Have you ever wanted something so bad you could taste it? I remember back in my prego days how badly I would crave certain foods. With Rebekah it was HOT wings, fried fish and anything sour I could get my mouth on. For Rachel it was Bojangles seasoned fries & green beans. The one thing I craved with both of them was crushed ice. I mean I couldn't get enough of it. I would send Richard all over Gastonia to get it. I found out later that it was a sign of low iron. My body was craving something I was running low on. I am convinced that our souls long for Jesus in ways we cant even attempt to understand yet every fiber of our being is crying out for completion. I recently read in Matthew about Jesus in the wilderness and how the enemy tempted Him not once, twice but three times. In that moment of hunger Jesus saw the enemy for who he was and chose to embrace truth to counteract the lies. We tend to live our lives moment to moment intentionally trying to fill this deep soul craving. When we become tired, weak and just can't seem to have the strength to stand It's in those places of desperation we have to intentionally choose God over any other source of superficial "must have" fulfillment. The other night at our dinner table I knew Richard was almost home and so I plated our food and told my girls not to start eating until their daddy was home. They sat there at first so patient but after the smell hit their noses they started with one bite then it was another bite until Richard walked in and Rachel had finished her plate. She laughed and said "mom I couldn't take it because it smelled so good and I was so hungry". We empty ourselves out all day everyday and because we have a constant craving for more we often choose what we see in front of us to complete us. What I realized about this passage of scripture is that the enemy didn't stop. He challenged Jesus and didn't back down in fact he came at Him where weakness was present. Whether it's physical, emotional or sometimes both the enemy has NO power over the outcome. It's our obedience and surrender that positions the Creator to act on our behalf. He fights for us. Today you may be in the wilderness thirsty, hungry and feeling so needy but remember that you have been chosen and equipped for such a time as this. No matter the results your filling begins with emptying out anything that doesn't line up with the truth of Gods word. Embrace His word and walk fully in the confidence that He is your only source of completion. The enemy will come and he will dangle the very thing you think you "need" but know that in the end dark can't exist in light and the enemy will flee. Our hearts divide daily between embracing the beauty of Gods grace and the lies of the enemy - today choose this truth- YOU ARE FREE! :)
Matthew 4:1-11
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 and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." 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. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test." 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.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him
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