“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” —Matthew 4:1 (NRSVA)

Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted 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 4:1-11 (NIV)

Jesus has loved us humans since the very beginning. The reading from Ash Wednesday in John 1, we read that he was in the beginning, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5) Jesus is the light!

God has never wavered in his love for us throughout the many times humans have sinned, strayed and forgot who God is. The Bible gives us stories covering all generations with examples of our weaknesses. God’s love remained! Here’s a few examples to ponder and even read about:

• Adam and Eve

• Cain and Abel

• Abraham and Sarah

• Jacob and Esau

• Joseph and his brothers

• Moses and Joshua

• David and Solomon

• Isaiah and Jeremiah

• Kings and Priests

None of these examples lead to a perfect relationship with God. As humans, we are imperfect but that should not deter us from trying. Jesus, chose to be born human with all the frailties of the body that you and I also inhabit with one very important difference, Jesus did so without sin, he was perfect. He loved his Father and trusted him completely. He lived his life as a model for us to follow, always seeking the will of the Father, our creator and the one who loves us unconditionally.

In today’s Bible reading we read about Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, that included fasting and praying; and the devil tempting Jesus in a weakened state both physically and emotionally from fasting as well as the dry desert heat during the day and the bitter cold at night. Jesus trusted God, the Father for all his needs. Have you ever wondered about the fact that Lent is forty days, just as Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness? Did you know that Moses too fasted for forty days before receiving the law or that Elijah spent 40 days journeying to the mountain of God before encountering God in a whisper. And, let us also remember the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness by the children of Israel, the Israelites.

It was Jesus who perfectly fulfilled the Father’s purpose for the wilderness testing, and Jesus did it all for LOVE and with LOVE.

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:

As we begin our collective and individual forty-day wilderness experience… some questions (?).

What are your expectations of God?

What are you expectations of yourself?

What of your experience?

Friends ~. May the peace of God surround you, comfort you and calm you. ~Amen

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

THURSDAY, MARCH 3RDA TIME OF SHARED STRUGGLES Today we come to our mentor as he shares one of his trying times with us. Jesus invites us to listen …

MENTORING MOMENTS – HOMETOWN WOES

Uncovering the Love of Jesus

By: Asheritah Ciuciu

“And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.”
— Colossians 2:13-14 (NRSVA) —

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

• Jesus died to forgive us our sins and cancel our debt.

Daily Bible Reading: John 1:1-18

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.”’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” (NRSVA)

Things To Ponder:

1. Today’s Bible reading tells us that the law came through Moses; but Jesus brought God’s grace and truth and invites us to become God’s children. What does this tell us about God?

This tells me that God has a relentless love for his creation, his children. Throughout the scriptures we find time and time again how God makes a way for his people. God’s grace and mercy cannot be measured by any means that we can even imagine. Through the cross Jesus defeated death, it is through Jesus we are forgiven and reconciled with the Father. Our salvation is possible because of the cross.

2. Whenever we break God’s law, that’s called sun. But Jesus offers us forgiveness through His death on cross. What sins do you need to confess and ask Him to forgive?

This is indeed a conversation for each of us to have with our Creator. We are all sinful, we must go to Jesus in prayer seeking forgiveness and for the strength to resist temptations we are faced with each day. We are able to speak with God at any time and at any place. Our prayers are always heard by the Father, those prayers that rest silently upon our hearts, the prayers we lament over in secret and our prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the blessings we have received. We may not always understand situations in our lives but we can always trust in God’s perfect timing. I share these thoughts with you knowing that life can and will be difficult at times but know this: You are never alone. Praise be to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us in our times of need.

3. What do you want to say in response to Jesus?

Jesus, thank you for selfishly coming to live among your people, your creation. I am beyond grateful for your sacrifice, for paying the full debt of my sins and the sins of the entire human race. You suffered unimaginable pain both physically and emotionally so I could spend eternity with you. My words are useless for thanking you, I know that I fail day in and day out and daily I seek your presence in my life. You allow me new opportunities to share your love with those around me. God, use me to share your message of love to the world for your glory. I thank you Lord for the firm foundation in which you chose to plant me and with whom you blessed me with, my family and my friends.

🎼• 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎼• 🎵 • 🎶 • 🎼

Friends —- Peace be with you!

That song brings back so many memories from my childhood. I can hear the old piano playing in the church I grew up in, singing in the Children’s choir. Exquisite memories !

This is the church I grew up in…

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/