Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/19

PASSAGE: Matthew 4 [1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

[5] Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple [6] and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” [7] Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

[8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” [10] Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” [11] Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

INSIGHT: In John 5 [19], Jesus said – “I do nothing on my own. I do just what I see my Father doing.” When confronted by the devil, Jesus refuses to act independently of his heavenly Father. He’s in complete submission to his Father. What was the devil trying to get Jesus to do? He was trying to get Jesus to use his power for himself.

What thoughts, actions or habits are pulling you away from life with God? How would you fill in these blanks? “With God’s help and his power in me, I’m not going to let my ______________ drive me to ___________________.”

PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to help you love the things that are healthy for you – and the things that will give you more and better life.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Maybe you struggle with lust, anger or even loneliness. When the fork in the road comes your way today with temptation, ask God to help you choose the path that keeps you close to him. Renew your mind with promises from his Word – just like Jesus did.