Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ”“You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”“ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. (Matthew 4:8-11 ESV)

Notice that when Jesus says be gone and proclaims God as his Lord; that he serves and only worships Him the devil leaves. We must proclaim this with our lives everyday, in every struggle. The devil is around each corner looking to attack but we must proclaim the power of God through Jesus Christ whom defeated death and the devil in his resurrection and Jesus gave that to all of us who proclaim and believe. Just as it says in Genesis 4…

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7 ESV)

We now have the incredible power in Jesus to rule over our sin. The devil has no chance. So let us proclaim Jesus with our lives, with our relationships, that we serve the God that saves, loves, and overcomes. Thus letting the devil know no matter what he tries that in Jesus we have victory over his schemes!!

So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, "Wash, and be clean”?“ So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (2 Kings 5:9-14 ESV)

How many times do I look like Naaman expecting Gods voice, provision, or presence to show up how I would like it and then when it doesnt I go my own way thinking God never really spoke?
And here with out the help of good counsel Naaman would have missed the healing of a lifetime. Let us not close our mind to how God can answer our prayers and also be open to counsel when we first have doubt.

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord .” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord , but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV)

The Lord was in the whisper. I’m reminded of many times asking for God to show me the way through some powerful miracle or movement but here in this story of the prophet Elijah, God speaks in a whisper; in a way that calls to Elijah’s attention by drawing Him near to Himself rather than through fear. The Lord is gentle in speaking to Elijah in this moment of turmoil, so let us take time out in our trouble to hear the whisper of God, to be quiet and draw near.

Ho Hey Harry Caray

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 ESV)

We have to find joy with where we are in life. Maybe we are in a tough time and wish we were somewhere else but if we constantly wake up everyday hating the toil we currently have it will make the journey that much longer and tiresome. Lets find joy with our circumstance because God has us where we are for a reason and the plans of the creator of the universe are much more profitable than something we can ever dream up. Seek joy in building character during the toil and the end will be much sweeter.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:10, 11 ESV)

We must be faithful in the small things and then God will entrust us with much more, taking every day and every moment in honor and glory for The Lord. Let us focus on being honorable in the little today in preparation for the big things God has planned for us ahead.