Jesus Tested in the Wilderness - Matthew 4:1-11 - Daily Reading from Sunday School Book

Jesus wasn't tempted in the Temple or at His baptism but in the wilderness where He was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. Satan often tempts us where we are vulnerable when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, faced with uncertainly). But Satan also likes to tempt us through our strengths where we are suscepible to pride. We must guard at all times against his attacks.

Satan's temptations focused on three crucial areas: (1) physical desires, (2) possessions and power, and (3) pride. But Jesus did not give in. Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. "He knows firsthand what we are experiencing and he is willing and able to help us in our struggles. When you are tempted, turn to Him for strength.

Angels, like these who ministered to Jesus, have a significant role as God's messengers. These spiritual beings were involved in Jesus like on earth by (1) announcing his birth to Mary, (2) reassuring Joseph, (3) naming Jesus, (4) announcing His birth to the Shepherds, (5) protecting Jesus by sending His family to Egypt, (6) ministering to Him in Gethsemane.


Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the test. The devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left Him, of course, in a state of hunger, which the devil took advantage of in the first test: "Since you are God's Son, speak the Word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth.

For the second test the devil took Him to the Holy City. He sat Him on top of the Temple and said, "Since you are God's Son, jump." The devil goaded Him by quoting Psalm 91: "He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone."

Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: "Don't dare test the Lord your God."

For the third test, the devil took Him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth's kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, they're yours - lock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they're yours.

Jesus refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan." He backed his rebuke his rebuke with a third quotation and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.

The test was over. The devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus needs.


The Spirit led Jesus into the desert. There the devil tempted Him.

After 40 days and 40 nights of going without eating, Jesus was hungry.

The tempter came to Him. He said, "If you are the Son of God tell these stones to become bread.

Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Man must not live only on bread. He must also live by every Word that come from the mouth of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Then the devil took Jesus to the Holy City. He had Him stand on the highest point of the Temple.

"If you are the Son of God," he said "throw yourself down. It is written, the Lord will command His angels to take good care of you. They will lift you up in their hands. Then you won't trip over a stone.

Jesus answered him, "It is also written, Do not test the Lord your God.

Finally, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain. He showed Him all the kingdom of the world and their glory.

"If you bow down and worship me," he said, "I will give you all this."

Jesus said to him, "Get away from me, satan! It is written, Worship the Lord your God. He is the only one you should serve." (Deuteronomy 6:13)

Then the devil left Jesus. Angels came and took care of Him.


May The Faith Be With You Holy Bible @ Zondervan 2017; The Message copyright @ 1993,1994,1995,1996,2000,2001,2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188 & Life Application Bible @ 1986, 1988, 1989 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189

Friday - The Lord Acts with Passion - Isaiah 42:10-17 - 11/18/16

An exhortation to praise God for his salvation. His rebuke of Israel for their unbelief.

Verse 10 ... Sing unto the LORD a new song, & his praise from the end of the earth, ...

Psalm 98:1 ... O SING unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand & his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.


Isaiah 42:10 ... ye that go down to the sea, and ... (fullness thereof) all that is therein; the isles, & the inhabitants thereof.


Isaiah 42:11 ... Let the wilderness & the cities thereof lift up their voices, the villages that Ke'dar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.


Isaiah 42:12 ... Let them give glory unto the LORD, & declare his praise in the islands.


Isaiah 42:13 ... The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, ...

Isaiah 31:4 ... For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion & the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the (multitude) noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zi'on, & for the hill thereof.


Isaiah 42:14 ...I have long time holden my peace; I have been still & refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy & (swallow, or sup up) devour at once.


Isaiah 42:15 ... I will make waste mountains & hills, & dry up all their herbs; & I will make the rivers islands, & I will dry up the pools.


Isaiah 42:16 ... And I will bring the blind by a way they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them & crooked things (into straightness) straight. These things will I do unto them, & not forsake them.


Isaiah 42:17 ... They shall be turned back, ...

Psalm 97:7 ... Confounded be all they that serve graven imagines, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.


Isaiah 42:17 ... they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.


Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Thursday - The Sustaining Healing Water of Life - Isaiah 41:17-20 - 11/17/16

God calleth upon idolaters to consider his power to aid his people. His gracious assurance to Israel of protection.

Verse 17 ... When the poor & needy seek water, & there is none, & their tongue faileth for thrist, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Is'ra-el will not forsake them.


Verse 18 ... I will open ... rivers in high places, & fountains in the midst of the valleys: ...

Isaiah 44:3 ... For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, & floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon the seed, & my blessing upon thine offspring:


Isaiah 41:18 ...I will make the ... wilderness a pool of water, & the dry land springs of water.

Psalm 107:35 ... He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, & dry ground into watersprings.


Isaiah 41:19 ... I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, & the myrtle, & the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, & the pine, & the box tree together:


Isaiah 41:20 ... that they may see, ... & know, & consider, & understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, & the Holy One of Is'ra-el hath created it.

Job 12:9 ... Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?


Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

God Sends Jesus: Opening the Way ... 12/15/13

Luke 1;3;7 . Matthew 3 . Circumcise . Writing Table . Praised God . Lord . 15th year . Tiberius . Pilate . Herod . Philip . Trachonitis . Annas . Wilderness . Jordan . baptism - repentance - remission of sins . Esaias . Publicans . Soliders . Spirit of God - Dove . Prepare the Way . Elisabeth's full time - son . Great Mercy . Rejoiced . Zacharias . (Prophecy - Prophesy) . Lord God of Israel . Horn . David . Holiness & Righteousness . Salvation . Light - Guide . Promises: Luke 1:71,74; Luke 1:77


The Sunday School Lesson is shared from Luke 1:57-58, 67-79 (Background Scripture: Luke 1:57-80; Devotional Reading: Luke 1:59-66) for 12/15/2013.


Circumcise ... Genesis/Bereshith 17:1 cut foreskin ... Philippians 3:5 circumcise the 8th day.

15th year - #15 ... Luke 3:1, where Luke dates the reign of Tiberas from the period of his rule with Augustus.

Tiberius, the Roman emperor.

Pilate, Pontius, governor of Judea.

Herod, reproved by John the Baptist, imprisons him.

Trachonitis, a region east of Jordan; one of the Roman provinces into which it was divided.

Annas, Grecized form of 'Hanan,; high priest.

Jordan (stream), important river of Palestine/Then - Holy Land/Now is the Jordan. Modern name of the river is 'Esh Sheriah,; "the watering-place." John baptizes there.

Baptism of John (Luke 3)

Baptism of Repentance (Luke 3:3) ... Blood shed for Remission of sins (Matthew 26:28)

Esaias/Isaiah (the salvation of Jehovah), prophet.

Publicans (some believe in Jesus/Yeshua) . By a decree of Caesar the taxes of Judea were levied by publicans in Judea & paid directly to the national government, the officials being appointed by the provincial officers.

Soliders, admonition to (Luke 3:14); demanded, And what shall we do? (Luke 3:14).

Dove, an emblem of the Holy Spirit, of peace, purity, & affection. (Holy Spirit in form of - descending like a dove).

Holy Ghost (Luke 3:16), baptize with Holy Ghost.

Prophecy, God author of; gift of Christ; of Holy Ghost; how to be received; false - how tested (Scriptures from Old & New Testament)

Prophesy, we prophesy in part (I Corinthians 13:9).

Promises: (Luke 1:71,74) The Lord's Love & Care for HIS Children; (Luke 1:77) Pardon for Sins & Iniquities.


Luke 1:57-58,67-79

Verses 57,58

Verse 57 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Forerunner; John's Birth, Early Life, & Ministry ... Miracles; Supernatural Bodily Gifts & Deprivations; Gift of Children

Verse 58 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Forerunner; John's Birth, Early Life, & Ministry

(Luke 1:59-66 ... Reference Scriptures in Sunday School Book)



Christian Books of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ birth, early life and Ministry




Verses 67-71

Verse 67 ... Mediums & Methods of Revelation; The Qualifications Of A Prophet; He Must Be Inspired

Verses 68,69,70 ... Duties to God; Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving for Christ & HIS Salvation

(Psalm 18:2; 89:24; 132:17; 148:14)



Writing Table, Desk, Journals, Composition Books, Copier Paper, Laser Copier Paper, Paper Supplies, Office Supplies, Labtop, Tablet, iPad, iPod, Cellphones,

Verses 72-79

Verses 72,73 ... Jesus Christ; Prophecies Concerning Christ; Descent

Verses 74,75 ... Duties To God; Prayer; Objects of Prayer, Deliverance from Enemies

Verse 76 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Ministry; Christ's Reception by Men, Regarded as a Prophet ... Man Redeemed; Repentance; Nature of True Repentance, An Apprehension of God's Mercy in Christ

Verse 77 ... Man Redeemed; Blessedness of The New Life; Assurance of the Divine Favour ... Man Redeemed; Repentance; Nature of True Repentance, An Apprehension of God's Mercy in Christ

Verse 78 ... Jesus Christ; Figurative Characters Of Christ; The Light of the World ... Man Redeemed; Repentance; Nature of True Repentance, An Apprehension of God's Mercy in Christ

Verse 79 ... Jesus Christ; Figurative Characters Of Christ; The Light of the World

(Genesis 15:13,18; Exodus 7:1; Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:46-56)


Monday - December 9, 2013 - What Will This Child Become? - Luke 1:59-66

The nativity of John ... The birth & circumcision of John (Luke 1:57-80)


Tuesday - December 10, 2013 - John's Call to Repentance - Luke 3:1-6

John's preaching & baptism (Luke 3:1-14) ... The Ministry of John (Luke 3:1-20)


Wednesday - December 11, 2013 - What, Then, Should We Do? - Luke 3:7-14


Thursday - December 12, 2013 - One More Powerful than John - Luke 3:15-20

John's testimony of Christ.


Friday - December 13, 2013 - The Baptizer of Jesus - Matthew 3:13-17

Christ baptized by John in Jordan ... The Baptism of Jesus.


Saturday - December 14, 2013 - A Prophet & More - Luke 7:18-27

Christ raiseth from death the widow's son at Nain; answereth John's messengers with the declaration of HIS miracles: testifieth to the people what opinion HE held of John (Luke 7:11-29) ... The enquiry of John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-35)


Sunday - December 15, 2013 - A Prophet of the Most High - Luke 1:57-58,67-79

The nativity of John. Zacharias' prophecy. ... The birth & circumcision of John (Luke 1:57-80)


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Edition Bible, Vine's Expository Dictionary of O.T. 7 N.T. Words & Zondervan's Bible Commentary

Hot Chocolate For The Spirit: Book Review

I reviewed this book, I think before 2005.

There's nothing better than setting down with a hot cup of chocolate, especially on a cold, dreary night. It's soothing & warms the insides through & through.

May you also begin to experience the victorious life Jesus came to give you.

Remember the Israelites? It was a short journey from the Red Sea to Canaan, the Promised Land. God had delivered the Israelites from Slavery in Egypt, & in Canaan the Israelites would be free to serve & worship HIM.

Then they wandered for forty years.

Someone shared this Biblical Truth with the author, & she realized she was "wandering in the wilderness." Her book is a product of her decision to become unstuck.

Are you wandering in the wilderness?

Whatever you desire, it will take faith in God for changes in your life to happen.

Make a list of your goals & vision if you haven't already. Make a list of the tasks you do daily, weekly, monthly & yearly to reach your mission.

Keep this list handy & pray over it each day. Find a scripture that aligns with each of your goals & pray those verses daily.

John 8 reveals two sides of God's LOVE.

The chapter begins with a woman caught in the act of adultery. The Scribes & Pharisees bring her to Jesus & tell him about her sin. According to the law of Moses, she deserves death by stoning.

Jesus said ... He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7). One by one they walked away.

Jesus asked the woman, where are thine accusers? Jesus said unto her, go, & sin no more (John 8:10-11).

Love is tender & it is sometimes tough. Love forgives & it also confronts.

Moving higher means growing up, & in order to grow up there must be a separation.

Abraham, Issac, & Jacob all went through a separation process & reaped great rewards.

Abraham left his family & caught the vision of a Promised Land & descendants who became innumerable as the stars.

Issac, Abraham's son, left familiar surroundings & traveled to Egypt. There God prospered him in the middle of a famine.

Jacob's greed & selfishness drove him to deceive. To help him escape the wrath of his brother, Jacob's parents sent him away.

The transformation in Jacob was so great that God changed his name from Jacob(trickster) to Israel(Prince of God).

Separation is challenging & painful, but let God have HIS way.

There is a parable in Luke 18 that reveals a key to getting our prayers answered. In verse one Jesus told this parable to encourage men to keep praying & never faint.

Jesus asks if - a man who had no reverence for God & no consideration for people - will help someone because of their persistence, how much more will God respond to you, HIS very own child whom HE loves dearly?

We should never beat ourselves up. God forgives when we ask, once we repent. We should learn from our mistakes.

Jesus said in John 15:5 that without HIM we can do nothing.

Pray Psalm 150 -- Praise ye the LORD, Praise God in HIS sanctuary ... Praise him for HIS mighty acts ... Praise HIM with the sound of the trumpet ... Let every thing that hath breath praise th LORD.

The author shared she's had several opportunities to move past her comfort zone.

II Kings 7: The city of Samaria had been surrounded by the army of Syria. The prophet Elisha foretold that the city would have relief within one day.

Four lepers sat on the outskirts of the city talking among themselves.

So, they decided upon a bold plan. They would visit the Syrian camp.

When the lepers arrived at the camp no one was there! II Kings 7:6-7 tells us the LORD caused a great noise that sounded like a mighty army approaching. The Syrians had panicked & fled into the night, leaving behind their belongings.

Leaps of faith aren't easy.

Taking a leap of faith will mean different things to different people.

God has appointed you to reach out & touch the life of at least one person.

One night the author dreamed she was in prison along with several friends. Her friends decided to break out.

Terrified of the bulldogs that guarded the place, she wasn't in agreement with their plan. Her companions were not afraid.

But as they walked towards the gate that would take them beyond the prison walls, the bulldogs cleared the path for them. They walked through & were not harmed in any way.

The author feels God spoke to her through her dream -- if she responded to HIS guidance with faith & boldness, the "bulldogs" in her life would move aside.

Has a bad experience made you fearful?

Our good works should flow out from our communion with God.

Jesus said the second greatest commandment is to love others as you love yourself.

Take time to renew & refresh.

The Bible is our blueprint.

Living a Godly life is a fight, & we need every piece of information we can get our hands on.

We should strive to do a first-rate job in whatever we are involved with. Someone may be watching.

God is certainly watching. The Bible tells us to do everything as unto the LORD.

The author shares she's been through the ups & downs. And, boy have she shed a lot of tears. Through it all, she shares there has been one thing that sustained her: hope.

Karin Peavy is the author of Hot Chocolate For The Spirit. A rich, meaningful book. Shares on dealing with difficult transitions. Comfort for your heart throughout every season of your life.