Scripture:
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.' Then the devil took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and he said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning You; and On their hands they will lift You up, So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, 'On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go away, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him." -Matthew 4:1-11 (NASB)
"'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing--grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God." -Joel 2:12-14 (NIV)
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." -I Peter 5:6-8 (NASB)
"Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." -Isaiah 30:18 (NASB)
Introduction:
As Lent approaches, we remember the time Jesus spend fasing and preparing for His ministry. Many people also take this time to spiritually prepare for the events of Holy Week, including the death and resurrection of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sin. We can reflect on the time that Jesus spent fasting and resisting the temptations of the devil in the wilderness and we can consider our own preparation as we navigate the challenges of this world.
We all have temptations in our lives. We may also get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Taking time to reflect on our lives and on the example of Jesus can help us prepare for Lent and Easter. What can we learn as we take time to reflect?
Sunday:
We have all experienced temptations. There is something that is our weakness. It may be material things or behaviors. These temptations can sneak up on us. We may be able to resist thing in the moment, but Jesus experienced temptations while spending time fasting in the wilderness. Jesus exhibited strength because of His relationship with God and His knowledge of God's Word. When we are faced with temptations, we can call on God for strength and wisdom!
*What temptations do you face in the world? How can we resist temptations through a relationship with God and understanding His Word?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Monday:
There is a quote that says, "Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell." We are faced with a stream of temptation in our lives. Sometimes our temptations seem like they will make our life easier both now and later. Sometimes it feels like the only solution may be to give in. However, we do not have to give in to temptation. We can resist and find strength in God.
*What do you do in the face of temptation?
*Are there temptations that seem to persist and never go away? What do you need to give to God to allow Him to help you resist temptation?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Tuesday:
We can remember the example of Jesus resisting temptation. We can build relationships with God that allow us to overcome temptation. Beyond resisting temptation, we need to reflect on the circumstances surrounding these temptations and our spiritual lives. We can focus on returning our hearts or keeping our hearts centered on God. Beyond the temptations in our lives, we need to be sure we are moving closer to God and away from the temptations. We need to humble ourselves and follow His call!
*In what ways do you need to be more humble?
*How can being humble bring you closer to God and help you resist temptation?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Wednesday:
God calls us to serve Him. Serving Him will not always be easy. The world in which we live may not understand our reasons. Because of this, we may experience resistance and adversity. It is during these times that we need to be especially aware of the challenges in our lives and the stumbling blocks that the devil places in our paths. We need to be sure we are communicating with God and heeding His advice. As we follow God and serve Him, we can experience joy in our lives that only He can provide!
*What adversity or challenges have you experienced when preparing to and serving God?
*How can you be sure you are following God's guidance?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Thursday:
We need to humble ourselves and move closer to God. We should take steps in our lives to return to God and move closer to Him. We need to mourn and show our sorrow with sincerity. Our repentance cannot just be for show. We need to privately open our heart to God and allow Him to heal and redeem us. As we are reminded in the book of Joel, God is gracious, loving, and compassionate. When we go to God with certainty that He will embrace and restore us!
*How can you move closer to God?
*What do you need to privately repent to God?
*What do you need to do to let go and allow God to restore you?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Friday:
The Easter season and springtime remind us of the power of rebirth and renewal. The seasons may also remind us that things happen according to God's timing. When we serve Him and humble ourselves before Him, He promises to bring us into His glory. We just need to wait for God's perfect timing. We can prepare and serve Him, but it is in His time that we will be exalted!
*What can you do to prepare and serve God?
*How do you remind yourself that everything happens in God's perfect time?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Saturday:
There are times when we may be hard on ourselves. All of us make mistakes. We all fall short of reaching God's perfection. However, we need to remember that God is gracious. Isaiah 30:18 reminds us that God is waiting to have compassion on us. He longs to be gracious. He sent His Son to redeem each of us. We should continue to do our best for God, but when we fall short or struggle, we need to remember to go to move closer to God and welcome His grace and compassion in our lives!
*What do you do when you feel that you have fallen short?
*Can you accept God's grace and compassion in your life? Take time to pray and ask God to help you accept His grace and thank Him for His grace!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.' Then the devil took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and he said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning You; and On their hands they will lift You up, So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, 'On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go away, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him." -Matthew 4:1-11 (NASB)
"'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing--grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God." -Joel 2:12-14 (NIV)
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." -I Peter 5:6-8 (NASB)
"Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." -Isaiah 30:18 (NASB)
Introduction:
As Lent approaches, we remember the time Jesus spend fasing and preparing for His ministry. Many people also take this time to spiritually prepare for the events of Holy Week, including the death and resurrection of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sin. We can reflect on the time that Jesus spent fasting and resisting the temptations of the devil in the wilderness and we can consider our own preparation as we navigate the challenges of this world.
We all have temptations in our lives. We may also get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Taking time to reflect on our lives and on the example of Jesus can help us prepare for Lent and Easter. What can we learn as we take time to reflect?
Sunday:
We have all experienced temptations. There is something that is our weakness. It may be material things or behaviors. These temptations can sneak up on us. We may be able to resist thing in the moment, but Jesus experienced temptations while spending time fasting in the wilderness. Jesus exhibited strength because of His relationship with God and His knowledge of God's Word. When we are faced with temptations, we can call on God for strength and wisdom!
*What temptations do you face in the world? How can we resist temptations through a relationship with God and understanding His Word?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Monday:
There is a quote that says, "Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell." We are faced with a stream of temptation in our lives. Sometimes our temptations seem like they will make our life easier both now and later. Sometimes it feels like the only solution may be to give in. However, we do not have to give in to temptation. We can resist and find strength in God.
*What do you do in the face of temptation?
*Are there temptations that seem to persist and never go away? What do you need to give to God to allow Him to help you resist temptation?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Tuesday:
We can remember the example of Jesus resisting temptation. We can build relationships with God that allow us to overcome temptation. Beyond resisting temptation, we need to reflect on the circumstances surrounding these temptations and our spiritual lives. We can focus on returning our hearts or keeping our hearts centered on God. Beyond the temptations in our lives, we need to be sure we are moving closer to God and away from the temptations. We need to humble ourselves and follow His call!
*In what ways do you need to be more humble?
*How can being humble bring you closer to God and help you resist temptation?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Wednesday:
God calls us to serve Him. Serving Him will not always be easy. The world in which we live may not understand our reasons. Because of this, we may experience resistance and adversity. It is during these times that we need to be especially aware of the challenges in our lives and the stumbling blocks that the devil places in our paths. We need to be sure we are communicating with God and heeding His advice. As we follow God and serve Him, we can experience joy in our lives that only He can provide!
*What adversity or challenges have you experienced when preparing to and serving God?
*How can you be sure you are following God's guidance?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Thursday:
We need to humble ourselves and move closer to God. We should take steps in our lives to return to God and move closer to Him. We need to mourn and show our sorrow with sincerity. Our repentance cannot just be for show. We need to privately open our heart to God and allow Him to heal and redeem us. As we are reminded in the book of Joel, God is gracious, loving, and compassionate. When we go to God with certainty that He will embrace and restore us!
*How can you move closer to God?
*What do you need to privately repent to God?
*What do you need to do to let go and allow God to restore you?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Friday:
The Easter season and springtime remind us of the power of rebirth and renewal. The seasons may also remind us that things happen according to God's timing. When we serve Him and humble ourselves before Him, He promises to bring us into His glory. We just need to wait for God's perfect timing. We can prepare and serve Him, but it is in His time that we will be exalted!
*What can you do to prepare and serve God?
*How do you remind yourself that everything happens in God's perfect time?
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
Saturday:
There are times when we may be hard on ourselves. All of us make mistakes. We all fall short of reaching God's perfection. However, we need to remember that God is gracious. Isaiah 30:18 reminds us that God is waiting to have compassion on us. He longs to be gracious. He sent His Son to redeem each of us. We should continue to do our best for God, but when we fall short or struggle, we need to remember to go to move closer to God and welcome His grace and compassion in our lives!
*What do you do when you feel that you have fallen short?
*Can you accept God's grace and compassion in your life? Take time to pray and ask God to help you accept His grace and thank Him for His grace!
Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for strength, wisdom, and relationship with You that can help me to resist temptation and to draw closer to You. Help me to prepare my heart, mind, and body for a deeper relationship with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.
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