Be Encouraged!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Don't Tempt God

Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" Matthew 4:7 NKJV

While Jesus was being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, the devil had already asked him to convert stones to bread, and his reply was that man did not live by bread alone, but the word of God. The devil next asked Jesus to throw himself off the temple. In his estimation, the devil figured if he was the Son of God, angels would come to his rescue. He even used the scripture from Psalms 91 (verses 11 and 12) to back him up.

Jesus wasn't buying it. His response was to say "you shall not tempt the Lord your God." Plenty of people do it. "If God did this, then I would do that." Or other people mock, "if your God exists, then he will do this or that."

The people of Israel did this while they were in the wilderness. Moses was telling them about God's commandments when he said to not tempt God. And Jesus used this against the devil.

We need to refrain from tempting. Stop the ultimatums. Either do for God and His kingdom without the need for reward or walk away.

I hope you like the Sayings of Jesus series. This is the third post and just to reiterate what I said before, I am just giving a few thoughts on what Christ said in the Bible. Sometimes the post will be long and other times, it will be short. And sometimes what Christ says is tough to swallow, but the hope is that it will be enlightening.

Stay Encouraged and Be Blessed!

Friday, May 3, 2013

What Do You Feed The Most?

©GrantCochrane freedigitalphotos.net

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

Jesus spoke this when he was being tempted by the devil during his 40-day fast in the wilderness. The devil had said if he was the Son of God, then turns those stones into bread.

My immediate thought turned to our daily digest of God's Word and how that helps strengthen our spirits. Some Christians spend very little time studying God's Word. Some spend the vast majority of their day immersed in God's Word. Those that spend a little time wonder why they are so easily tricked.

Don't get me wrong. All of us can be led astray, but the more time you spend studying God's Word the easier it will be to spot the tricks. The easier it will be to avoid the traps and the quicker it will be to get back on strong footing.

Christ points this out in Matthew 4:4. While food provides sustenance, that is just the physical. If you spend only a little time reading, studying, praying and worshiping God, you will not be prepared for the attacks. You must provide sustenance to your spirit, too.

How do you feed your spirit?

Stay Encouraged and Be Blessed!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Jesus Fulfilled His Destiny, Are You Fulfilling Yours?

©Arvind Balaraman Freedigitalphotos.net

Hello again. It's been a long time, but my schedule has been opened. Sadly, I also had no ideas, but it was brought to my remembrance a series that I wanted to do. Here is the first post about the sayings of Jesus. I will probably focus on this for the time being. Hopefully, I will be able to do at least one post a week.

The Sayings of Jesus series will be a reflection of thoughts concerning what Christ said. I did this years ago in my journal. I didn't make it far, and honestly, I'm not sure I did it right. I started with the Beatitudes, but that was wrong. Here goes.

But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

Matthew 3:15 NKJV

Jesus spoke these words to convince John the Baptist to baptize him. John was preaching to all who would hear that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus appeared before him, and he felt so unworthy to baptize him.

Jesus had other plans. John the Baptist was doing his part, and it was ordained that he would baptize Jesus. Did Jesus need to be baptized? He was Jesus. But He did so because it would fulfill righteousness.

I have been told that baptism is the outward appearance of showing the world you have given your life to Christ, well God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. And a lot of people were baptized as a kid. But many get baptized again as an adult, once they really know what it is about.

Another thought brings up a memory of a past bible study session. While attending a church bible study, the teacher said Christ had to fulfill many promises written of him in the Old Testament. I don't recall the number, but it was in the thousands. Christ fulfilled every one. He may have had momentary lapses during his prayer times, and especially at Gethsemane, but he fulfilled each one.

For some of us, it may be a struggle to go to church on Sunday. It may be a struggle to go to church on time. We may struggle with prayer. We may struggle with reading the Bible. We may struggle with just plain 'ole being obedient to God when it concerns His kingdom.

But we have a destiny. It may not be just like Christ's, but it is as important to the advancement of God's kingdom. If you feel like John the Baptist, and feel unworthy to do Christ's bidding, stop it. If the task is in your hand, then complete it. Do what God asks of you. Be obedient.

What is your take on baptism? If you were baptized as a child, do you think it is necessary to be baptized as an adult?

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: God Fulfills His Promises!


©Kate@totheSquareInch.com

In all of your New Year resolution planning, don't forget your Christ-centered ones, because God has plans for you, and show your faith by doing for Him!

Stay Encouraged and Be Blessed!