Setting The Example

Matthew 4:1-11
Whenever I read these verses I see where Jesus gives me an example how to fight off the Devil.

First, let's look at what is happening.  As soon as Jesus is baptized He is let out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. The reason for this is so that He is going to be tempted by the Devil.

If you have been a Chistian for a long time or a short time you know for a fact that as soon as you grow close to the Lord and want to serve God, the Devil will show up. Jesus was no different. Remember, He now has a human body. For forty days and forty nights He has nothing to eat. This is when the Devil comes to Jesus.

The Devil tempts Jesus three times. Even though Jesus is weak from hunger Jesus replies the same way each time He is tempted. In the New Living Translation Jesus says, "No! The Scriptures say..." Then Jesus goes on to quote an Old Testament Scripture which He has learned.

Here is the example that I have learned from Jesus. When the Devil comes to me I have my own Scripture verses that I have learned. I say them out loud and the Devil leaves. But, like with Jesus, he will be back and so again I must be ready for another attack.

As I was putting this post together the Devil was attacking me so I cried out, "Satan in the Name of Jesus flee from me!" He did and I was to able to continue on.

Question
Do you have any verses that you use to help you fight off the Devil?

We Must Do Everthing Right

If you are anything like myself my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.when it comes to doing things right all the time. I am like Paul in Romans chapter 7 where he is struggling with sin. In verse 19 he says, "When I want to do good, I don't. And when I try not to do wrong I do it anyway.

In Matthew 3:13-15 we read that Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River in order to be baptized by John the Baptist. John didn't want to baptize Jesus because he knew who Jesus was-the Son of God. And John was preaching to the people who came to him to repent of their sins. Jesus had no sin. John wanted Jesus to baptize him, but Jesus said no and then said, " It must be done, because we must do everthing that is right." So John baptized Jesus.

Jesus being baptized is the next event we see happing in His life. Jesus wants the things we do be right is the lesson that we can learn today.

Question
Do you see anything else that we can learn fromJesus? If so feel free to reapond with your comments. There is a place where you can do so. I would like to hear from you.

Have Your Ever Wondered Why You Were Born?

Going along with our theme of becoming or being disciples I heard three messages today to confirm this purpose and I would like to share them with you.

• I was listening to Charles Stanley this morning and his message was on loving the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, and strength. (Deturonomy 6:4,5.) And one other statement Charles Stanley made was that God wanted me here on earth. Thas is why I was born. I had never thought of my birth in that wa,y but it was very encouraging to me.

• Next, I went to Sunday School. The main verse for 2013 that is being used for a Youth Camp in my area is Ephesians 2:10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." This is another reason for me being born.  I can do good things that He planned for me to do long ago.

• Then in church service the main message was from Ephesians 4:1-6. And in these verses they say that I am a prisoner of the Lord.  I am to walk worth of the calling with which I have been called. I am to walk in lowliness (be humble) and I am to be gentle and longsuffering.  I am also to bear my brothers and sisters in Christ burdens in love. I am also to endeavor (do my best) to keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Question
 I wonder do you know why you were born? My prayer is that it is the same reason why I was born and that together we can walk worthing of our calling.

I'm Back-Life of Christ Up To Age Twelve

Sorry to be gone so long. I just wasn't sure how I wanted to do my blog. So have decided to continue on how to be a disciple and use examples from the Bible and my life.

When we last meant I was starting the Christmas story. You see if we are going to be disciples we have to know our teacher or Rabbi and Jesus is our Rabbi that we want to follow. So I will finish up the life of Christ until He turned twelve then we will go on to His life as He gets older and His teaching when He reached thirty.

Announcement of His Birth and John the Baptist
Luke 2:1-80

• Here we have the story of John the Baptist being born before Jesus so he could lead the way for Jesus. (1:1-80)
• Here we have the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her that she is a favored woman and that the Lord was with her. (1:26-28)
• We have Mary Praise Song. (1:47-55)
• We have Mary visiting with Elizabeth and Elizabeth's baby leaped with the sound of Mary's greeting. Up until now the baby had not moved.

Jesus' Family History from Joseph's side
Matthew 1:1-17
Jesus' Family History from Mary's side
Luke 3:21-38

Joseph
Matthew 1:18-25

• Here Joseph is told about Mary having a baby and his reaction.

Actual Birth
Luke 2:1-6

Shepherds and Angels
Luke 2:8-20

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Luke 2:21-24

Prophecy of Simeon and Anna
Luke 2:25-40

• It is in these verses that we see Jesus as being the Messiah

The Visit of the Wise Men
Matthew 2:1-12

The Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2: 13-18

• This was necessary so that Jesus would not be among the children killed that were two and under by the jealous king Herod.

The Return to Nazareth
Matthew 3:19-22

• This took place so that Jesus would grow up in Nazareth.

Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
Luke 2:41-50

• In these verses we can see that Jesus is already following His Father's (God) way. He said He was about His Father's business.  He was sitting among the teachers discussing deep questions with them. His earthly parents didn't understand. 

Jesus Was Obedient To His Earthly Parents
Luke 2:51, 52

• Jesus returned home with Mary and Joseph and was an obedient son. And His mother kept all these things in her heart.
• Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom.
• He was loved by God and by all who knew Him.

This was about all that the Bible tells us about Jesus and His growing up years. If you wanted to do an extra study you could go to books with customs of the people of Jesus' time and find out more.

Jesus' Life-Birth- Mary (Rabbi Series)

Luke 26-38 Summary- Next time will look at verses 39-56

Again we are going to be in the book of Luke 1 to continue the events of Jesus' birth.

Starting in verse 26 and going too verse 39 we read about Mary. What do we learn about Mary in these verses?

Mary was a virgin and she lived in Nazareth. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. God had sent to her the angel Gabriel in order for Mary to receive a message from God. But when Mary saw the angel she became afraid. Gabriel comforted her with these words, "Don't be afraid afraid, Mary, for God has decided to bless you. You shall become pregnant and have a son and you are to name him Jesus. He is going to be very great and be known and called the Son of the Most High. And God will give him the throne of David. He will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

Mary asked the angel how this would happen as she was a virgin. The angel toward her that The Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The baby born will be holy and called the Son of God.

Mary responded by saying, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants.May everything you have said come true."

Intro To Jesus Birth

Most of you who are reading my blog know the story of the birth of Jesus. It still seems like a good time to review it.

I like to start our birthday story with the birth of John the Baptist first. Please turn to Luke 1. First we see an introduction of the life of Jesus written by Luke. He is writting a letter to Theophilus. Luke wants to reassure Theophilus about the events that have taken place with the disciples and the promises that God had made. Luke has done a careful investigation of all the facts and assures Theophilus all facts given are true.

First we read the account of Zechariah, a Jewish priest, and his wife Elizabeth. We read that they both were righteous in the sight of God and now is rewarding them by allowing Elizabeth to be able to have a baby in her old age. This is told by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah as he is serving is duties in the temple. Zechariah doubts the angel. Gabriel tells him that he will not be able to talk until after the baby is born. And that is what Zechariah does. He tells the people around him that is son John is going to be a prophet of the Most High and he will prepare the way for the Lord. He will tell the people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sin.

Next time we will look at Mary's story. She also was visted by the angel Gabriel.

Heaven's Child

I was listening to a Christmas song this morning, "Heaven's Child" sung byThe Martins. As I listened to the words the thoughts going through my mind were what it was like for Mary. She knows she is holding her Savior. It's cold, they are in a stable. The shephards come. They realize who Jesus is...but will others know.

Joseph looks down in awe of this tiny baby born. He too knows who Jesus is. What a respondibility it will be to raise the Son of God.This is when his faith would carry him though.

Then there was Jesus. He left His home in heaven to come to earth and be nine months in a womb. He would become human and have a human body forever.

When He became old enough He became the Rabbi that all who believe in Him and leave everything and follow Him day and night. Jesus chose twelve men to train. We read their story in the Testament.

So in the coming year we are goinb to be looking at the life of Jesus and the men He chose.