Study Daily
Fruit in the Fundamentals (Day 3) // Prayer 365
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”” - Matthew 4:1-4 NIV
Our theme for this week of devotion and prayer is "Fruit in the Fundamentals." Just about everything in this world is built on fundamentals, basics that support a greater goal or mission. Athletes use fundamentals, and so do musicians, physicians, teachers and other professionals. It's the ability to do the fundamentals very well that separates limited success from sustained success. This week we're focusing on four spiritual fundamentals: Prayer, Study, Worship and Forgiveness. Today we are focusing on the second fundamental, which is to study daily.
Studying the word of God is not reserved for preachers and teachers, but is essential nutrition for every believer. Just as our spirits need prayer like our lungs need air, our spirits need God’s word like our bodies need food. The difference is that we need the spiritual more than the physical because we are spiritual beings housed in fleshly bodies. Jesus proved this to be the case when He was tempted in the wilderness. It’s recorded both of the fourth chapters of Matthew and Luke where He fasted for 40 days and nights. It’s clear that His flesh was hungry, as every person would be, some much more than others. And the tempter, which is Satan, came and and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
I want you to understand that Jesus was fully capable of doing so but this is beyond food, beyond the miracle, this was about identity. Satan took a shot at Jesus’s identity by saying, “If you are the Son of God…” as to imply that He wasn’t. Jesus had no need to prove anything to Satan as Satan already knew who Jesus was. Then He made a bold declaration, referencing Deuteronomy 8:3, that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In this world there’s an endless hunger for fame and the need to prove ourselves to people in order to receive their approval. This causes us to abandon who we were designed to be and chase down a fruitless path of proving our value to others. It’s a hunger that we cannot satisfy.
This is why I believe that Jesus’s response is so significant because in response to an attack on His identity, He referred to the word of God. It’s in God's word that we find our identity; yes, who we are is based on what He says. And like Jesus was attacked, we too will be attacked daily where where someone will question your identity, ability and worth. You must not react to their words, but respond by God’s word because in His word we find our identity. Not only that but we find our healing, peace, strength, encouragement, value, direction, among other things. It’s in God’s word that we find the answer to every challenge we face. It’s in His word that we learn God’s character and His rhythm.
We need the word of God like our bodies need food. Commit to studying at least 10 minutes a day and I believe it will bring forth fruit in your life as you connect your spirit with the very thing that sustains it.
Prayer Focus: The desire and discipline to study God’s word daily.
I'm praying with you and for you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
Our theme for this week of devotion and prayer is "Fruit in the Fundamentals." Just about everything in this world is built on fundamentals, basics that support a greater goal or mission. Athletes use fundamentals, and so do musicians, physicians, teachers and other professionals. It's the ability to do the fundamentals very well that separates limited success from sustained success. This week we're focusing on four spiritual fundamentals: Prayer, Study, Worship and Forgiveness. Today we are focusing on the second fundamental, which is to study daily.
Studying the word of God is not reserved for preachers and teachers, but is essential nutrition for every believer. Just as our spirits need prayer like our lungs need air, our spirits need God’s word like our bodies need food. The difference is that we need the spiritual more than the physical because we are spiritual beings housed in fleshly bodies. Jesus proved this to be the case when He was tempted in the wilderness. It’s recorded both of the fourth chapters of Matthew and Luke where He fasted for 40 days and nights. It’s clear that His flesh was hungry, as every person would be, some much more than others. And the tempter, which is Satan, came and and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
I want you to understand that Jesus was fully capable of doing so but this is beyond food, beyond the miracle, this was about identity. Satan took a shot at Jesus’s identity by saying, “If you are the Son of God…” as to imply that He wasn’t. Jesus had no need to prove anything to Satan as Satan already knew who Jesus was. Then He made a bold declaration, referencing Deuteronomy 8:3, that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In this world there’s an endless hunger for fame and the need to prove ourselves to people in order to receive their approval. This causes us to abandon who we were designed to be and chase down a fruitless path of proving our value to others. It’s a hunger that we cannot satisfy.
This is why I believe that Jesus’s response is so significant because in response to an attack on His identity, He referred to the word of God. It’s in God's word that we find our identity; yes, who we are is based on what He says. And like Jesus was attacked, we too will be attacked daily where where someone will question your identity, ability and worth. You must not react to their words, but respond by God’s word because in His word we find our identity. Not only that but we find our healing, peace, strength, encouragement, value, direction, among other things. It’s in God’s word that we find the answer to every challenge we face. It’s in His word that we learn God’s character and His rhythm.
We need the word of God like our bodies need food. Commit to studying at least 10 minutes a day and I believe it will bring forth fruit in your life as you connect your spirit with the very thing that sustains it.
Prayer Focus: The desire and discipline to study God’s word daily.
I'm praying with you and for you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
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More from this week:
Did you know that Thryve Church prays together 365 days a year? Join us Monday-Friday at 6:30am & Saturdays at 8am for "Prayer at the Altar" by dialing 339- 207-7471 and then join us Sundays at 11am for Worship Service! Learn More