testing

Facing The Wilderness

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And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. Luke 4:1-2 ESV

Before Jesus began His public ministry, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be alone for forty days. Though most of us will never spend 40 days alone in the wilderness, God sometimes chooses times of isolation in our lives.

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These may be unexpected events which we could never have imagined or a sudden change in our health. But whatever the circumstance it is most important to remember that the value of our own wilderness experience lies not in what we are suffering but in what we are learning from the Holy Spirit. But no matter the testing or the wilderness, the most important thing is that in the quietness of our time alone, we learn to hear the voice of God for ourselves. Only He will lead us “not into temptation” and then maybe even tomorrow out of the wilderness and into the next chapter He has planned for our life!

Desert Temptations

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Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1

The great temptation that we face is to seek help and hope and honor from men instead of being satisfied with what God Alone provides.

A desert is an empty and dry place where little survives and what grows there is gnarled or covered with thorns. But the Spirit led Jesus there and He will certainly give to us seasons to be there also. It is not a place we would have chosen but it is necessary, because there we learn to depend on daily bread baked in our quiet time with Him, rather than the seemingly spectacular loaves that the world’s advertisers insist we must buy.

There on the rocky paths He sends His angels to guard us along a plain pathway. That protection covers us as we brave necessary dangers of obedience not the thrill of showing off our freedoms and rights for everyone to see.

He doesn’t require us to gain worldly fame instead He simply gives us fruitfulness as we obey His command to love those around us.

If we want to find God’s joy and peace and love then we need to look for them where Jesus did. Only there, out in the wilderness can God faithfully show us His way. In that place Jesus was satisfied that the Father was completely pleased when He trusted in His word. If Jesus had to live in humble surrender rather than by insisting on His rights then how much more should we?

Taking Our Own Test

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No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

My hands sweated as I gripped the steering wheel helplessly watching the train pass by, knowing that with each car I was getting later for class. Five minutes later I bolted from my car and raced up the stairs to my classroom where everyone else was already seated and beginning the exam. Mrs. Sullivan smiled trying to look encouraging as I picked up my English Literature test and plopped down in my seat.

“Who in the world are they?” I wondered as I glanced at the first question with a list of authors to choose from. So I skipped down to the next question but it was on a novel I had never heard of. As I scanned the rest of the sheet realizing I didn’t know any of the answers my stomach churned. In panic I walked up to the professor’s desk. “Mrs. Sullivan; I think something is wrong I stuttered, feeling humiliated. She glanced at the test in my hand and then burst out laughing:

“Sorry Pete! I gave you the wrong test. That’s for my World Lit class!” Waves of relief swept over me as I went back to my desk with the test I was prepared for. Too many times in life I find I get in trouble by trying to be someone I am not. It is like purposely deciding to take the wrong test. Not one of us will pass the exam which God has prepared for someone else. But no matter what we are going through He has promised His help when we are taking our own test!

man in black and white polo shirt beside writing board

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