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Luke 22:31-32 NLT. It says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail.” That’s the second part. But, watch what he says to him. “When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

A couple of weeks ago I told the elders I heard a word that God said to me, that He had begun to sift the church. And, that the wind was blowing and the chaff and the wheat were going to get separated. That was before we really started coming back together.

The scripture says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.” Notice something, now. There are a couple of pieces. This is an interesting moment in the movement of Jesus’ time clock, here, because He’s about ready to go get crucified. In the same chapter, in verse 3 of chapter 22, is the place where it says, “But after the disciples had come to eat the Passover, it says that Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve.” Now, you’re talking about in the same period of time. All of a sudden, demons, even the devil himself, Satan, have somehow been given permission to invade and occupy what the church was engaged in.

You’ve got the devil talking to Jesus about wanting to sift the disciples, and Jesus telling them that He prayed that Satan could do it. And, just before that, almost in the same day’s conversation, Satan enters into Judas and makes him betray the Lord.  Now, some of you need to understand. The reason Satan could do this and freely move through was that these guys had come to a place where they had accepted Jesus, but they were not empowered with the Holy Spirit. They were not living the converted life.

We will continue on Monday! Have a great weekend!