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The Power of Suggestion

  • Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' Luke 4:1'4 WEB.

    Jesus heard His Heavenly Father speaking right after He was baptized in the Jordan river when a voice came from heaven saying: "You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22). Then, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, and there He fasted for forty days.

    When Jesus was weak from hunger, the devil came to test Him. The first temptation was, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." The devil saw that Jesus was hungry, and he thought it might be an opening, a crack in His armor. Also, he brought into question whether Jesus was actually the Son of God to instill a little doubt and confusion.

    Now Jesus had already heard a voice speaking to Him during His baptism at the river, but now here is another voice speaking to Him in the desert, or is it the same one? Are they from the same source? Should He turn this stone into bread? Jesus needed to know whether this voice was God speaking to Him again or a counterfeit. So He turned to the scriptures, and His answer came from Deuteronomy 8:3. In short, whatever does not agree with scripture, does not come from God. The word of God is our anchor of truth that we must judge all things by.

    The next temptation was a chance to set up an earthly kingdom even more powerful than the Roman empire. All of it could be given to Jesus here and now if Jesus would only worship him. It was a legitimate desire. Jesus could set up a government that truly cared about the people, and He could do a lot of good through it, but this was a compromise, and it would mean using the world's methods. He would have to turn His back on His calling. Once again, Jesus turned to scripture and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13, decisively rejecting the offer.

    The third suggestion was to perform a miracle by casting Himself off the temple, possibly to make people believe in Him, but also to prove that He is the Son of God. This time, it is worth noting that satan quotes scripture to Jesus (Psalm 91:11). Jesus again refers to scripture and quotes Deuteronomy 6:16. In all of this temptation, satan can only "suggest" that Jesus should do something. It was entirely up to Jesus to decide whether to perform the act or not. When all his tricks failed, the devil left Him until a more "opportune" time.

    The devil "suggested" things to Jesus, but he could not get around the clear word of God when directly confronted with it by a person that would not compromise. A person who's no meant no, and not maybe. Though he would have loved to, satan was unable to make Jesus do anything. He was limited to the power of suggestion.

    Jesus was also obeying the scriptures. Telling the devil to flee when you are friends with him will not work. You have to be committed to God first and then resist the temptation. Then he will flee just as He left Jesus. "Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

    If you have something that bothers you and will not go away, or have feelings of worthlessness, shame, or you are being tempted to do wrong, or you are full of fear, then find a scripture that counters it and memorize it. Say it out loud throughout the day. We all have our own weaknesses. Find a scripture that addresses it, stand on it, and quote it to him. It is amazing what the light of scripture will do to the kingdom of darkness.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to help me beat this. I put my trust in You. Please teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: For those following the Creation Photography weekly challenges, here is this week's theme from group leader, Dianna Wyles: Luke 12:27-28 'Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you'you of little faith!" ~ Our next fun-tastic theme will be 'April Showers Bring'Mud Puddles and May Flowers' and as always, is wide open for creative interpretation! You are also encouraged to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photos this week show a few of my favorite flowers in bloom, a couple of heart mud puddles we found last week, plus a shot or two of the garden updates. Looking forward to seeing your favorites too, don't keep me in suspense. Stay blessed y'all! Here is the link: Creation Photographers


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24 comments
  • 2
Kevin J. Eck
Kevin J. Eck Amen, Help guide me through the scriptures and fill me with the bread of life, Thank you Father!
May 3, 2022
  • 3
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Heavenly Father, I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to help me beat this. I put my trust in You. Please teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️
May 3, 2022
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Amen.

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Candy Laventure
Candy Laventure

Amen!

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen

May 3, 2022
  • 3
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walkeredited: May 3, 2022

AMEN.  Heavenly Father,  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  My Faith & Trust is in the Lord.  Amen

May 3, 2022
  • 4
David Krull
David Krull

Amen. I am redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. Forgiven of my sins which You nailed on the cross at Calvary. I am washed white as snow. Try my mind and my heart. I confess my sinful thoughts and declare them to be captive unto You Jesus. You are Holy Lord Jesus. Faithful and just to forgive me according to Your word. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I declare the Whole Armor of God over me, my wife, my family, my marriage. You were scourged for my iniquities and by Your stripes I am healed. Create in me a clean heart oh God, and restore unto me the joy of my salvation Father. Here I am Lord. Use me. Direct my paths. In everything I acknowledge You Lord. Help me seek You with a whole heart. I bind up this anger in my marriage and rebuke every wicked plan against me satan. I speak peace and love. I declare the fruits of the Spirit over my life. Help us walk in 1 Cor.13 love towards each other. I ask Your will be done in my life Lord. Lord I seek Your face... Thank you that Your grace is sufficient for me. I ask for a double portion of Your Holy Spirit. I ask for Godly wisdom and knowledge and understanding. I praise Your Holy Name. I worship You my Savior. My friend. Help me draw nearer to You in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

May 3, 2022
  • 3
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Morning Everyone 

May 3, 2022
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes please Lord Jesus, amen.

May 3, 2022
  • 2
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen I trust you Lord, 

May 3, 2022
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Father, I trust in You! Amen.

May 3, 2022
  • 2
Maria Melendez
Maria Melendez

        Amen,God bless

 

     

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

May 3, 2022
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Show us the way wonderful Jesus,your way! Amen 

May 3, 2022
  • 2
Cindy Holcomb
Cindy Holcomb

My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness 

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen!!

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Janet Sorensen
Janet Sorensen

Part of my OCD is having intrusive thoughts. Everyone has them to some extent, but these were horrible. (I use past tense because even though I still have them, they aren't as bad and I've learned to shut them down.) When I was at my worst, I didn't actually hear voices but I had those nagging voices in my head that tell you lies about yourself. I thought I must be the most selfish person in the world because of the financial and other mistakes I had made. I actually thought my family would be better off without me because they could get to my IRA. I realize now my daughter needs me even as I am. My therapist told me "Just look at the thought and decide what to do with it. Don't let your thoughts push you around." I really do ask myself sometimes if I'm hearing God's "voice" or the devil's. I would open the Bible and let it fall open but quite often the verse I read made me feel worse. My pastor (kindly) said, "That's because the bible isn't a magic 8 ball. Try actually reading it." He was telling it like it is! And he was right. I have learned to say "Oh, look, it's an intrusive thought. I'll just let it float by without engaging with it." Prayers for anyone fighting similar battles.

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Lord Yeshua's name I ask this, Amen. Thank You Father Yahweh!

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

May 3, 2022
  • 1
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Amen, I trust you Lord!

May 3, 2022
  • 1
Sherry McCosh
Sherry McCosh

Amen! This is a powerful devotion today!! Thank you for all your time and effort put into this devotion for all of us. We do really appreciate it. Praise you Jesus!

May 4, 2022
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

God thank you for sustaining us Amen

May 4, 2022