Coffee With The Lord

Here’s a question that came to my mind as I read about our Lord’s temptation in Matthew 4.1-11 this morning during “coffee with the Lord” … “How important is God’s word to me when I am facing temptations and trials?  How important and essential do I consider the truth of Scripture to be in order to successfully weather the difficulty I am facing and overcome?”

There is no question about it… temptation and trials will come our way!  In fact, in this instance the Bible says… “Then Jesus WAS LEAD BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness TO BE TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL!” (4.1)  God allows temptation to come our way … the devil is the one who tempts us, but God permits it.  I can almost hear the Lord whispering now… “LISTEN, CHILD OF GOD, THIS IS A TEST!”  1 Corinthians 10.13 makes it clear… Temptation is a common experience, God limits it to our ability to bear it, and His purpose for us is not failure, but victory!

But back to the question… “How important is God’s word to me when I face temptations and trials?”

In every instance of Jesus Christ’s temptation, He drew of Scripture for the resources to resist and overcome!!  On each occasion, you find Jesus responding to Satan by saying, “IT IS WRITTEN!”  In fact on one occasion Jesus reminded Satan, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Quoting Deuteronomy 8.3, reminding Satan of God’s miraculous provision of “manna” to sustain His people during their test in the wilderness). 

This principle is not some kind of spiritual “rabbit’s foot” that I pull out of my pocket to rub superstitiously and “presto… victory!”  The principles and truth of God’s word are something I must build into my life day by day … they must become part of my “spiritual psyche” if you please!  Then when temptations and trials come and my inner-self reaches out for resources to deal with them… God’s word is there to help, sustain, and guide me!! 

Hey, that’s one of the reasons I have “coffee with the Lord” every day!

Satisfying Bible study is MORE than simply listening to a “talking head!” It includes the element of personal “DISCOVERY” and application!” If that’s what you long for, then DISCOVERY Bible study is for you!

DISCOVERY is presented each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. CDT/CST via Zoom and is facilitated by Dr. LeRoy Bartel. This interactive Bible study is sponsored by Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) and is FREE to those to register for it.

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Arrogance and pride… there are so many indicators of it in our culture… A person’s “look”, their words, and their behavior after a success can all point to pride… Where a person lives can express pride, what they live in, what kind of vehicle they drive, the “stuff” they buy, where they shop – all of these things (and others) can signal pride.  My mother used to speak of those who “preen about” when she would talk about arrogant people (look up the word J).  We all have ways we describe this ill-advised and despicable sin (and the Bible does describe it as sin – a foundational and root sin).

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that serves as a warning to all of  us about human arrogance and pride…

The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.  For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low… And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day! (From Isaiah 2:11-17 ESV)

You might also find it interesting to check out these verses from the Message paraphrase – pretty graphic!  Here it is…

“People with a big head are headed for a fall, pretentious egos will be brought down a peg.  It’s GOD alone at front-and-center on the Day we’re talking about!  The Day that GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is matched against all big-talking rivals, against all swaggering big names… The swelled big heads will be punctured bladders, the pretentious egos brought down to earth, leaving GOD alone at front-and-center on the Day we’re talking about.”

Here is what Jesus said… “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23.12)  Take it from me… there’s nothing much to brag about in any of us… anything we are is because of God’s provision and grace!  Arrogance is a “fools’ game” (and those who play it are sure to ultimately lose)!  Just say’n! (No… God is the one who has said it!)