MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WILDERNESS
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him…
—Matthew 4:1-3
There are three common life failures, and only Jesus took uncommon steps around them.
Are you in a wilderness?
Are you making the most of the wilderness in your life?
The wilderness is where radiance begins.
The only words Jesus spoke on the wilderness were from the Bible.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
—Matthew 4:3
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
—Matthew 4:4
1. OVERCOME THE TEMPTATION CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BY ASKING GOD WHAT HE WANTS TO CHANGE IN YOU.
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.
—Matthew 4:5-6
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
—Matthew 4:7
2. OVERCOME THE TEMPTATION TO LIVE SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE BY BEING COMFORTABLE IN YOUR OWN SKIN.
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
—Matthew 4:8-9
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
—Matthew 4:10
3. OVERCOME THE TEMPTATION TO ADDICTION BY ACCEPTING PAIN AS THE WAY TO JOY.
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
—Matthew 4:11
NEW YEAR’S PRAYER: Lord, change me first and then change my circumstances.
NEW YEAR’S PRAYER: Lord, I will live my destiny and be my real self with you and others.
NEW YEAR’S PRAYER: Lord, I reject shortcuts to success by taking up the cross as my way to joy.
