Today’s Theme: Don’t Test God
Audio Option
Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. You can fast-forward past the intro and get straight to the message by clicking the play button and then the 30-second fast-forward button on the audio player. Thank you!
Special Note
Today’s message is an excerpt from Day 186 in my book, Seek Him, Volume 2: Going Beyond Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. The theme of the message is “Don’t Test God.” We’re only covering the scripture, reflection, and prayer. To read the rest of today’s message from the book, you will need to read your copy of the book.
You can acquire my book, the companion workbook, and the other books that make up the Seek Him series by searching for their titles online and at local retailers. Links are available here on my BBWN blog. You can also visit DOMELifePublishing.com
Scripture
And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.
—Luke 4:12-14 ESV
Reflection
Whether it be a person or thing that tempts us, we know right from wrong— we know what is of God and what is a mirage invented by the father of lies. We need to stop lying to ourselves and saying that “It must be a blessing from God if this is happening to me.” The flesh is weak, and the only solution is God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Let our eyes not stray from the path. Let us not risk all that we have worked for just to have a moment or more in bliss. Let us not risk an eternal life in harmony because of a desire for forbidden fruit. We know when God has told us no. If we ignore Him, then we are testing Him.
When we walk with temptation and not with God, we are walking with the enemy who says, “Just live a little. Doesn’t it feel good?” What we don’t realize is that our judgment is clouded, and within that ecstasy is a kill switch that will bring pain; it will tear down the foundation we built within God’s grace. What we don’t realize is that the temptation will destroy everything you value most. It will rip apart your family, cripple your career, stomp on your dignity and esteem, and sit back and watch you slither on your belly in pain. Ask yourself if this temporary pleasure you are enjoying now is worth the long-term pain in the future?
Is it worth seeing your loved ones in pain? Is it worth displeasing God and Jesus? We must fight for our lives. We must fight for our souls. Don’t lose a position in God’s Kingdom. Don’t test God. Don’t try to outsmart your Creator. Don’t let the temporal sacrifice your eternal.
Prayer
Father, I know that I am never free and clear from the path of the “liar.” I know that temptation will never be in my past. I know that my mind and heart must always be focused on You, praying to You, and devoted to You if I am to fight in this war. Father, please strengthen me. Keep my eyes focused on You. Remove people from my life that serve no purpose other than to tempt me, distract me, take my focus off of You, Father. When they walk before me, Lord, whisper in my ear to walk away. Give me the words to say to resist them.
Give me the strength to resist the feelings inside and the desire to “test the waters.” Give me the wisdom to know that You know all, see all and have power over all; the wisdom to know that I can never be equal to You, smarter than You, or more powerful than You. Give me the strength to overcome the lust of things I don’t need—the things that could ultimately harm me or pull me off Your path. Father, please surround me with Your presence. Fill me with Your love and discipline. I don’t want to test You, Father. I don’t want to give in to the lies and temptation. I want to live honorably in Your sight, as Jesus exemplified. I only want to serve You, Father. In Your Name, there is grace. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2021-2023. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com
Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com