Discovery Journal

Mike B. - April 23, 2011

Scripture:

Matthew 10:35 “For I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household”

Observation:

Jesus was talking to the disciples prior to sending them out on one of their journeys. He was giving them instructions on what they should bring, who they should talk to, where they should stay, and how they were to act and react. He was preparing them to be ridiculed, flogged, and persecuted. Not all that heard the good news would be receptive, especially friends and family members.

Application:

Our family is very important and their safety; care and love should be one of the most important concerns and priorities in our lives. We should respect our mother and father and honor them as well. But none of this should be placed before our obedience to God and our devotion and service to Him and His kingdom. Christ requires that we make a choice in our lives. Are we going to listen to friends and family, or are we going to listen to and follow Him? It is so much easier talking to people we don’t know well about God.
I have experienced this in my own family. The gap between some family members grows wider as I get closer to God. It would be easy to act as I used to years ago around certain people and be more acceptable to them. But I choose to stand on my faith, and I need to continually pray for their salvation.

Prayer:

Lord, I lift up to You my friends and family members that need to know the truth and need to know of Your greatness. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and soften their hearts. Please strengthen me in my faith and in my attitude. Give me the power to stand tall in adversity and not bow down to the pressures to conform to the standards of others who don’t know You. I pray for their souls and ask that their eyes be opened to the truth. Amen.