The temptations of Satan attempt to entangle us in sin to show that good or evil…weakness or strength exists within. It is not a sin to be tempted…rather, it’s the decision we make with the temptation that matters. For it says in Hebrews 4:15, “Jesus was tempted in every way – yet was without sin.”
Tag: christ jesus
Matthew 16: 22-23 ” Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ‘Never Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to You!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’ “
Jesus had just been explaining to His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem…be killed…and then rise on the third day. But the disciples were having a difficult time putting their heads around such an event, when suddenly Peter audaciously pulled Jesus aside and said, “God forbid!” How many times do we want to set God right, but our own worldly view of divine workings is so askew that we’re bordering on blasphemy ourselves?
Hebrews 1:3 ” The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.”
As so perfectly said by our Savior in John 14:9, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Jesus walked this earth as the magnificent shining of God’s glory and splendor for all to see…He was God with us, and the reality of God’s word come to life.
Colossians 1:13 ” For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
We have been snatched from darkness into the light…from the power of Satan to the forgiveness of God. We have been pulled from captivity to the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the redemption of His blood.
Matthew 14: 28-30 ” ‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘ Lord, save me!’ “
Just like Jesus, Peter walked on the water. Just like Jesus, Peter’s faith was great enough to keep him afloat. But unlike Jesus, Peter took his eyes off his Savior and onto the situation around him and he began to flounder. When the storm is swirling around you…keep your eyes on Jesus. When fear promises to overwhelm you…keep your eyes on Jesus. For as long as Peter stayed focused on the Lord, he walked above the fray.
Titus 1:1 ” Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.”
The mystery of God is summed up in one word…Jesus. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have new birth and can fully grasp the foundation and principal of God’s love for us.
Mark 4: 26-29 ” He also said, ‘This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed spouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces the grain – first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’ “
The Kingdom of God is within the human heart, and just like the Spring soil, the seed is planted and grows. We may not totally understand how both happen…but by faith and trust we have this assurance…that our personal relationship with Jesus will grow within us, just like the life found inside that seed.
Psalm 73: 25-26 ” Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Elsewhere in Psalms it says, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.” For to lose all things is to gain Christ. Our well-being …both mentally, physically, and spiritually is in the Lord and Him alone. And even when our bodies grow old and weak, He’s our strength.
Romans 14: 10-12 ” You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live’, says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
We are casual to judge others. We become judge, jury, and executioner with a glance or comment…judging others more harshly than ourselves. But there will come a time when all our judging will cease…for the great Judgment Day will come and it will be God doing the judging. And at that moment…all will recognize and submit to His authority alone. For at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2: 10-11)
Matthew 5: 38-39 ” You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Jesus was quoting Leviticus 24:20 where the law stated that as a man had injured someone, so he was to be injured. But then, Jesus turned that law completely upside down by advocating loving your enemy and not repaying evil with evil…of doing good to those who hate you, and turning the cheek.
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