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You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, d... -
In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?' Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Most assuredly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom...
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Come now, and let us reason together, says Yahweh: 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land Isaiah 1:18 WEBAs I looked out over the fresh snow that now ...
The Power of Suggestion
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Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. The devil said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.' Jesus answered him, saying, 'It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' Luke 4:1 WEB
Jesus heard God speaking to Him right after He was baptized in the Jordon river, and a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased' (Luke 3:22). Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and fasted for forty days.
The devil came to test Him when He was weak from hunger. The first temptation was, 'If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.' The devil saw that Jesus was hungry and thought it may be an opening. Also, he brought into question whether Jesus was actually the Son of God to instill a little doubt and confusion.
Now Jesus had already heard a voice speaking to Him earlier, but now here is another voice, or is it the same one? Are they from the same source? Should He turn this stone into bread? Jesus needed to know whether this voice was God speaking to Him again, or a counterfeit. He turned to the scriptures and His answer came from Deuteronomy 8:3. Whatever does not agree with scripture does not come from God. The word of God is our anchor of truth.
The next temptation was a chance to set up an earthly kingdom even more powerful than the Roman empire. All of it could be given to Jesus here and now, if Jesus would only worship him. It was a legitimate desire. Jesus could set up a government that truly cared about the people and He could do a lot of good through it. But it was a compromise and meant using the world's methods. He would have to turn His back on His calling. Once again Jesus turned to scripture and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13, decisively rejecting the offer.
The third suggestion was to perform a miracle by casting Himself off the temple, possibly to make people believe in Him, but also to prove that He is the Son of God. This time satan quotes scripture to Jesus (Psalm 91:11).
In all of this temptation, satan can only 'suggest' that Jesus should do something. It was entirely up to Jesus to perform the act. Jesus again refers to scripture and quotes Deuteronomy 6:16. Then fresh out of ideas, the devil left Him until a more 'opportune' time.
The devil 'suggested' things to Jesus, but he could not get around the clear word of God when directly confronted with it from a person that would not compromise. A person who's no actually meant no, and not maybe. Though he would have loved to, satan was unable to make Jesus do anything. He was limited to the power of suggestion.
Jesus was also obeying the scripture as well. Telling the devil to flee when you are friends with him will not work. You have be committed to God first, and then resist the temptation, then he will flee just as He left Jesus. 'Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you' (James 4:7).
If you have something that bothers you and will not go away, or have feelings of worthlessness, shame, or you are being tempted to do wrong, or you are full of fear, find a scripture for it and memorize it. Say it out loud through out the day. We all have our own weaknesses. Find a scripture that addresses it and stand on it. It is amazing what the light of scripture will do to the kingdom of darkness.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in You. Teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Amen
Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in You. Teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen! Thank you Pastor. I must have needed this today <3
Lord, I join with Dianna in this prayer for me and for all here at RHM <3!
Amen
Amen
Amen Lord.
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Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion.
Amen.
Yes I needed this today. Lord help me find the right scripture I need to stand on to fight this thing. Amen!
Amen, Lynn <3!
Amen
Jesus,please help me to resist all temptations that don't agree with you.Tahnk you for all my blessings. Amen.
When I was raising my son I was plagued by depression and anxiety. Oftentimes my brain was foggy and things that were once easy were a struggle. During this period I had a bulletin board in the kitchen. Over time I filled it with Scripture that would comfort me and give me strength. I wasn't familiar with the idea of standing on Scripture, but it seems the Holy Spirit was guiding me to do just that.
That is a beautiful idea, Roseanne <3!
Amen.
Amen.
Hebrews 4:12 King James Version (KJV)12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Amen, Carol <3!
Amazing! As I'm growing older, my health has become a challenge. I know if I lost a little weight, it would help my back issue. (I'm trying to put surgery off until Fall) This is the morning I began the program, even before reading the devotion. I know that I must lean on God to help me through the temptations. This morning's devotion is perfect! I know God gives you, Pastor Dion, the right words to share with us. Thank you, Jesus for loving me as I am and supporting me through the temptations and stumbles, in this part of my life. Amen!
Marilyn, praying for much strength, healing and grace to help you through your temptations and with your health and back! If you have not done so and are interested, we also have a group here called "Healthful Living" that might be a good place for you to join! Here is the link: http://www.refreshinghope.org/group/21. God bless, sister!
Thank you so much. I appreciate your input will check the site out.
AMEN! Prayer is definitly the most powerful weapon available to us!
Just what I needed to be reminded of...every so on I go into a deep depression. Started out of it yesterday. Sit in front of scriptures & try to read. It's difficult. Y mine is usually blown by then. No it is right place to be. So the Word, the living flesh, can get in me. Get the behind me Satan in Jesus name. I.liked reading , for instance, if Jesus would except the deal to be head of how that would be turning from God's original plan. Wow that's good for all of us when being attacked to remember. Scheming, lying, piece of dirt. Don't want to miss what Jesus had for me as I chose yrs ago to follow Him,!!! Amen. Satan does Know scripture. And funny is he can't think another plan when all is thwarpt. Lol!
Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in You. Teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen <3
I need to find some more scriptures to help me through some of my troubles. Father. please help me with this and show me wat ones are good for what i'm goin threw. Amen. <3
Pastor Dion thank you for your devotion today. I enjoyed reading this and will look for scriptures to fit my needs. :-)
Amen
Amen!!
Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in You. Teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, I pray that you bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in you. Teach me your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!