Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus was tempted in the wilderness after 40 days of fasting. Satan used His vulnerability (food), scripture and lavish visions to get Jesus to follow him and veer off course and fall into sin. Thats what sin is, right? Coming off the path that God has for us and taking an easier route? an enticing route? a seemingly more fulfilling route? One that separates us from our faith in the long run? Jesus, knowing full well that He was going to be tempted by Satan, prepared himself by fasting. There is so much wisdom packed into this story that can be taken away and applied to our own lives. Here are my top 3: 1) Know scripture so it can't be used against you. 2) Stay diligent in preparation. Don't be naive to how the enemy will work in your life. 3) The deeper and stronger your faith grows, the more the enemy will come to try to create wavering in your faith.

Matthew 5:14-16 Your hope for the future should look different for the non-believer. The way you handle hard, discouraging situations should look different than that of the non-believer. The way you carry yourself and the way that you speak should be different than the non believer. Because you have Jesus on your side and in your heart 🙌 But does it look different? Do people know that you are set apart based on the way you talk about your current circumstance or your future? How you treat people at work and behind closed doors?

Matthew 14: 29&31 : Jesus says "Come"... Take that step of faith. Trust me. I got you. You can do the impossible with Me. And when we do, and fail bc we let fear, doubt and worry of the unknown consume us... all we can say is " Lord, save me." And with His kindness He asks.. "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" You have seen me work in your life in so many ways. I wake you up every morning. I provide for your needs for the day. I died for you. What ways have you seen God work in your life? What are you needing to have more faith in right now knowing He is working on your behalf to make it happen?

Matthew 14: 27 Jesus took His time getting to the disciples when they got caught in the storm. They had traveled most of the distance when Jesus walked toward them on the water. The scripture says, Jesus IMMEDIATELY said, "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid" We are in the storms to draw us closer to Him. To find rest in Him and knowing that His timing is divine and perfect. When He shows up, ready to turn our situation around, we will hear Him in a mighty way.

John 5:6&8 - Jesus asked the paralyzed man "Do you want to get well?" Admitting that he could not do it on his own, he tried and failed many times... Jesus' next words were "Get up, take your mat and walk." Are you wanting God to answer your prayer or just do it for you? Answering your prayer requires a willingness to take steps of faith if thats part of the process. Answering prayers requires trust and faith that is greater than the fear, worry, impatience or doubt that you are experiencing. The paralyzed man had no relationship with Jesus. Had no idea who He was but took action anyway. Is your faith and trust in Jesus less than the paralyzed man's? What can your prayer be to turn that around?