Tuesday 27 November 2012

Tuesday - times of testing

Prayer:  Great God,  when we are tested,  we know that You are with us.   Jesus, Redeemer and friend,  when we get into a conflict or argument, we know that You are with us and help open our eyes to God’s  will.   Holy Spirit,  Sustainer of all life,  intercede for us to the Lord God Almighty  when we stumble and fall.  Set us back on the path to God’s  glory so that we may our lives out as whole people of God.  Amen.  

Read  St. Luke  4: 5- 8

The devil tests Jesus again by taking Jesus up to a high place and showing him the kingdoms of the world.  The devil tells Jesus that he will give Jesus all authority and splendour if Jesus will worship the devil.    Jesus answers, “It is written;  Worship the LORD your God and serve him only.”    Jesus quotes  from  Deuteronomy 6:12-14.   Moses was instructing the Israelites to not forget  God as it was God that lead them up out of the land of Egypt…. Fear the LORD your God,  serve Him only.
It is important that we back up a bit in Deuteronomy 6: 7….  Moses is telling the Israelites that they must impress the commands (scriptures) upon their children.  Talk about the scriptures when you sit at home and when you walk along the road,  when you lie down and when you get up.  And why was it important that the Israelites knew their scriptures?  So they would not forget God.   

Jesus knew the scriptures.  When we are in times of testing,  do we rely upon the scriptures?     Do we even know the scriptures well enough to quote passages of comfort and instruction?   If not,  there is one way to fix that!    Start reading the Scriptures.

Prayer:  Great God,  we thank You that You have given us the Scriptures so that we can read, learn,  listen,  and inwardly digest Your word.   Help us this day to write the Scriptures upon our hearts.    Inspire Your Holy Spirit to open our minds  so that we can understand and gain knowledge  from  Your most Holy Word.    Amen.

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