You Can Have All This…If…

We all have our choice temptation.  What might yours be?  I know that mine might include tools, Oklahoma Sooner things, neckties, and music CDs.
Having a “vision” of something is part of what is included in the “sales pitch” of people.  To “see” yourself at the “platinum level” should inspire you to want to make the most of the opportunity to become rich.
So to have someone take you up to a place and say “You can have all this…if…” and you are seeing the most abundant amount of “things” that are appealing to your eye, would be challenging for you to avoid.  You could be very tempted…which is exactly what Satan was wanting Jesus to fall victim to those temptations.
Sunday, we looked at the third recorded temptation in Matthew 4, specifically from verses 8-10, and here are some applications to choose from to use this week…

1. Two Roads of Choices ~ Choices are all around us.  Some make absolutely no difference. Some make some difference.  Some make a major difference in life. Take time to weigh those decisions that do make a heavier difference.  The decision you do make could make all the difference in your life.
2. Watch Out for Others ~ This application is probably the opposite of what you may think.  We need to watch out for others in our spiritual “family” in case they are becoming weak, spiritually.  Something in their behavior will probably change to give you a clue.  That change could be complacency, lack of participation, new habits, new friends, etc.

Power, sex, and money are three of the biggest broad temptations that impact almost anyone.  You could have one or all three that will impact you.  The way you choose to react to those temptations, or any temptation, will greatly impact your future.  The more you can resist the temptation in the beginning, the better you are in the end.
Resist Him and make the right choice!

Go Ahead and Jump

I still hear the words being sung from Van Halen’s “Jump” when I read through those words.  However, it pertains to the Devil asking Jesus to test His Father by jumping off of a very high point with the plan that Jesus would have been saved and not injured.

Sometimes the phrase is used “the Devil made me do it.”  Imagine how well that excuse would have gone over if Jesus would have went ahead and jumped.  Sounds pretty lame coming from the mouth of our Savior, doesn’t it?  He had just as much ability as the Christian does today…the Spirit.

Sunday, we reflected on the second of Jesus’ temptations in Matthew 4.  This one being about putting God to the test.  Here are some applications to choose from to use this week…

1. Misjudging the Height ~ Sometimes when we are looking to do something we may not fully understand what it will actually entail.  It may be tempting to us to jump, but we may need to evaluate in case we’re expecting God to just take care of us “just because” He’s God.
2. Looks Can Be Deceiving ~ The heat on the distant roadway gives that “water” look to it.  This can be similar to how life can mislead us.  People come in, jobs come available, or deals are offered, all sounding good at first, but it may actually not be good.  The benefit of the doubt part of the argument is that it may not all be totally evil or premeditated.  Someone may come into your life that is completely good, but in the end it may corrupt you just through the chemistry of your relationship.  The job may be offered that does pay, but you didn’t know gas prices were going to jump so high that the pay doesn’t really cover your expenses.

We think that life is going to be all good.  We think God will take care of us regardless of the situation we put ourselves in to.  If those are your thoughts, you need to rethink life.  Both of those thoughts are misleading.  Life can be good and God will take care of us.  However, there are areas in which we cannot expect God to take care of us when we put ourselves in reckless situations.

Do not test Him!