What Jesus Did! 'True Bread, True Word' — Matthew 4:1-4
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty night... View MoreWhat Jesus Did! 'True Bread, True Word' — Matthew 4:1-4
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread."
But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say,
'People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
— Matthew 4:1-4 NLT
Key Thought
Just as Israel faced the battle of temptation in the desert, Jesus does, too. But unlike Israel which always seemed to get hung up on physical needs rather than following God, Jesus chose to honor and focus on the Father rather than himself. Nowhere is this focus seen more clearly than in the two great temptation crises of his ministry: his temptations here and in the Garden shortly before his death. In both situations, and in all the others in between, Jesus chose the Father's will and the Father's glory over his own needs and desires. The Father's word, the Father's will, was what Jesus fed on more than physical food. He is our example that we should not try to live a day without our spiritual food, or our souls will be hungrier than our bellies on a 40 day fast!
Today's Prayer
O Father, God who fills every empty place and fulfills every need, stir me to a holy hunger for your word and an insatiable appetite to do your will. I confess that I find it so hard to keep my mind off the distractions my undisciplined appetite craves, so please help me learn that my only lasting answer to true hunger is with you. Through the grace of Jesus' intercession, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
John 4:31, 34
John 6:35, 38
Matthew 26:36-42
What Jesus Did! 'Faith Finds Its Hope' — Mark 1:40
Friday, January 26, 2024
A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. "If you are willing, you can heal me and make m... View MoreWhat Jesus Did! 'Faith Finds Its Hope' — Mark 1:40
Friday, January 26, 2024
A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. "If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean," he said.
— Mark 1:40 NLT
Key Thought
Sometimes we come to the Lord for help simply out of habit. Sometimes we come with a sense of entitlement, arrogantly approaching him as if he owes us something. Humility is not really part of our modern vocabulary. Begging is not in our nature or in our experience. We very much need to learn from this leper: We come to God out of great need, begging for healing, and fully confident that he can heal if he chooses to do so. When was the last time we threw ourselves on the mercy of the Lord? When was the last time we physically knelt in prayer in the presence of the Lord? Let's throw off the shackles of our false pride and pseudo-sophistication and recognize our place in the presence of the Almighty God and his Son and our Savior.
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, the one true Holy God, I bow before you in prayer. I thank you for your grace given to me in the gift of your Son. I recognize that I am not worthy on my own to approach you. Yet, dear Father, I know that as your child who is filled with your Spirit, I have the opportunity to approach you boldly. Have mercy on me, dear Father, for I need your presence and power in my life if I am ever going to be all that you want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Mark 10:46-52
Psalm 57:1
Psalm 86:16
What Jesus Did! 'Led to the Test' — Matthew 4:1
Saturday, January 25, 2025
[After his baptism,] Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
— Matthew 4:1 NLT
... View MoreWhat Jesus Did! 'Led to the Test' — Matthew 4:1
Saturday, January 25, 2025
[After his baptism,] Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
— Matthew 4:1 NLT
Key Thought
Most of us hate tests — whether they're school tests, professional tests, or life tests. Spiritual tests are the most difficult of all. Yet in this passage and the verses that follow, Jesus faces tests that the Spirit of God led him to experience. These tests confront Jesus with choices about the direction of his ministry: Would he take shortcuts or would he pay the full price and redeem humanity? Jesus chooses the long way, the hard way, the way of the cross and suffering. It's said that "The longest distance between two points is a shortcut!" Jesus refuses the shortcut and lives up to the Father's expectations for him as he is led by the Spirit. He refuses to compromise and chooses to be the obedient Son. There is great comfort for us in his choices. Because Jesus experiences temptation and is victorious, he can help us in our times of trials and temptations (Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15). In addition, his Spirit leads us and molds us into greater strength as we follow him. Let's seek help in overcoming our own temptations, and the result will be victory for us just as Jesus conquered sin by overcoming all of his temptations!
Today's Prayer
Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for having Jesus face times of temptation. I believe he was perfectly holy, so his life helps me put mine into perspective. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit to help and strengthen me in my times of crisis and trial. Thank you for Jesus who sits at your side interceding for me as I face my temptations. May the testing of my faith — the trials I face and the temptations Satan throws in my way — produce greater character in me. I want people to see you in my character and know that I am seeking to honor you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Hebrews 4:14-16
Matthew 6:12-13
Romans 8:14
What Jesus Did! 'The Place and the Plan of Ministry' — Mark 1:39
Thursday, January 25, 2024
So [Jesus] traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
... View MoreWhat Jesus Did! 'The Place and the Plan of Ministry' — Mark 1:39
Thursday, January 25, 2024
So [Jesus] traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
— Mark 1:39 NLT
Key Thought
In the previous verses, Jesus committed to his mission to preach in the villages and cities. In today's verse, he went all over Galilee sharing the message of the Kingdom. He went to the people in the synagogues and continued his powerful mastery over demons. He had a plan to fulfill his God-ordained purpose. He executed this plan, not just because he was committed to a plan, but because he also had a heart for people and a commitment to honor God's will. What is your plan for honoring God's will in your life? What is he calling you to do to serve him and his children?
Today's Prayer
Holy and loving Father, I want to honor your will for my life. However, dear Father, I need the guidance of your Spirit to help me recognize your will for me and to help me develop a plan for doing your work and fulfilling your purposes for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Acts 9:17-20
Acts 17:2
Acts 1:8
Verse of the Day for Saturday, January 25th, 2025
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
—Psalm 1:1
Th... View MoreVerse of the Day for Saturday, January 25th, 2025
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
—Psalm 1:1
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Too often, sin and ungodly living are portrayed as glamorous. These are marketed through previews in the media and championed on social media. The way to true blessings, however, is the way of God. His will is for our good, his commands spring from his mercy and protection, and his way is the path of true life. When we look beneath the thin veneer of those lauded in pop culture, we can see the mess they have made of life for themselves and others. However, we can be blessed to walk with God, do his will, and keep our sights set on our blessings when we go home to the Father in heaven, who sees what we do and appreciates our hearts' desire for him!
My Prayer...
Forgive me, please, Father, for believing the lies of the world trying to deceive and entice me with the lies and temptations of Satan. I know that sin brings heartaches, complications, problems, and, ultimately, spiritual death. I also know that choosing the right things, standing up for truth, and living faithfully for you are often difficult. Please use the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart so I can recognize your truth and trust that walking in your will brings me true life — life both now and forevermore. In Jesus' name, I ask for grace to walk in your way, not the ways of this world. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
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