Tag: Jesus

Temptation

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I love a good candy bar, Caramello is probably my favorite. Or a nice cool York peppermint patty. I’m a bit ashamed to admit I had one of each yesterday :/

I love scrolling Facebook when I wind down for the evening. It’s a mindless way to chill.

I love shopping. Sometimes a trip to my favorite store is like a mini vacation. Other times I can do it right from the convenience of my couch in between those mindless Facebook scrolls. (Thanks Amazon)

What tempts you? Do your temptations feel impossible to resist? Maybe yours are a bit more serious, or maybe you also struggle with candy, shopping, and social media.

I came across a few verses I’ve probably read a dozen times, but today they struck me a little different.

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Here’s what I noticed this time around:

Jesus was full of the spirit. It is very hard to be full of the spirit when there’s no room! When we are emptied of ourselves, the spirit can enter.

Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness. He followed his calling. He followed the prompting. Have you ever felt a nudge and brushed it off or ignored it? Sadly, I have.

The last thing I noticed – “He ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.” Hmm, was He not hungry day one? For me, it would have been about 3 hours in… did He not realize he was hungry until he was done? Did the spirit occupy him that well? I don’t know? Maybe that’s just my interpretation but I thought it was interesting and it stuck out to me.

When we are empty of ourselves and full of the spirit, we can resist temptation just like Jesus. Maybe we won’t go a full 40 days with no food, but we CAN resist picking up our phone for the 20th time, or running to Kohls for the latest trends (super cute Vera Wang spring line btw)

For every one of the devil’s temptation , Jesus fought back with the word of God.

“The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If you are feeling tempted, follow the example given to us by Jesus.

*Empty yourself. Make room for the Holy Spirit.

*Follow the spirit’s lead.

*Fight your temptations with scripture.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The Ultimate “it’s not fair”

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I hear it from my kids all the time…”Mom, it’s not fair!”

Sometimes I think it or say it.

The nicest person you know is diagnosed with a terminal illness…it’s not fair.

The most devoted mother is tragically killed in a car accident...it’s not fair.

The hurricane batters a town still recovering from the last one…it’s not fair.

Unless you have buried your head in the sand, you know all too well life can seem unfair. Why me? Why her? It’s not fair.

But then we break out the eternal measuring stick.

Jesus

He was born a baby in a manger…it’s not fair. He should have had the best room in the house, not a smelly barn full of animals.

He was accused, betrayed, beaten, and hung on a cross…it’s not fair. He didn’t do anything wrong.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

Sometimes it feels like the “bad” people get away with things…it’s not fair! But the Bible says otherwise.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. Matthew 12:36 ESV

Things on earth will never be perfect. This is earth, not heaven. But it is reassuring to know one day, all of our “it’s not fair” feelings will melt away.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 ESV

When things seem unfair, remember Jesus died for us, to carry the weight of our sin, even though He was perfect. Like most things, this is easy to believe when life is smooth. But when trouble comes and things get rocky, it will take a very firm foundation, built on knowing God and reading His word, to put things into perspective and keep the “it’s not fair” mindset from taking over.

Sometimes I picture God up there looking down on us, crossing our arms and stomping our feet, anxiously pacing back and forth because we don’t think something is fair. He can see, know, and hear all things. While we see one beach, He sees the whole ocean. We see one starry sky, He sees the whole galaxy. Yet we think we know better!

‘Ah, Lord God ! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

…and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Revelation 1:18 ESV

So rest easy today. God is in control. God is fair. God loves you.