Temptation

Written By Betty Predmore

Matthew 3:7-4:11

(January 3)

My mom is always talking about what she would do if she ever won the lottery. She has big plans, let me tell ya'! We laugh about how many "relatives" would come out of the woodwork when word got out. Everybody wants a "piece of the pie."

That is exactly what the Pharisees and the Sadducees did when John started baptizing in the Jordan River. They wanted "a piece of the pie" of what the others were receiving.

John wasn't letting them get away with it.

"Prove by the way you live that you have repented if your sins and turned to God."

They couldn't just take the prize because they we're descendants of Abraham. They needed to back up their claim with a lifestyle change and some fruit needed to be visible in their lives.

John reminded them that while he was baptizing with water, the one who was greater would be coming after him to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. He would weed out the good from the bad and the bad would be burned in eternal fire.

Soon after, Jesus came to John to be baptized. John didn't feel worthy of performing such an act. (Would you? I know I wouldn't!) But Jesus convinced him it should be done and so John had the privilege of baptizing Jesus. (Talk about winning the lottery!) When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened up and the Spirit of God settled on him, resembling a white dove. It is then that a voice from heaven is heard saying, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."

Here we have the Trinity. God the Father speaks in this event. God the Sin receives baptism. God the Holy Spirit comes upon Jesus. God is one but he is three at the same time.

It is after his baptism that Jesus faces the 40 days and forty nights of temptation in the wilderness. Satan is really trying to break him. Time and time again, Satan comes at him, but Jesus stands firm.

The devil offers him so much, but did he have the power to actually make good on those offers? Perhaps. His idea was for Jesus to take over the world as a political leader. God's plan was for Jesus to save the world from sun. Satan hoped to tempt Jesus with the offer of great worldly power, but Jesus stood strong against that temptation , knowing his purpose was to fulfill God's plan.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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