If you'd like to watch, click on Pastor Squatch Musings!

Then Jesus said to him, “Get away from here, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.’”

Matthew 4:10, MEV

Money, power, riches, fame, etc., are great temptations for us all. This Satan knows about us, and he seeks ways to lure us away from God and into his deception. As a kid, I always loved the “O God” movies with George Burns. As I watch them now, I know the theology is horrible, but I still enjoy them. The third movie, “O God, You Devil,” highlights this temptation very clearly as a man misses out on the blessings he has because he yearns for something more. This is the devil’s playbook. Temptation doesn’t need to be big, but it begins with creating dissatisfaction and discontent. Satan offered Jesus all the power in the world, but the reality of world power is that it is deceptive. Like every temptation, each may afford some temporary pleasure, but may bring eternal torment. The reality is that once achieved, our sinful hearts will only yearn for more. As we turn ourselves over to serve God, we will find a greater sense of joy, and our wants will be changed. In Christ, we will better find our peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.