We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes. It is a matter of personal choice. Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today.
From James 3:17-18: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”
Our Lord Jesus
Following baptism at the Jordan River
Led by the Spirit, His Holy Caregiver
Traveling into the barren wilderness darkness
Facing the enemy’s temptation, its starkness
Fasting and praying over forty long days and nights
Comforted and encouraged by His Father’s might
Famished with hunger
Cunning enemy of darkness makes his empty sales pitch
Tempted to turn stone into bread, Jesus will never switch
Jesus answers:
“One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”
Taken to the Holy City
From the top of temple’s highest pinnacle
Desperate enemy becomes ever cynical
Tempted to plunge Himself down to the ground
Mocking Jesus, God’s angels should be around
Jesus responds:
“Again it is written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test”
Arriving at the highest summit
Viewing below, this kingdom’s richness and vastness
No one can ever remain faithful with steadfastness
Come, worship the enemy’s empty, deceitful shrine
Tempted to accept this false kingdom, never Mine
Jesus refutes:
“Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him”
We, ourselves, facing similar darkest temptations
Jesus stood firm, through God’s sound foundation
We are blessed with much the same encouragement
Read, study, follow the Bible without discouragement
Accepting and following Jesus, our Holy Savior and Lord
Through Salvation to Eternal Life, choose God’s accord
The Scripture verses come from Matthew 4:4, 4:7, and 4:10.
Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.
From Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
From Matthew 8:24-26: “A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He [Jesus] was asleep. And they went and woke Him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm.”
Threatened again by life’s turbulent storms
Feeling life adrift, outside of God’s norms
Feelings of uncertainty rise and bubble up
Flooding hearts with doubt, an empty cup
Walking life’s endless road challenges us
Experiencing feelings of fear, never a plus
Darkness quietly creeps into our peaceful place
Feeling alone, faith weakens from our daily race
Our God, never far away from our uncertain life walk
Replacing doubt, His Word will stand up as our rock
Our God never leaves us feeling alone at life’s curb
Growing through His love, always fulfilling and superb
Seeking our Holy God in the best of times
Finding Him in the midst of darkest climbs
Our God’s steady presence strengthens our resolve
Calming our darkest fears, they simply will dissolve
God’s love never wavers, a bright eternity to be filled
Answering prayers, restoring each soul, faith rebuilds
From the words of Christian author Lee Strobel, “Struggling with God over the issues of life doesn’t show a lack of faith–that is faith.”
The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as a historic truth. Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one.
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
Meals, treats, naps, and love
Man’s best friend, enjoying life—
Master of the house
Teenage lad climbs tree
Scanning for a new girlfriend—
Neighborhood wasteland
Delicious dinner
Loosening up this tight belt—
Now room for dessert
Are you reluctant to serve the Lord because you’re afraid or feel inadequate? Even the Apostle Paul felt this way.
From 2 Corinthians 2:16: “Who is sufficient for these things?”
From the words of British pastor and theologian, Charles Spurgeon: “The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.”
Encountering another of life’s setbacks
Visitor from the darkness shouts, “I am back”
Old Man Trouble comes knocking at my front door
Relentless, he desires to even the score
How will I choose to deal with adversity?
His darkness masks the sky over this city
Tackle straight forward what Old Man Trouble brings
Or . . . wait timidly for his continued sting
God’s Word teaches us and brings us hope:
We all live preciously in God’s perfect sight
He gathers us in His loving, Holy might
Past—present—future . . . from the Great I Am
Making it through turbulent seas for each lamb
Through desolate wilderness, God shares a way
Bringing rivers of hope to this life’s gateway
Looking Old Man Trouble in his doom-filled eyes
With faithful courage, my hope begins to rise
Life waits to see . . . who will finally blink first?
With God’s living water, quenching my parched thirst
Listening, following God’s steadfast handbook
His love will save me with a whole new outlook
Bringing Godly fortitude, when needed most
Old Man Trouble defeated, nothing to boast
From Isaiah 43:2-3: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Photo by Frans Van Heerden on Pexels.com
When we are suffering, only Christ’s perspective can replace our resentment with rejoicing. Our whole perspective changes when we catch a glimpse of the purpose of Christ in it all.
From Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Habit is a cable, we weave a thread of it each day, and at last we cannot break it.
From James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”
Big Sky Buckeye 