Luke 4:1-13

This is the passage where Jesus is tested by the Devil. I'm not going to print it all out, but pay close attention to how Jesus responded to all of Satan's temptations. He answered the Devil with Scripture. Old Testament Scripture to be exact. I've been told before that the Old Testament isn't relevant today. That is completely untrue. Almost every time I sit down and read the Old Testament I find little jewels of wisdom that completely pertain to life today. Apparently, Jesus did as well. ;-) It is what He used to fight the Devil there in the wilderness. 

I feel a conviction coming on. If Satan were to come to me today and tempt me with things that look so "pretty" to me, would I have enough Scripture knowledge to fight him? Am I armed with the Sword of the Spirit? Not by a long shot! So, how does one get armed? By memorizing Scripture. By having enough knowledge of the Word of God that I can use it - without thinking - to ward off Satan's attacks. That changes this year. My goal this year is to read the Bible and to memorize Scripture. I'm slow at memorizing, but I have already memorized 3 passages of Scripture and plan to memorize much more this year. .

For a great tool to help you (and your children) memorize Scripture please visit and download The Scripture Memory Connection. I've been using this with my kids for years and they really enjoy it.

Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. 

Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, 

is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. 

He won't let you down; he won't leave you." 

Deuteronomy 31:6 (The Message)

Have you ever been afraid? I mean, really afraid? Where the panic sets in, you can't breathe, and the room starts spinning, afraid? That has got to be the worst feeling in the world. Especially when you don't even know what you're afraid of. The panic just takes over and all you can feel is fear. 

I've had to do some things in the last few years that have been terrifying for me. Therapy forces you to look at the dark places in your life; places that you've been trying to hide from for a long time, years sometimes. Decades even. It's terrifying to go to those places. I've run from it at times. I've refused to talk about it at times. I've regretted opening my mouth about certain things from my past. But, the thing that has gotten me through it all is this verse. (Only I usually sing the song I taught my kids for this verse "Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged. For the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.") 

When I remember to be strong. When my therapist reminds me that the past can't hurt me anymore. When I can look fear in the face and know that God is going ahead of me through this dark place, bringing Light unto it, then I can face the fear and do what I need to do. I'm still trying to get to the place where I don't give it a second thought, but hey - I'm a work in progress. :-) 

I don't have to be afraid of the people who hurt me when I was a child. I don't have to be intimidated by the group I was in as a teen. They can't touch me anymore. God is with me and with his strength, with his courage, I can have healing in my life. And God will not let me down. He will be by my side through the entire process. Thanks be to God!

Deuteronomy 13:8, 10

"...don't go along with him; shut your ears... 

He tried to turn you traitor against God, your God..." 

Deuteronomy 13:8, 10 (The Message)

These bits of verses are talking about if anyone tries to get you to turn away from God and/or worship other Gods. God tells us to stone the people to death who try to do this, but this day and age, we can't really do that and not get arrested, however, we can shut our ears to it and walk away.

I had this happen to me when I was a young adult, about the age of 19. I was involved in a cult for teens - that's a story for another time - but the head of this cult was a man who didn't have time for Christians. And I was a Christian. I may not have acted very much like one, but I still believed in my heart that Jesus was my Lord and Savior. I just wasn't allowed to talk about it much in this group or I'd get mocked and ridiculed.

I was living in California, very active in this cult - had moved away from my family in the hopes that doing so would gain me "points" in this group. I lived there for several months and I had a psycho roommate who caused me to call my dad numerous times to come get me, only to be talked out of it by one of the group's "counselors". One time my dad even came to get me (we lived in another state) and by the time he got there, I told him I had changed my mind. I can't imagine how frustrated he must have been!

Finally, the thing that got me to leave the cult, once and for all, was one night I was invited to the house of the leader of the group for dinner. I remember thinking how awesome it was that I was getting to eat at his house. The dinner was great. The conversation was great. And then, the deciding factor happened. This man and his wife tried to talk me out of my faith. I believe there's a verse in the Bible which talks about the Holy Spirit giving us the words we need. [Edited to add, this verse is found in Mark 13:11) Well... he did just that.

I wasn't an outspoken kid. I am now and I have no hesitation in speaking up for myself or anyone I love, but back then, I was a follower, not a leader. I don't remember much from that conversation except for the fact that I would not denounce my faith. I know that was the Holy Spirit taking over for me - doing what I couldn't do for myself. I remember when I got in my car to go home, I was shaking. And when I got back to my apartment, I called my dad and told him to come get me asap because I needed to get out of there NOW.

As it turns out, I was about to get kicked out of the cult anyway, but I knew God had protected me that night and that I needed to leave. I am so thankful for getting out of that group. It was twisted and messed up and I'm still getting PTSD treatment for all they did to warp my self-worth. God is gracious and he saved me from something that has messed up the lives of many people I love. (But, praise God, they are all free from the control of this group now!)

Now I know, if the time ever comes where I have to choose my faith or my life, the Holy Spirit will give me the strength to choose my faith. Something that, at one time, caused me so much fear, now leaves me feeling at peace. Thank you, Jesus!

Psalm 37:39-40

‎"The spacious, free life is from God, it's also protected and safe. 

God-strengthened, we're delivered from evil - when we run to Him, 

He saves us." 

Psalm 37:39-40 (The Message)

So many people say I'm not free because I'm a Christian. They are so wrong! I have so much freedom as a believer! Yes, there are some things I won't do because they go against my belief in Jesus, but I don't do them because I think I'll go to hell if I do. I don't do them because I don't NEED to do them. Those things don't bring me joy. 

I'm not talking about happiness, which is contingent upon what I have or what I get. I'm talking about pure joy that is contingent upon one thing and one thing only... Knowing that my God loves me and that I will be with Him for eternity. Nothing else matters! I can have joy even in the midst of sorrow. But I've never felt "happy" when bad things happen. I AM free!

Proverbs 18:10, 19, 24

"God's name is a place of protection - 
good people can run there and be safe." 
Proverbs 18:10 (The Message)

Just saying the name of God in my mind can calm my spirit and ease any anxiety.

"Words kill, words give life; they're either poison 

or fruit - you choose." 

Proverbs 18:19 (The Message)

Something I really have to watch is my tongue. It is definitely a powerful tool of the spirit that can wreak so much havoc or bring so much joy!

"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend 

sticks by you like family." 

Proverbs 18:24 (The Message) 

I am so blessed to have so many TRUE friends! Friends who are as close as sisters to me in so many ways! (Brothers too!)