Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and

apply scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through

Friday as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In just three minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Thank you for joining today as we investigate Matthew Chapter 4.

It is difficult to imagine 40 days without food.

It is God's plan for the Holy Spirit to lead Jesus into the wilderness to fast for that length of time.

The devil takes the opportunity to try and stop Jesus' redemptive ministry by tempting him using three basic tactics,

the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

Each time Jesus refuses to listen and uses scripture to refute him.

Following this, an angel comes and comforts Jesus.

He then travels to Galilee to begin his ministry. He begins with this powerful

sentence, quote, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus gathers up his first four apostles,

Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He then goes about healing people and preaching, quote,

the gospel of the kingdom.

Here are some things from that chapter for our benefit.

Satan is not particularly creative.

When he tempted Jesus with stones to bread, with the world's glory, and with leaping from the temple,

it was no different than the temptations Adam and Eve faced in the garden.

He appeals to fleshly desires, distracted eyes, and a sense of importance. Adam failed. Jesus succeeded.

In the footsteps of Jesus, with scripture in our hearts and hands, we also can face temptation

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