What Is the Price of Being Tempted?

Scripture: Luke 4: 1-3

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, if thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days.

Don’t let yourself be temped, for temptation can come at a high price. Are you ready to pay the price? I lost my job and my friend has offered me a quick, but illegal, way to make some money. A loved one left me, but I know I can buy them back even though it’s not moral. These are some of the ways Satan’s temptation can manifest in our lives.

If Satan thought he could tempt Jesus, and he knew who Jesus was, then what does that say about us?

Satan is a real being, a created but rebellious fallen angel. He is not a symbol or a figment of our imagination. He constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey God.

Satan succeeded with Adam and Eve, and he is hoping to succeed with each of us.

Knowing, studying, and obeying God’s word is an effective weapon against Satan. When he tempted Jesus, Jesus used Scripture to counter Satan’s attacks. So can you if you study the Word.

Obeying the scriptures is more important than simply having a verse to quote. Read to understand. Then you will know what Jesus is telling you, and you will know how it fits into your life.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 4

Nicodemus Came to Jesus by Night

Scripture: John 3: 1-2

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Scripture Commentary: Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus seeking knowledge.

Nicodemus was a learned man humbling himself before the master. Why? Have you gone to Jesus seeking his wisdom, his direction? Do you go to Jesus directly with your questions? Nicodemus could have sent one of his assistants, but he did not.

Prayer is the way to talk to God and it is a way for him to answer you.

Even though we can pray for each other, direct prayer is crucial to our individual relationship with God. Think about it. Do you form friendships by sending your friend to interact with the other person, or do you interact with that person directly before you can confidently call him or her your friend?

Nicodemus went after dark because he feared what other Pharisees would say about him. Do you talk about your prayers with your peers?

Have you told anyone about what Jesus does for your life, or do you stay quiet?

When Nicodemus entered into that conversation with Jesus he thought that the kingdom of God was only for the Jews. Jesus corrected him, teaching that the kingdom is for those who repent and turn to the Lord. Jesus came for everyone, not just for the Jews alone. The kingdom of God is for anyone who is spiritually reformed and accepts God’s only begotten son as Lord and Savior.

Have you asked for forgiveness? Have you been reborn in your acceptance of Jesus?

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 3

Flee From Evil Desires and Pursue Righteousness

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 22-23

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Scripture Commentary: Flee evil desires and pursue faith, love, and peace.

Timothy, a young man, was warned to flee anything that produced evil thoughts. Running away is considered cowardly by many. Wise people realize that removing themselves physically from a situation/temptation can be the most courageous and effective action to take.

Do you have recurring temptations that are difficult to avoid? Are there certain situations that stimulate your desire to sin. By physically removing yourself from those situations you decrease your likelihood to sin.

The flesh is weak.

Ask the Lord Jesus Christ for his power to release you from your temptations. Through him, you can make it out, but you will never make it out alone. By living the life God intends for you, you will inevitably surround yourself with fellow Christians and find yourself in an environment that does not tempt you to sin.

Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight. Don’t give in to society’s pressures. Stand up against evil. Live as God wants you to live. Follow God’s truth, and he will never forsake you.

Don’t settle for less than God’s highest and best.

Allow God to use you as his instrument to carry his word to all.

Read the Entire Chapter:
2 Timothy Chapter 2

God’s House Is a House of Prayer

Scripture: Mark 11: 15-17

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Scripture Commentary: God says that his house is a house of prayer for all nations.

How would Jesus react if he walked into his father’s house today? Would he find a house of prayer or a den of thieves? Is the work of our God the focus in our places of worship? Or, are we more concerned with how much money we raise?

Using the church setting as a business draws in more money than it does people.

The purpose of the church, of having a space to come together with fellow Christians and worship our Lord, is to cultivate community and bring in nonbelievers to teach them God’s Word. As instruments in God’s kingdom, we are to bring people to the Lord, to his salvation and mercy.

In these verses, Mark tells the reaction Jesus had when he entered his Father’s house of worship. The question now is would Jesus react the same way today? Are we in a store selling earthy objects or are we engaged in worship in God’s house?

Read the Entire Chapter:

Mark Chapter 11

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?

Scripture: John 5: 4-6

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever desire he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

Scripture Commentary: “Wilt thou be made whole?”

When Jesus asks, “Wilt thou be made whole,” he is asking you. We live with sickness in our spirits because everyday life makes us forget about Jesus. We get so caught up that we don’t see the cure in front of us.

No matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. Don’t let a problem or hardship diminish your hope. Have faith.

God has a special job for you in spite of your condition; maybe even because of it. Jesus healed this man both physically and spiritually.

God’s forgiveness is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Don’t neglect his gracious offer.

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 5

Call on the Name of the Lord to Be Saved

Scripture: Acts 2: 20-21

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Scripture Commentary: We can call on the name of the Lord at any time, and during any situation.

To call on the name of the Lord when we are in need, and living a Christian life can be two different things. When you ask for forgiveness, for salvation, do you change your ways? Do you avoid repeating the behavior that you needed the Lord to save you from? Often times we do not.

We go through life making mistakes but God forgives.

We ask for God’s forgiveness and go on living our lives, not the life God planned for us. We go through life making mistakes. At times we may think God has not forgiven us.

He doesn’t just forgive our first folly; he forgives again and again and again. He promises to forgive us if we are willing to give ourselves over to him and what he wants for us.

Peter was an unstable disciple during Jesus’ ministry. He let his bravado be his downfall, and he went as far as denying Jesus. Jesus forgave and restored him. In the end, Peter became powerful and dynamic. He spread the Gospel.

God will always forgive you.

There is always a place for you in his house as long as you are willing to walk in.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Acts Chapter 2

Follow Jesus and Become Fishers of Men

Scripture: Luke 9: 57-59, 61-62

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” (57-59) Jesus said to him, “let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still, another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”(61-62)

Scripture Commentary: Are you willing to follow God?

Jesus wants total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. We can’t pick and choose among Jesus’ ideas and follow him selectively. We have to accept the cross along with the crown, judgment, and mercy.

Will you count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given you security?

Focusing on Jesus means nothing else distracts us from the manner of living God set out for us. Our motives become pure and our actions are for the kingdom of God. A wholehearted commitment means putting all of our faith in God. It means making sacrifices that he knows we can make. It means trusting that whatever cost we have to pay is part of God’s plan for us.

We must make sacrifices for our salvation.

In this scripture, Jesus doesn’t teach us to forsake responsibilities to family. He perceives the real motives and excuses behind the men’s words. They were not willing to give themselves over to Jesus fully, and Jesus would not accept them partially.

God gives us eternal life, and in return, he asks for our absolute dedication. In return for his love, he asks for ours. There is a cost to following Jesus. As Jesus sacrificed his life for the forgiveness of our sins, we must make sacrifices for the kingdom of God and for our salvation.

Will you follow God?

Will you walk with God? How dedicated are you to your relationship with Christ?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 9

Do You Deny Jesus By Your Actions?

Scripture: Matthew 26: 34-35, 75

Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (34-35) Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.(75)

Scripture Commentary: We deny Jesus when we deny the truth

We all are or have been Peter. At some point in our lives, we have or will deny the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. We, like Peter, are in denial.

When we know we are wrong, we try to divert attention from ourselves. If we are in the act of doing something wrong, then for that moment we do not know Jesus. And, if confronted with our wrongdoing, we refuse to acknowledge it. By denying the truth, we turn our back on Jesus.

Do not reject the God who saves you from disaster.

Acting in the ways listed above flatly deny your relationship with Jesus. If any of those descriptions apply to you, then you are on the road to rejecting Christ.

In our minds, we declare that we will not disown Him, but in our actions, we scatter like the disciples.

It is easy to say that we are devoted to Christ, but our words don’t hold weight until they are tested in the face of persecution. If you live in the way Jesus teaches, then you will never reject him.

You know that he will never reject you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 26

Ask, Seek, and Knock on God’s Door

Scripture: Luke 11:9-10

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Scripture Commentary: Ask and God shall give it to you.

But, what are you asking for? It seems like we constantly ask God for things. To name a few, we want him to give us houses and cars and money … and forgiveness. How often do you stop and reflect on what God has given you instead of asking him for more?

Before you ask God to forgive your transgressions, make sure that you don’t harbor ill feelings toward others in your heart. Jesus taught his disciples to forgive. But if we cannot forgive others for their transgressions, then how can we expect God to forgive us? Forgiveness is the cornerstone of a relationship with God. Therefore, God has forgiven our sins over and over, so in turn, we must forgive those who have wronged us.

We are all God’s children.

Some are good; however, everyone needs help. As members of God’s kingdom on earth, it is our job guide others to Christ. Ask God to guide you. Let him strengthen your light so that he can enable you to lead others out of the darkness.

God prepares to give us what he knows we need. When we ask, seek, and knock, we receive, find, and open.

Open the door. Find what God has for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 11

For God So Loved the World … That Means You!

Scripture: John 3: 16, 36

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(16) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.(36)

Scripture Commentary: God’s love resides in the mercy he shows us every day

The Gospel vocalizes its full purpose in the John 3:16 verse. God so loved the world that he gave the human part of his Son to save us. This same love resides in the mercy he shows us every day.

Who among us would put ourselves, let alone one of our own children, to death for anyone? God knows us all, and he loves us all that much. He has declared his true love for us … so much more than we can ever comprehend.

God allows us to choose Jesus and eternal life … or not

Some still reject God’s offer of salvation even with the knowledge of what he does for us. Verse 36 spells out the results of rejecting the Son. Rejecting Jesus Christ equals rejecting God the Father. By rejecting God we are calling him a liar.

God allows us to choose him or not. Choosing Jesus means choosing an eternal life with God. Rejecting Jesus means you choose God’s wrath. The choice of God’s wrath is the final and fatal decision that plants you in hell “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9: 47-48). Embrace Jesus and live with the Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 3
Mark Chapter 9

Read Other Posts on the Book of John:
Christ is the True Vine
The Productive Branch Bears Fruit
The Holy Spirit Will Guide You to Understanding