Let the river flow - Darrell Evans

Lyrics:
Let the poor man say
I am rich in Him
Let the lost man say
I am found in Him
Let the river flow


Let the blind man say
I can see again
Let the dead man say
I am born again
Let the river flow
Let the river flow



Let the river flow
Let the river flow
Holy Spirit come
Move in power
Let the river flow

What Jesus did? - for January 27

I Won't Play Your Game - Matthew 4:5-7

Then the devil led Jesus to the holy city (Jerusalem). The devil put Jesus on a very high place on the temple. The devil said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off. Why? Because it is written {in the Scriptures }, 'God will command his angels for you, and their hands will catch you, so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.'" Jesus answered him, "It also says {in the Scriptures }, 'You must not test (doubt) the Lord your God.'" (ERV)

Key Thought
Is Jesus really sure God is with him? Is he truly Immanuel, "God with us"? One sure place to know and to show this was the Temple. Throughout the Old Testament, this was the place that represented the very presence of God's presence and protection for his people. Once again, Satan tempts Jesus like he tempted the Israelites -- to make God's protection and care the condition on which loyalty was to be established. Jesus would not play Satan's game! Jesus was committed to honor his Father and to be faithful to him even if it meant the path of suffering and death. The reason these early temptations of Jesus are so important is that they reveal that Jesus will not chose ANY shortcut to obedience! Whether Satan realizes it or not, when Jesus walks out of the desert victorious over Satan and his temptations, Satan's doom is assured. Jesus will choose God's plan even if it means suffering, death, and personal ridicule on a cross. What is the cost of my following God? Will I choose faithfulness over ... ?

Today's Prayer
Almighty Deliverer and Faithful God, in light of your centuries of faithfulness to your people, your preservation of them in the face of great calamity and struggle, I recognize my inconsistency and weakness. Give me a heart to recognize the long-term consequences of my decisions to Satan's "small" challenges. Please empower me to choose faithfulness. I believe you are my Rock and my Salvation, so I rest my hope in you. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Thy word - Amy Grant

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,
And think Ive lost my way.
Still, youre there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus by my guide,
And hold me to your side,
And I will love you to the end.

Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
And a light unto my path.
Youre the light unto my path.

What Jesus did? - for January 26

True Bread, True Word - Matthew 4:2-4

Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights. After this, he was very hungry. The devil came to Jesus to tempt him. The devil said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written {in the Scriptures }, 'It is not just bread that keeps people alive. People's lives depend on what God says.'" (ERV)

Key Thought
Just as Israel faced the battle of temptation in the desert, Jesus does, too. But unlike Israel which always seemed to get hung up on physical needs rather than following God, Jesus chose to honor and focus on the Father rather than himself. Nowhere is this seen more clearly than the two great temptation crises of his ministry: his temptations here and in the Garden shortly before his death. In both situations, and all the others in between, Jesus chose God's will and God's glory over his own needs and desires. God's word, God's will, was what Jesus fed on more than physical food. He is our example that we should not try to live a day without our spiritual food or our souls will be hungrier than our bellies on a 40 day fast!

Today's Prayer
O Father, God, who fills every empty place and fulfills every need, stir me to a holy hunger for your Word and an insatiable appetite to do your will. I confess that I find it so hard to keep my mind off the distractions my undisciplined appetite craves, so please help me learn that my only lasting answer to true hunger is with you. Through the grace of Jesus' intercession I pray. Amen.