It's a time of year where we dream and set goals for the next 12 months. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. Download a free e-book, 8 Steps to Creating Well Soul Rhythms, to guide you through a meaningful process of seeking God and creating goals and rhythms to do the work God has given you to do, whether in your career or personal life.
For your free e-book, see the link in the notes for your copy.
Welcome to the Well Soul Podcast, where we pause to drink and scripture, reflect and pray. I am your host, Seana Scott, and sometimes life leaves our souls feeling parched, so come to the well of living water that never runs dry.
We just finished the Christmas series in our Story of the Gospel journey, where we meditated on prophecies about Jesus and his birth. For the next 12 weeks, we will enter into the Life of Jesus series in our Story of the Gospel journey, where I hope you will see more fully who Jesus is and his plan of salvation for all who believe. Welcome to the life of Jesus series.
John the Baptist preached repentance for the forgiveness of sin in the wilderness and baptized people as a religious rite to mark their repentance. Repentance is an act where we turn away from our sin to follow God. As I tell my Children, “Stop your sin and turn back to him.”
Jesus came to John the Baptist to get baptized, but John knew who Jesus is, the Lamb of God, and Jesus had no sin. But nevertheless, Jesus commanded John to do so. And when Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, and God spoke from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
After Jesus baptism, the Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This is where we will meditate on scripture today.
Before I read, take a deep breath and set aside all other thoughts to focus on God's Word.
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
What did you notice as you listened to the scripture? Meditate on this for a moment.
God's word has power. Jesus used Old Testament scripture from the book of Deuteronomy (which Jews memorized to hide God's word in their hearts so they might not sin against God). So too, as Christians, we are encouraged to memorize Scripture so that when we are tempted in various ways every day, the Spirit can bring to mind God's words for us to stand firm against the devil's schemes.
What Scripture has been helpful to you in your life as a Christian? Dwell on this for moment.
We are tempted every day to sin in our hearts, words, and actions. Think about the last 24 hours. How might you have sinned against God and others? Take a moment to reflect and to ask God for forgiveness as the Spirit leads you.
Let's pray.
Father, thank you so much for Jesus Christ, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—that through Jesus, we could be washed of our sin—and by the power of your word, we can resist Satan and all temptations. Help us to do so, Lord, in the very practical realities of our lives, when we want to say a harsh word, when we want to do the wrong thing, when we want to long with greed for things we don't have—all the sin that so easily distracts us from walking in the Spirit. Help us, O Lord, to know your word and to apply it in every situation. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen.
Thank you for joining me today on the WellSoul podcast for our Life of Jesus series through our Story of the Gospel journey. Remember to download your free e-book, 8 Steps to Creating Well Soul Rhythms as you contemplate your goals for this next year. See the link in the show notes.
In closing, I remember my late friend Brian Vasquez, who made this podcast possible. God bless you, and I pray that you have a well soul.