“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1
Ever wonder why Jesus was led into the desert instead of, say the city, or the beach, or the cool mountain retreat? Why not a month at the spa or a fancy five star resort? The Bible gives us a little hint later when it says he was tempted in all ways like we are, yet without sinning. Ken Gire in his book “Intense Moments with the Savior” explained it this way. “The desert is where we face the strongest and most seductive temptations in life. It is where the enemy is most formidable and where we are most vulnerable.” (p.37) Satan is a creep who never fights fair. He will hit us the hardest when we are most vulnerable and weakest. Jesus placed himself in the same position many of us face when temptation comes. Weak, tired and discouraged. Satan pounced on him and tried his best to make him sin, but he didn’t. What he did do though was place Jesus in a place where he could say, “I have been there my child, and I will be with you through this horrible temptation, and even provide you a way through if you will just have faith in me.” If you are in a desert today, know that Satan will throw the best temptation he has at you, but Jesus has already been there and if you call on him, he will see you through.
Thought for the week: When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him. -- Thomas Szasz, "The Second Sin"
Funny for the week: Big Litter
"For sale: Eight puppies from a German shepherd and an Alaskan hussy."
-- Richard A. Harms
One more:
Two American tourists are driving through
gogoch
Baffled by the name, one of them turns to a local and asks, "Would you please say where we are—very slowly?"
The Welshman leans over and says, very slowly, "Burrr-gerrr Kinngg."
Oldie but goodie……….. Chaplain Barnes
Last week’s answer: Whose clothes did not wear out for 40 years? Those worn by the Israelites during their desert wanderings (Deut. 8:2-4) note: maybe it was because they did not wash them. Think so?
This week’s question: How many of God’s servants are protectively sealed in Revelation 7?
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