- Today's Reading:
- Matthew 20:29 - 21:22
- Psalm 25:16 - 22
Read Bible Passages Online
Matthew 20:29
Jesus appeared in Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, causing uproar as he made the proclamation of his fulfillment of the prophecy known. In chapter 21 verses 13-14 Jesus performs his famous clearing of the temple where he let it be known that a church is not supposed to be about ripping the patrons off to grow its own wealth.
The most interesting part of this reading to me occurs after Jesus curses the fig tree (21:19). When Jesus' disciples asked him how he did that, Jesus tells them that they have the power to do the same. In fact, Jesus tells them that they could move mountains if they had but the faith and were without doubt (21:21).
Jesus also told his disciples that they will receive anything they pray for as long as they have the faith (21:22). First of all let me say that I do not think this is an open endorsement of receiving all our heart desires. In fact I would think that it is far from it. I think that to be in a place of true, pure doubtless faith that is strong enough for us to call on God's power as his own, then our request wouldn't be for our own desires in the first place. We might pray for our survival or for our needs, but not our desires.
When I read those two verses I think of our ability to wield God's power over Satan. This includes Satan's influence over our lives -- be it in the form of temptation, "natural" disaster or sickness. Before you can get to that, however, you have to let go of your doubts. That is so much easier said than done.
The pastor at my church has covered this topic recently and that's where my added insights come into play on this topic. For my entire life I have attributed everything bad that has happened as being "God's Will." I see more and more now that these things in general are not "God's Will". Sure, God does deal out punishment on people, but His Will is that we we are healthy, strong,provided for, and that we live our lives for Him completely. I also believe that no matter what happens to us, whatever is thrown at us, that God will take that situation and turn it for the good. So just because Satan attacks doesn't mean that God won't turn that around for good later.
My overall point for all of this is that we can, with doubtless faith, wield the power of Jesus to overcome Satan. But like I said, this is easier said than done. I don't only mean for this to pertain to healing, but that is the application I am applying this to today. My pastor said, "If you don't have faith in God to heal your headaches, how can you have faith enough to have cancer cured further down the road?" That really struck home with me, so I am really trying to learn to utilize the power Jesus allows us to use over sickness right now. It's going to be a long road but I'm going to take it one step at a time.
Psalm 25:16 - 22
In this second half of Psalm 25, David begs the Lord to ransom himself and Israel from all its troubles. A simple reminder that when life is at its worse, there is only one person to turn to -- the Lord Almighty.
Matthew 20:29
Jesus appeared in Jerusalem on a donkey's colt, causing uproar as he made the proclamation of his fulfillment of the prophecy known. In chapter 21 verses 13-14 Jesus performs his famous clearing of the temple where he let it be known that a church is not supposed to be about ripping the patrons off to grow its own wealth.
The most interesting part of this reading to me occurs after Jesus curses the fig tree (21:19). When Jesus' disciples asked him how he did that, Jesus tells them that they have the power to do the same. In fact, Jesus tells them that they could move mountains if they had but the faith and were without doubt (21:21).
Jesus also told his disciples that they will receive anything they pray for as long as they have the faith (21:22). First of all let me say that I do not think this is an open endorsement of receiving all our heart desires. In fact I would think that it is far from it. I think that to be in a place of true, pure doubtless faith that is strong enough for us to call on God's power as his own, then our request wouldn't be for our own desires in the first place. We might pray for our survival or for our needs, but not our desires.
When I read those two verses I think of our ability to wield God's power over Satan. This includes Satan's influence over our lives -- be it in the form of temptation, "natural" disaster or sickness. Before you can get to that, however, you have to let go of your doubts. That is so much easier said than done.
The pastor at my church has covered this topic recently and that's where my added insights come into play on this topic. For my entire life I have attributed everything bad that has happened as being "God's Will." I see more and more now that these things in general are not "God's Will". Sure, God does deal out punishment on people, but His Will is that we we are healthy, strong,provided for, and that we live our lives for Him completely. I also believe that no matter what happens to us, whatever is thrown at us, that God will take that situation and turn it for the good. So just because Satan attacks doesn't mean that God won't turn that around for good later.
My overall point for all of this is that we can, with doubtless faith, wield the power of Jesus to overcome Satan. But like I said, this is easier said than done. I don't only mean for this to pertain to healing, but that is the application I am applying this to today. My pastor said, "If you don't have faith in God to heal your headaches, how can you have faith enough to have cancer cured further down the road?" That really struck home with me, so I am really trying to learn to utilize the power Jesus allows us to use over sickness right now. It's going to be a long road but I'm going to take it one step at a time.
Psalm 25:16 - 22
In this second half of Psalm 25, David begs the Lord to ransom himself and Israel from all its troubles. A simple reminder that when life is at its worse, there is only one person to turn to -- the Lord Almighty.
No comments:
Post a Comment