-September Monthly SCRIPT-TIME
HELLO September
Hey LE Family, we are in the final leg of 2021. It’s been a really busy but quiet time at life essence with a lot of behind the scenes work, that we can hopefully share with you soon.
I feel someone needs to hear this today; Sometimes it is important to recognise that not everything you do is seen by others, I’m sure you all do many good things that go unnoticed, not seen or even thanked.
Today I want to encourage you, and remind you that God sees every good deed that you have done and are doing. All the thankless tasks you have completed, He sees and you will be rewarded.
I don’t know about you, but if God is well pleased with me, that is enough! Don’t get tired of doing good people 🙂
Along the journey, we will be tested and tempted in more ways than one… self-doubt, fear, sin, lack of faith, but we have to remain strong in the Lord!
This leads us nicely on to this months scripture…….
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4.4
What is your personal reflection of this passage? read the passage again slowly and hear what it is saying to you? Reflection: Fill this space with your thoughts…..for example:
After reading this Scripture, and if like me I am sure you visualised your temptations, be them way of people, finance, sex, work opportunities. Deep down we know our weak spots, and so does the enemy. I can bet your bottom dollar that when you have been on the right track in your life, relationship or work. Here comes the temptation, to knock us back down and keep us at a lower level.
Jesus was the best example of how not to give in to temptation, remember that Jesus had just been baptized in water. He was a young man and was ready to embark on his public ministry. Satan sought to destroy his ministry. Satan often tempts people when they are beginning to do something for God. He tries to derail God’s servants before they can accomplish his purpose.
Satan tempted Christ to seek immediate gain through unprincipled action. He wanted Christ to turn bread into stones, to cast himself off the pinnacle of the temple, and to fall down and worship him. In every case Jesus turned Satan back by quoting scripture. Let us follow his example.
Jesus does not reply by declaring, “I am the Son of God.” Moreover, he did not respond by performing a miracle. Rather, Jesus replies by citing the word of God. The Word of God is always a powerful antidote to temptation, our God will never leave us alone. In the middle of all the trials and tests he is with us. although we may not see him, we can feel and hear him.
What are your personal actions for this new season, what has God said to you personally through this scripture?
Whatever you need to do, do it!
Fill this space with your actions…eg.
Take note of where I am life and my walk with God, be aware that when there is a plan to move forward in ministry or bringing fame to Gods name. To remember that Satan is real and He will try to tempt me, therefore I need to be alert and be strong in the word of God.
I need to find trusted ‘friends who are also walking in step with Christ, who can give me Godly advice and prayer. I need to recognise that I am only human, and it is human nature that battles with temptation, therefore its important to get back up if I even succumb and fall.
Send up your own personal prayer, remember prayer is the time when you talk to God, doesn’t have to be fancy 🙂 Prayer. If you are finding it difficult to pray you can say the prayer below to help you talk to God.
Lord, help me to recognise temptation when is approaches, not to get distracted by things that will cause me to become distant from you. Please cleanse my mind, body and soul of anything that is not pleasing to You.
Father I pray to walk in step with you, not to take short cuts or carry out destructive behaviour that leads to destruction. The battle against temptations is so strong, I struggle at times to fight it. Give me strength, Oh Lord, to walk away from the evil that tries to lure me in. Help me to follow in the footsteps of Christ and keep pure and holy, for my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.
In Jesus name. Amen!
James 1:13-18
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Luke 22:40
40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
John 8:66
They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
Luke 11:4
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ”
