Daily Thought – Triumph over Temptations – Be a world changer

Verse: ”Then Jesus was led by the Spirit ……. angels came and attended him” Mat 4:1,11

When we look how Jesus started His ministry, there is specific instance mentioned in Mathew 4:1 to 11, that’s the temptation of Jesus, just before Jesus began His 3.5 years of ministry; that changed the world for ever. Jesus ministry brought salvation to whole world, His death and resurrection gifted us this privilege.

How did Jesus win over the temptation? Let us follow the same example, so Lord could use us to change the world.

Word: The first temptation was attack on physical need. Today if you have a need, listen “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Mathew 4:4 In our need, lets trust in the promises of God, than looking at resources. Let us learn the word of God.

Wait: Second test was to prove credibility, listen “Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Mathew 4:7 We have nothing to prove in front of men, when Lord decides and He will defend our cause. Are you crushed, let it go, Lord will rise for the defend less. Trust the Lord.

Worship: Third test was shortcuts to reach the expected goal, listen “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Mathew 4:10. Let us not take any short to achieve our goals, let us continue to worship the Lord and serve Him alone.

Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome temptation, anoint me that I will follow your example. Lord, here I am, use me Lord. Amen.

Daily Thought – Faith in God’s promises

Word: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2

Thought: Are we standing of the promises of God every day in faith and count on Him for everything or panic as we walk through the rivers and fire in our lives? Abraham is considered to be the father of faith since he clung on to God’s promises even  in times of adversity and at the edge of the cliff not knowing what is going to happen next. Many a times in our lives the promises of God seem too far and we start to tend to think ‘will it happen?’ – The simple answer is ‘it will happen’. Remember the question comes from the evil one and if we don’t rebuke it, the faith will dwindle and you might see that you have lost the promise – again the promise is still there, but you have just lost it drowned in the water and scotched in the flames because you did not cling on to it. Whatever might be your situation, just cling on to it and it will happen since the one who has called us is faithful and He will take us through what we has called us for and give what He has promised. Heaven and earth might pass away, but His word (through which we have our promises) ensure forever – He holds our promises for the present and the future, let us not wait to cling on to them and wait with faith (without doubt) to claim them.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to stand on your promises that will never fall and never fail. Increase our faith that even in times of adversity let us cling on to your promises and receive them for your glory. Amen.

Song: Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Quote: When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go.  Only one of two things will happen: either He’ll catch you when you fall, or He’ll teach you how to fly

Daily Thought – Being content

“They were very contented.” 1 Kings 4:20

Are we happy today? Or some thing needs to happen to be content and are you praying desperately to get it. Since we do not have some things that we need, we are not content. If you are not content with the state in which Lord Jesus has kept you, you will never be content in any state.

Is it tough? Then “Be content with what you have because God has said, Never will leave you” Heb 13:5 . If we call ourselves children of God, then circumstances are not the one that makes us content. Paul says “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” Phil 4:11. Learn and look at our life in the perspective of Jesus, we will be always content in any state. Lord has a purpose for the state we are in, that is for our blessing. “We know that in all things God work for the good of those who love him“Rom 8:28.

Prayer: Teach me what I should learn from my situations, and to be content always. And have no sadness about the state I am in. Amen.

Daily Thought – Doing His Will

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

Psalmist has a deep longing to do God’s will and to be led by the Holy Spirit at every moment. This is the same expectation our Heavenly Father have about us. Let us study the expectation Lord had about the Levities, the word says in new Testament Lord has given priesthood to all of us.

Serve: “The LORD said to Moses.. .. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community..” Num 3:5,6 Lord desires us to partner with Him to fulfill His purposes, Wow coworker of God. Let us ask the Lord what am I supposed to do today ?

Dedicated: “ Lord said “… they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him” Num 3:9. Our priority and focus should be the Lord and not the things of this world.

Separated: “ “for all the firstborn are mine. .. I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, .. They are to be mine. I am the LORD.” Num 3:9. Remember Lord allowed His only Son Jesus to be crushed on the cross, so we could be set apart. We are separated.

Obedient: “So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD. Num 3:16. Let us listen and obey the word of the Lord. Obedience is wonderful when we obey the one who we love the most.

Prayer: Father Lord, help me to serve you in all dedication. Thank You Lord for separating me, anoint to me to obey your word. Amen.

God Withholds No Good from You

…those who seek the LORD lack no good thing – Ps 34:10 Many popular preachers of today are those who teach people on prosperity. Those ministries that teach on prosperity are growing at a fast rate. The logic is simple, as a person, who would not want to hear that God will bless them financially. Money is after all the foundation on which most things run in the modern world. But, the fundamental thought in today’s reading is based on the fact that, they who seek God shall lack no good thing, no blessing from His providing hand.

I have been without a job for three years, but God has met all my needs during that time. My wife delivered a baby boy last year and God has enabled me to meet all the needs of the pregnancy too. No permanent income but God’s permanent grace is definitely there with me. In these three years, I have looked to God for opening a door to a new job many times. The job did not come, till the point that I asked God what he wants me to do in my free time. The answer to that prayer started my consulting practice in the area of training. Today, there is time to write articles like this and enough business to meet my needs.

The quality of your lifestyle depends on whom you seek for the things of this world.

I would encourage you to trust God as the source of all things good for you. If something is right for you, when you ask, God will give you.

Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that You will always be the source of my life. I believe that You will give me at the right time, every good thing required for my life and my family. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.