Sunday, February 22, 2015
O God, the Heavenly Father who has proven himself faithful for generations, forgive me for those times that I have been presumptuous, pompous, or cynical. I confess my human limitations and my all-too-human desire for assurance and security. Give me courage to be faithful in the face of ridicule and scorn from others, and in the face of doubt within myself. I do believe that you have been, are, and will be faithful. May I be found faithful, too. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Jesus returned from the Jordan River. He was full of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert. There the devil tempted Jesus for 40 days. Jesus ate nothing during that time. When those days were finished, Jesus was very hungry. The devil said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, tell this rock to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written {in the Scriptures }: 'It is not just food that keeps people alive.'" Then the devil took Jesus and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Jesus, "I will make you king over all these places. You will have power over them and will get all the glory. It has all been given to me. I can give it to any person I want. I will give it all to you, if you will only worship me." Jesus answered, "It is written {in the Scriptures }: 'You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!'" Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem. The devil put Jesus on a very high place of the temple. He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! It is written {in the Scriptures }: 'God will command his angels to take care of you.' It is also written: 'Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.'" Jesus answered, "But it also says {in the Scriptures }: 'You must not test (doubt) the Lord your God.'" The devil finished tempting Jesus in every way and went away to wait until a better time.
Remember Jesus Christ. He is from the family of David. After Jesus died, he was raised from death. This is the Good News that I tell people. And I am suffering because I tell that Good News. I am even bound with chains like a person who has really done wrong. But God's teaching is not bound. So I patiently accept all these troubles. I do this to help all the people that God has chosen. I accept these troubles so that those people can have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. With that salvation comes glory that never ends. This teaching is true: If we died with him (Jesus), then we will also live with him. If we accept suffering, then we will also rule with him. If we refuse to accept him, then he will refuse to accept us. If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful, because he cannot be false to himself.
What great blessings there are for the person who is tempted and still continues strong. Why? Because after he has proved his faith, God will give him the reward of life forever. God promised this to all people who love him. When a person is being tempted, he should not say, "God is tempting me." Evil cannot tempt God. And God himself does not tempt any person. It is the evil things a person wants that tempt that person. His own evil desire leads him away and holds him. This desire causes sin. Then the sin grows and brings death.
Thank the Lord, because he is good! His love is forever! That is what every person that the Lord has saved should say. The Lord saved them from their enemy.
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
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