Verse of the Day 1/4

Verse of the Day 1/4

Matthew 4:4

 New King James Version

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

I've followed a Bible reading plan for many years, most often it included reading in both the Old and New Testaments beginning in Genesis and Matthew.  Today's verses came from today's reading according to that plan.  Every year I look forward to reading Matthew 4 and then the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7.  Today's passage includes Jesus' encounter with the devil after forty days and nights of fastiing.  He was physically weak but spiritually strong.  Each time the devil tempted Him, He responded by quoting from the Old Testament. It is good instructionn for us to spend time each day "living by" the Word that has come to us by the mouth of God in the Bible.

We too will face temptations and trials in life.  We should have God's Word in our hearts and minds to be able to withstand the tempations and darts that the devil hurls at us.  We should be in prayer as well, as some of the old preachers used to say we need to be "prayed up", prepared for the day, day by day.

I'll close with the old hymn by Carolina Sandell, who was referred to by some as the Fanny Crosby of Sweden.

1 Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what he deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

2 Ev'ry day the Lord himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he gladly bears and cheers me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of his child and treasure
Is a charge that on himself he laid:
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure"–
This the pledge to me he made.

3 Help me then in ev'ry tribulation
So to trust your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when, toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Matthew 4:1-11

New King James Version

Satan Tempts Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

'He shall give His angels charge over you,'

and,

'In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not [a]tempt the Lord your God.' "

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, [b]

Matthew 4:1-11 NKJV - - Bible Gateway

"Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.