Saturday, February 21, 2009

PLUNGE READINGS FOR MARCH 1, 2009

March 1, 2009

GOD TESTS – NOT TEMPTS

A friend of mine told me a story recently about a man whom God asked to go outside in his yard and push this very huge rock. Loving the Lord and wanting very much to be obedient, the man went outside, day after day, and faithfully pushed on the rock – never once making it move. After a while the man went to God and very bluntly said. “I don’t get it Lord, I have been obedient to you and have pushed the rock day after day after day, but I have yet to move it – what’s up with that Lord?”

To that the Lord replied, “I didn’t tell you to move the rock, I only told you to push it. I know it may seem useless to you, but look at the strong arms, the tan body, and the perseverance that rock built in you. It was never my intent to move the rock, rather to build the man.”

In this week’s readings God shows us how we are to persevere and “push the rock” not only when being tested, but also when tempted.

Observe Abraham: Scripture makes it very clear that God’s purpose in telling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac was to test him: “Sometime later GOD TESTED ABRAHAM.” (Genesis 22:1) WHY? To see if Abraham feared, loved and trusted in God above all things – even his son. Guess what, he passed, “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Genesis 22:12).

Observe Jesus: Scripture makes it very clear that God’s purpose for Jesus in the desert was to for Him to be tempted. WHY? So that He would know what it was like to be completely human – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

But, pay attention to WHO is doing what? GOD TESTS “God tested Abraham” (Genesis 22:1) NOT TEMPTS!!! “At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan.” Mark 1:12; “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire” James 1:13-14

So what should our response be to both testing and temptation? TURN TO JESUS!!

HOW?

As a humble and obedient servant:
•“Here I am Lord” Genesis 22:1
•“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long”. Psalm 25:3-4
•“The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! "Mark 1:15

AND as a strong and confident child of God:
•“To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God… No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame” Psalm 25:1-3
•“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” James 1:12

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3


Prayer: Lord, fix our eyes and hearts on Jesus and “direct our hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 AMEN!!

Church Season –
First Sunday in Lent
Week ending: MARCH 1, 2009

Monday – (Old Testament)
Genesis 22:1-18
Check our Exodus 20:20, Deuteronomy 8:23, and Hebrews 12:1-12 to see why God tests us

Tuesday – Psalm 25:1-10
Check out Isaiah 30:15-18 – see what God told the children of Israel and what there response was – DON’T BE THAT GUY!!!

Wednesday –(Epistle)
James 1:12-18
Look for God’s assurance during temptations in 1 Corinthians 10:13

Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 1:9-15
Check out Hebrews 4:14-16 – “Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World” (John 1:29)

Friday – REFLECT on the passages above – what do they say about God’s character and how He feels about His children?

Saturday – SHARE
Share ways God has kept you strong during testing and tempting times

Sunday – As you worship – Pray – “Direct my heart Lord into Your Love and Christ’s perseverance”

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