He knows
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. John 13:26
Have you ever had something in your life that you knew just shouldn’t be there? Maybe some habit that you think isn’t really hurting anyone or a friendship that pulls you in a wrong direction? Maybe it’s a debt or social media addiction that you cling to in an unhealthy way. If you are honest with yourself, you can probably identify something in your heart that you have felt conviction about but continue to justify that it isn’t that bad or hurting anyone. It is just where you turn when trying to escape the pressures of life.
Just recently, I finally surrendered one such behavior that I have been holding onto. I had many internal arguments fighting for and trying to convince myself that it was fine. Not a sinful thing, just something I was hiding and wanted to keep hidden. I finally put my hands up and said: “ok God, You win! I want to surrender every area of my life and habits to you” But it wasn’t a battle that God was trying to control or take something away from me. It was a battle that I was hanging on to something that was holding me back from God’s best and what He was trying to do in my life to empower me. Mostly, it was distracting me from my mission. He doesn’t want to control us, He wants us to live this life in His greatest blessings and continue to grow in the things He has called us to.
In today’s reading, Jesus tells the disciples that one of them would betray Him as they were eating the Passover meal. They were shocked and surprised, mostly because they didn’t believe one of them would do such a thing, but one of them, Judas, was already planning to betray Him and was surprised that He knew. In today’s reading, Jesus told Judas that whatever he was going to do, do it quickly. It almost looked like Jesus gave Him permission, but then Jesus added a solum warning. He said: Woe to him by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better if he were never born. Jesus knew what was going on. He knew He had to be taken to the cross, but He also knew that He didn’t need Judas’s help to get there.
He knows what is going on in your life too. Whether good, bad or distracted, He knows if you are getting off tract and He knows if you have ever been on your planned path. Not only does He know, He also wants to help. He actually wants to work with you to complete the assignment you have been sent here to do. The purpose for your existence. God has a great plan for your life and He wants to walk you through it each day of your life. It is amazing to me that the God of the universe loves me and wants to go with me as my best friend and confidant each day. Yet, how many times have I ignored or didn’t even consider His desire and design for my life. Maybe you have too. Decide today that from this moment on, you are going to seek Him first and His righteous ways in all you do. Then you will not be distracted with the vises and habits of this world, but you will be focused on getting your part of His plan accomplished down to the last detail.
Today I want to encourage you to surrender all to Him. In Luke 8:17, Jesus said there is nothing hidden that will not be reveal. He knows all things, so thinking that you can keep or hide anything from Him is beyond reality. He loves you and has the best path planned for your life! Get all the roadblock out of the way and surrender all to Him today. He is not trying to keep any good thing from you. That is a lie that started in the garden with the serpent and Eve. He wants to pour out His goodness on your life every day, but He can only do that as you give Him access to every area. Open up your heart and confess the secret areas to Him today. He already knows anyway, why not let Him lead you to succeed in all your ways.
Today’s scripture reading: John 13:18-30
18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.
20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
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.”
22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
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.”
28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
The Daily Dose 