Author Thread: He gave us the Spirit with the Word so that we can know and obey him.
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He gave us the Spirit with the Word so that we can know and obey him.
Posted : 6 Jan, 2012 02:13 AM

The Bible-Quoting Devil



by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven



Monthly Theme:



The theme of the month is spiritual war. Jesus won the battle not by might but by obedience. He is the source of salvation for all who obey him. When we have stood the test, we will share Christ's glory.



Bible Reading:



Matthew 4:1�7



Bible Text:



" 'His angels ... will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone' " (Matt. 4:6; Ps. 91:11�12).



Devotional:



The devil tries to tell Jesus that if he is the Son of God, he should not have to suffer. As God's beloved, Jesus should have the right to turn stones into bread and to let the angels serve him. However, Jesus did not come to be served; he came to serve. He came to do his Father's will.



Christ answered the tempter the first time by appealing to God's Word: "It is written," he said (v. 4). That's how we too must resist temptation�by knowing the Word and doing what it says.



But the second time it's the devil who says "It is written" as he quotes Psalm 9l. This psalm teaches that God will always protect his children and keep them from harm.



It's true that God protects his children, but we may not throw ourselves into oncoming traffic. "Do not put the Lord your God to the test!" says Jesus.



False teachers and the devil himself can quote Bible texts. But only those who know and love the Lord will learn God's will for the here-and-now.



Some Christians are scared to discover that the Bible must be interpreted and can be misinterpreted. But God does not leave us in the dark. He gave us the Spirit with the Word so that we can know and obey him. And he made us part of a community. You and I are not the only ones who have the Spirit.



Together we will know and do the will of God.

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He gave us the Spirit with the Word so that we can know and obey him.
Posted : 6 Jan, 2012 09:35 PM

:applause::glow: good post Donna:yay:

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