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Jesus and Temptation

1/27/2023

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Satan’s Top 3 Weapons   
In Luke’s version of the wilderness temptations of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13), Satan tempted our Lord in three ways. But don’t let the small number fool you. Virtually every conceivable temptation has its roots in those three enticements. John summarizes them as follows, “...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).
  
Below is a breakdown of the three temptations Jesus faced, followed by a correlation to our temptations.
  
1. The Lust of the Flesh 
  • After fasting 40 days in the wilderness Jesus was on the verge of starvation. Satan challenged Him to demonstrate His divinity by turning stones to bread and satisfying His hunger. But Jesus refused, citing a greater need for His Father's word (Luke 4:3-4). 
  • Satan is keenly familiar with our fleshly appetites, and would have us seek to satisfy them first and foremost. Although certain physical needs should be met, none compares to our need for God’s word.
      

    2. The Lust of the Eyes 
  • In a moment of time, Satan showed Jesus all the world’s kingdoms and offered Him full control in exchange for worshipping the tempter. It must have been genuinely tempting, for Jesus could have literally ruled the world! But worshipping Satan was out of the question!

  • Although our eyes are crucial for safely navigating this world, Satan temps us to look at things that hinder spiritual growth or pollute our souls. But we must control what we see, regardless of Satan's allurements and enticing promises.
      

    3. The Pride of Life 
  • Satan dared Jesus to jump from the pinnacle of the temple to prove His identity and substantiate God’s promise to protect Him. Pride could have prompted Jesus to jump, but He refused. Testing God’s promises would violate His Father's will - Deut. 6:16.

  • Pride has caused countless problems for people, including Christians. Sometimes we are tempted to believe that we are a “bit better than others”. Such feelings, however, inevitably lead to haughtiness, a judgmental spirit, anger, bitter words and grudges. Remember - “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).
      

     Jesus forever proved that temptations can be overcome by using God's word. In fact, He was "in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). It all began when He resisted the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
      
    May God help us to follow in His steps – 1 Pet. 2:21.
      
    A Recommitted Me in 2023! 

      Dennis

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God's Enduring Word!

1/18/2023

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God's Enduring Word! 
  
Things that endure and stand the test of time are impressive. Examples include life-long marriages or friendships, well-constructed houses or furniture, long-lasting vehicles, appliances, tools or clothing. 
  
As impressive as these might be, nothing compares with the enduring words of God as recorded in the Bible. Written over a period 1600 years and completed some 2,000 years ago, it continues to flourish despite countless attempts to discredit it. Some of the world’s brightest (so-called) intellectuals claimed that the Bible would obsolete by the end of the 19th century. Yet in the 21st century it continues to be the world's #1 bestseller.  
  
Moreover, the Bible itself repeatedly affirms that God’s word will endure forever. 
  • “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever" (Isa.  40:8).
  •  “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). 
  • "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away"   (Matt. 24:35, Mark 13:31).
  • “...the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). 
  • “…the word of God which lives and abides forever... (1 Pet. 1:23). 
  • “The grass withers, And its flower falls away,  But the word of the LORD endures forever" (1 Peter 1:24-25).

       
    Hammer and the Anvil (Author unknown) 
  • Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door and heard the anvil ring the vesper chime:
  • Then looking in, I saw upon the floor old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
  • "How many anvils have you had," said I, "To wear and batter all these hammers so?"
  • "Just one," said he, and then, with twinkling eye, "The anvil wears the hammers out, you know." 
  • And so, thought I, the anvil of God's word, for ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
  • Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard, the anvil is unharmed; the hammers gone. 
  Praise God for His enduring word!

 A Recommitted Me in 2023! 
  
Dennis
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Great New Year (Part 2)

1/9/2023

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10 TIPS FOR A GREAT NEW YEAR (Part 2) 
  
As indicated in my previous article, SMALL changes can have a BIG IMPACT on our lives in 2023. Below are 5 additional tips that will help ensure that we have the best 2023 possible. 
  
6. Begin each day by listening to God!  Do so by reading or listening to the Bible. Nothing will so effectively help us to cope with the challenges of life as God's word. Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12b). Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). 
  
7. Take time to meditate on God’s words. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;  but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa. 1:1-2). After hearing or reading from the Bible, take a few minutes to let the words sink in. Better yet, discuss them with family members. Don’t be like the masses that “read & run”. 
  
8. Spend more time with Christians. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another DAILY, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb 3:12-13). The more time we spend with other Christians the easier it will be for us to  “recommit” to God in 2023. 
  
9. Pray for one lost soul daily. The apostle Paul wrote, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom 10:1-2). Paul could not help but pray for lost souls of which he was aware. Determine to do the same. Ask God to use you in some way to help direct lost souls to Christ! 
  
10. Increase your giving. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom (Luke 6:38). Paul added, “…he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). Increasing your weekly contribution by even a dollar or two will help the church and bring you a return from God! 
  
A Recommitted Me in 2023! 
  
Dennis
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Great New Year (Part 1)

1/9/2023

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10 TIPS FOR A GREAT NEW YEAR (Part 1) 
  
As we begin 2023, don’t overlook the fact that SMALL changes can have a BIG IMPACT on the New Year. Below are 10 small things you can do every day that will help ensure a blessed 2023. 
  
1. Thank God daily! David wrote, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits” (Psa. 69:18). The apostle Paul added, “…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father...” (Eph. 5:20). Thanking God does not take long, but brings a special perk - in every society the most thankful people are invariably the happiest! 
  
2. Lift up (at least) one person daily! Virtually everyone we encounter - postal workers, delivery drivers, receptionists, waitresses, cashiers (not to mention relatives) receive far less encouragement that they deserve. Say something nice; it will give both of you a lift! "…a word spoken in due season, how good it is”  (Prov. 15:23). 
  
3. Think before speaking!  Millions of marriages, family relationships, friendships and church relationships have been damaged and even ruined by angry or bitter words. James wrote, “…the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity” (James 3:5-6). Although sticks and stones may break our bones, cutting remarks can terminate precious relationships.  
  
4. Be the first to apologize!  The biggest obstacle to forgiving others is pride. Never allow your pride to keep you from saying, “I'm sorry", even if the other person is partly at fault. And if an offender apologizes you, be QUICK to forgive. Jesus taught us to pray, “…forgive us our debts, AS WE FORGIVE our debtors” (Mt. 6:12). 
  
5. Gradually decrease your possessions. A popular bumper sticker reads, “He Who Dies With The Most Toys Wins!" Sadly, countless Americans believe it. Millions measure their success by the number of things they own. But Jesus warned, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15).  Paul added that becoming obsessed with money or things can cause us to “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9). Begin shedding some of your material baggage. You will end up richer toward God! 
  
To be continued! 
  
A Recommitted Me in 2023! 
  
Dennis 
  
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The Night Before......

1/9/2023

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Twas the Night Before Jesus Came(Author uncertain)
‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!


When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! Returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His Hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" My head hung in shame!
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after ALL!
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
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