Matthew 4:1-4,11 – 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.'" … Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (NIV 2011)

"Aw, shucks, I can't have that cake" doesn't work nearly as well as "I don't want that right now."

"I can't" sets us up to feel deprived, while "I don't" makes us feel like we have a choice, which we do, as in all temptations.

You see, the Bible says that angels are sent to help us and that they work according to God's Word.

Hebrews 1:14 – Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation? (AMP)

So if I am aligning myself with the truth of the Bible and if I am saying it, my angel is there to help me. So, let's take weight loss, for instance. Why not say, "I am full", instead of "I wish I could have a second helping"?

Philippians 4:11-13 – I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

Yes, this is the secret, that we can do all this through Christ who gives us strength.

Prayer: Lord, intervene in our minds. Help us to remember that we have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers us, and that we are ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into us; we are self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency. Amen. (from Philippians 4:13 AMP)

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About the author:

Brenda Wood <brenda.w@nextcom.ca>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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