Dealing with temptation

Matthew 4:10, "Jesus said to him, 'Away from me Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "

Can you imagine going forty days and forty nights with no food? How about staying in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on your back? Then someone comes along who tells you to turn the rocks into bread and that you can have all of the wealth in the world. Now, imagine having so much trust and love for the Lord your God that, even though you are weak and hungry, you combat those temptations with truth from scripture. In everything, Jesus is an example for the way that we should live.

I wake up every morning determined that I am going to be that great, patient, loving mom who never yells at her kids or is late to an appointment. I will handle everything that comes my way during the day with grace and kindness. Usually, I make it for the first hour of the day. (My kids are still in bed during the first hour of my day.) As soon as the busyness of my day begins to sink in, my great intentions go out the window. I find myself snapping at the kids because they just spilled the milk, again. We rush out the door to get to work and school and I feel helpless again that I have spent the first few hours of my day being frustrated instead of loving.

I know that with God, all things are possible, even a peaceful morning with my three children. I want to rely on God's word in my times of temptation to loose my temper with my children. So, that is going to be my goal going forward. I will take an extra breath and recite a scripture instead of giving into the temptation to get angry. I think I will focus this week on Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." I am going to focus on giving gentle answers and staying away from the temptation of anger.

Christ Lives In Me

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me." Gal 2:20

When I think about the person that I was before I fell in love with Jesus, I am struck with amazing gratitude. If I had been left to my own devices, I know that I would not be where I am today. I can’t even begin to imagine the direction my life would have gone had I not discovered the love that Christ has for me. As a Christian, I am no longer a slave to the sin that used to rule my life. When Christ saved us, he replaced that old person with a new person that is free to live a life without sin.

Now, this doesn’t mean that I never sin. I sin every day, but that sin does not rule my life. This life that I live in my sinful body is guided by my faith in Jesus. He loved me so much, that he died for me. He endured suffering and even crucifixion because He loves me that much. My response to the knowledge of God’s sacrifice for me is to give my life to Him. I follow Him and I live my life knowing that my every action is a reflection of Christ living in me. I need to remind myself every morning before I walk out the door that when people see me, they are seeing the one that I serve.

Dear Lord, please keep your Son in the front of my mind throughout my day. Help me to remember that when people see me, they see you. Thank you so very much for sending Jesus to die for me. I love you Lord. In your Son’s amazing name, Amen.

All In Good Time

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry." (Psalms 40:1)

My family has been through some difficult times these last few  months. One of my daughter's was struggling in school and another was having behaviour issues. I kept praying for God to show me a way that I could leave my full time job to be more available for my children. We were terrified of how that change would affect our finances, but we knew that God wanted me to be there to help my children. After months of prayer and searching, a new part time job opened up that would allow me to work around my children's school schedule and be present for them.

Reading through Psalms 40 this morning I was reminded of many moments during this search when I felt discouraged and afraid. I was tempted to just throw my hands in the air and not to wait patiently for God's solution. Verse 8 reads, "I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart." I desire to do God's will in every situation in my life, and I know that by trusting Him and following His commands I will live the best life possible.

My new job has been a blessing to our family these past few months. Our finances are tight, but they work out each month. My children are improving and they have said multiple times that they are happy to have me home more. I love spending more time with them. "Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, there would be too  many to declare." (Psalms 40:8). Every day that I get to spend with my family is a blessing, every morning that I get to spend time in God's word is a blessing. There turly are too many blessings to declare.

Dear Lord, please help me to see the many blessings that you give me each and every day. I want to praise you for the amazing things that you do. Please show me your path so that I may walk in it and glorify you in my life. In your glorious name, Amen.

Lack of Faith

“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his own relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:4-6)

During my quiet time the other day I came across eight words that absolutely broke me, “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” I read again the passage in Mark where Jesus is ministering in his home town, and the townspeople would not believe that the son of Joseph was any more than the carpenter’s son.

How many times have I trivialized Jesus in my life? How many times have I tried to put God in a box made of contemporary understanding instead of relying him as the author and perfector of life? I want to live a life that is pleasing to God and to rely on him for everything, but all to often I find myself slipping into the “I can do it myself” mentality. How can I, as a wife, mother, and Christian woman, make sure that Jesus is not amazed by my lack of faith? How can I live my life in a way that puts everything in the trust and control of my Lord and savior?

I can pray. I can read the Bible. I can trust that what God says is true. I can keep growing my faith by serving other people, and by looking to God’s Word for the solutions to all of life’s problems. Instead of thinking “I can go it all on my own,” I can acknowledge that “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). I can not do anything by own power, or without tapping into God's power on a daily basis.

Prayer: Lord, please fill my heart with your Holy Spirit. Please guide my life so that I will be filled with faith in you and in your son, Jesus. Make your Word my guiding post and show me how to live my life in a way that will be pleasing to you. Remove my lack of faith and fill me with your love. In Jesus name, Amen.