of Judas is in the Bible for many reasons, not the least of which is that before we take anything, anyone, not even ourselves  for granted, Or we will be guilty of the sin of presumption

 

"What would you now, next trade for Jesus?

• Would you betray him for money?
• Would you betray him for a better job?
• Would you betray him to keep the job you have?
• Would you betray him to save your own skin?
• Would you betray him to get a better grade in school?
• Would you betray him for a date to the prom?
• Would you betray him for a new contract?
• Would you betray him for a million dollars?
• Would you betray him to find a husband or a wife?
• Would you betray him because he didn’t live up to your expectations?
• Would you betray him because you thought he let you down?
• Would you betray him if you thought you could win the favor of important people?

The story of Judas asks us to probe at the level of our personal motivation. Why do you serve the Lord anyway? How much is the Son of God, God himself, Jesus Christ now worth to you? "

 

(Mat 27:5 KJV)  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

“What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” (Zechariah 13:6).

This is an amazingly profound statement. We know He was “wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities” but sometimes we forget that it happened in the house of our Lord’s friends. The place where He should have been safe, protected and comforted was where He was bruised and killed. Jerusalem should have sheltered Him but became the place of His humiliation. The leaders of Israel, who should have welcomed Him as their Messiah, conspired to have Him killed. His disciples, who had walked with Him for three years, denied, forsook and even sold Him.

There can be no deeper hurt and insult than when one is betrayed and wounded by the very ones who profess to be your friends. It is hard enough when one is attacked by the enemy and the world but when the arrows and rocks come from those to whom you have bared your soul and who have claimed to be on your side, the hurt becomes magnified ten times. I am sure you may have experienced this? Can you image what it must have been like for Jesus to face the mob in Gethsemane with Judas in the lead? Judas said: “Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?”” (Mat 26:49, 50). He was a “friend” and he kissed Jesus (the Greek says he kissed Him fervently!). The greeting literally means “rejoice” or “be happy”. If it were not for the presence of the armed guard, one could have thought these were simply two old friends having a warm reunion in the garden, but no, Judas had betrayed Jesus and sold Him for 30 pieces of silver. I am sure that none of the 39 stripes stung as much as the kiss of Judas. None of the insults hurled at Him by the soldiers or the mockery of the crowd could approach the depth of the insult of his “friend” saying “rejoice, my teacher!”

There is no way one can rationalize or explain why betrayal hurts so much, but it does and Jesus knew exactly how it felt. As He stood before Pilate, the very people He had helped, healed, fed and encouraged cried “crucify Him”. How could those He blessed become His enemies and how could Judas sell Him out? I don’t know. Many books have been written on the subject but the answer remains elusive. How can a mother strangle her newborn baby or throw it alive into a dumpster? How can a mother kill the fetus in her womb when she should be the very person he can trust to keep him safe and nurtured? And how can a friend turn against his companion? There just is no explanation except that these are examples of the incredible depravity of the human heart. Thus our savior fell prey to the most depraved of all human actions – betrayal by a friend. It is no wonder that Paul refers to the last supper as having taken place “on the same night he was betrayed” (1Cor 11:23). The fact that His betrayer sat at table with Jesus seems to overshadow even the agony of the cross. What should have been a warm and intimate moment between friends is turned into a cold and hostile event by the jingle of the coins in Judas’ purse.

 

He knows what it feels like. He knows the feeling of the rug being pulled out from under you and for all support to fall away. He is all too acquainted with that gut-wrenching feeling as you realize that the very ones who should have stood up for you, have turned against you. What a comfort to know that our Friend has been in precisely the same position and knows exactly how it feels. “…in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest” (Heb 2:17).
Not only is He touched by our feelings of betrayal but He is that Friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov 18:24). He is the One who said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb 13:5). What a joy to know that there is one who is absolutely dependable, who will never betray us and who will never turn against us and will never forsake us. One who indeed sticks closer than even a blood-brother. He is the One we can trust to always be there no matter how hard the struggle. No matter how unfaithful we are, he remains faithful. Yes, human friends tend to run when it is no longer convenient to be associated with us or when persecution comes but in the midst of the most intense struggle, He remains faithful by our side. Sometimes friends forsake us because we did something to upset them, but no matter how many times we slip and fall, He will never turn against us. So with boldness we can cry with Paul: “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38, 39). Not only will He not betray us or even forsake us, He will defend, protect and care for us.

“Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling… The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” (Psalm 42:2, 3, 6, 7)

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there."
http://www.erwm.com/AntonBosch46.htm

 

There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
(William Cowper)
 
Foul, I to the Fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.
(Augustus Toplady)

 

- It has been amazing to me to even next  see how many of the  once strongly professing Christians persons THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY KNOWN NOW AS TO HOW they do next supposedly  drastically change, and they seem next almost deny all they had believed in before too.  A dog returning to it's vomit.  Applies to about half of the Christians I know it seems.   I also used to think that this was a sudden, rapid change, but I have next been made rather to notice in detail  that more often is was just a small deviation they started on, where they had  been  led t really astray years later.. such as one stealing money on  their first job, specifically  on their  first expense accounts, and they next finally become one of these grossly immoral business persons who regularly now cheats, lies, steals and commits tax evasions too. or one commits adultery,  and do note  this they  even next becomes a cult leader.

 

 THE CULT TEST -I had come across  a partial list of 100 reasons marking a church/organization, or it's leader  as a cult:  And here are just a few of the reasons that did definitely fit a bad Calgary pastor I knew , a bad Calgary politician now as well, and fits someone I closely personally do know even in my own family,  plus their enemies, and the TACF, the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship Pastors.

I THE GURU (LEADER) IS ALWAYS RIGHT. ALWAYS SUPERIOR . THE ONLY ONE RIGHT.
2. BUT YOU ARE ALWAYS WRONG. FOR YOU ARE THE WEAK, IMPERFECT ONE
3. THEIR VISIBLE DISHONESTY,  VISIBLE DECEIT, FALSE DENIALS, FALSIFICATIONS, AND EVEN REWRITING OF HISTORY.
4. THEIR INABILITY TO TOLERATE ANY PERSONAL CRITICISM
5. OBSESSIONS THAT THE LEADER HIMSELF CANNOT  BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYTHING 
6. OBSESSIVE NEED OF MENTORING, TEACHING ALL  OTHERS
7. THEIR CONTINUAL PERSONAL ATTACKS ON ALL CRITICS
8. THEIR FALSE DEMANDS OF A SAME GROUP THINKING, FORCEFUL SUPPRESSION OF ANY DISSENTERS, AND ENFORCED CONFORMITY IN SPEAKING. NO DIVERSITY OF VIEWS

9 THEIRS IS THE   ONY TRUE CHURCH SYNDROME

10: IT IS US AGAINST ALL OF THE OTHERS ATTITUDE

11: THE CULT LEADER'S GOAL IS TO REMAKE EVRYONE ELSE INTO HIS OWN IMAGE, INTO THE IMAGE , CHARACTHERISTICS OF THE LEADER ONLY

ETC.,

--and that is just a few APPLICABLE REASONS!

 

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