|
REAL POWER: MAXING OUT ON GOD'S LOVE |
THE THIRD TEMPTATION
The first two temptations were an
abject failure for the devil. He took his best shots at Jesus, and
the bullets bounced off. He had one last chance to take Jesus out
with temptation number three. It now was pointless for the devil to
argue about who Jesus was. That issue was settled. Jesus knew and
the devil knew that he was the Son of God.
The devil had one final shot in his
gun. The devil knew that although Jesus was the Son of God, he was
also human, and he might be vulnerable to the desires of the flesh.
After all, Jesus was a carpenter from Nazareth, and for most of his
adult years, he had been supporting his family since his father was
dead, and he was the oldest surviving male child. Jesus had family
responsibilities and knew what it was like to work for a living. He
wasn’t a rich man, and perhaps, he could be bought. The devil knew
that everyone has a price, and it was time to find out if Jesus had
one.
The devil told him to imagine how
great his life would be if he had wealth and power. He could buy a
big condominium on the beach at the Sea of Galilee. He would have
enough money and influence to start the Jesus of Nazareth University,
and he could be its first president. He could buy his mother a nice
villa in Jerusalem. He could have the good life and live to a ripe
old age. No need for suffering. No crucifixion would be in the cards
for him. He would be on easy street for the rest of his life. Anyone
would have to be crazy to turn down such a great deal. At least, that
is what the devil hoped.
The devil took the carpenter from
Nazareth to the top of a high mountain and showed him the kingdoms of
the world. He showed him the Roman Empire with all of its wealth,
power, and prestige. The devil tells him it’s all his if he will do
just one thing. All he needs to do is bow down and serve him.
What an offer, especially for a
person who was regarded by some as being an illegitimate child.
Imagine what all of his friends and acquaintances would think,
especially the ones who said he was a loser and that he would never
amount to anything. He could really show them now; rags to riches,
power, and fame in the twinkling of an eye. Never before had such an
offer been made to anyone on planet earth. Jesus could have it all if
he would just bend his knee and forget that he was God’s Son.
This poor man from Nazareth had an
opportunity to have it all. He didn’t have to suffer and die a
horrible death by crucifixion. What would his answer be? Would he
live as the Son of God or as the slave of Satan?
Jesus chose to live as the Son of
God. He told the devil, “Get thee behind me Satan. Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.”
Later on in his ministry, Jesus said,
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his
soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Jesus could
not be bought at any price.
Jesus knew he was God’s Son, and he
knew what lay ahead. He chose to suffer in order to reveal God’s
unconditional love. He would show the world that they could live as
God’s children, and they could audaciously dare to call God their
Father. He chose to demonstrate that God’s love was the most powerful
force in the universe. And when he died by crucifixion, he showed
that God was willing to pay any price to prove his love for the people
He created.
BE READY WHEN THE THIRD TEMPTATION
COMES YOUR WAY
The third temptation is probably the
one that destroys the greatest number of people. When you know that
you are a child of God, you better be prepared for the devil’s final
attack. He is going to find out if you have a price.
What will it take for him to buy
you? He will let you play your religious games, and if you want to
call yourself a child of God, that won’t bother him either. Just
answer the question. What’s your price? What do your really want?
How about money, fame, power, or maybe all three? The devil can cut
you any deal you like. All you need to do is bow your knee and serve
him.
Many people come alive spiritually,
and God becomes their Father. But before long, the devil lays his
subtle trap and tries to give you everything you think you want. If
you aren’t careful, you will buy what he is selling. He knows your
price better than you do. So be alert and prepared because your soul
is hanging in the balance.
If you really are a child of God,
this temptation will soon be coming your way. Jesus didn’t have a
price, and you shouldn’t either. The Father who loves you with an
everlasting love will give you everything you need. When you have a
personal relationship with the Father, you already have everything you
need.
ONE STRIKE AND YOU ARE OUT
All the temptations you ever face
will probably be a variation of the three that Jesus faced two
thousand years ago. The devil knows if can get you on any one of the
three, you are out of the game. You must be able to face all three
temptations and walk away a winner.
This isn’t a game in which you are
fine if you win more than you lose. Two out of three is a losing
score. One strike and you are out.
Don’t ever forget that you are a
child of God. God is your Father, and He has a plan for your life
that is better than anything you can imagine. Although it’s true that
one strike can take you out of the game, if you survive these three
temptations, you will hit a home run and win the game of life. You
will also be a champion for eternity.
Affirmation:
God is my Father and has a plan for my life that is better than
anything I can imagine. Nothing the devil can offer could ever be
better than God’s positive plan. Jesus didn’t have a price and I
don’t have one either. I have a personal relationship with God, and I
already have everything I need to have a good life, now and forever.
GO TO NEXT PAGE
THE POSITIVE WEB RING
The Positive Web Ring has twelve positive web
sites. Each site lifts you up, pushes your mind in a positive
direction, and makes it easier to live your dreams. The
Positive Web Ring has something positive for everyone. There's
adventure,
positive
self-talk,
positive
spirituality,
positive
graphics,
positive music,
positive
podcasts, and much more.
If you are fighting against depression, visit
EradicateDepression.com.
If you struggle with negative thinking, visit
NoNegativeThinking.com.
The wheel of change always turns in the direction of what you put into
your mind, and the Positive Web Ring fills your mind with good things.
Give your mind a push in a positive direction today. Cruise your way
to a positive life. If you really want to be positive, nobody
can stop you.
PositiveWebRing.com
PositiveSelfTalk.com
PositiveThinkingRadio.com
PositiveGraphics.com
PositiveChristianRadio.com
PositiveButterflies.com
EradicateDepression.com
MaximumStrength PositiveThinking.com
ZeroToleranceToNegativeThinking.com
TooManyDrummers.com
GodLovesU.com
Maxingout.com
NoNegativeThinking.com
RED SEA CHRONICLES DVD
When Dr. Dave isn't working as a flying doctor for the Indian Health
Service, He is sailing around the world on his sailboat. Find
out what it's like to sail on the ocean of your dreams by watching
Captain Dave's DVD.
Red Sea
Chronicles DVD Previews |
