In the wilderness the devil tempts Jesus in a variety of ways, but the Jesus relies on God’s word and promise to expose the devil’s lies. How equipped are we to stand up to those same temptations?
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday — 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday — 8:30 a.m. — Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Devotions for the week:
January 18, 2014 – Temptation in the Wilderness
Reflect: Reflect on Sunday’s reading – Matthew 4:1-17
Jesus began his ministry with 40 days of fasting and praying. During that time, the devil took advantage of his weakened physical state to attempt to tempt Jesus to abandon God and worship him.
The first temptation preyed on his hunger, tempting him to break his God-honoring fast. The second temptation preyed on his ego, tempting him to prove that he was God’s son. The final temptation preyed on his ambition, tempting him to give up God in exchange for the whole world. But Jesus resisted each temptation, knowing that the rewards of heaven far outweighed any temporary satisfaction earthly desires could offer.
Follow these stories of temptation and Jesus’ early ministry.
Sunday, Matthew 4:1-17, Tempted in the Wilderness
Monday, Psalm 91:9-12, Psalm
Tuesday, Genesis 1:26-27, Creation of Humanity
Wednesday, Genesis 3:1-7, Temptation in the Garden of Eden
Thursday, Deuteronomy 8:1-10, A Warning from God
Friday, Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus Calls the First Disciples
Saturday, Matthew 4:23-25, Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People
- How does temptation help or hinder people’s relationships with God?
- What tempts you the most? How can your faith help you resist temptation?
Choose one temptation to resist this week. Look at the challenge not as a punishment, but as an opportunity to be free from the object of your temptation. Notice how you feel after one week of abstinence.
