This morning Rick's sermon was about the importance of God's word and truth in our lives and one thing he said really hit me where I am in my struggles at time. He spoke of the time when Jesus was worn out and Satan came to tempt him and promised him glory and power and His needs to be met...without the suffering of the cross. And Rick said "Satan offered something that he had no authority to give"...the counterfeit..the lie..that has been going on throughout all time...that he has the easier way out. And when I look at Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest"...I remember that true rest, peace, joy are only through following God's ways and only HE can grant that. Satan often offers us wrong ways to deal with our stress and our pain and our suffering...but his lies lead to brokenness, confusion, heartache...not true rest or peace. It really helped me a lot to remember that Jesus had walked the road of suffering and even while famished He chose to focus on God's word...His truth..not his feelings or an easier way...and when He hung on the cross for me in anguish...He remembered to keep His eyes on the Father and His glory. Oh I want to be like Jesus!
A song we sang today reminded me too of the freedom we have in Christ..to say no to sin...because we are free and we don't have to live in slavery to those lies:
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night
Thine eye diffused -- a quickening ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
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