Temptation of Jesus

Big Picture from Mt.4:1-11
There will be those times of intense, maybe even "unfair" temptation that we go through. In times such as these, perhaps trials is the better word. They are intense, because the enemy won't take "no" for an answer. He knows our buttons and pushes persistently, While he can't force us to believe his lies; he can harass and rattle us; hence checking the foundation of our faith. Will we stand? Also, these special times or seasons of temptation/trials can seem "unfair" because we've already said "no" to these temptations. Yet, satan takes us farther than we wanted to go and we are tempted to things that we normally would not do. In fact, Jesus was all by himself and he particularly could have said "Who will turning this stone into bread hurt? Who will know? Who would blame me? Who would even care?" (Any of those thoughts sound familiar?) He also could have justifed in his mind the other two temptations, except for the part aboaut falling down and worshiping satan. Yet, isn't that what temptation is really all about?----turning our back on God, believing the liar, and hence granting him worship?
In all of this, Jesus means of defense was quoting Scripture at Satan.
---Know God's Word to be empowered. Beleive God's Word to win.
---Know that trials can come intensely and even unfairly (David was a man after God's own heart!)
In the end (v.11) Jesus stood firm. Satan left. Angels came and attended to Jesus.

Nesting

Well, it's getting that time. A couple of soon to be mommies are nesting. How do I know? They are cleaning out rooms in their house and bringing junk...urr...stuff (just kidding, chill out) to the office.

They will know you are mine

Yesterday we had a meeting with our Ministry Outreach team. We are trying to be Jesus' hands and feet to the community; because we believe we need to minister to the felt need of the community before we can fix their real need. It was a pretty long meeting, but I think we got a lot done. We want to be more intentional, and make the name of Jesus famous by our lifestyle of giving hope through service. In the meantime God was so kind to point out to me that we are doing some of this already. ---Just yesterday, a couple of our guys were helping another put an engine in a car. One of our ladies, took a person to the hospital for outpatient surgery, baby-sat, and went and picked the person up from the hospital.---That is love. "They will know you are my disciples, because of your love for one another."--Jesus

Third Try

Mt.4:10
After the third and final temptation on this go around (there would be more), Jesus told satan to go away (beat it, get lost!). Then he quoted Scripture one more time. NOte: Jesus did not use his "God-powers", he simply quoted Bible at satan. The Word of God is a powerful double-edged sword. It is a weapon to be used against satan. This is why memorization is so important. This is why the enemy tempts us to be lazy in hiding God's Word in our hearts. The Scriptures are plain: God is the only object of worship. Worship and service go hand-in-hand.---Hide God's Word in your heart and be armed for battle! The showdown is coming.

Awareness Day

There seems to be a special day for almost any occasion. Let me suggest another: "Awareness Day." This isn't a day where we have to buy lunch or stuff for someone else. It's actually a day of reset. It is a day that we (as followers of Christ) check ourselves. We, who have been raised to life in Christ Jesus, are to set our minds on things above. (see Col.3) A true Christian should be growing in his/her affection for Christ. Periodically, we need to hit the pause button and check our affection for Christ. Do I love Him? Yes, of course, we say yes. But do we show that in how we live our lives? Here's a test (of like, not love but it works). If ice cream and spinach were put before a child to eat, how would we know which one they liked? ---no rocket science there---Would our love for Jesus be as easy to see?
Aight! So you are tracking with me now. On Awareness Day check to see if you are doing the things that stir your affection for Christ. Answer this question: When I am __________ I really feel closer to Jesus. Whatever ______ is, do that! It may be hanging out with a certain believer and talking with them about the LORD. It may be just reading the Scriptures slowly and meditating upon them in a quiet place. It may be listening to music. Here's the deal, on Awareness Day ask yourself what does it for me, and then make sure you are doing that which stirs up your love and affection for Jesus. The good thing about Awareness Day is you set it yourself as often as you like. So how are you and Jesus? What do you need to get back to?

Gather Around

It doesn't take much to gain a gathering. We US Americans will gather around the grill, the football field, the baseball diamond, the movie theater, the shopping mall, etc. We will get together. On occasion there is passion mixed up in our gatherings and together we accomplish much for a person or a cause. ---And then sometimes our gatherings are based on some kind of celebration like the 4th of July. We get immersed in the trimmings of the gathering and completely forget why we do this gathering. Some people were willing to die for what they believed to be true and righteous. Their perseverance has allotted us freedoms and peace that no other country truly experiences. A moment of silence... a time of quiet meditation...a time of prayer would be justified. But what does that do? Really? How about we live up to the standard of truth and righteousness that was worth dying for?---Likewise, my fellow believers how can we just say shallow prayers, and give lipservice to God on Sundays? How about we live for Him who died for us and was raised again?

Raisin Yungins from the NotSoPerfect Dad

Blessed. That is what I am. The old guys at church used to give my kids peppermint candies after church. They stared in amazement that my kids would sit in the second row from the front and not make a peep. At the time, I didn't think much about it. But that time has passed, and I'm not sure if kids today can make it in the second row from the back a whole Sunday morning service. ---Why am I putting myself out here in crazy talk? Well, maybe it will help some young parents. People do ask me all the time, how we raised such good kids. I'm sure what they mean is "well-behaved" kids. None of us are righteous. ---I'm going to keep this simple, because I think it is. Besides having the #1 Mother year in and year out (and that ain't no bologna, Teresa has been an awesome mom to our kids); the next thing would be plain ole discipline from the very beginning. We didn't have to beat our kids or lock them in a closet...heck, we parented before "time-out" was even around. However, we would spank or put them in the corner when necessary. We would not yell at them (absolute no-no! Once you start that you can't stop. A wise man once told me "If you are yelling you are losing.") The key was we started at the beginning. When you tap a child on the hand at the earliest stages that means you don't have to whooop (chill out spelling queen, I meant three o's for effect)them hard when they get older. Earlier is better! Later, Beware! Are you getting me? If you wait too long, you can't whip them hard enough. That is my theory, and I'm sticking to it. Don't take their crap! You are the parent. What you say goes!---I hope this helps. Let me reiterate, I'm only sharing because I've been asked many times. ---In the mean time, there is plenty of time for my kids to screw up...but they are adults now. Here's to hoping they stay true to their God!---Lastly, just to blow my theory to smithoreenes; maybe we just had really, really, really good kids and we had nothing to do with it.---That is a distinct possibility...but all four? Ok, to God be the glory. (my kids: if you are reading this...please wait a few more years to screw up...a couple of people might read this.)