The Words

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Showing posts from February, 2026

You shall not put the Lord your God to the test

- February 26, 2026

Scripture — Matthew 4:7 (ESV) "Jesus said to him, 'Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Devotional After forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus faced a second temptation — and this one was subtle. Satan didn't just offer something appealing; he came armed with Scripture. He quoted Psalm 91, telling Jesus to throw Himself from the pinnacle of the temple and trust God's angels to catch Him. It sounded spiritual. It even sounded faithful. But Jesus saw right through it. He answered with Deuteronomy 6:16 — "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." That single line cuts to the heart of what real faith looks like. Faith isn't demanding that God prove Himself. Faith is trusting the One who has already proven Himself faithful, over and over again. We do this more than we'd like to admit. When prayers feel unanswered, when the hard season drags on, there's a part of us that whispers, "God,...

First victory over Satan in the wilderness

- February 23, 2026

📌 Scripture — Matthew 4:4 (NIV) "Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."' " ✍️ Devotional Matthew 4:4 captures one of the most pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry — His first victory over Satan in the wilderness. After fasting for 40 days and nights, Jesus was starving. The Greek word used here suggests He wasn't just hungry; His body was entering the beginning stages of starvation. And that's exactly when Satan showed up. "If you are the Son of God," Satan said, "tell these stones to become bread." It sounds almost reasonable, doesn't it? Jesus had the power. He was hungry. Why not? But this wasn't about food. It was about trust. Satan was tempting Jesus to act independently of the Father — to prioritize His own physical need over God's timing and plan. Jesus' response was swift and decisive. He didn't argue. He ...

Let it be so now to fulfill all righteousness

- February 19, 2026

Scripture Matthew 3:15 (NIV) "Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented." Matthew 3:15 holds a unique place in all of Scripture — these are the very first words Jesus speaks in the Gospel of Matthew, and remarkably, the first words attributed to Jesus in the entire New Testament. He doesn't open with a sermon or a miracle. He opens with a request for humility. Standing at the Jordan River, John the Baptist was caught off guard. He knew exactly who Jesus was — and he wanted to stop Him. "I need to be baptized by You," he said, "and You're coming to me?" But Jesus looked at him and said, "Let it be so now. This is the right thing for us to do — to fulfill all righteousness." Here's what makes this moment stunning: Jesus had no sin. There was nothing for Him to repent of, nothing to wash away. And yet He stepped into the water anyway — not for Himself,...

Welcome to The Words

- February 18, 2026

Welcome to The Words . Here I share short Gospel passages (NIV referenced) and a brief reflection. Each post includes one takeaway you can carry into everyday life. If you’re a Christian—or simply curious about Jesus—you’re welcome here. Thank you for reading.