Sunday, July 26, 2020

Temptations of Jesus #2-Jumping Off Temples


The devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and told Him to jump off. Satan quoted from Psalm 91:11-12 about God’s protection. “If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone’” (Matt. 4:5-6).

Satan tempted Jesus with Scripture—the very words of God! Who would have thought that God’s Word, taken out of context, could be used to tempt someone? The devil wanted Jesus to believe in the ability of God while ignoring the will of God.

Satan, who was a rebellious, unholy angel, tried to teach Jesus about the protective responsibilities of the holy angels! The Father didn’t tell Him to jump off, so if Jesus had jumped, He would have obeyed Satan and not God. Angels aren’t obligated to catch people who follow the devil’s instructions.

Many Jews believed the Messiah would be revealed by suddenly appearing in the temple. Malachi 3:1 says, “And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple.” If Jesus would jump off and float safely down, the crowd in the temple courts would see it and He would receive instant acceptance as the Messiah. It made sense. Quick. Impressive.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16, “It is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matt. 4:7). In other words, Psalm 91 cannot be used to force God to act against His will. You must not force one verse to contradict another verse.

I’ve seen people impulsively “jump off temples,” thinking they can make foolish decisions and God will always protect them. Man shall live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, not selected words taken out of context.
Over 270 printable Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
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Sunday, July 19, 2020

Temptations of Jesus #1-Turning Stones into Bread


Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days when He became hungry. The tempter said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matt. 4:3). The devil was trying to get Jesus to doubt who He was. The last thing He heard from His Father was at His baptism, when He spoke from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son” (Matt. 3:17). Now the devil questioned His identity as the Son of God and challenged Him to prove it.

What tool could Satan use in the wilderness? He tempted Jesus with a rock. He probably pointed to a stone that looked exactly like a loaf of bread. When you’re hungry, even rocks start looking good. The devil can even make unappealing things look attractive when you’re weak.

Jesus could prove He was God’s Son by simply telling the rock, “Change!” and it would instantly turn into bread. No one would ever know, and He could fulfill His hunger drive. Jesus had the power to do it. He performed His first miracle by turning water into wine, so converting stones into bread would be easy.

Since His Father hadn’t given any “daily bread” for forty days, the devil tempted Him to provide for himself. He tempts people today in the same way, “Don’t wait for God to answer. Provide for yourself.” People do all kinds of things they shouldn’t be doing because they refuse to wait on God to provide.

Jesus told the devil, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matt. 4:4 NKJV). Don’t spend your life chasing bread alone, or anything else that fulfills your cravings. Live by every word that God has spoken.
Over 270 printable Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Why Some People Are Never Happy


A boy sneaked into his grandfather’s bedroom while he was sleeping and put some Limburger cheese in his mustache. When grandpa awoke, he muttered, “This bedroom stinks.” He walked into the living room and sniffed. “This living room stinks.”
Trying to get away from the smell, he rushed into the kitchen. “Good grief. This kitchen stinks too.” Finally he ran outside, sniffed, and yelled, “This whole world stinks!”

Some people have Limburger cheese in their attitude, and that’s why everywhere they go it stinks. Their job stinks. Their marriage stinks. Their church stinks. Everything stinks. They can’t figure out the problem is with their own stinking attitude.

Air freshener won’t take away the odor. The only solution is to remove the Limburger cheese from under your nose. It’s impossible to change an attitude without having a change of heart. Jesus wants to remove our stinking attitudes and replace it with joy. He said, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11).

He not only wants His joy to be inside us, but He also wants our joy to be full. “Full” means there’s no room for sticking attitudes. His joy permeates into our hearts, forces out pessimism, and changes our attitudes to be like His. “Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad” (Psalm 105:3). You’ll be surprised how a joyful heart will clear the air.
Over 270 printable Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
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Receive these devotionals (free) by email: You can subscribe in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email will not be given out. You’ll receive an email when the new devotional is posted)

Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net  Twitter: @KentCrockett
www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com