Satan, the disciples & Judas Iscariot

Oh that evil serpent, the devil, always trying to test us.  Hoping God's children will turn away from Him.  Thank God for His love and for giving us strength to endure.

Just look how he tested the disciples.  It says in the Bible he asked (so he has to ask permission!) to sift Simon as wheat.  We all know the outcome of that, Simon betrayed Jesus three times, said he didn't know Him.  The thing is, he never lost faith in Jesus! 

He was just scared.  Jesus knew that, that's why He said that he prayed for Simon that he might not lose faith.  Jesus knew he would return to Him (his faith), so he told him that when he does, he must strengthen his brethren.  :)

Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

After Simon betrayed Jesus, he realized what he had done, what Jesus said he would do.  He cried bitterly.  That really touched my heart.  I put myself in that position and think what if that was me, would I have been scared like Simon and done the same?  So let's not judge other people, put yourself in their position, walk a mile in another man's shoe.

Luke 22:61:62
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus knew Judas Iscariot would betray Him.  Satan was involved in that too, he possessed Judas!

John 13:21,26,27
21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."
26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."

Jesus said all these things had to happen, just as it was written in the scriptures, so that it could be fulfilled.  All for us!!  For our sins!  Thank you Jesus for what you did for us to get us back in the right relation with the Father, our Creator.  I will love you all my days.

Thanks for reading, may the Lord bless you! :)

Faith

Scriptures on faith.

Luk 8:5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luk 8:6  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Luk 8:7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Luk 8:8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.  And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Luk 8:9  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Luk 8:11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luk 8:12  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luk 8:13  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Oh people of little faith!!  In times of trouble cling to Jesus!  We all go through trials on this earth.  Sometimes it is a test from God of our faith!  Don't let it get you down, know that God is in control and ultimately everything will work out in a way that brings glory to Him and Him alone! :) 

I've learned the hard way, failed miserably, but through it all came back to Jesus, who is my ONLY hope in times of trouble and sadness.  Don't let the spirit of fear overwhelm you.  2 Tim 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

I'm learning that when hard times come, not to feel desperate or panic, but to stay calm, think of Jesus, ask His help, get into the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to give me peace and He does!! :)