Tag Archives: betrayal

Sunday Scriptures – Betrayal

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Right now two people I care about are struggling with the betrayal of false accusations, lies, and venom which is being spewed towards them.

Being subject to such betrayal is nothing new in this world, but the worst part is the spewers are people these two have worshiped with and worked alongside for years to further God’s kingdom.

Like I’ve said before, Christians are the only army I know who intentionally shoot their own.

Jesus warned his disciples to expect persecution. After all, he was persecuted and betrayed. He warns us of the same. Whenever we work to advance the Kingdom of God, we can expect opposition. Satan will do everything in his power to stop us. He may even use people who sit in the church pew right beside us to accomplish his goals, if necessary.

Satan is crafty. He is a lion that prowls the streets looking for someone to devour. That’s why we need to be on our guard. We need to be vigilant. And when we are attacked for doing God’s work in this world, we need to realize those who attack us are merely pawns in the Great Deceiver’s hand. Lest we get puffed up — we can be used just as easily.

We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, the Sustainer of our faith. We need to guard our mouths and make sure we don’t lean toward the side of vengeance in our desire to set the record straight. We need to remember God is the One who’s opinion matters. Not those who choose to spread lies. We need to remember the truth of who God is, and who we are in his eyes.

What steps have you taken to move past the hurt of betrayal when you’ve been unjustly attacked?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. John 15:20 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Thirty Pieces of Silver

			
						

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt


Thirty pieces of silver.


The price the leading priests and teachers of the Jewish law paid Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus the Messiah over to them to be killed. Money Judas accepted to betray the man he’d lived with and learned from for three years. Coins he tried to return once he understood the impact of what his betrayal actually meant to Christ, and to himself. 


Thirty pieces of silver.


We may look at Judas and wonder how anyone who knew Jesus could do such a thing.


Sometimes, I believe, we overlook the times we’ve betrayed Jesus with our sins. I’ve heard that whenever we sin we’re crucifying Christ all over again because it was for our sins he died.


Sobering thought.


Today I would like for us to think about God’s grace in light of the fact we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)


Through Christ’s sacrifice God justifies the ungodly. (Romans 4:5)


And while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)


We aren’t to take God’s grace lightly by continuing to sin. (Romans 6:1)


The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. (Romans 6:23)


Through Christ’s death and resurrection God graciously redeems those who repent and turn back to him.


God has mercy on those on whom he will have mercy. (Romans 9:18)


Those are some things I’d like us to contemplate as we approach the day we call Good Friday.


On that day, Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins so those of us who claim him as Lord and Savior can be made right with God.


Amazing love.


Is there a special way you reflect on what Jesus did for each of us on Good Friday?


Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.


The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around. Luke 22:1-6 (NLT)




I wish you well.


Sandy


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Betrayal and Grace

			
						

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Ever been betrayed? If you’re a member of the human race, I would assume your answer to be, yes. While I’ve been betrayed multiple times before, this latest betrayal irks me. Especially since I had spoken specifically with said betrayer about the issue beforehand, and asked them not to mention it.


I’m sure if one studied the psychology of betrayal, there would be deep, profound reasons it exists. I’d imagine there would be an equal number of rather superficial reasons, as well. While this latest incidence is of little consequence, when compared with the grand scheme of things, and the devastating betrayals others have suffered, I’m irritated.


So, what to do about it? Pray. I pray for God to soften my heart towards this other person. I pray for the other person. And I keep praying. Because I know I’m not at a place where I should be.


While I pray, I think about Jesus. I think about Judas. I think about the grace and forgiveness Jesus extended to the betrayer. And the grace and forgiveness He daily extends to me. I think about how Judas’ kiss must have stung Jesus, even though He knew it was coming.


As I pray, God whispers, This too, shall pass. I’ll get over this minor breach of trust. I’ll survive this annoyance. I have a choice. Move on, or stay stuck in irritation. I choose to move on.


Why? Because of grace. Unmerited favor. Something I do not deserve, but which God freely pours down on me, and you. Grace comes to us through the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ. The Messiah who paid our debt on the cruel cross of Calvary. We’re called to be like Jesus, and that means we’re called to extend forgiveness and grace, even if we don’t feel like it. Especially when we don’t feel like it. Because greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world.


Anyone you need to extend grace and forgiveness to? Need grace and forgiveness extended to you? Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, that makes it all possible.


Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (TLB)


Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject.


I wish you well.


Sandy


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One of my devotions will appear on Christian Devotions May 5, 2014. Please stop by.

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Sunday Scriptures — I Don’t Know Him

			
						

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I don’t know him.


Four relatively minor words when spoken in all honesty. Something quite different when spoken in a lie.


Peter had spent three years following Jesus as one of his closest apostles. One of the chosen few. The inner circle. Yet, on the night Jesus was betrayed by another apostle, Judas Iscariot, while Jesus was being interrogated and abused, Peter fulfilled what Jesus foretold would happen. Peter denied ever knowing his master. Jesus.


I’ve heard enough Peter-bashing over this incident, to know that’s not some place I choose to go. You want to know why? Because I’ve denied Jesus, too. And I imagine you may have as well.


We don’t mean to. Certainly. That would never be our intent. We love Jesus with all our heart and soul. He is our Master. Savior. Friend. Yet, we deny we know him.


We deny Jesus when we tell that little white lie. When we hold a grudge. When we refuse to forgive. Lose our temper. Slander others. Consult horoscopes. Go along with the wrong crowd.


Sure, we don’t come right out and say, “I don’t know him”, like Peter did, but our response is the same.


Fortunately for Peter, and for each of us, Jesus forgives. He invites us back into relationship with him. He wants us to go out, spread the word about him, and feed his sheep.


It doesn’t matter how many times we fall. The important thing is how many times we get back up.


What are your thoughts on the subject?


Then Annas sent him, (Jesus) still tied up, to Caiaphas the High Priest. Peter was still standing there keeping himself warm. So the others said to him, “Aren’t you also one of the disciples of that man?” 


But Peter denied it. “No, I am not,” he said.


One of the High Priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, spoke up. “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” he asked. 


Again Peter said “No”—and at once a rooster crowed. 


John 18:24-27 (GNT)


I wish you well.


Sandy


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