[Matthew 4, Proverbs 28]

H – Matthew 4:10, “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.’”

E – Temptation!

Merriam-Webster defines temptation as a thing or course of action that attracts or tempts someone; or the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise; or enticement or alluring.

The reality is we’ve all faced temptations. We have faced enticements, lures, pulls of attractions, or desires that were not normally what we would think about. These temptations are universal and involve so many different things and people. These temptations can be so subtle that we don’t even realize it or so elaborate that we know the devastation that it could possible bring. 

What we do know about temptation is that it is of the enemy, the tempter (v.3), Satan himself. And, he usually tempts and attacks our weakest areas to get a foothold. For Jesus, the devil began to tempt using food. Jesus, after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness was hungry. Subtle enough! No big deal, He’s just hungry, let’s eat. Until the temptation was an attempt for  Jesus to pridefully display who He was or worship himself. Notice the words “If” (v.3, 6, 9). It’s those “if” moments that cause us to loose ourselves and pridefully do or prove something to puff ourselves up. Notice the enticement of “if,” the pull of “if”. Think about it, how many people have you seen do something really dumb because someone else began an enticement or challenge with “if”?

However, Jesus was different, fully God and fully man. He gave us the greatest example to combat the tempter, and it’s a quit simple strategy, “it is written” (v.4, 7, 10). For every “if” implied to tempt, Jesus proclaimed, “it is written”. The enemy had misused God’s Word to confuse, but Jesus knew the intent of God’s Word because He was the Word. Jesus cared not about the worship of himself. He cared only about worshipping and serving the Lord God (v.10). Anything else was a distraction and it needed to “be gone”.

A – I’m reminded of Psalm 119:9–12, “[9] How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. [10] With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! [11] I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. [12] Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!”

I overcome temptations through the Word of God. Hide it on my heart. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Lord, thank you for the ability to overcome Satan himself. Lord, teach me your Word that I may be prepared against the enemy and temptation. Lord, convict me of any pride or anything I think I need to prove. Hep me to trust you and to know that you are enough. Lord, I worship you. Use me today for your glory. 

In Jesus Name!

[2 John, Proverbs 19]

H – 2 John 8, “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.”

E – Watch Out!

2 John is an interesting letter, from all standpoints: whom the letter is written to, the purpose the letter is written, and the warning behind it. 

The letter is written to a woman and her children. They are known as “the elect,” which means that they had put faith in Christ. The purpose was to remind them to abide in the truth they had received, and the warning was to be on the lookout for anti-christ that sought to influence them through deception. 

This lady was called to “love one another.” John describes to this lady, once again, what real love was. Real love is surrender to the light of truth, Jesus. Real love is obeying or abiding or walking in His teachings. Real love is teaching these truths to those you have influence over; ie: your children (Deuteronomy 6). This “real love” is discipleship at its finest. For John, it began with this lady, personally, and then flowed to her family. (Reminds me of the saying, you can disciple the world, but if you fail to disciple your family, you fail). 

Not only is real love surrendering, abiding in, and teaching truth. Real love is watching out for deception that attempts to come into our lives and homes. This is a huge statement by the writer, “do not receive (deception) into your home (v.10).” WOW! Think for just a moment about all the ways anti-christ look to get into our homes through electronics, games, television, movies, music, other avenues of entertainment, books, literature, school (even homeschool), clothes, brands, and so on and so forth. We could go on and on on the extensiveness of deception. 

The enemy is using culture so much right now to guilt and shame people into being receiving and accepting of the culture around them. But for Christ followers raising other Christ followers, that is not love. Love is loving others, but not allowing deception to deceive others away from the “right” things one has worked for. Oh Christian, we need to heed this. We don’t need to be influenced by culture. We need to be influenced by Christ. Watch out for this type of deception. 

A – Watch out, surrender anew, abide in the truth and teachings of Christ, teach His truths out of love, guard against deception, don’t let unholiness have a foothold in my house. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Help me be watchful. Open my eyes to deception. Allow me the opportunity to teach your truths out of a holy and reverent love. Lord, guard my home, my family, and our faith family. Give us the boldness to say ‘no’ to the things that attempt to turn us away from truth. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 John 3, Proverbs 14]

H – 1 John 3:6, “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”

E – One Or The Other!

There is only one way to slice it. Those that are in Christ abide in Him. Those who are not in Him keep on sinning. 1 John captures this truth over and over again, in everyday possible it could be covered. 

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness (3:4). The practice of sin is the habitual, going back to, needing in my life type of sin. All sin is lawlessness, regardless of how major or minor one thinks the sin is. The person that continues to practice sin is of the devil (v.8). 

No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning. The person that abides in Christ practices righteousness (v.7), hopes in the Lord and purifies themself (v.4), opens their heart to see others needs (v.17), loves others well (v.18), and keeps his commandments (v.24) because they are guided by the Holy Spirit of God (v.24). 

It becomes clearly evident what you are and who’s you are by who and what you abide in (v.10).

A – Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk (v.18). Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to lead and guide. Allow the Word of God to transform my heart and mind, each day. Applicably live out His Word in and through my life. 

R – Lord God, thank you for allowing me to be a child of God. Help me to take this adoptive honor seriously. Lord, I want to be the person who desire me to be. Continue to lead and guide me to your purpose. Help me to love and lead others well. Help me to persevere when others hate me because of the word that you are doing. Lord, I desire to see people saved. Give me the boldness to proclaim the Gospel. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 John 1, Proverbs 12]

H – 1 John 1:6, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

E – 2 Types of People!

There are two types of people. Those who walk in darkness and those who walk in light. This reality simplifies the way we should view ourself and look at people. And, the reality is that your not the type of person you are by what you claim, but the evidence of proclamation through the expression of your life. 

John testifies that they had heard Jesus, seen Him, looked upon Him, touched Him. They had a front row seat to witnessing the manifestation of God in flesh. Knowing this truth they could not keep silent or remain placed. They had to go and tell, proclaim, and testify. What they had experienced changed them in such a way that they know longer practiced the things they use to. What they had experienced changed them in such a way that they had forsaken their occupations in order to go in proclamation and testify of “The Light”. 

But, what is it that they experienced that changed them to this degree? That had experienced absolute truth, revealing light, forgiveness from all sin, cleansing from all unrighteousness (v.9) that came from one man, Jesus. 

Just one of those things would be enough to go and tell what they had experienced, but to experience a totally changed life, well, that is worth complete surrender. Yet, this is what Jesus does when a person genuinely receives Him by faith, walks in (practices) His truth, is guided by His light, fellowships with the saints, and seeks forgiveness from their sins through repentance. JESUS TOTALLY CHANGES EVERYTHING. 

A – Be the person who walks in light, being daily changed by the truth of His Word, fellowshipping with others believers in fellowship with God the Father through Christ the Son, and proclaiming and testifying of His goodness for the glory of His great name. 

R – Lord God, you are good. You are Truth. You are Light. Help me today to walk in your truth and light. Lord, guide me in righteousness for your name sake. Change me anew for your glory. Use me to testify and proclaim the glory of your great name for your Kingdom. 

In Jesus Name!

[John 17, Proverbs 5]

H – John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

E – What is Eternal Life?

Knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent. It is interesting when you begin to break this verse down and study it for what it is. 

The word “know” emphasizes an experiential relationship rather than just necessary information. The verb also appears here in the present tense, suggesting a continuing personal experience and contact with both the Father and the Son. In other words, it’s more than just something you talk about in the form of information. This knowing is continual life change through a personal relationship. 

Ones knowing “the only true God,” means that the knowledge of God gives enduring satisfaction, because God alone is eternal and only God can provide abundant and eternal life. This knowing of the life gifted by God, through His Son leads to daily guidance in the truth He gives. 

It’s not good enough just to claim to know about or even know God. The knowledge of the eternal God is granted through the evidence of “Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Through Christ death, burial, and resurrection. 

1 John 5:11–12, “[11] And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Eternal Life can only be grasp through faith in Jesus Christ; the One in whom God sent to display His love for humanity; that if any would believe, repent, and follow Him would have this eternal life. (John 14:6)

Therefore, eternal life is knowing God through faith in Jesus, having evidential knowing of Him through a personal relationship, and following Him in obedience. 

A – Surrender each day, by faith, to The Lord. Make it a priority to be filled with Him, anew, through the reading of His Word, the manifestation of His Spirit, and obedience to apply His truths. 

R – Lord God, thank you for the evidence of your great love for us, in that while we were still yet sinners, you sent Jesus to die for us (Romans 5:8). By faith, through the grace of Christ death, burial, and resurrection we have life abundantly and eternally. Lord, I don’t want to get over that. Lord, I praise you for allowing me to know you. 

In Jesus Name!

[John 15, Proverbs 3]

H – John 15:9b, “……. abide in my love.”

E – Abide!

The word abide means continual enduring in an accepted decision one has made. There is no greater picture of this than from John 15. The word abide appears 11 times in the first 17 verses. 

The imagery used to display the meaning of abiding is fruit. If you are not connected or abiding in the vine you will not bear fruit. If you are connected and abiding in the vine you will bear much fruit. (It was interesting as I read this morning, you do not find the words “bear fruit.” You see the words “bear MORE or MUCH fruit” (v.2,8). Yet, fruit is not what we do. Fruit is the overflow of the relationship I’m grafted in to. Which means Jesus calls us to more that just going through the motions, but Him working in and using our lives in every way, for His glory (much fruit).) 

So, for one that has made an accepted decision to follow Christ (“The Vine”), there should be a continual enduring of abiding in Him. To abide in Christ means to keep His commandments (v.10), continually. And, to abide in Christ speaks of our love for Him. In other words, to passionately love God means that we abide in Jesus. Jesus himself proclaimed in the previous chapter, John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” (you will abide in me). Here in John 15, Jesus reiterates this truth by stating, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, ……” (v.10). 

Yet, for the one that has claimed acceptance to follow Christ but has never endured in abiding in Him, reveals that they were never plugged in to “The Vine” to begin with. The deadly reality is that they will prove to not be of Him, taken away (v.2), gathered with other useless branches and thrown into a fire to be burned (v.6). 

If you have come to the realization that you can’t do this life on your own, abide in Christ. You and I can do nothing of any eternal significance without Him (v.5). To help in our enduring, Jesus gave us some clear applications to abiding in Him: 

1. I abide in Christ Personally – v.4-5, “I in you,” Abiding in Christ personally can only come from a personal love relationship with Christ livingin us. And, if it is He in us then it is a clear reminder that the Christian life is not me living for Jesus, but Jesus living His life in and through me, personally. 
2. I abide in Christ Daily – v.5, “remain in me.” Remember to abide in Christ is to live or remain continually. Abiding in Him is an everyday surrender be learning from Him, “His Words” (v.7), communing with Him, “ask the Father” (v.7, 16), and taking up our cross and following Him, “my disciples” (v.8). 
3. I abide in Christ by Connecting – v.5, “you are the branches.” One of the great qualities of a Christ follower is connecting with other Christ followers. Other Christ followers should encourage us and hold us accountable to keep abiding. We were never called to “bear fruit” alone. It is utterly impossible to abide in Him without connecting with “the branches” of “The Vine.”
4. I abide in Christ by Loving – v.12, “love one another.” I can not abide in Christ without unconditional love in my heart towards other. This means that I’m willing to show grace, mercy, forgiveness to others, because that’s what Christ has shown me, “as I have loved you.” This loves proves that you are of Him and His disciple (v.8, John 13:35). 
5. I abide in Christ by Going – v.16, “you should go.” This is the call for every Christ follower. “GO THEREFORE” and make disciples. This is the Great Commission. The response for all Christ followers is to “Go” and make disciples. If I’m not “going” I’m not abiding. 
6. I abide in Christ by Serving – v.15, “I call you friends.” This is interesting. Jesus says he no longer calls us servants, but now he calls us friends. However, that does not mean that we do not serve. It means that we are no longer under Christ. I means that we are in Christ, therefore we serve with Christ, as a friend. Even to the point of laying down our life (v.13), which is how Jesus served us. 

Here is a great truth. When I am abiding in Him there is great JOY (v.11). I don’t have to work in conjuring up happiness. I abide and walk in His joy, which surpasses any other emotional feeling I could possible experience.

A – Remain, continue, persevere in being connected to The Vine. Bear much fruit for His Glory. Walk in the joy of the Lord. 

R – Lord God, thank you for life. Thank you for sustaining me. Thank you for providing for me and meeting my needs. Lord, thank you for producing in me what only you can produce. Lord, use my life for your Glory. Help me to walk in your joy. I pray people would see you in me and through me today as I attempt to serve others. We need you. I need you. You are our only hope. Give me the strength to persevere. 

In Jesus Name!

[John 10, Proverbs 26]

H – John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

E – A Sheep’s Life!

I can’t tell you how many sermons I have heard with sheep being referenced. Most of the sermons would use sheep as a dumb animal in reference to how ignorant we are at times. Although I agree to a certain point and have used the illustration myself, Jesus never talked about how dumb sheep where. Rather, Jesus’ talked about how valuable sheep were and their obedient response to “The Shepherd”. John 10 portrays this beautifully. 

The Sheep hears The Shepherds voice. It is distinct, noticeable, and understood. The sheep pay close attention to the voice of the Shepherd; to the point His voice is so distinct, noticeable, and understood if any other voice prompts for the sheep’s attention it would know “stranger danger” (10:5). The sheep of the Shepherd would know not to follow and would flee. 

The Shepherd knows The Sheep. The Shepherd knows each sheep. He has given them a name. He knows their characteristics, each trait. He knows each personality, flaws and all. He understands their strengths and weaknesses. He provides everything they need to grow healthy and mature. He ministers to them in their lowest moments to provide the healing that they need. He takes His time not to rush them through the pasture and own to the next thing. He understands them and through it all they are His.

The Sheep follows The Shepherd. And, why not? The sheep have witnessed the great detail into the Shepherds love for them. He has sacrificed so much just for the provisions and protection of the sheep. The sheep have never been abandoned. The Shepherd has always been within reach. The flock has even witnessed the Shepherd leaving the them in chase of only one that has wondered away. The Shepherd’s love is go great to the sheep that He has given them eternal life, protection, and hope for a future (10:28). Therefore, they’re going to follow their Shepherd. 

That is a sheep’s life: listening to, being loved on by, and obediently following the Shepherd. 

A – Be careful to listen as I read through His Word. Hold fast to the Hope I have in Him. Heed conviction through His Spirit, following Him.

R – Lord God, thank you for eternal life that comes through salvation provided by The Good Shepherd. Lord, give me ears to listen, a desire to obediently follow, and a heart to be consumed with you. I praise you for the way you know me and yet still care for me. 

In Jesus Name!

[John 8, Proverbs 22]

H – John 8:31–32, “[31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

E – A Right Belief!

I hear it asked all the time. The question, how do you know if a person is really saved? The question is easier asked than it is responded to. There are things we don’t know about people and their relationship with God. However, there are also clear indications to if a person is genuinely saved. Such as the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), a desire to obey the Father (John 14:15), and the expression of love to God and others (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus addresses another one of those evidences in John 8. 

True belief in God leads to continual obedience to God through His Word. The sad reality in John 8:31 is that those who claimed to have believed did not have a true belief (read 8:33-37). True belief leads to abiding in Jesus and His Word. And, this is not a one time moment or when we feel like it. To abide in Jesus’ Word means to continue believing what Jesus has said and walking in obedience to Him.

Saving faith must center in Jesus himself, not just his miracles or some teaching about Him. Saving faith must center on Jesus himself, not what we believe about the teachings that other presented us. Saving faith must center on Jesus himself, not riding the coat tails of those from the yesteryears. Saving faith must center on Jesus himself, not anything that you could do to earn it. 

When Jesus is the center of my life, there is freedom. True freedom from truth itself, Jesus. 

A – Abide in Him through His Word and the leading of His Spirit. Walk in the Freedom that comes from Truth. 

R – Lord God, Thank you for Freedom. Thank you for the freedom that comes through salvation. Thank you for the freedom that comes through being changed by your Word. Thank you for the freedom of walking in grace. Lord, may I not use this freedom to continue in sin, but rather allow your freedom to bring continual God change to my life. 

In Jesus Name!

[John 6, Proverbs 20]

H – John 6:68–69, “[68] Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

E – Where Else Can I Go?

I’ve tried to find life in so many things. I’ve even sought what I thought at the time were right things to fill the voids of my life, like: church, Bible study, good friends, etc.. I’ve sought substances, social affirmations, relationships, sports, occupational vitality, etc. Again, not all of those things were bad. But, what I learned is that without Jesus at the center of it all, they could not fill the voids of my life. It could only be Jesus! 

Peter proclaimed this truth after he had seen, heard from, and witnessed ‘The One’ who would give His life to provide life to those who would believe upon Him for life. Peter, one of the disciples, left his life behind to follow after Jesus. He had heard the proclamation that Jesus was the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Surely this Jesus then would be the Messiah? The more Peter followed, the more he listened. Struggling to comprehend? Sure! (read 6:60) But, even in the struggle and watching many who followed Him for a season turn back and turn away, he knew there was something more; real life. 

Jesus had the words of eternal life. Peter had come to believe what Jesus proclaimed as truth. There was no other Rabbi or teacher that had these words. Peter no longer believed by what he saw, but now he believed from what he heard. It obviously took Peter some time for him to come to this belief. Yet, it lead him to a confession, “you are the Holy One of God.”

The one thing we know about Peter is that he was imperfect, made mistakes, said some dumb stuff, and had moments of denial. Yet, he also knew where to run, The Rock of his salvation, THE CHRIST, THE HOLY ONE OF GOD.

A – 2 Timothy 1:12 comes to mind, “I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].” Therefore, continue to turn to Him.

R – Lord, thank you for drawing me to yourself. Thank you for the words of salvation that I believed in, by faith. Thank you for your grace that redeemed and rescued my life. Thank you for your care and abundant life that you have given me. Thank you for being the God of countless second chances. Lord, when I have run to you, you have never let me down. Help me today to keep my focus on you, my Lord and my God. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 Peter 5, Proverbs 7]

H – 1 Peter 5:8–9a, “[8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, ……”

E – Watchful!

Watching for the enemy’s (the devil) attack is nothing new. There is no doubt that he has a desire to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and has been from the beginning seeking to spoil God’s plan by causing harm to His people (Job 1:7). The earth is his playground and he’s roaming it to and fro looking for someone to devour. If we hear these alarms then shouldn’t that alarm and concern us to the point that we are being watchful?

C.S. Lewis once suggested that the two mistakes Christians make in talking about Satan are that we either joke about him or we ignore him. Yet, Satan and his demons are a real spiritual force that are seeking to wreck your life and the lives of those around you. There is a real spiritual battle going on over your very soul. This battle should not be ignored or jokingly pushed to the side. It’s time to “Wake Up” and “Pay Attention”.

According to this passage the greatest tactic that the enemy is using to devour does not begin with a major blow or an atomic bomb. It begins with simple deception. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, Peter writes for the elders to humble themselves and cast all their anxieties on the Lord, before he even brings up being sober-minded. Think about it. How many times has the deception from truth lead to pride, selfishness, fear, worry, anxiety, uncertainty, depression, hatred, anger, and the list goes on and on. It’s as if the allowance of deceptions away from the reality of truth leads one to fall into sin and self-destruct. That’s how he devours us. Wow!

There is only one way to overcome the devils deception; Jesus. The Christian response to satanic opposition is not panic or fear but firm resistance. Resist means “to withstand,” or “to stand up against.” However, I can not withstand or stand up against these forces with my own power or rebukes. I stand with the authority of God by faith in His Sons death, burial, and resurrection. I resist by the power of Christ that lives within me and stand firm by drawing strength in what I have believed, who I have believed in, and who has persuaded me (Romans 8). 

Even though it is a guarantee that I will face this battle, I don’t have to face it alone. Brothers and sisters all over the world have, are, and will experience suffering that is a direct influence of the devil and as a result of sinful humanity. Together, we clothe ourselves with humility (v.5), humble ourselves before God (v.6), cast all our concerns before Him (V.7), let Him serve us by demonstrating His love towards us (v.7), and clinging to the hope that one day suffering will be no more (v.10). 

I’m reminded of Ephesians 6 and putting on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:13, says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Let’s Wake Up, Pay Attention, and Stand!

A – Surrender each day to the Lord, dying to self, clothing myself in His righteousness, and discern God’s truth. After that, stand!

R – Lord God, thank you for your care towards me. You gave your Son for us; providing salvation, hope, warning, direction, promises, and a future to those who have put their faith in you. Lord, help me to heed your Word and pay attention. Lord, warn me of deception. Give me godly discernment. Help me to stand in Your truth. Bind the enemy from his attacks on me, my family, and our faith family. Lord, regardless what comes our way, I pray we experience your peace and rest in it (v.14). 

In Jesus Name!