August 14, 2025 – Correction
Prevail 226 – The Lord’s Prayer says, “Lead us not into temptation” yet today’s Prevail verse from Matthew 4:1 says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.” I’m hoping Larson is going to address this.
Well, she didn’t bring up the Lord’s Prayer, I did, but she did say, “We’re vulnerable in the wilderness, [like Joseph in the pit and in jail] but it’s where we must learn to resist temptation and remember what’s true.” She explains the HALT acronym that “people in recovery often use….If you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, you’re at risk, so be careful….Jesus saw right through the enemy’s scheme…” of attacking and questioning Jesus’ identity. “The enemy tempts us to doubt God’s faithfulness and love and our identity in Him. “These are truths we must settle in our souls long before those wilderness seasons come.” Like with Joseph, it may take a few lessons to fully grasp and live out what we learn, but the Holy Spirit is always near, ready to teach and encourage again and again.
Some of what the “Better Together” women on TBN talked about yesterday was how we judge ourselves for not staying the course perfectly and how we don’t reach out when needed for emotional, physical, and even medical help. God provides those resources in addition to giving us His presence and help.
The first line of JA (13) caught my eye as I opened the book: “No matter how you’re feeling, remember that you’re not on trial. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Me….”
JA (14) – “I will restore you to the Joy of My salvation. When you confess your sins to Me with a humble heart, I gladly forgive you. But there is more: I restore you.”
Well, here’s something interesting that I don’t think I’ve picked up on in today’s devotion in the past years of reading Jesus Always. “You have developed ways of seeking Me that are familiar and easy for you. But the danger of relying too much on routine is that it can become a tedious duty.” A friend recently asked if I was going to be able to keep up the blog daily; and, though I agreed that that question has crossed my mind, I said I don’t feel locked into an everyday commitment. I’ve given myself a little room to grow into this. However, most every day I find myself excited about sitting down at the computer to share what God has revealed; so, I try to make time no matter how late in the day I click “publish”.
I don’t think this admonition applies to the blog, though. It might not even apply to me, yet I am the one reading it today. God, are You suggesting that this almost daily meeting with my “small group” of devotional book friends, that has helped me so much these past years, needs to change? This morning “routine” is not routine to me nor is it a duty; it is a privilege and one I look forward to because I like hearing what You share with me. I sometimes feel guilty for how long I spend, though, because of others things (like the house) that I let fall by the wayside at times. But, perhaps this is my season of life for that. Young continues, “When you realize this has happened, you need to stop and try something new.” Well, I’ve added the blog after the devotional time so that’s new and having to transfer my thoughts more concisely (sometimes) from my journal has helped me in gaining new perspectives.
Ok, I can do this too – “Take extra time to worship and adore Me before bringing Me your other prayers and petitions.” I have indeed pretty much just jumped into journaling about my life and my needs each day and then hungrily read the devotions and verses looking for God’s input and answers. There’s nothing really wrong with that except for what we are missing. Praise reminds me whose I am and energizes our time together during the journaling and reading. Our pastor has a playlist of songs he sings (and a candle he lights) before he starts sharing time with and petitioning God.
Max is entitled, “When God Speaks”. I definitely need more of Him and His Words and less of me and my words at least as we first gather. I need more praise words towards the great I AM. “When God cleared His throat, the cosmos appeared. His authority was certain then. And it’s just as certain now.”
I stopped my journaling/reading at this point because the prayer service started. I’d gotten up early to read (even before 6am) because Don and I went to bed early last night. We were both wiped out. After the service I asked Don my question about temptation and his answer helped me so much. I recorded it on my phone and will add it here if I can figure out how (as well as figuring out how to add photos to make the look of the blog more appealing). In short, he said God does allow us to be tempted or something like that. I need to listen to the recording.
I bet a lot of people who read my blog (of the few who have found me ha ha), and who are ahead of me in the faith journey, are probably thinking either that I’m coming along pretty well or that I’ve got a lot to learn! Thank you all for bearing with me as I share revelations that may be obvious to most everyone else! This makes me think of how seasoned mothers look over the shoulders of new mothers (sometimes silently) and then are pleased (and relieved) as the moms ease into more settled places of knowing what to do.
(Yes, I’m still going. But you can bow out at any time if you need to!)
Power – Here’s a interesting and timely comment from my next “small group friend”, Joyce Meyer – “We all fear earthly rejection too much.” Uhhh yep. I put myself out here in this blog not knowing if anyone will find it or whether they’ll keep reading and come back for more. “Jesus was rejected, and He survived. You can too! …Rejection will not leave you brokenhearted, and will not stop you from doing what God wants you to do….” Here’s the key! “We are not responsible for our reputations; God is! So relax….If you have God, you have all you need.” That needs to be more than a platitude, or refrigerator magnet, in my life. It needs to be the Rock I stand on. “If He knows you need anything else, He will provide that also (see Matthew 6:8, 33-34).”
JC – “Because I never change, your relationship with Me provides a rock-solid foundation for your life.” Did you catch the “rock” reference? When I first read this devotion, I wasn’t sure what was speaking strongly enough to pull out and write down, but then I chose what I chose. And then I realized ROCK was in that sentence. It’s interesting, as I was starting that sentence in the paragraph above, I hesitated on what word to use that I would stand on – and ended up with rock! You are here, Lord!
Utmost – Ohhh this one is about being chastened by the Lord and how we sometimes don’t want to believe it’s Him. Human nature makes us rebel at (and embarrassed by) correction. This really falls well behind studying about Joseph yesterday and the seasons of learning we sometimes go through until we “get it”. Chambers writes, “When the Lord chastens you like that, let Him have His way. Let Him relate you rightly to God.” I’ve always said, about correction and advice (to whoever I was giving it to!) that I welcome correction as well as anything that will help my perspective and maturity. HOWEVER, I clarify that I may not take it well at first, but I have a brain and a soul that wants to learn better ways so bring it on, gently at first! The thing about advice (and correction) that I’ve told my children is that I am their mother and I have the right and responsibility to speak into their lives (respectfully so, though, now that they are grown). And I won’t repeat myself (too much) if they’ll at least say they heard me. Then they can take or leave what I say based on what works in their lives (and what God is saying to them). I look at the Holy Spirit’s attempts to help me like that. I’m wise if I take everything He offers though rather than leaving any of it.
Chambers continues, “Am I prepared to let God grip me by His power and do a work in me that is worthy of Himself?” Make me ready, Lord. Prepare me to receive the correction and help! “He has to get me into the attitude of mind and spirit where at any cost I will let Him sanctify me wholly.”
Streams – Wow! What a helpful reading today. As I said earlier, it always surprises me when one touches me so much and yet I don’t remember it from past readings. Cowman, or Hannah Whitall Smith, writes based on John 19:11, “Nothing that is not part of God’s will is allowed to come into the life of someone who trusts and obeys Him….Isn’t it glorious to know that no matter how unjust something may be…by the time it reaches us it is God’s will for us and will ultimately work for our good?” She quotes my favorite verse, Romans 8:28, and then continues, “We live fascinating lives if we are in the center of God’s will.” Amen!
