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!