Verse of the Day 1/4

Verse of the Day 1/4

Matthew 4:3-4

New King James Version

                                                                                                           

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.' "

Today's verses came up in my read through the New Testament plan for today. They are probably familar verses to all of us and because of that they are probably easy to read and zoom right past. But as I stopped to reread them today the little word "by" caught my attention. What does that little word mean here? Some translations say on and we can also think of it as being "according to". By can mean also the route we take, living "by" the Word of God means following the map in life that God has laid out for us.

I read the following statement this morning from John MacArthur: The key to spiritual progress and victory is learning to apply what you already have, not seeking more." We can do all of the studying that we want to do and not actually grow in our faith. That is where the "by" comes in.  When we apply it, when we walk in the Lord in the light of His word we will grow in it.  I am not saying that we shouldn't be studying, learning more, but that unless we are applying it, who really benefits. Things to ponder in this first week of the new year.

The Word is living
The Word is light
The Word delights my soul
Preserves my life
Holy and hidden
Forever true
The perfect sacrifice
Our Lord...Jesus Christ

The Word is wisdom
The Word is true
The Word takes all that's old
And makes it new
When hearts are broken
He makes them whole
The One who paid the price
Our Lord...Jesus Christ

The Word is calling
Time and again
The Word is grieving still
For those in sin
Come now believing
This Word is true
The cross speaks this advice
"Trust Me...Jesus Christ"                            (The Word - Steve Green)

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 4:1-6

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.' "