Humble as Children, All Will Bow Before the Lord

Today’s Reading:
• Matthew 18:1 - 20
• Psalm 22:18 - 31

 Matthew 18:1 - 20
These few short verses of Matthew taught quite a few lessons.  First Jesus tells us that if we are not as humble as little children we will not get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus also says that those who welcome someone in His name is indeed welcoming Christ himself.  Jesus then tells us that those who cause those who trust in him to fall into sin would be better off being drowned.  And, once again, we are told that it is better to cut off a sinful part of your body -- be it a hand or your own eyes -- then to let that part sin and keep you from the Kingdom of Heaven.  We are also told that those who are lost are given more attention than those who obey, and they are rejoiced over far more than those who have been obedient all along.


After reading these verses I have to evaluate myself to see how humble I am.  The problem is that I first need to figure out what exactly these verses mean by being humble.  What aspect(s) of my life does this refer to?  To me, right now, with what little study I've done, it seems to mean that I should have a child like belief in God. 

I think of my eldest daughter, who has an absolute love of the Lord.  I once had someone tell me that she suffered from "magical thinking".  Really?!  Obviously I don't find an utter belief in God to be "magical thinking" -- it's called Faith.  My daughter doesn't think that God is some magical genie who is going to grant all her wishes.  She thinks of Him as being the one, the only, the true God -- the God who created the universe and all in it, including us.  She doesn't have a doubt in her little head. 

So many people have to work at having faith and work against their doubts.  I am lucky, because like my daughter, I have always known God to be true.  I have never had to find Him and realize that yes, He does exist.  All of this faith doesn't matter one bit, however, unless I align my life with how God wants me to live it. 

It's not enough just to believe in God and his son Jesus -- if I don't follow God's rules for my life, if I don't find and fulfill my purpose in Him -- then what am I really living for?  What will my life be worth when I stand before the Gates of Heaven? One thing is for sure, by finally committing myself to truly study the Word of God I know that I am finally on the right track.

 Psalm 22:18 - 31
The beginning of this Psalm that I read a couple days ago was filled with David's suffering at the hands of his enemies.  Even though David was suffering so badly, still he had tremendous praise and reverence for the Lord.   It touches my heart just to read those words of powerful praise. 

David then proclaims that the entire world will bow before the Lord (22:27) and that future generations will all hear about the wonders of the Lord (22:30).  How true is that?  How many generations has it been since David walked the Earth, and more people than ever know the Lord.  And when Jesus returns every single person will know the truth.  I am glad I know the truth now instead of later.  Please remember that there is not always a later, so change your life now.  Change it today -- there might not be a tomorrow.

Discernment of Demons, Suffering of David

Today’s Reading:
• Matthew 17:10 - 27
• Psalm 22:1 - 18

Read Bible Passages Online
 
Matthew 17:10 - 27
Today I read about how Jesus healed a demon possessed boy.  The boy was mute and deaf and suffered from frequent violent seizures.  The disciples tried to cast out the demon but could not.  This led to Jesus rebuking the disciples for not having enough faith.

This short story leaves me with so many questions. I see reference after reference of how Jesus and his disciples cast out demons and heal sickness, all in the power of Jesus Christ over Satan.  I am beginning to understand that sickness and disease are not the will of God for his children and that, if we use the power of Jesus in true faith we have the power over such things.  Just a few days ago I read a passage from Proverbs (4:20-22) that said:

My child, pay attention to what I say.  Listen carefully to my words.  Don't lose sight of them.  Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

My biggest question right now is how does one recognize an evil spirit/demon?  Not the commercialized, head spinning, pea soup spitting demon; but rather a demon that is harboring sickness in a person?  To Jesus, to his disciples, to the people at the time, there was no question about whether or not there was a demon in that boy's body. 

Our society places so much value into the scientific explanation of things.  I do believe that we should also use our own readily available devices before asking for divine intervention. If there is a problem that a trip to the doctor and a few antibiotics can fix, then by all means go to the doctor and take the pills.  But what if you can't afford the doctor?  What if the problem isn't something minor?  What if you're battling a condition such as seizures or a cancer?  Are all of those things evil/demonic spirits?

So if we say that yes, those things are evil spirits/demons/Satan's work, then we should very well be able to channel the power of Jesus Christ to have them cast out, right?  I wonder how one grows strong in healing.  The disciples themselves had issue having enough faith to cast the demon out so it's obviously not something so simple that you can just do it as soon as you learn that you can channel the power of Jesus to heal others.

This is certainly a topic of high interest to me.  I certainly have the faith -- of course Jesus has complete power over Satan, there's no question about that.  I guess I need to first pray for discernment so that I might better see the spiritual causes of disease and sickness.  That's not a light prayer, it's actually kind of scary to think about.  Do I even want to open that door?  I do, I don't -- but I do, because for me I can't go stick my head in the sand when I realize something is out there.  Then I must read the Word of God and pray to learn how to overcome the things I can see with my new eyes.

It's not going to happen overnight, but I feel a big shift in my heart as I write these words.  I feel a heaviness and a slight dread.  I am somewhat afraid of what I am asking for, but I really can't go back now.  I must also remember that fear is not of God.  I can tell you one thing though -- when I started this project I really didn't think that I'd be praying for a spiritual discernment of spirits.  This one book has power to change your life so completely.

Psalm 22:1 - 18
This partial Psalm is a sad one because David is suffering greatly by the hands of his enemies.  It's hard for me to relate this to context without having really learned David's life story.  I think I've mentioned a few times now about how I don't know much about David aside from his conquer of Goliath and that he was the greatest king of the Jewish people.  I will certainly have to go back and read the Psalms of David after I learn all about him.