temptation

Good morning brothers and sisters,
First, I'd like you to keep Ted Miller's family in your prayers. Ted's funeral will be held today at Laurelton at 2 pm. I'm sure the family would appreciate your support today and in the weeks to come. I'd also like you to keep our presbytery in prayer as we meet today to discuss, among other things, an amendment to the constitution that would encourage better examinations of candidates for ministry and make it easier for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people God calls to ministry to be ordained. I pray we would consider these matters with love for each other.

Our story for this morning is about Jesus' temptation by Satan. Right after he was baptized and heard God's voice declaring him the son of God, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. He faces some interesting temptations relating to material needs, ministry and power. Do you find yourself facing similar temptations ever? How can Jesus' response to Satan help you stay faithful in the face of temptation?

God bless,
Sam

Matthew 4: 1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”


5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.