February

The first commandment is so critical. To follow it, we must fear, love, and trust in God above all things, which includes our own self. More information does not equal being more informed.  

In this age of "information overload," everyone seems to think we are more informed nowadays, what with 24-hour news, social media, and real time communication. However, what we are missing is perhaps just how controlled that information now has become. The news is much more biased, and computer algorithms are swayed, such that, the information each of us receives is only that which someone else has decided we should receive. For instance, when you do a "Google" search, the results you see are based on algorithms set by you own personal internet usage. What you see is based on your own biases and perceptions. Not everyone has the same search results show up. Not everyone sees the same advertisements, or the same posts, or the same "news." You could say we are actually being manipulated by our own habits. Now that's a scary thought. And it's being played out, right in front of us, all on a daily basis!  

Adam's temptation was to doubt the Father's promises and to become his own "God." He was tempted to question, "did God say?" and was promised, "you shall not die...for God know that in the day you eat of it...you will be...like God..." (Genesis 3:1-4) 

As the Substitute for all the sons of men, Jesus is driven by the Spirit “into the wilderness” to be “tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:12–13), in order to endure and defeat all temptation. We are tempted by our own desire, which conceives and “gives birth to sin.” (James 1:14–15). But this blessed Man, Christ Jesus, remained “steadfast under trial,” and He has received “the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12). His faithfulness. His victory.  His life. Are now given to us by His grace in the Gospel.