I love the Bible App with its multiple translations and versions of the Bible, its daily devotions, and Bible studies with many teachers well-versed in the scriptures. There are a lot of different Apps, too, that you can use to grow your knowledge of God and the Bible. However, nothing touches my soul quite as much as sitting down with a hard copy of the Book and reading it.

I’ve read “through the Bible in a year” reading plans and particular sections at other times. I’ve written prayer journals on most of it; and I’ve started reading through the New Testament again to rewrite my NT prayer journal. Hands down, my favorite way to read God’s Word is spending about a week at a time with each chapter, reading through the chapter one day, and reading it again and writing about what touches my heart in each section on following days.

Recently I read Matthew 20, the account of when James and John’s mom came to Jesus, knelt before Him, and implored Him that her sons be allowed to sit on either side of Him in the kingdom. As easily as it is to criticize her for her audacity (with her sons standing close by), I also have a mama’s heart and there is nothing more important to me than my children’s success, honor, and prosperity. Of course, I want then walking with Jesus—in the light of eternity, nothing else matters. However, I want them to do well here and now, too!

We have the advantage of looking back on this experience with the knowledge of the plan of salvation, of the cross, and of the amazing love of God poured out through Jesus; and we have the lens of the Holy Spirit to see that what was hidden in the early believers hearts, is also hidden in our hearts, too.

Jesus knows human nature so well. He told the disciples, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them.”  Then He went on to explain, “It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

The enemy has a very exalted opinion of himself— “How you are fallen from heaven, O day star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God, I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:12-14)

The religious leaders during the time of Jesus’ earthy ministry had problems with His authority. They challenged Him: “When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?’” (Matthew 21:23) They were threatened and angry, and they did not recognize any authority greater than their own.

Is it any wonder that we see similar attitudes in politics and nations around the world today? …people exalt themselves and their opinions everywhere we turn. Pretending to have the best interest of the people in mind, man’s opinions are elevated above scripture. The apostle Paul gives an accurate assessment of the of the situation:

“For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools….” (Romans 1:21-22)

I am amazed at what is passed off as “knowledge” or wisdom nowadays—and people are buying in to the deception. Because it makes sense. It is fair. It is compassionate. Because the “authorities” say it is so… Yet the philosophies of this world and what makes sense to the natural, unredeemed mind contradicts what the Word of God says.

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NLT)

And—they knew God? How crazy is that? They must figure that they are smarter then God?! As remarkable and twisted as the sounds, I’ve been there. Thank God for His amazing grace, though, that I kept running into brick walls—I am grateful for His mercy in transferring me “from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

That’s where I belong—the kingdom of His beloved Son—where we belong if we have surrendered our lives to Jesus. However, the domain of darkness is spreading and the lust for power and wealth characterizes many people, governments, and agencies. I pray that we will walk amongst the wolves as Jesus said, “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)