Daily Devotional: Thursday, March 4

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Self-Control

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Happy Day by Tim Hughes; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Sing to the King by Passion Worship Band; Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin.

READ: Mark 1:9-13; Matthew 4:1-11  

THINK: When listening to Ben's sermon on Sunday about self-control, my role model, Jesus Christ became front and center again.

There are so many situations that Jesus faced in his short but world-changing life! He endured so much hardship and was able to withstand overwhelming temptation. According to Mark 1:9-13, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and he was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and was led out into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by Satan. I don't know about you, but if I had been taken into the desert all alone to be tempted by Satan I'm certain my self-control would have been broken.

Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and during that time the Devil used bread as a temptation to cure his hunger. I skip one meal, I get a little low blood sugar and start feeling like I am going to pass out.  He did it for 40 days! Satan tempted Jesus by twisting the scriptures to trip up Jesus. When I memorized John 3:16 in AWANA way back when, my parents threw a party for me! I am sure I wouldn't have had the self-control and discipline to understand the bible to that degree and articulate the differentiation between the bible verse and the meaning of Psalm 91:11-12.

Lastly, when Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus had amazing self-control and self-denial. This wasn't just a cellphone, upgrade for my PC or a new car like I talked about in last devotionals- Nope, this was all the kingdoms of the world simply if Jesus worshipped Satan. That is amazing self-control that provides the high watermark I strive to achieve every day in my walk with the Lord.

DO:  Define the baseline of your high water mark for living for Jesus. Write down specific goals for improving your self-control over the next year. Evaluate your progress month to month.

PRAY: Dear Lord, I humbly come to you and ask for your guidance and direction on improving my self-control. Teach me and encourage me to gain in strength and endurance in my walk with you. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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