Live 4 The LORD

Matthew 4:3-4

And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

{The devil cajoles, If you are…command! Since I think I am all that, I can command my own self to be satisfied. Oh that is definitely what I want to do. It is hard to believe I am weak. It is hard to believe the entire world is not smart. But since we ate the forbidden fruit our mind has been darkened. Following the self and the world, that is not God’s way. I am to look to Him for my direction. I cannot evaluate the truth in this dark world. The devil is crafty and the world is in darkness. The only reality and light is in God. I must live by what He says. He knows what truth is and the right way for me to go and do. I must be willing to forsake the way I think is right for the way God says is right. 

Thank you Jesus for being willing to come here and prove that my self ways and the world’s ways are not reality. You are the way, the truth, and the life. If only I could keep that in my mind all the time. But a lot I live in autopilot and make a mess of my soul. It is my choice to guard my soul. You will not force me to do your will. Please my Father, help me remember at all times this place is not my home and I need to let things go. I get anxious and upset when things are not going how I think. If I let go and listen, you will guide me. Thank you God!! Save me.}

Matthew 4:6-7

and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

{The devil cajoles He will protect you, do what you want. Since I know God loves me, I think I can do what I want and He will just look away when I sin. No! That is not God’s way. He does love me! But he does not like sin-He Hates it. Sin destroys. He wants to live in me. If I sin I am pushing him out. He will not force me to be with him. If I want to do wrong and leave Him, He will allow it. I am not to test God. I will not win, no matter what the devil tries to get me to believe. The devil wants to destroy me and my flesh wants wrong things it destroys itself. I must look to God! I must want to stay with God to be in the right way and truth!

Thank you Jesus for telling me the truth. Thank you for not letting me stay here in the lies of the world and devil and even my own flesh. Thank you for your word that heals my soul. Save me.}

Matthew 4:9-10

And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God

and him only shall you serve.’”

{The devil cajoles, I will give you what you want. Oh and sadly that is exactly what I want-my way! In order to have my way I have to forsake the way of God. This leads to death! I must be willing to not worship what I think and want! I am full of deceit and confusion. My soul has been broken by the fall and I worship myself and what I desire, which are contrary to life and love. If I worship God and serve him instead of myself I start living how I was made and my soul finds true joy. God’s ways are actually life to the soul. It may be death to the flesh but who cares my flesh will die, my soul is eternal. 

Thank you Jesus for telling me how to get a new life. Worship and service of You will set my soul free to be what it was made for, communion with YOU. True happiness and joy is being in with and living through you all the way home. Please my God, help me see when I am going the wrong way and wanting my way instead of yours. It is a battlefield 24/7. Come Holy Spirit!! Open my eyes, heart, and mind!! Amen.}