THE POWER TO TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION

THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD Part 41

“Those who know their God will be strong and do great things.” Dan 11:32

WHAT DO PEOPLE DO TO KNOW GOD?

Prayer is one of the most potent weapons we have at our disposal! It’s no wonder that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray! To Jesus, prayer was never if, but when.

Luke 11:2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. (Also see Matthew 6:5-7)

Though hard to understand, Jesus was fully human and fully God. Like us, sometimes he felt weak and tired, and according to the word of God, he needed help from above! Just like we need help to carry out God’s purposes, so Jesus needed to spend time with his Father to fulfill his mission. To Jesus, prayer was not only about a relationship with his Father but also access to the wisdom, insight, and power necessary to fulfill God’s will for his life.

Hebrews 4:15-16  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

When a person brought a lamb for a sin offering under the old covenant, it had to be perfect – without stain and without blemish. Jesus knew that his life had to be without sin if he was to fulfill Scripture and be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) Therefore prayer was a high-priority in Jesus’ life. Jesus knew the power of prayer, and before he was to be arrested and killed, he was in the garden of Gethsemane praying. He encouraged his disciples to pray, but they were tired and sleepy.

Mark 14: 38-42  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more, he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

You and I are faced with temptations every day. During this age of information, temptation lurks at every corner. I know that if Jesus needed to pray, how much more do I! Not only do we need to set aside special time to pray, but we also need to learn to live our every minute communicating with God. This is why 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continually.” Corrie Ten Boom said, “is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”

My dear friend, I’m praying for you today and asking God to give you a revelation of the power and help available to you through prayer. I am praying and asking God to cause you to know the beauty and wonder of God’s presence and living a life of communion with him. People who want to know God make prayer central in their life because prayer releases…

THE POWER TO TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION