April 21, 2018

April 21, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 9
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 4:13-14 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

                Whew, I am always ready to leave that wilderness place, aren't you? Makes me sweat thinking about them, however, if we endure we will come out stronger in our faith race. I like calling our faith a race instead of a walk, because walking is much easier than running. Old Satan is turning up the heat in this world because he knows his time is short. Our lives today are more like running than walking!
                  Now notice the scripture says Satan departed from Jesus for a season! Yes, you can rest assured he will be back to tempt us to make us doubt God and give up! He will be back to bring discouragement or trip us up.
                  I remember the year of the Olympics when there was a skater who wanted to win so bad that she and her ex husband whacked another skater to win money and fame. The ex husband hid under the stairs and whacked the skater. Satan will hide and look for those opportunities to whack us so don't get lax in your run and think your enemy won’t be back! That's the bad news. The good news, Jesus left in power and spirit and fame of him went out through the region. His outward ministry began and the race was on. He endured and overcame and this always makes us stronger when we begin to resist the temptation.

 Father, thankYou for being with us in seasons of temptation. Help us press on as we learn to run with You! I thank You when I am tempted I have Someone Who understands and will help me . Help me stay alert when the enemy returns.  Help us not forgetYou are always there to help us overcome.

Tomorrow: Running back to the synagogue