Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. In the lonely scorching desolate wild wilderness. Alone. Led by the Spirit of God. Yes, I want to be led by the Spirit of God. Yet, I don't want to be led into the wilderness to be tempted. Who does? If my LORD was, what does that say to my life? If I was led to the Mount of Temptation, I would struggle immensely with: Hunger after 40 days/40 nights of no food. Fear after 40 days/40 nights of terrifying treacherous existence in a wilderness. Powerlessness after 40 days/40 nights with no followers, no feedback, no nothing. And these were the 3 areas where Satan tempted Jesus. Deut. 8:2 says that God tests you so that you can know what is in your heart.
We are painfully conscious and ashamed of our lack of desire;
Yet He calls to each of us:
"Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One, and Come Away with Me"
A.W. Tozer
We are painfully conscious and ashamed of our lack of desire;
Yet He calls to each of us:
"Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One, and Come Away with Me"
A.W. Tozer
PHOTO: An oasis of sand. A Wilderness of sorts. No one there. Know what is in your heart and your castles will crumble.
Jesus never got in a hurry. The enemy always seems to show up when I am in a weak point. Because Jesus is God, He is able to withstand the temptation.
ReplyDeleteAfter He was tempted was when Jesus began selecting the apostles who would get to know Him the best up close and personal. What a huge gift to these men Christ gives and yet the same gift is available today to me if I will surrender to make the time to set myself apart with HIM.
Lord Jesus praise you for waking me up this morning to Your Word. This is a Song of Praise to my Heavenly Father I must Sing.
Grace and Peace, Sylvia
Jesus was led by the Spirit and He was armed to rebuff satan at every turn, He said, "It is written."
ReplyDeleteI need to let the Holy Spirit lead me at all time and never run past Him to take control of the situation. I love how God knew I was beginning a 40 day fast today and He knew I would read this passage.
I want Scripture written on my heart so I may reply in authority with it is written.
Matthew 4:10"Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone,(Q) Satan! For(R) it is written,
ReplyDelete(S) "'You shall worship the Lord your God
and(T) him only shall you serve.'"
11Then the devil left him, and behold,(U) angels came and were ministering to him."
Counting on the promises of God, everytime something comes into our lives, temptations, fear, worry, doubt, self-contempt, critical thoughts or commments, hold fast.
Someday in the future, Satans' hold over this earth will be ended. He will have to bow down to the King of Kings, facedown.
The point is, this: THE BATTLE IS ALREADY WON! We know the ending. Hold fast, stay strong. This year is going to be a year to examine our hearts, strengthen our resolve and grow in faith and love.
Amen already to what each of you have said. Wash us with Your Word, write it on our hearts, Lord, carry us through to the other side of our temptation. Help us to respond to our wilderness in faith. Thank you for Jesus, our example, our Savior, the Lord of our lives. For we know in Christ these things (and all things) are possible. Amen
ReplyDeleteMatthew 4:14 ~ "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
I've been noticing lately that there isn't that much talk about repentance. In fact we're more encouraged to defend ourselves for faulty action to others when an old fashioned apology is far more in order. Yet it's the first thing Jesus preached: Repent.
Annette, Were you referring to "repentance" being talked about in your Christian circles? Like at church or among each other? I think my mind went to 66 LL and Larry wasn't talking about it. But you and I both know that's the beat of his heart. You must be talking about society.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 4:1
ReplyDelete"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
---Behold the Second Adam, who chose the Spiritual over the Flesh.
Matthew 4:5,6
"Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
"'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
---Behold the Second Adam, who chose the Spiritual over the Flesh.
Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
---Behold the Second Adam, who chose the Spiritual over the Flesh.
I read this chapter outloud. The first verse still humbles me and reading it outloud made it more dramatic as I thought about what Christ left behind to come here to earth to save me. And all of you.
Makes me want to be more like those angels who came and ministered to him after the devil tempted him.
I am so thankful He loved us, even as sinners.
Yes, I was talking about our churches not really teaching repentance to turn away from our sin, truly abandon and turn toward God. No, Dr. Crabb seems to convict me just fine, thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteHa! to you Annette! I was literally half asleep when I read the comment. Sorry. Brooke just left and it was my 3rd Christmas in a row and I am spent. I'm back teaching as of today. Falling asleep standing up. Just got in from the basketball game.
ReplyDeleteWanted to say that when I stood at the base of the Mountains where Jesus was tempted, I was in awe with my hand over my mouth. How anyone could even survive there! Desolate, dry, scorching, surreal. The Dead Sea behind you and just tons and tons of miles and miles of wilderness in front of you hosting fierce animals and jagged terrain. I felt so all alone taking it in.
Thank you Deborah for saying The Second Adam chose the spiritual over the flesh. No life "curved in on itself" here. The Second Adam turns everything around. "Never underestimate My Ability to turn your mess around" (66 LL) And He will keep on doing us good all our days. Jer 33:20. So, what is keeping me from taking this in? Can anyone find that Soren Kierkegaard quote about taking it in?
Deborah, there is such a humble drawing you possess. Thank you!
Can I ask you all to pray that we find jobs with benefits? What does God want us to do? What is He most concerned about for our lives?
Good night all.
Love you, Bev, and will continue praying.
ReplyDeleteI just have to jump in here and let you know that the Passion Conference Session 5 really throws a lot of light on self-entitlement. John Piper goes after who or what your passion is and it is amazing listening to him as God speaks.
They are shutting down access to the live feed and archives of these sessions. Beth Moore had Session 2 but it's no longer viewable unless you order the download pdf.
Anyway, I have a link on my blog and Session 5 with John Piper and Session 6 with Louie Giglio is still open for viewing.
Wish my son could have been there but he was too sick and there's a Passion in Fort Worth in April.
ReplyDelete