585 - Opportune Time

Dear Lord, It is 5:45 and I am already in a rush to start the day. I am working at Sarahjane's school today for Teacher Appreciation Day. I have to speak this evening. I need to get a few groceries. It goes on and on for today - not to mention the 1000's of emails I have not returned and the pile of to do's with bills on the my desk that is growing. Ugh!!!!!! Calgon - thank you taking me away on next Thursday. Clay and I are going to Croatia, Venice, and some other stops along the way. Oh yeah - I need to get another tan in today as well. Priorities - ha ha!

Luke 4:13 "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time."

Oh Lord, Jesus.......this verse and story has kind of stopped me in my tracks. Here is Jesus fasting for 40 days all by himself in a desert. He has just been baptised and things seem to be going well. I know the times that I have fasted temptation has not played a role. Oh yes, I am tempted to eat or whatever, but for the most part it is the sweetest time with the Lord because of the extreme closeness I feel with the Spirit. Here is Jesus getting away to be with the Father and yet Satan is bugging him to no end. I guess the thing I need to remember is that even though I "get" alone doesn't mean there will be no temptations and that things will be peaceful and rosey.

My commentary also made mention to remember that "intense temptation was no indication of God's dis pleasure". Hmmmmmmmmm - that is something to chew on. I have always heard that if there is no issues in your life or nothing fiery going on - that is reason to sit up and take notice. Have yo fallen down and are not standing up for him or are have you just gotten lazy? Does satan see no need to bring anything your way - temptation, trial, test, whatever it may be.

The last part of that verse says that satan went away until the next opportune time... My oh my - he will not leave us alone and he waits to just the perfect time to bother us, tempt us, and try to defeat us... Be strong and courageous!!!

Lord, help me to deliver your message for these ladies tonight in an honorable fashion. Help me to speak your words and your mission. Help me to put aside self ambition or vain conceit. Help me to minister and to serve this church in whatever manner you would have!! Thank you Jesus!! thank you for this opportunity!!! May you be blessed!!! I love you!