Matthew 4:3-11
Satan's temptations:
1. If you are son of God turn those stones into bread
2. If you are the son of God throw yourself down from the high place you are at
3. If you fall down and worship me I will give you all the kingdoms of the world and their glory
I have tried fasting before. I am terrible at it. I start losing my temper with my family really quick and I usually don't make it past 2 or 3 in the afternoon when I give in and eat.
So when I think of Jesus after being hungry in the wilderness for 40 days I think He is truly amazing. I always think I would never sell myself out to satan and what seemed easier at the time in that sort of situation. But I couldn't even manage a day like that.
So to fast and then have satan come along to tempt Jesus, I just have to admire Jesus for his response
He is prepared. He knows scripture well and uses it every time to guard against each temptation.
The first one, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of God that proceeds from His mouth
Although He was desperate for food he chose to believe God would provide something better.
Throw yourself down
Second one
Feeling helpless and without strength that day it would have been easy to want to take the easy way out. Jesus responds don't out The Lord your God to the test.
The last one is to sell yourself out for what seems like the easy way out to the world. Instead of the path He was chosen to walk to choose what seemed like an easier way out. But he responded
Worship God only and serve Him alone.
The best part is verse 11: then the devil left and the angels came to minister to Him.
I wonder what it would be like to have angels minister to Him. Those angels made all that struggle in His wilderness bring healing to His soul.
Application
God is faithful
Stick with His plan
Follow His direction. Stand guard against His lies.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Matthew 4:1-2
Matthew 4:1- 2
Who led Jesus into the wilderness? The Spirit
Purpose? To be tempted by satan
What Jesus did when He was there?
Fasted 40 days and 40 nights
After that He was hungry
Application
The Spirit is the one that took Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus had to live in utter dependence on the Spirit as He fasted for that time period.
But that's what is cool and amazing about Jesus. When He is in a really hard spot, He relies on the Spirit not good to sustain Him. And during this time, He is being prepared and equipped for the ministry He has laid out before Him.
It's an area I know I have plenty of room to grow in. When I'm in the wilderness times it's an opportunity to draw closer to the Spirit and rely on Him.
Be ready for the ministry He has for me each day :). And the ministries He is preparing to equip me for in the future.
Who led Jesus into the wilderness? The Spirit
Purpose? To be tempted by satan
What Jesus did when He was there?
Fasted 40 days and 40 nights
After that He was hungry
Application
The Spirit is the one that took Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus had to live in utter dependence on the Spirit as He fasted for that time period.
But that's what is cool and amazing about Jesus. When He is in a really hard spot, He relies on the Spirit not good to sustain Him. And during this time, He is being prepared and equipped for the ministry He has laid out before Him.
It's an area I know I have plenty of room to grow in. When I'm in the wilderness times it's an opportunity to draw closer to the Spirit and rely on Him.
Be ready for the ministry He has for me each day :). And the ministries He is preparing to equip me for in the future.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus comes to John to be baptized
Where: at the Jordan
John's response: you should be baptizing me, Why are you coming to me?
Jesus Answer: to fulfill all righteousness
John's response, he allowed Jesus to be baptized by him
What happened: Jesus came out of the water. The heavens were open to Him. The Spirit of God descended like a dove and alighted on Him.
A voice from heaven came down and said:"this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"
Jesus wasn't coming like the others who came to repent and confess their sins. He came to fulfill all righteousness.
God the Father's response to this. He calls Jesus His beloved and that He was well pleased.
And His Spirit descended upon Him.
Application:
To be like Jesus
Simple. Look to fulfill all righteousness-look to do what is right
It's important for me to confess and repent of my sins.
What are right things to do in my life currently?
Love my husband with Your love
Love my children with Your kindness That leads to repentance
Make sure to pray about the things He lays on my heart.
If there is anything that doesn't further God's kingdom in my life, get rid of it.
Jesus comes to John to be baptized
Where: at the Jordan
John's response: you should be baptizing me, Why are you coming to me?
Jesus Answer: to fulfill all righteousness
John's response, he allowed Jesus to be baptized by him
What happened: Jesus came out of the water. The heavens were open to Him. The Spirit of God descended like a dove and alighted on Him.
A voice from heaven came down and said:"this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"
Jesus wasn't coming like the others who came to repent and confess their sins. He came to fulfill all righteousness.
God the Father's response to this. He calls Jesus His beloved and that He was well pleased.
And His Spirit descended upon Him.
Application:
To be like Jesus
Simple. Look to fulfill all righteousness-look to do what is right
It's important for me to confess and repent of my sins.
What are right things to do in my life currently?
Love my husband with Your love
Love my children with Your kindness That leads to repentance
Make sure to pray about the things He lays on my heart.
If there is anything that doesn't further God's kingdom in my life, get rid of it.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Matthew 3:7-12
Matthew 3:7-12
Intro to the Pharisees and Sadducees
They were coming to John's baptism
John called them brood of vipers
He said they need to bear fruits worthy of repentance
They can't be saved just be saying they are children of Abraham
All the trees that do not bear good fruit are going to be cut down and thrown in the fire.
Johns baptism: a baptism of water into repentance
Jesus baptism: with the Holy Spirit and fire
Jesus will clean out his threshing floor and gather wheat in the barn and burn up the chaff with an unquenchable fire
Even though John isn't a fan of the Pharisees and Sadducees showing up, he does tell them that can't put their confidence in just being Abraham's children, but they need to be bearing fruits worthy of repentance.
Fruit reflects what is in a person's heart. And I love how Jesus brings the Holy Spirit and how we are able to bear his fruit as well :)
Application:
My desire is to see all my children bearing fruit. Right now they have been struggling in a lot of ways. I need to be praying for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives to be able to fill their weaknesses, and pray that God can be at work in getting their hearts.
And that I can bear fruit as well by the Holy Spirit and be able to pour that into the lives of those around me.
Intro to the Pharisees and Sadducees
They were coming to John's baptism
John called them brood of vipers
He said they need to bear fruits worthy of repentance
They can't be saved just be saying they are children of Abraham
All the trees that do not bear good fruit are going to be cut down and thrown in the fire.
Johns baptism: a baptism of water into repentance
Jesus baptism: with the Holy Spirit and fire
Jesus will clean out his threshing floor and gather wheat in the barn and burn up the chaff with an unquenchable fire
Even though John isn't a fan of the Pharisees and Sadducees showing up, he does tell them that can't put their confidence in just being Abraham's children, but they need to be bearing fruits worthy of repentance.
Fruit reflects what is in a person's heart. And I love how Jesus brings the Holy Spirit and how we are able to bear his fruit as well :)
Application:
My desire is to see all my children bearing fruit. Right now they have been struggling in a lot of ways. I need to be praying for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives to be able to fill their weaknesses, and pray that God can be at work in getting their hearts.
And that I can bear fruit as well by the Holy Spirit and be able to pour that into the lives of those around me.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Matthew 3:1-6
Matthew 3:1-6
John the Baptist
Preached in the wilderness of Judea
Message: "repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand"
He was spoken of by Isaiah:
Isaiah's description: the voice of the one crying in the wilderness
His job was to prepare the way for The Lord and make His paths straight.
Dressed in camels hair with a leather belt around his waist
Ate locusts and wild honey
People from Jerusalem, Judea, and all around Jordan came out to him:
Those people came, were baptized by John in the Jordan river, confessed their sins
John preached "repent" and that's what people came out to do. To confess and be baptized
Israel had been in a wilderness for awhile waiting for their King to come. In coming out of it part of the prep work included confessing and repenting.
Application: bring my sins before The Lord, repent and confess. Confess what I have done and turn from it. Help prepare the way for The Lord. Be His voice.
John the Baptist
Preached in the wilderness of Judea
Message: "repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand"
He was spoken of by Isaiah:
Isaiah's description: the voice of the one crying in the wilderness
His job was to prepare the way for The Lord and make His paths straight.
Dressed in camels hair with a leather belt around his waist
Ate locusts and wild honey
People from Jerusalem, Judea, and all around Jordan came out to him:
Those people came, were baptized by John in the Jordan river, confessed their sins
John preached "repent" and that's what people came out to do. To confess and be baptized
Israel had been in a wilderness for awhile waiting for their King to come. In coming out of it part of the prep work included confessing and repenting.
Application: bring my sins before The Lord, repent and confess. Confess what I have done and turn from it. Help prepare the way for The Lord. Be His voice.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Matthew 2:19-23
Matthew 2:19-23
God leads and directs Joseph, Joseph listens
Herod died
Angel of The Lord tells Joseph to go out of Egypt into the land of Israel now that Herod is dead.
So Joseph takes Mary and Jesus out of Egypt and comes into the land of Israel.
Joseph learns Herod's son is leading over Judah.
Joseph is afraid
God warns Joseph in a dream
Joseph turns aside and goes into galilee and dwells in the city of Nazareth
Prophesy fulfilled "He shall be called a
Nazarene"
I find it interesting that when Joseph had fear, it was followed up by a warning from God in a dream.
And once again Joseph doesn't ask God the whys or how comes of what he is instructed to do for his family. He just does it. He is a man of faith.
It's interesting to me now knowing and understanding more the genealogy of Judah and the kingdom of Judah, to think about not being able to return to where your family is from...
One other observation through all of this. We are reading about God's son on earth around the time of a man who kills innocent babies out of fear of losing his throne. This is a picture of free will. And the choice each of have in making to follow Him. Or not following Him. And although He does not like what happens He is at work with a bigger plan from those awful situations, still at work in the area of redemption for all people... He isn't after the earthly crown but a heavenly purpose.
Application: it's not about me it's about His ultimate plan to save people in this world.
God leads and directs Joseph, Joseph listens
Herod died
Angel of The Lord tells Joseph to go out of Egypt into the land of Israel now that Herod is dead.
So Joseph takes Mary and Jesus out of Egypt and comes into the land of Israel.
Joseph learns Herod's son is leading over Judah.
Joseph is afraid
God warns Joseph in a dream
Joseph turns aside and goes into galilee and dwells in the city of Nazareth
Prophesy fulfilled "He shall be called a
Nazarene"
I find it interesting that when Joseph had fear, it was followed up by a warning from God in a dream.
And once again Joseph doesn't ask God the whys or how comes of what he is instructed to do for his family. He just does it. He is a man of faith.
It's interesting to me now knowing and understanding more the genealogy of Judah and the kingdom of Judah, to think about not being able to return to where your family is from...
One other observation through all of this. We are reading about God's son on earth around the time of a man who kills innocent babies out of fear of losing his throne. This is a picture of free will. And the choice each of have in making to follow Him. Or not following Him. And although He does not like what happens He is at work with a bigger plan from those awful situations, still at work in the area of redemption for all people... He isn't after the earthly crown but a heavenly purpose.
Application: it's not about me it's about His ultimate plan to save people in this world.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Matthew 2:13-15
Matthew 2:13-15
The angel of the Lord's instructions:
Arise, take your family and flee to Egypt.
Stay until I bring you word.
Reason: Herod is seeking out the young child to destroy
Joseph's response:
He arose, took Mary and Jesus by night, and departed for Egypt.
Prophesy that would be fulfilled from it:
"Out of Egypt I called my son."
Application
Be quick to listen and obey God's voice. Joseph didn't doubt or question or need a schedule. He just heard what he needed to do and did it. God used Joseph to protect the Savior.
Sometimes Christianity can be scoffed at when things get hard, but Jesus was born into adversity in a time frame innocent little boys were being killed.
God knew Joseph was the type of man with the character and the heart to listen and follow His leading
The angel of the Lord's instructions:
Arise, take your family and flee to Egypt.
Stay until I bring you word.
Reason: Herod is seeking out the young child to destroy
Joseph's response:
He arose, took Mary and Jesus by night, and departed for Egypt.
Prophesy that would be fulfilled from it:
"Out of Egypt I called my son."
Application
Be quick to listen and obey God's voice. Joseph didn't doubt or question or need a schedule. He just heard what he needed to do and did it. God used Joseph to protect the Savior.
Sometimes Christianity can be scoffed at when things get hard, but Jesus was born into adversity in a time frame innocent little boys were being killed.
God knew Joseph was the type of man with the character and the heart to listen and follow His leading
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