Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday October 02, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Matthew, please read chapters 4-6 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-2.php

Today's Message: True Happiness
Many of us fall into temptation when we are unhappy, instead of seeking God we look to worldly things to bring happiness. No one will find true happiness in this world if we do not seek it from Christ.

We are faced with temptation all around us, it's Satan's biggest lure to get us to fall away from God and lose our relationship with Him. Way back when Adam and Eve were created he managed to slyly deceive Eve through temptation and of course we all know the result of that. God actually allows Satan to tempt us, but He never allows him to tempt us beyond what we can handle. No one is exempt from Satan's temptation, but everyone can overcome temptation. Even Jesus was tempted by Satan, following His baptism in the Jordan River, God allowed Him to be tempted by Satan. “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” - Matthew 4:2-10. Notice how Satan waits until Jesus was physically weak and vulnerable before he tempts Him? He waited until Jesus was hungry or facing danger and used that to persuade Him. He also tried to tempt Him with riches. However, Jesus overcame all those temptations by keeping God's Word strong in Him. Satan knows that we can easily be persuaded when our minds are focused on our problems or desires. Keeping God's Word strong in our hearts is the only way we can overcome temptation, the more we read it, the more we understand, the stronger we are against Satan's deceitfulness.

Jesus gives us all the information we need to avoid temptation by seeking true happiness from God. He teaches us that the struggles we go through are actually blessings and we should be rejoicing in the midst of them instead of felling sorry for ourselves. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” - Matthew 5:3-12. To be low in spirit means that we are blessed to know that although we have trouble understanding our circumstances we are putting our faith in the promise of the kingdom of heaven. To mourn means that although we face sorrow for a time, we have the comfort of God helping us through it. To be meek means to submit to God no matter what circumstances we face and in doing so it promotes wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness in the midst of their circumstances shall be filled with an abundant of blessings. Those who are merciful during their circumstances not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but also help those who are in misery as well. When we show mercy toward others, we receive mercy from God. Those who keep their hearts pure in the midst of their circumstances delight in the promise that they will see God. Those who are peacemakers in the midst of their circumstances keep the peace and also look for peace knowing that they are children of God. Those who are persecuted for their faith are resting in the promises of God, though they are being falsely accused, they can rejoice knowing that their true reward is eternal and in heaven. Praise God!

The self-seeking world supposes that physical satisfaction, personal recognition and successful achievement are three indispensable characteristics of contentment. Many books tell us how to attain material success, but few set forth what it means to be emptied of self-confidence, self-importance, and self-righteousness. Our Lord reveals how false and deceptive the philosophy of the world is and He leads us to recognize that in ourselves we have nothing, we are nothing, and we can do nothing of eternal value. However, when we seek Him all things are possible and will be given to us. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also..............Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:19-21,31-33. I can understand how tough it is to put on a happy face in the midst of circumstances, but the fact that Satan is there messing with us is proof that God is there and our faith and strength in Him is increasing. We do have the power to overcome temptation and that power only comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ. If He can overcome death we can overcome any situation that we face. All we have to do is hold on to His Word and all things will come to pass.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy your weekend. WooHoo! TGIF!
God Bless You,
Christina

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