January 9, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke
Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Notice that Jesus after He was tempted returned to Galilee with the power of the Spirit.
Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are and passed the test of those temptations. Not only did He pass through those temptations He passed through with strength.
Temptation will do two things, it will test you and try you, when it is finished it will either leave you week for failure or stronger moving forward. Temptations will either leave you humble before the Lord as you trust in Him to bring you through the temptation or it will leave you hard hearted for failing and yielding to the temptation. It can leave you bitter or sweeter, the choice is yours.
Let me ask you a very simple question, what are the parameters for failure or success in handling temptations?
Answer: it is always the will of God as written in the word of God.
Notice, Jesus used only scripture when dealing with the devil and his temptations. (Read Luke 4:1-13 again)
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Do you know what God’s word says about drugs and alcohol, and sexuality, and marriage, and business, and personality, and response toward others; do you know what God’s word says about love, and hate, and self control? The list goes on and on with the way one dresses and body art and a host of other issues.
I am convinced that many people fall to temptations for one of two reasons.
They do not know what the bible says or they have been deceived. (I personally know a person who drinks alcohol because the pastor said it was ok rather than reading the bible.)
They do not care about what God says or His will. (This is usually the response of the unsaved non-christian.)
The question is this, why should we trust Jesus when we are tempted?
Answer: He was tempted in all points and is familiar with our temptations and can help us through them.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
1Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Really, it all comes down to love, do you love the Lord?
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
