LoveAsIHaveLoved | Kristi's Morning Devotional

What are your plans for today? Working, recreating, relaxing? Whatever it is, wherever you are take time to praise the name of the Lord!

If you see a beautiful sunrise, taste those bacon and eggs, hear a small child giggle, see an older person smile, have a dog wiggle all over because he’s glad to see you – praise the name of the Lord for these are small but irreplaceable gifts from Him.

If you comfort someone dear to you, shed uncontrollable tears, speak a kind word to someone who is hurting or help someone who is down on their luck – praise the name of the Lord that He has chosen you to touch their life.

““Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’

⁴⁰“Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’” Matthew 25:37-40 ERV

“May the LORD’S name be praised now and forever. 3 May the LORD’S name be praised from where the sun rises to where it goes down. 4 The LORD is higher than all nations. His glory rises to the skies.” Psalm 113:2-4

With each bit of kindness, each word of praise, each whispered prayer of thanksgiving your day will be brighter and you will be doing what you were created to do – praising the name of the Lord. Have a blessed and praise filled day.

Last night I didn’t sleep well at all. Finally, about 3 a.m. I came to the couch and had a nap. So this morning I will share my thoughts from nine years ago on the subject of betrayal.

I pray God uses it to speak to your heart.

My thoughts as I was reading John 13 yesterday were on Jesus. He knew Judas had betrayed him. He knew this when He knelt down and washed Judas feet. He knew of the betrayal when He sat at dinner with him and He knew when He sent Judas out that His arrest and crucifixion would be soon.

“After Jesus said these things, he felt very troubled. He said openly, “Believe me when I say that one of you will hand me over to my enemies.”

22 His followers all looked at each other. They did not understand who Jesus was talking about. 23 One of the followers was next to Jesus and was leaning close to him. This was the one Jesus loved very much. 24 Simon Peter made signs to this follower to ask Jesus who he was talking about.

25 That follower leaned closer to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered him, “I will dip this bread into the dish. The man I give it to is the one.” So Jesus took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 When Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus said to Judas, “What you will do—do it quickly!” 28 No one at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas. 29 Since Judas was the one in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus meant for him to go and buy some things they needed for the feast. Or they thought that Jesus wanted him to go give something to the poor.

30 Judas ate the bread Jesus gave him. Then he immediately went out. It was night.

31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the time for the Son of Man to receive his glory. And God will receive glory through him. 32 If God receives glory through him, he will give glory to the Son through himself. And that will happen very soon.” John 13:21-32

Why didn’t Jesus confront Judas? If He had called him out in front of the other disciples I’m sure Peter would have tackled him and beat the living day lights out of Judas. However, Jesus kept what Judas had done a secret.

Jesus’ heart had to be breaking that someone He loved so deeply had lied to him so why did He left Judas walk away?

Answer: Because Jesus loved us more than He hated being betrayed! If Judas had been stopped, then the soldiers wouldn’t have known to come to the Garden. The arrest wouldn’t have happened, the rigged trial, the beating and the crucifixion would not have been completed.

Jesus allowed the betrayal and all that came with it because His purpose in coming to earth was for one purpose, to bring salvation, restoration, to all mankind. He allowed the betrayal because it led to the cross and ultimately to the empty tomb!

If you’ve been betrayed and your heart is breaking go to Jesus, He understands. He’ll give you comfort and a right perspective.

He’s a wonderful Savior!

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