Daily Devotion

We are God’s Family

Good evening!

I was not even going to write tonight, but I read a very important set of scriptures. I woke up from what was supposed to be an hour long nap that started at 7:30 around 10:30 and I needed to take my medicine. I read my own devotion and thought about skipping writing this one. But I started reading Matthew 12(that is the chapter I have been hovering in as I try to read all the way through the Bible.

Matthew 12:25-29
Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. (NLT)

In many families there are secrets, problems, rifts, and divisions for whatever reason. Sadly, most times these things are what causes the family structure to break down. The people that are often the root of these problems refuse to change or admit fault. In my own family, ON BOTH SIDES, they are many who cause family division and when called on their behaviors instead of admitting fault, they point the finger at everyone else. They refuse to turn that mirror of reflection on themselves because looking at your own wrongs is often to hard a thing to do.

But when the evil Pharisees tried to look for something to cause a lack of faith in Jesus’ work, Jesus reprimanded them and said the above verses. In families, we fail to realize that we are not individuals but part of a greater body. The Pharisees lack of faith and desire to make Jesus evil show how the devil sought to tear apart the Heavenly body. He does the same things everyday by causing hatred in families. When you begin to look at others as members of God’s family, instead of just your earthly family, it makes it a whole lot easier to forgive and to move on in the work of the Kingdom. It is our responsibility to bring others to Christ, even those family members that seek to do nothing but separate and destroy. When we allow the devil success in our family, it brings him that much closer to attacking us. So don’t even give him that foothold! Keep your family lifted in prayer! Pray that God’s light shines in them and that God makes His will known in their lives and that His will is done. For in verse 29 Jesus says …”Only someone even stronger–someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.” Only God can do it if you give Him the power to do so!

Daily Devotion

The Importance of Prayer
 
You know when you are little, you may have been taught this prayer:
 
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
 
If you were like me, you eventually learned the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13:
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
11Give us this day our daily bread. 
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
But do you know that if you talk to God and bring your requests before Him the way you would in your normal conversation, that God answers that kind of prayer too?  In fact, because God knows everything about us, He already knows what we need and desire but He wants us to be open with Him and honest.  He hears your cries, He hears you especially when you pray without giving up.  I have been truly feeling out of it lately and praying is the only way that I can relieve my pain.  God answers all prayers—sometimes it may not be the answer you want.  Its important to have three characteristics in prayer: praying from your heart, praying genuinely, and praying without ceasing.  We must also pray for others because its in praying for others most times that God works on our problems and allows us to grow.  We must also be SPECIFIC!  You can't pray for a job and get angry with God when you get a job but its not the one you want.  You weren't specific. 
 
Here are some verses on prayer for you and my prayers are with you today!  I really appreciate you all and hope that you are truly, earnestly blessed today.
 
Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly] 1 Thessalonians 5: 17
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18: 19-20(NKJV)
 
Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Colossians 4: 2
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5: 16
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. Philippians 4: 6