40 Days of Commitment
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of February 23, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Luke 4:1-13
1Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.
3Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread.”
4But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”
5Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6“I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
8Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God
and serve only him.’”
9Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. 11And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
12Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’”
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we start this 40 Days of Commitment, I pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may live at a deeper level of commitment to You than I ever have before. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
1Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. Luke 4:1-2 NLT
Why was Jesus “Full of the Holy Spirit”? (You may have to read Luke 3!)
Why do you think Jesus was tempted for 40 days before the start of His ministry on earth?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that I may be prepared for the temptations of the devil in my life!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the first temptation of Jesus, because it shows me that Jesus IS the Your Son! I would never be tempted to turn a stone into bread, because I know that’s beyond me. I praise You that Jesus resisted the temptation to use His miraculous power for His own benefit, and thus showed me to live humbly and obediently before You! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
3Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread.”
4But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’” Luke 4:3-4 NLT
The devil KNEW that Jesus was God. Why do I say that based on what He said to Jesus?
What do we learn about dealing with temptation, from how Jesus responded to the first temptation?
Today’s Challenge: When I am faced with temptation, I will resort to Scripture rather than arguing with the devil!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as a human being, the temptation to put myself before you is great. Please, fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may resist that temptation and please, deliver me from ALL temptation today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
5Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6“I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” Luke 4:5-8 NLT
Were the kingdoms of the world the devil’s to give to Jesus? On what do you base your answer? (See Psalm 24:1)
Why do you think this would have been a temptation to Jesus? (What did Jesus come to do?)
Today’s Challenge: I will rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me so that I will not give in to pride today!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You will give me Your grace that I may worship You alone and serve You alone, not only today, but every day that You give me to live on this planet. That way when I meet you face to face, I will be found in Your will and will know the joy of hearing, “Well done!” This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
8Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God
and serve only him.’” Luke 4:8 NLT
What is similar about Jesus’ response to this temptation and the His response to the first one?
What is different?
Today’s Challenge: I will worship and serve God alone!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus gives me such a clear example to follow. Thank You that I don’t have to wonder what you expect from me, or how I am to live in Your ways. Lead me by Your Spirit that I may be faithful and may be an example for others to follow as I follow Jesus! This I pray in His name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
9Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. 11And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
12Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” Luke 4:9-12 NLT
What temptation was this for Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus ALWAYS responded to the devil by quoting Scripture?
Today’s Challenge: I will not put God to the test in my life today!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that the devil is always waiting for the next opportunity to tempt me. I pray that You will lead me not into temptation and if I find myself in the presence of evil that you will deliver me from it, today and always. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
13When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. Luke 4:13 NLT
When do you think the “next opportunity came”?
What is the most important thing you learned this week from Jesus’ victory over the devil’s temptation in His life?
Today’s Challenge: I will be aware that the devil is always looking for an opportunity to tempt me, and avoid temptation but focusing on Jesus!