Hi, Pastor John:
The reading Sunday really did something for me; it was very joyful. You were reading about Jesus and the temptation in the wilderness. Satan came to Jesus, not knowing who he was, but thought he was on another mission from God. But, unlike any prior mission, this man (Jesus) confronted Satan with the righteousness of God. It wasn’t that Jesus knew more scriptures than Satan, but Jesus confronted Satan with what God is, because it was inside him (Jesus). It just made me wonder what kinds of thoughts Satan must have had when this man spoke to him like he did. It just thrilled my soul. My heart said, “That’s how it’s done!” Praise God! It’s like, you know it, but the reading made it clearer. The truth takes the flesh out of overcoming anything; everything the flesh does is from it’s own will. Men don’t know how to overcome anything without God. Everything of the world is of the flesh, and that is Satan’s only weapon against us – our flesh. I love Romans 8:9: “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” And, “If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ (God’s life) he is none of his.”
This gave me more appreciation for what Jesus did for us, like Cliff’s testimony of Jesus’ crucifixion. I do hope we will read the rest of chapter 6 together. I felt such a great hope! It was so wonderful. The feelings from the reading are still here with me this morning. Amen!
billy m.
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And the thoughts we have been having this morning are just breath-taking, Billy. Pray that we can get it all written down.
jdc