Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 13
Friday


NO DEAL!

READ:
Luke 4:1-13
_____________________________________________________________

It is written, "Man shall
not live by bread alone,
but by every word of
God." __Luke 4:4
_____________________________________________________________

We've all seen and heard advertisements that entice us to take shortcuts to happiness. Buy our product and make no payments for one year! Instant gratification!

When the devil tempted Jesus (Luke 4:1-13), he offered a shortcut to "satisfaction." He tried to tempt Jesus to take matters into His own hands rather than trust His Father.

When Jesus was hungry from 40 days of fasting (v.2), Satan suggested that He use His power to turn stones into bread. Had the Lord done so, He would have been using His powers for His own benefit, but He refused.

Why didn't Jesus accept the devil's offer of ruling all the kingdoms of the world right away? (vv.5-7). He could have avoided the cross. But that would have gone against God's plan for Him--to give His life on the cross, to be resurrected, and to sit at the Father's right hand in His kingdom. Satan's offer of a shortcut was no deal at all.

Beware of enticements that seem to cost little for the present. Satan hopes to get you to do things his way. And he doesn't give up easily. Even after Jesus overcame a third temptation, Satan left only "until an opportune time" (v.13).

Whenever you are offered a shortcut to happiness, watch out to see who's behind the cashier's counter! __D. P. Hia
_____________________________________________________________

``````````````Lord, help me see the devil's offers for what``````````
`````````````they are--enticements to sin. Help me to keep`````````
``````````````my eyes focused on You and Your Word, and``````````
```````````````my ears attentive to You in prayer. Amen.``````````
_____________________________________________________________

The best way to escape temptation is to run to God.

************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 4:1-13****************

1 Then Jesus, being filled
with the Holy spirit...was
led by the Spirit into the
wilderness, 2 being tempted
for forty days by the
devil....

3 and the devil said to Him,
"If You are the Son of God,
command this stone to
become bread."

4 But Jesus answered him,
saying, "It is written, 'Man
shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word of God.'"

5 Then the devil, taking Him
up on a high mountain,
showed Him all the
kingdoms of the world in a
moment of time. 6 And the
devil said to Him, "All this
authority I will give You, and
their glory; for this has been
delivered to me, and I give it
to whomever I wish. 7 There-
fore, if you will worship
before me, all will be Yours."

8 And Jesus answered and
said to him, "Get behind Me,
Satan! For it is written, 'you
shall worship the LORD your
God, and Him only you shall
serve.'"

9 Then he brought Him to
Jerusalem, set Him on the
pinnacle of the temple, and
said to Him, "If You are the
Son of God, throw Yourself
down from here. 10 For it is
written: 'He shall give His
angels charge over you, to
keep you,' 11 and, 'In their
hands they shall bear you up,
lest you dash your foot
against a stone.'"

12 And Jesus answered and
said to him, "It has been said,
'You shall not tempt the
LORD your God.'" 33 Now
when the devil had ended
every temptation, he departed
from Him until an opportune
time.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The Greek word for temptation can mean to "test through trial"
(James 1:2) or "to solicit to do wrong" (1 Cor. 10:13). Whether
we're going through a trial or temptation, Christ is our incomparable
ally who can give us the victory (2 Cor. 2;14). __DENNIS FISHER

[Lani]

*Amen2*

Keeping our focus on Him is crucial to our well-being (on every level).


Sis, thank you


Peace and Luv in Christ,

Lani