Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: will

Then The Devil Left Him

Trust

Then The Devil Left Him

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:11‬

Dealing With Temptations

Temptation has always been a struggle for mankind ever since Adam was tempted in the Garden.  Scripture is filled with examples of people who have struggled with Satan’s attack of temptation.  But there is good news. God has provided a wonderful plan for victory.

Matthew presented the temptations of Jesus to show that the conflict with Satan was real and to prove that temptations can be overcome by the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.  If Satan could get Jesus to sin then the entire redemptive plan of God would be destroyed.

Three times Jesus was tempted by Satan. The first temptation was a temptation of the flesh.  Satan wanted Jesus to satisfy the flesh and distrust the Father’s ability to provide.  Satan’s plan of attack is always with “if” to create doubt in people’s mind.

The second temptation took trust to the next level. Satan says, “Ok, if you really trust God then jump off this cliff and see if He will save you.” Satans temptation was to make Jesus distrust and test God.

The third and final temptation was the big one. Satan tried to get Jesus to bypass all the suffering and just enjoy what was already His.  Satan was trying to keep Jesus from dying on the cross.

Jesus was tempted three times and each time Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the devil’s power. The temptation was real but the power of God gave way to victory. We have the same source and power to overcome any temptation we face.

Notice verse 11.  “Then the devil left Him.”  These are some great words. Aren’t you glad when the devil leaves you alone?

Prayer

Pray Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Pray like Jabez

Encouragement, Faith, Trust

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.”
‭‭1 Chronicles 4:10

This is an exciting verse that we have in front of us today. This verse is a prayer that was desperately prayed and God answered it. Do you realize that as a child of God your prayers are heard and answered?  God does not hear the prayers of those who do not belong to Him.

Jabez is only mentioned in verses 9 and 10 and this is all that we know about him. So let’s learn a few things from him.

First, we learn that no matter what is bothering us we can go to God for help. His name indicates that he either suffered pain or caused pain. Regardless, he needed help and turned to God. His prayer changed everything as God granted his request.

Second, we learn that our negative circumstances should never define our life.  Our hardships and trials shape us for what we can become.  We become better people when we overcome trials.  It increases our faith.

Third, we learn that we all are unique and have a special purpose in this life. We were created in the image of Almighty God and we should give Him glory for our unique attributes. God gives each of us special gifts and talents to honor Him with and to bless others.

Pray the “prayer of Jabez” and see how it changes your mindset and your outlook.