Thought for March 1

 History:

• 1516: First published New Testament in Greek--Erasmus
• 1781: Continental Congress adopts Articles of Confederation
• 1867: Howard University chartered
• 1872: Yellowstone becomes the first National Park
• 1896: Henri Becquerel discovers radioactivity
• 1932: Lindbergh baby kidnapped--found dead May 12
• 1937: US Steel raises wages to $5 per day
• 1941: First commercial FM radio station goes on the air--Nashville
• 1947: International Monetary Fund begins operations
• 1961: JFK establishes the Peace Corps
• 1962: First K Mart opens
• 1974: Watergate jury convicts 7 Presidential aides
• 2004: Terry Nichols convicted as accomplice to Timothy McVeigh in OKC bombing
• 2020: First known Covid cases identified in NY
• Born: Botticelli [Birth of Venus], Frederic Chopin, Alaska Davidson [1st female FBI agent], Glenn Miller, David Niven, Harry Caray, Dinah Shore, Yitzhak Rabin, Pete Rozelle, Harry Belafonte, Robert Bork, Alan Thicke, Ron Howard, Javier Bardem, Justin Bieber, Tyreek Hill
• Died: Jackie Coogan, Joe Besser [3 Stooges], Edwin Land [Polaroid], Bonnie Franklin, Minnie Minoso, Jack Welch [GE]

Thought:

I have marked several parts of Matthew 4:1-11, the temptation of Christ. First, let me quickly say that Satan did not try and tempt Jesus in this passage and then leave Jesus alone for the rest of His earthly walk. Satan used every circumstance to tempt Jesus right up to the cross. When the crowds and soldiers taunted Jesus and said, "If you are the Christ, come down from the cross and we will worship you," this was Satan trying to tempt Jesus at the end. I say that to remind myself that resisting the temptation of Satan once does not mean he goes away and leaves you alone. 

As I read this passage again today, here are some things God is showing me:

• Satan knows when to tempt me. 
• When I am alone. When I am alone, Satan says, "no one will know." You all have had that experience, whether as a child when parents were away or you thought they could not see or hear. Or while on that business trip alone. Or at night when everyone is asleep. Or when you think you won't see anyone from church. 
• When I am tired. Jesus had been fasting and praying for 40 days. When I'm tired, I may think I deserve a "reward." Or I may think 1 have to have this no matter what. People get frustrated in their jobs and rationalize giving less than 100% [maybe because nobody else is], or cheat on their time [because everybody else is], or take advantage of an expense account or take some money [because they are not paying me enough]. 
• When I am hungry--for attention, for recognition, for position, for power. Almost every marriage infidelity I know about involves a spouse that feels a lack of attention or appreciation. 
• When I want to show that I am in control or have authority--Satan says, you deserve this, you have earned this, you are entitled to this.
• When I do not want to wait--here is a shortcut, here is another way to get what you want. 
• The Word of God overcomes the temptations of the Devil. I need to know the word. If that is the weapon Jesus used--I should use it. I think this is why the sword of the word is the only offensive weapon Paul mentions in Ephesians.
• When I resist, Satan flees for the time being. Satan cannot battle the Word. 
• When I resist, God sends help. He sent angels to Jesus and He sent the Holy Spirit to me.

Today Lord, lead me not into temptation, deliver me from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and power and glory forever. 

Blessings

Larry