June 16, 2023

Dear Road Church Friends,

On Sunday we will continue delving into the subject of temptation, using the story of Jesus’ temptation as our guide. When we recite the Lord’s Prayer together each week, we ask God to “lead us not into temptation.” Yet, the story of Jesus’ temptation begins by telling us that God did exactly that. God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. So, how does that jibe with the Lord’s Prayer? Another question this story raises is how the temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness translate into our experience today. What does it mean to turn stones into bread today, or make a death-defying jump off a high building? What do these unusual deeds have to do with being faithful to God in our day and age? Gather with us Sunday when we will try to find answers to these questions.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 116:5-14    SERMON: Lead Us Not into Temptation

The Lord is merciful and compassionate. The Lord watches over the plight of the weak. When I was weak and in danger, he rescued me. The Lord’s faithfulness has built my confidence in his goodness and his willingness to rescue those who cry to him for help. The Lord has dried my tears and kept me from losing hope. I have learned to always keep the Lord close and to never give up, even when it looks like failure is inevitable and I am all alone. I can never thank the Lord enough for all his goodness to me. I will bring the best of my wine to the temple as a thank offering to the Lord in the presence of all his people. I will always give him what I have promised.

A FATHER’S CREED

I would be true, for there are those who trust me,

I would be pure, for there are those who care,

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer,

I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all—the foe of none,

I would be giving, and forget the gift,

I would be humble, for I know my weakness,

I would look up, and love, and laugh, and lift.

by Howard Arnold Walter

PRAYER FOR STRENGTH

We are thankful today, O God for sending your Son to be the the Pioneer of our faith, blazing the trail for us. You led him into the wilderness to be tempted in every way just as we are every day. He was alone, weakened by heat, thirst and hunger, yet he resisted temptation at every turn and remained without sin. Have mercy on us when we are weak. Bring strength out of our weakness. Support us in times of temptation. Help us to overcome our selfish inclinations, the folly of pride and allure of power over others. Our prayer is that we would be good stewards of what you have entrusted to us, and that we, like Jesus, would emerge from the wilderness of our own temptations in the powers of your Spirit. Amen.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/Zk1kwq4EYZ8?feature=share