(The Story of Jesus)

We are created to dream, to plan, to have the mind to focus on things as they are and things to come. We have been given gifts, talents and certain abilities along the way to hone, sharpen and use to accomplish whatever lies before us. Jesus had all this and more and Power. He was God and man. He had everything at his disposal and what did he do before beginning his public ministry, his mission given by God to bring salvation, the Way back to God in relationship? He stopped everything and got alone with God.

Jesus laid everything down and went into the dessert to fast for forty days and nights. Let’s understand the depth of this act of obedience and denial of mere food. The Holy Spirit led him into The Test. Before doing anything of any value, he focused on the mission ahead, knowing what he had to do from the beginning to the end. Then The Test. He went into battle with Satan, who Jesus knew well, the one who loves to destroy our focus on God and HIs mission. Jesus was there when Satan fell from heaven! He knew his enemy well. We also are tested, not by God, but by the evil one, as well, for he loves for us to lose our focus on the Almighty. To know your enemy is to defeat him!

AFTER THE WATER AND THE BLESSINGS COMES THE TEST
“Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: ‘Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.'” Matthew 4, Msg

FOCUS ON GOD’S WORD
“Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: ‘It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.'” Matthew 4, Msg

“For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, ‘Since you are God’s Son, jump.’ The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “he has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.'”

FOCUS OFF SELF POWER, THINKING YOU CAN TEST GOD!
“Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: ‘Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.'” Matthew 4, Msg

“For the third test, the Devil took him on the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, ‘They’re yours–lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.'”

FOCUS ON GOD ALONE IN WORSHIP! STUFF DOESN’T MATTER!
Jesus’ refusal was curt: ‘Beat it, Satan!’ He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: ‘Worship the Lord Your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.'”

“The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.” Matthew 4, Msg

WOW! How many tests does Satan throw at us, using everything of this world that he can, to get us to lose our focus of God and the clarity of His mission for us? How about every day? Be alert! Jesus reminds us, “Greater is HE that is in YOU, than he that is in the world!” FOCUS! Do whatever you have to do to keep your eyes on Jesus! Satan is dumb and has only one method that he uses over and over again…distraction from God! And we seem to fall for it often. So it works for him enough that he keeps using it.

For today…Can we all shout, “BEAT IT, SATAN!”? Focus on the One who loves you most and has Your best interest at Heart.

Dear Heavenly Father, To get up early and focus on You before starting each day is so valuable to me. It has become a pleasure, a sheer delight to read Your Word, lay down the thoughts of stuff of this life, and worship You alone in this quiet corner of our bedroom. Thank you for listening to me and then speaking to my heart. I love our relationship! Go with us now and give us Your power to resist whatever evil throws at us to distract us from You for this day.
In Jesus Name, Amen