Overcome Temptation (FORTI_fied FRIDAY-II)

1) FORTI_fied Friday is actually a grand celebration for us.

2) Our Lord was tempted in every way by the devil, yet he stood against the devil.

3) Jesus FORTIFIED us.

4) All the answer and confronts of Jesus to the devil was, “As it is written”

5) This fortieth Friday, let us pray to the Lord for...

1) WORD OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

1 CORINTHIANS 12:8, "The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge."

The following verses from the Bible clarify the definition of this gift a little more lucidly

Proverbs 12:25 ,"Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up."

Proverbs 15:23 ,"What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!"

Proverbs 25:11 ,"An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver."

Temptation of Jesus by his enemies.

·        

•      When our Lord Jesus lived in this world, His enemies tried to test him in various ways.

• ·         We find that in Matthew 22:15, they plotted how they might entangle him in his talk in several ways.

• ·         Yet, as we read in Matthew 22:22,46, 

"When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away." 

   "No one was able to give Jesus any answer, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions." 

    His answers were pregnant with wisdom which he gave to those people, amazed them.

• ·         In the case of our Lord’s disciple Stephen too, his enemies were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 

(Acts 6:10, "But the Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom that when he spoke, they could not refute him.")

• ·        Our Lord promised us in Luke 21:15, "because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say."
•          Stephen was blessed with this Gift of Holy Spirit. Seek the Lord for Gifts of Holy Spirit.

·       

2) GRACE FOR FASTING 

 

•      Often people ask, Why should we fast? Let us meditate on the Word of God.

      1) TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS.

•     It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. ( 1 Peter 2:21)

•     Jesus fasted for forty days and nights.Let us follow His steps and offer prayer with fasting. 

 

      2) SEEKING HIS PRESENCE.

•       When we realize that God's presence is diminishing in our life it is essential to spend time alone with God with fasting. 

    3) FOR NEEDS.

•     There by the Ahava Canal I gave orders for us all to fast and humble ourselves before our God and to ask him to lead us on our journey and protect us and our children and all our possessions. (EZRA 8:21)

•      We can place our specific need in front of God with prayers offered with fasting.
•      Believe in Him. For either he will give you your heart's desire or he will give you the best. Be sure of his answers. TRUST HIM!

  4) TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD.

• For three days he was not able to see, and during that time he did not eat or drink anything.(ACTS 9:9)

• For three days Saul lost his sight. He even didn't eat or drink.
• Since he didn't know what to do next? Through fasting Lord enabled Ananias to reveal God's mighty plan for Saul (Apostle Paul).

  5) IN TIMES OF DANGER.

• When we read the Book of Esther, we see how the Jewish was saved by Queen Esther through fasting.

• In fact Esther is a very interesting Book where we see God's perfect work through imperfect people.

 6) FOR MORE DIVINE POWER.

• When our Lord Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and night, He received power from Heaven.
• Angels came and ministered him when He confronted Satan with the Word of God.

 7) DELIVERANCE FROM SIN.

• When the great city of Ninevah,fasted for forty days Lord forgave them.
• When JONAH fasted for three days, the Lord forgave him.

Let us pray and fast this Friday. Place your needs,sin and weaknesses before the Lord's Throne of Grace, and see Him delivering you.

-GOD BLESS YOU.