Countries with National Athems that acknowledge God - so many!

Dont be that guy.

With last week being Easter,
just wanted to share a faith question that I heard from a pastor.

And that is:  "Do we ever become so stale in our Christian faith that we become like
Judas the disciple?"

You're probably like: "How on earth could I become like THAT guy?"

Well, even if you attend church, go to bible studies regularly,
participate in small groups, tithe, and do all the "Christiany things"...
anyone can fall into this trap... if we are not careful... just sayin'.

Really?  How?  

Who was Judas?  Well for starters, he was one of Jesus' best friends.
He was one of the 12 selected cool dudes who got to hangout with Christ.
What a privilege he must have had, to be there FIRST HAND,
experiencing Jesus' healing, teaching, and preaching. Talk about front row seats always!

But even if Judas walked alongside Jesus hearing all of his parables and lectures...
at the end of the day, when he was offered a large sum of money to
betray one of his best friends and teachers... he took the money...

Seriously?  What was Judas thinking?

He was walking with Jesus for 3 Years!!!  He was there for almost every miracle
Jesus performed! He obviously had a strong faith in Christ- to be one of Jesus' 12 chosen
best buds! Well then, what happened?

Judas' story is a true testimony of how even the Christian whose been a Christian
for years and years, can possibly fall into the same trap, if we don't keep our eyes
focused on God.

Its easy for even the church-going, Christ-believer to fall into the temptation of a glamorous lifestyle, with anti-God choices, if we are not careful,
and constantly trying to align our choices with 'WWJD'.

But hey, not saying this to discourage you or anyone.
After all - all things are possible through Christ. :)

Its just a wake up call to all Christians who've been Christians for a while
(including myself),
to constantly examine ourselves, to make sure that everyday we choose to serve a good God,
and not ourselves, like what Judas did.

A challenge for us to not be like "that" guy, and to choose Christ instead.

Easter weekend reflection

This past Easter weekend, I was reflecting on Romans 8:28.

And it really got me thinking... that even in our times of trials... if our focus is on the Lord, the outcome will be good.  Because He loves us.

I was reminded of all the suffering Jesus went through, all for being a good person.  For preaching, serving the poor, healing, and teaching about love- He was crucified. 

And for Christ- it was a huge trial!!!  The Son of God himself went through pain and suffering.

The prayer he prayed when HE KNEW that he was going to be crucified was:

" Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. "

Christ knew that as the Son of God... God could do anything.... but it was God's will that Christ go through what he did... so that he could eventually show his Resurrection power, when Christ rose from the dead!

It's a scary thought to know that its pretty much guaranteed there's going to be tests and trials in life... just when we think everything is perfect... something disappoints us.  But the moral of the story is to keep looking to God, keep serving him, keep loving others in the name of God.... because God will honour us when we live for Him. That's a guarantee.

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." - John 16:33.

Sometimes Christianity can seem like a fairy tale ending... that no matter what:  Good wins over evil.  But in Christ, its true.  That's how our faith works.

God is good, all the time. :)  Happy Easter!