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MEDITATION:

Written by Suzanne Eller, a contemporary Christian author and head of TogetHER ministries. This is an excerpt from her devotional “Come With Me.”

Jesus’ stomach caves in with hunger. He doesn’t have to be in the wilderness. With one word, the stones at Jesus’ feet could be turned to bread, but he stands firm. The adversary taunts Jesus. “You don’t have to be  hungry. Take things into your own hands.” Jesus faces the enemy head-on, declaring that obedience to his Father is greater than satisfying a right-now hunger. He refuses to be deceived by one who cares less about him and more about the destruction of his soul.

We have all heard that voice of enticement. It calls us to compromise or fulfill an instant longing that takes us from the will of God. It demands that we take things into our own hands and strip them from God’s. We are not alone in this battle. Our heavenly Father is aware of our needs, far beyond the right now. He will help us overcome temptation to walk into our destiny. Our Father promises to lift us above temporary desires to lasting transformation.

PRAYER:

This prayer is from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God,

whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit

to be tempted by Satan;

Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations;

and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us,

let each one find you mighty to save;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.