The past few days we have looked at the temptation of Jesus in the desert. All temptations have one thing in common: they entice us to resist the Lordship of God in our lives.
The first human temptation began with the Great Lie in the Garden of Eden, the lie that says we can live our best life outside the rules of God. It suggests that we need total autonomy to be happy. We know this temptation well.
Likewise, the three temptations Jesus faced in the desert are temptations we all face. They're not exactly the same, of course, but his temptations represent three classic ways that we resist the Lordship of God in our lives.
First, we place sensual pleasure at the center of our concerns. We make eating, drinking, and sex our dominant concerns. But this is a mistake, for only God can legitimately fill that central position. This is why Jesus must confront this temptation, feeling its full weight, and then resist it for us.
Next, we are tempted by power. From political dictators to tyrants within families and friendships, power is alluring. This is the temptation Jesus faces as he is brought to the highest mountain and offered all the kingdoms of the world. Once more, on our behalf, acting for us, Jesus resists this temptation.
Finally, we tend to place honor in that central position. We want a high reputation, we want to be seen by everyone, admired and thought highly of. This is the temptation Jesus faces when he is taken to the parapet of the Temple, the highest place in the society of his time, the place of supreme visibility. And, for the third time, Jesus confronts and resists this temptation for us.
Today, I ask you to reflect on where you are right now. What are you doing in the garden of your life? Who is luring you and how? Are you buying into the Big Lie?
Where are you in desert? How do you stand up to the three great temptations: to sensual pleasure, to honor, and to power?
Share This Love
Lord, I am filled with the life You have shared with me. Just knowing You love me fills me with joy. Lord, I know You want me to share this love and joy with others. To share Your gifts with them is to follow You to be Christian. There are many ways of sharing, Lord many ways of loving. Send Your Spirit to help me know how best to share my life, my love, my hopes and my joy with others. Morning Motivation
When I woke up this morning lying in bed,
I was asking myself;
What are some of the secrets of success in life?
I found the answer right there, in my very room. The Fan said... Be cool The Roof said... Aim high The Window said... See the world The Clock said... Every minute is precious The mirror said... Reflect before you act The Calendar said... Be up-to-date The Door said... Push hard for your goals
AND NOT TO FORGET, THE CARPET SAID...
"KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY"
Carry a Heart that Never Hates.
Carry a Smile that Never Fades.
Carry a Touch that Never Hurts..
HAVE A PURPOSEFUL DAY IN THE LORD!
'God Blesses Us To Be A Blessing Unto Others'
The sayings of Jesus... I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life. (John 8:12) Man does not live on bread alone...
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) Do not store up treasures on earth...
for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Matthew 6:19-20) Unless you become like children...
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3) When you pray, go to an inner room...
and pray to your Father in secret. (Matthew 6:6) Blessed are the peacemakers...
they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9) Come to me...
all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30) Where two or three are gathered in my name,
there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) If you wish to be perfect,
sell what you have,
give to the poor,
and follow me. (Matthew 19:21) Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
they will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6) Whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers,
you did for me. (Matthew 25:40) The truth will make you free. (John 8:32) This is my body, which will be given for you.
Do this is memory of me. (1 Corinthians 11:24) Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid. (Mark 6:50) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.
But if it dies, it yields an abundant harvest. (John 12:24) You will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43) As I have loved you, you should love one another. (John 13:34, 15:12) I am the resurrection and the life.
Whoever believes in me, even if he dies,
will live forever. (John 11:25) Forgive them Father...
they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) Whoever wishes to come with me...
must deny himself,
and take up his cross,
and follow me. (Luke 9:23) I am with you always,
until the end of time. (Matthew 28:20) Father, into your hands...
I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46) Go into the world...
and proclaim the good news to every creature. (Mark 16:15)
A MORNING OFFERING THROUGH ST. JOSEPH
Receive me, dear and chosen Father, and the offering of every
movement of my body and soul, which I desire to present
through thee to my blessed Lord. Purify all! Make all a perfect holocaust! May every pulsation
of my heart be a Spiritual Communion, every look and
thought an act of love, every action a sweet sacrifice,
every word an arrow of Divine love, every step
an advance toward Jesus, every visit to Our Lord as
pleasing to God as the errands of Angels, every thought
of thee, dear Saint, an act to remind thee that I am thy child. I recommend to thee the occasions in which I usually fail,
particularly . . . [Mention these]. Accept each little devotion
of the day, though replete with imperfection, and offer it
to Jesus, Whose mercy will overlook all, since He
regards not so much the gift as the love of the giver.
Amen. A Prayer for Lent "Lord, I come before You today to ask for Your blessings in all I do and to thank You, knowing that You will answer my prayer. I thank you Lord for my life just as it is. In Your time and in Your way Lord You will provide for my needs, help me to await these changes with patience and faith in Your holy providence. Help me also to praise Your Holy Name in the asking and in the receiving." Verse of the Day "I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way." Psalm 119:101-4 February 17 - Jesus Calling I am the Risen One who shines upon you always. You worship a living Deity, not some idolatrous, man-made image. Your relationship with Me is meant to be vibrant and challenging, as I invade more and more areas of your life. Do not fear change, for I am making you a new creation, with old things passing away and new things continually on the horizon. When you cling to old ways and sameness, you resist My work within you. I want you to embrace all that I am doing in your life, finding your security in Me alone. It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don’t try to force-fit today into yesterday’s mold. Instead, ask Me to open your eyes, so you can find all I have prepared for you in this precious day of Life. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
—Matthew 28:5–7 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
—2 Corinthians 5:17 | 
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