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Editors note: These devotionals are taken from the PS archives and are based on the time I spent with the Lord in His Word. I wanted to share them with you this new school year from the Gospel of Mark! Revisions have been made!

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” (Mark 1:9-12)

Observations:

I asked myself in whose COMPANY Jesus was in according to v.12

The Spirit
Satan
Wild Animals
Angels

Observations/Interpretations:

I asked myself what role each played?

Point 1: The Spirit

I found it very interesting that right after the voice told Jesus, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’, 'At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert.'

This is very significant for me because what came to my mind is before the Spirit sent Jesus into the desert; He was built up with love and support, after being acknowledged as His Son, by the voice. Right after being baptized, Jesus could have been sent to the desert but He was not. Instead, He was built up first with love and support.

Implications:

I remember when I first became a follower of Jesus Christ, I was built up so much in love, encouragement, and support. I felt so much loved by Jesus. Jesus was helping me to grow in Him. After awhile, the testing began but by then I already felt so loved by Jesus and felt His continued presence in my life. Even if we do not feel His presence He still is there, for when He comes in, He will never leave us or forsake us. I am so thankful that right after I became a Christian I was not plunged into temptation but protected from it. But being protected all our life from temptation does not really help us grow as a Christian. It is in adversity that our true colors and character shines forth. I was built up enough that the Lord allowed temptation to occur in my life. I wished that it could be like it was in the beginning but that would not help in my growth. I am so thankful how the Lord Jesus handled me as His new follower.

Point 2: Satan

Satan tempted Jesus in the desert while Jesus was there for forty days. The content of the temptation is not revealed in this Gospel but we know Jesus was tempted after being encouraged and supported.

Implications:

I have been tempted so many times in so many areas and have not always come through because I relied on self and the flesh but Jesus Christ came through the temptation. The detailed version can be found in the Gospel of Luke 4:1-13 and Gospel of Matthew 4:1-11. What I learned is that I can too overcome temptation by using the biblical principles Jesus used.

Point 3: Wild Animals

Everything mentioned in the Bible has significance so the purpose of the wild animals being there has significance. I believe it is to show us the protection Jesus received by the Spirit.

Implications:

When I became a Christian, I believe the Holy Spirit came to live in me and reside in me. The Spirit can protect me from dangerous temptations, etc that can kill me spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically if I give into them rather than focusing on the Spirit. Each temptation can be different and address different dimensions of humanity. Just as wild animals can kill, temptations can kill too. But, the Good News is when I yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to be in control I will not give into the flesh. Even when we give into temptation, I am so thankful for the mercies of the Lord for they are new each morning, Great is His Faithfulness!

Point 4: Angels

The angels came to attend Jesus after He overcame the temptations of Satan. This is so cool that God sent angels to attend to Jesus in the desert. I believe the angels took care of Jesus in the desert. We need to remember, though Jesus has the qualities of Divinity He came to relate with humanity and experienced the same things as humans do such as hunger, emotions, etc. The difference is that Jesus did not give into temptations.

Implications:

I believe when we are tempted it can be frustrating and many times painful not to give in. Our flesh wants to do things but we know that the Holy Spirit does not want us to give in. It can be encouraging to know that the victory is the Lord’s and He will send His help to attend us as we continue to fight the temptations that Satan sends our way.

I ask you now dear friend, how do you handle temptation?

Dear friend, it can be so easy to give into temptations when we follow our fleshly desires but sadly many times we do because we do not focus on the Lord and what He wants to offer us. I know I have been guilty of that time after time. When Satan tempts, he makes things look so good and enticing.

He could put thoughts such as these in your mind so you will give in:

You must have this or that right away!
There is no point in waiting when it is at your reach.
What does God know; He does not want you to have fun.
No one is watching.
Go ahead this one time.
You will like it; try it.

All temptation starts with a thought process put in our mind my Satan. When that thought process is rehearsed over and over with false and deceptive rationalizations, they are acted upon and become actions. Once an action is done then Satan will not use those same reasons above but now becomes your accuser and put thoughts such as these in your mind:

God does not love you after what you have done!
You are no Christian because of what you have done!

These are only some of the ways that Satan accuses. You see friend, when Satan entices people to let them give into temptations, he paints a rosy picture but in reality you do not get the rosy picture but the thorn picture of pain, shame, and hurt.

There is Good News however, friend and the victory is the Lord’s. Just as Jesus overcame temptation, we can too by following biblical principles. When Satan tempts you, you can resist him by quoting Scripture to him and commanding him to leave you alone. You have to focus on the Lord and allow Him to work in your life. God’s Word, Prayer, and a community of believers who are loving but not judgmental can help you go a long way.

There will be times we still give in because of our flesh. In those situations, forgiveness is available at the cross and you can move on. Lord loves you so much even when you mess up. He wants to help you and you can come to Him as you are. Let Him guide you and lead you. Yes, friend, He wants to help you! Experience the power of His love !!!

I want to share with you a poem, the Lord Jesus helped me to write years ago. It is called ‘Enduring Temptation’ and was written to help a lot of people. The rest of the poems can be found at http://www.pitt.edu/~rcrst6/Devotional.html

This one goes with the Scriptures from Romans 7:14-8:1)

Giving into temptation making you feel so Low?There seems nowhere to Go,
Making your life a tremendous Blow
Causing you to be full of Woe?
Devils temptation has become your Foe
There ain't no escape you think you Know
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
Though temptation is very Strong
It wont last very Long.
Cause Jesus, our Savior is the Way. (John 14:6)For us sinners, he did the price Pay. (1 Cor 6:20)So as we turn to Him and Pray, (Matt 26:41)
He will help us overcome Satan each Day. (1 John 4:4)
Now Satan's temptation's tremble and cant Stay.(James 4:7)
So you see how it Goes. (Nah 1:7)
With Jesus we can overcome our Foes.(Romans 8:31)
When we are Tempted, (1 Cor 10:13)
He will let us be Exempted (Revelation 3:10)Before committing what was Attempted (Heb 2:18)
He is the Light (1 John 1:5)
Will make us do what is Right. (John 12:36)
By His blood we have been made White (1 John 1:7)
With the Lord, the devil we can Fight (Philippians 4:13)
So with Jesus please Walk (John 8:12)
So with you He can Talk (Isaiah 30:21)
And be our mighty Rock (Psalm 18:1-3)
He wants to open our hearts Lock (John 3:16)
Our heart Jesus knocks with a big Knock. (Rev 3:20)

"There Exist Many Petrifying Things And Temptation Is One Naturally! (T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N)/”I ask you now dear friend, how do you handle temptation?

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, I love you so much. Thank you Lord you love me more than words can say. Lord Jesus as you already know, I keep getting tempted by Satan and many times fail to do what is right. This makes me feel so low because I have gone my own way. Please Lord I ask you to forgive me when I get tempted and do the wrong. On my own I know Lord that I will keep committing the same mistakes which you know I hate and cannot help it. I humble myself before you Lord. I realize I am a sinner and accept my peril before you and yield my life to you. Help me please Lord to follow your ways. You are my hiding place OH Lord. I trust you completely. You keep me from stumbling, thank you Lord. Thank you Jesus you are my Light and my Salvation. You will let me overcome any temptation I am facing. Thank you Lord you know how temptation is because you experienced it in the wilderness when Satan tempted you many times. Yet, you did not give in. Thank you for being able to relate with us when we are tempted. We turn to you for help. Thank you Jesus for making us white as freshly fallen snow. I invite you into my heart. IN YOUR NAME I PRAY JESUS, AMEN.

Love in Christ,
Ramesh