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Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. He said to him, 'I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Get behind me, satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.' ' Matthew 4:7 WEB

Jesus was now a young man of about 30 years old, gifted, pure and sinless, completely dedicated to His heavenly Father. Jesus caught the attention of satan because He was different from the rest of the young men. The others were easy to seduce and fell on their own when given the right opportunity. Jesus had not stumbled yet, so satan decided to try and buy Him with various deals.

As Jesus looked out over all the kingdoms of the earth, satan told Him that he would give Him all of this. Power, glory, and riches could all be His and without having to wait for it, or going to the cross. He could just shortcut all of that and have it right now with a little compromise. Jesus basically told him to get lost.

I have a feeling that each time God is about to do something powerful in your life, heavy temptation comes first to test you. Jesus was about to be raised up into a powerful ministry, but first He had to pass through the test of temptation. Jesus passed the test and came out of the desert in the 'Power of the Spirit.'

When we resist temptation, it will leave. James tells us: 'Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you' (James 4:7).

Peter tells us: 'Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you' (1 Peter 5:8).

Notice that 'suffered a little while' is followed by 'perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.' The reward is on the other side, it is enduring, resisting, going through it that brings the reward.

How many times have we missed opportunities and anointing because we chose to do the wrong thing, at the right time. Too many times we give in right before the breakthrough. It would be painful to know. The devil's deals are never as good as they sound, for he cannot be trusted and is a liar. Eve thought that she was getting something good, but instead she got something bad.

The next time that you feel heavy temptation to do something wrong, know that a divine opportunity is probably right around the corner. This is the enemies way of stealing that opportunity from you. Don't take the bait. Don't deal with the devil.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one. Please strengthen me to do what is right, and make what is crooked in me straight. Help me become a Godly person and to be keenly aware of the traps of the enemy, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress

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