Matthew 4

Note: I should be on chapter 11 or something right now. Shame. But I will keep trucking!

Matthew 4: Jesus is tempted (and wins!), starts to pick up disciples, and starts His ministry

So, when I read the New Testament and the things Jesus did, I think about The Great Commission. I know that's skipping ahead, but I think about how Jesus told the disciples that they (and inevitably us) will do the same works He did AND greater. Well, Jesus was able to win and beat up Satan. We can do that too! I can do that too! From Jesus' temptation, my belief is even more established that Satan uses the SAME tricks and schemes.

1. He didn't bother Jesus during is fast, he waited until He was done.: Satan knows that when we are really tapped into God and His power that it's hard to touch us, so he tries to wait until he THINKS there is an opening. Like Jesus' desire for food. He hasn't eaten in FORTY DAYS! He's gotta be hungry. Satan probably saw that as a great place to start.

2. Jesus used the Word to combat Satan.: I've done this before, not always, with temptations that come about. I don't know a lot of scriptures, but I kept them on my palm phone in a memo so I could go to them when needed. This helps to build the spirit up. And I guess it makes Satan slink away in defeat...lol.

After His bout with Satan, Jesus got a crew. You always need a crew. Well, Jesus didn't need one, I guess they moreso needed Him. But either way, He picked disciples. The interesting part is that they just went along. I guess this is where discernment comes along. They've probably never heard of this guy, but something about Him made them drop all that they had to follow Jesus. That's super cool. And honestly, the reward was great and they gained more than they lost.

I think sometimes that's where I get caught up. I think that by giving up the few things I have (like money to pay tithes...yeah i'm telling on myself) for God, that I may not recoup on my "loss". But God always makes good on His promises and trusting Him should be easy.