Utterly Helpless

-Judas-
I am NOT Utterly Helpless unlike Judas.
Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the Life.
Judas was a sinner who was a disciple, he walked with Jesus, but he never believed. Judas denied Jesus' claim to be the son of God and was willing to trade Jesus for money. And in the end decided that committing suicide was the best way out!

-Stuff-
I know I'm a sinner because of the things I've done and the things that I do. I know that sometimes it is so easy to get wrapped up in the "STUFF" that we own, or the "STUFF" we WANT to own.
Jesus is not just STUFF. He is our shield and our strength. He is our provider and our Father. In order to fully be willing to give everything up we must open our hands to Jesus. To give everything to him. Let God be in COMPLETE control of your Life.

-Confidence-
But like the STUFF we are so excited to show other people, Jesus wants to be a Jewel to our eye. His desire is to be your foundation, your core for your enthusiasm. Have you ever shared your God story with someone? When you talk about your personal relationship with God does your face light up? Do you feel like you are living for him solely? Or, do you get more excited to tell someone about a new pair of shoes or a new friend you made. Do you tell your best friends how your walk with Christ is going and how you are struggling day to day, are you telling Jesus how your doing on the inside? We need to find the confidence to communicate our struggles, and to Listen to God, the answers that contain strength come from him!

-Application-
Recently, I have found a new peace from OWNING my FAITH. I finally have decided that the things of this world will come and go and that God is the only ROCK in the world, worthy of my Praise. God says in Isaiah 44:6-8 (ESV)
" Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock;I know not any.""

There is no other God worthy of my praise!

-LOST-
What I cannot fathom is how Judas gets so LOST! He was walking BESIDE Jesus for years! in Matthew 27:1-10 it talks about Judas' last moments. How even at then end of his road, when he has finally hit rock bottom he gives up because he realizes that he is a sinner and that he is all alone. It says "He changed his mind," I believe that there is a time in everyone's life where you will fall on your knees and decide to change your mind. The lesson to be learned from Judas is that when we decide to change our mind about our actions, we need to repent to God. Peter talks to us in Acts 2:38-41 about repenting and the importance of baptism.
"And peter said to them, "repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself" and with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them saying, "save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."

-Strength Today-
Today I know that my life is in Jesus' hands. That all the things of this world could go up in smoke and that Jesus will still be the center of my life and my salvation. Don't get so busy trying to make a living, that you forget to have a life in Christ. Goals are great but God is bigger!