Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Satan�s second attempt to tempt Jesus came with the misuse of scripture. Satan knows that Jesus is the Son of God but that still does not stop him from attempting to cause Jesus to sin. If Jesus had cast HIMSELF down as requested by Satan, there is no doubt that Jesus would not have died. When Jesus was on the cross, HE acknowledged that all HE had to do was say the word and twelve legions of angels would come to HIS aid. Nonetheless, Jesus understood that HIS power was not in doing what was best for HIMSELF, HIS power was given to HIM to draw the world�s attention to the Father.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where for forty days HE did not eat. After forty days, of fasting, Satan came unto Jesus and said, �If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.� Jesus was the Son of God and all HE needed to do was say the words and the stones would have become bread for HIM to eat. Jesus however understood that God was leading HIM and that while HE understood that HE would have to eat soon, HE also understood that HE needed to follow God�s timing for HIS life.

Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Paul is speaking to the elders of Ephesus. Paul is telling these men that God is calling him to go to Jerusalem. Paul does not know what God is going to do, all he knows is that God desires for him to go. What is important to understand in this passage is the fact that Paul acknowledges that he has been tempted.

As Christians, we often make heroes out of the characters in the Bible. We often forget that they too were human and had to face trials and temptations. Paul was no different. There were times when he desired to quit but he had to persevere because it was God�s will for his life. Paul was faithful in serving the Lord but even though he was faithful, he was still tempted to sin and fall short of the glory of God.

Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and as taken up dead.

Paul was in Troas preaching the gospel to the believers. Paul was only in Troas for seven days and as such, this was the only Sabbath that he was going to be able to teach. Paul had much to share with the believers and as such, he preached long into the night.

Eutychus was a young man who attended the meeting Paul preached. However Eutychus, while a believer was not devouring every word shared by Paul. Rather then seeing how close he could be to Paul, Eutychus found a comfortable spot in the back sitting by a window. Sitting by a window gave Eutychus plenty of distractions from hearing all the words of Paul. In addition, because of his position, he was able to fall asleep with less chance of being detected.

Acts 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he
preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Philip had just baptized the Ethiopian eunuch. Immediately after Philip
baptized him, the Spirit of the Lord took him away. Philip continued to
do what he had been doing prior to God leading him out to the desert by
preaching the good news everywhere he went.

Philip had just seen God use him in a mighty way. However, rather then
sit back and brag to others about how God used him, Philip was diligent
in continuing to serve God. Philip understood that he could not afford

Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Jesus was traveling with Jairus to heal his daughter. While Jesus was traveling, a woman who had been sick for 12 years had the faith to touch Jesus� garment knowing that if she touched Jesus, she would be made well. Upon touching the hem of Jesus� garment her faith was rewarded and she instantly knew that she was healed. However, this miracle did not occur without Jesus knowing that someone was exercising faith and Jesus asked who touched HIM. Jesus immediately knew that virtue had departed form HIM.

I Thessalonians 3:7-8 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Your testimony does have an affect upon others. You may not think that anyone is paying attention to your life, but those around you will see the choices you make. The world is paying special attention to what you are doing since they are determining whether there is something different in your life that it makes it worth the effort to change. Your fellow believers also need encouragement as you testify how the Lord has been with you and seen you through certain situations.

One of the purposes of your Christian walk is to live your life pleasing to God as a demonstration to others in how they too can live their lives for HIM. Your testimony of faith when shared with other believers should encourage them to desire a closer walk with God. In addition, after hearing about your faith, other Christians ought to be encouraged to demonstrate more faith in their own life.

Two siblings have convinced themselves that the attic in their house is haunted. Mother asks the older one to go up to the attic to bring back a particular box. The younger seeing the older come back with no problems should ease some concern when his mother asks him to go pick up another box.

Testimonies are an important part of your Christian life. Your testimony is stories of how God has seen you through certain situations. If you share your testimony with others, it should encourage them that God is still alive. Paul was greatly encouraged at hearing the testimony of the church of Thessalonica that they were not yielding to temptation. Paul may have been a stronger Christian then the Christians of the church of Thessalonica, but nonetheless, the testimony of the church still encouraged him and gave him hope.

The closer to God you are, the greater the demonstrations of HIS working through your life. These stories are not designed for just you to hoard, but were given to you by God to draw others to HIM. Your testimony of faith is designed to show the unbeliever that you serve a living God. You testimony of faith is designed to show a weaker believer that they should increase their trust in God. Your testimony of faith is designed to show the stronger believer that you are growing in the faith and that you are striving to have a closer walk with HIM.

God is alive and active in your life every day. While you might not recognize it, you do need to change your focus so that you are more observant to the good things God is doing for you. That near miss as you were driving to work is a testimony of how God protects you. That conversation with an old friend was not just an accident, it was the Lord working out circumstances to bring you back together again.

As God works in your life, you need to note both large and small things that HE has done for you. There will be times in your life where Satan will be attacking you and you will need to remind yourself of God�s faithfulness in your life. How can you remind yourself of God�s faithfulness if you do not keep track? God is faithful; HE is the same yesterday, today and forever. Learn to take joy in God�s testimony in both yours and other�s lives.

I Thessalonians 3:6 But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Upon Timothy�s return from his visit to the church of Thessalonica, Paul received word that the church was remaining faithful. The church�s testimony was strong; they were not yielding to temptation. They were living their lives as Paul had hoped. Paul had sent Timothy because he was worried that the church had compromised its standards but Timothy confirmed that the church was standing fast.

The church in Thessalonica had the opportunity to yield to temptation when affliction came. This was an opportunity for them to turn from God and in return to their old sinful ways. Nonetheless, even though the tempter was attacking them, the church relied upon their faith and they put the Lord first. They understood that their faith was built upon the rock and that they could if they remain faithful overcome the storms of their adversary.

A mother told her son that he was not going to have dinner until he cleaned his room. She sent him back to the room to clean the room and she went her way preparing dinner. After a half hour, she began to wonder if her son was doing his job. However, she held off looking as long as she could in hopes that her son was doing what he was instructed to do. Nonetheless, in her mind, all she could think is that somehow, her son had been distracted with the toys and that since she was not there watching his every move, he was no longer doing what he was supposed to be doing but was instead playing. The mother was busy cooking dinner so she sent her oldest son to go check on her boy. When her son returned, she was proud to hear that her son was doing her will and cleaning the room.

Paul was human and as such, he understood the temptations that the church faced. Paul had great joy in hearing that the church was overcoming the temptation to forsake the faith. This church remained faithful.

God�s strength is sufficient to endure the temptations that are set before you. You do not have to yield to the temptations of the enemy. God has ensured that you have a solid foundation that will remain strong as long as you rely upon HIM. God is well pleased when you do not forsake your faith but instead continue to do HIS will.

Satan does not want to see you succeed. He will attack you and try to cause you to stumble in the faith. Nonetheless, as you continue to do the will of God, HE will give you the strength to make it through your trials one day at a time. God�s strength is sufficient for your next step. One step at a time you need to be like the church of Thessalonica that remained faithful and did the will of God.

Others are watching you to see how you will face the trials that are set before you. How you respond will affect others. As you remain faithful to God, your testimony will be an encouragement to others and give them the strength to also overcome the trials that are set before them. The struggle for your faith is never easy, but if you keep your focus on God, HE is faithful and just to ensure that you will overcome. Do not yield to temptation but instead use temptation to draw you closer to God.

James 5:17-18 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

You do not have to be someone special in order to do great things for God. You do not have to be a perfect individual in order to demonstrate your faith. All it takes is a desire to do the will of God and a trust that HE will do what HE says.

There was not anything special about the prophet Elijah. Elijah was subject to the same trials and temptations that we experience. However, Elijah was required by God to pray for no rain and his prayers were answered. Elijah did not pray a simply little prayer. Elijah had to pray earnestly in order to see God do something miraculous.

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, and he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Jesus is foretelling of Peter�s denial of HIMSELF. However, while Jesus knew that Peter would deny HIM, Jesus prayed for Peter that this would not cause him to lose faith. Jesus thus prayed for Peter�s conversion from sin. Jesus could have prayed that Peter have the strength to not to sin. However, Jesus understood the will of God and as such, HE did not pray for the stopping of the denial but instead prayed for the changed heart after the sin.