Please allow me to sub-title this piece, “JUST LIKE JUDAS”, since I couldn’t make up my mind.

Many of us shake our heads in self-righteous shame at Judas betraying our Lord and Savior for 30 pieces of silver.

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But, if we think back on our lives, sometimes we don’t have to think very far back, we will realize that we have betrayed Him FOR MUCH LESS THAN 30 PIECES OF SILVER.

Each time we sin… Each time we know right from wrong…Each time that we know His holy standard…Each time we have a clear choice and think, “No I should not do this”, and then choose to do it anyway, we betray Him just like Judas did.

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Those seeking to put Jesus to open shame and kill Him presented Judas with a transaction, and he agreed to a price to complete the transaction.

Matthew 26:15  (NKJV)

¹⁵ and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.

The enemy daily presents us with transactions (usually through our desires) seeking to hurt…to discredit…to put to open shame our Savior Jesus, and daily we accept them – and consequently betray Him.

James 1:14  (NKJV)

¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

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So, how much have you accepted to betray Jesus?

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What transaction does the enemy prevent to you to convince you to sin?

What level of attention?

What level of affection?

What level of influence?

What level of affluence?

What level of pleasure?

What level of revenge?

Who was it?

What was it?

Was it only a kiss?

Was it only a promotion?

Was it only a glance?

Was it only a taste?

Was it only a touch?

Was it a laugh?

Was it a whisper?

Or, did you do it for free because you were angry at Him?

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Did the enemy use you as the ‘middle man’ to provoke someone else to betray Him?

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It’s not hard to identify how the enemy manipulates and provokes us to betray Him. The bible makes it clear. It’s usually…

1 John 2:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Always remember that Judas realized the 30 pieces of silver weren’t worth it, and wanted to give it back. It’s the same for us today the enemy pays you to hurt our Lord, but the ultimate wage is horrible…

Romans 6:23  (NKJV)

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, at the end of each day, thank God for His grace and mercy to forgive us when we repent. Then think about the choices that you’ve made and ask yourself a powerful question to help you refine your walk and relationship with Christ. Think about the spiritual transactions you’ve made and ask yourself…

Was I more like Jesus today, or more like Judas?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

• 

Most American’s are passionate and protective of their right to free speech…

Or are we?

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How many people have willingly signed away their right to free speech because of their job or career.

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Companies, school systems, municipalities, government agencies, and even religious organizations don’t want their employees making them ‘look bad’ or liable; so they make one of the conditions of employment a contract that ‘limits’ what they can say publicly if they are to remain employed.

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I’m talking about speech that’s respectful and responsible, not reckless.

Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)

²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary ^[a]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

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Are you free to say what you want to say about your company and where they stand on issues?

Are you free to say how you feel about the culture of your organization without fear of retaliation?

Is there something that you want to responsibly express or share about your organization… about your faith… about what’s in your heart, but if you do so you know you could lose your job?

How many people endure toxic cultures, bullying, inequity, unfair policies, abuse of authority, basically from people who are merely ‘working for a living’ just like them because they fear losing their job…career…even their retirement?

Is that freedom of speech?

Restricting our ability to respectfully and responsibly be critical and hold accountable the leadership in our places of employment or our concerns about social or spiritual issues is quite frankly not allowed in many workplaces.

It can’t be equated to shouting ‘FIRE’ in a public place. That protects life. And there is some speech that is not protected by the constitution because it’s a threat to the ‘public good’ however, withholding what’s on our mind about our employers sometimes only protects egos, reputations and the threat of litigation.

Think about this, Americans are more free to say how they feel about their national, state and local leaders… their pastor… their loved ones… than their boss.

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Many people even express their criticism to God Himself before the do so to their boss!

We are more free to tell God how we feel without fear of relaliation than the person for whom we work.

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Psalm 142:1-2 (NKJV)

I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
² I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.

God is more willing to ‘reason with us’ than many of our places of employment.

Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.

Is you freedom of speech that’s protected by the Constitution, surrendered in your contract?

Think about it, but be careful what you say about it at work.

BE BLESSTIFIED!