Then Was Jesus

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to Him, He said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:1-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The first day of a new year; the first day of the first month; my read through the Bible (free style) has me at Matthew 1:1. I stop at Matt 4:11; Jesus in the wilderness.

“But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”  ‭Matthew‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As I sit here feasting on my spiritual food, the above verse grabs my attention. My paraphrase: Man shall live by every word that proceedeth out of God's mouth!

That's not just obedience to the Word of God; That's life! When we feast on His Word, life comes to us! When we speak The Word over our loved ones, we speak life! His Word is life! It feeds our spirit! It nourishes our soul! It brings light into darkness. It brings peace and hope in a violent, hopeless world. His Word is the weapon in which we battle the enemy; Jesus our example!

The wilderness is a hard place to be, but it is where we find God. When we are dry and thirsty we will seek water! When we come to the end of ourselves we find Him. Jesus was there for forty days, and was tempted by the enemy in every way, and sinned not. Our example, for our wilderness training. 

The problem is - we don't recognize the wilderness, soon enough. We stay there much longer than we have to, trying to do it on our own. We finally get enough, and humble ourselves, crying out to God for His help!  We don't appreciate the lesson, until it's over. 

If only we could stay as connected to God as Jesus did The Father, we would learn our lessons quicker. Our flesh, always demanding its own way. Submission is so very hard, we are so used to doing everything by ourself. Asking anyone for help, shows a weakness, few are willing to expose. 

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”  James‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

If we don't willingly humble ourself, He will humble us. 

“And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭26:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we humble ourself, submit our will to His, crying out to Him, He's there and He moves on our behalf! If your situation does not change, I promise your heart will and that's the same thing! 

That's when the ministering angels come and the restoration! On the other side is peace, joy, fullness of love! 

In his testimony a friend says, "I wouldn't take a million dollars for what God has brought me through, but I wouldn't pay a nickel to go through it again!" 

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.” Matthew‬ ‭4:10-11‬ ‭KJV

Spend time, daily reading your Bible! Today's the day for resolutions; make that one yours! Get His Word in your heart! Submit and obey! Worship Him in holiness, for He IS holy! Serve Him in all you do! 

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Happy New Year!

Even so - MARANATHA! 

1/1/17