same resources used by the Saviour are also available to us. You will note that Satan came to Christ first with the temptation to doubt God (vv. 1-3); then he came with the temptation to extremism and sensational ism (vv. 5, 6 ); then he came with the temptation to impatience and rebellion against the will of God (vv. 8, 9). These are all serious temptations and when yielded to, mother all manner of wicked ness. Note that Satan tried to get the Lord Jesus to doubt the Father’s goodness or His ability to care for our Lord’s tem-
test of our Lord in the sense that God the Father was not sure that the Son could hold out. Rather was this test given in order to demonstrate that Christ could not be persuaded by any means to swerve from the will of the Father. This incident is simply further proof of His essential deity. Life is filled with constant temptations besetting the Christian’s way. For this reason the account of the temptation of the Saviour comes with fresh interest. The tempter comes to each of us along the same routes by which he came to Christ. But, blessed be His Name, the
Lord and leaves them there, ne can face the difficulties of life with confidence. This has been the experience of God’s people through the centuries. Paul and Silas could sing in prison (Act 16:25). Paul could radiate confidence in the Roman jail (Phil. 4:13). Such inner pow er and strength comes largely through prayer. Prayer brings wisdom from above (James 1:5, 6 ); it gives courage and strength (Isa. 40:29-31). Think through the many benefits of prayer that help to pull us through in times of crisis. Dis cuss this matter fully in your group. En courage every member to develop his prayer life as one of the finest assets of his life. Jesus Prayed In the Spirit of Love Luke 23:34a Nowhere is the love of Christ more beautifully portrayed than in His prayer on the cross. For the very men who cru cified Him our Lord held no hatred or personal animosity. In this respect, as in all others, He is the believer’s supreme example. (Cf. Rom. 12:14, 15; 17-21; 1 Pet. 2:21-23.) Forgiveness is one of the requirements of answered prayer (Matt. 6:14, 15). Let not a man with bitterness or hatred in his heart expect to be heard in Heaven. The forgiving heart is the heart that remembers God’s forgiveness (Eph. 4:32). The forgiving heart is the heart that is in tune with God. Grudges held are like poison in the soul. An unforgiving spirit will diminish spiritual power! it will dry up the soul, it will callous the conscience; it will grieve the Holy Spirit, and bring ulti mate spiritual ruin. Let us practice the holy art of forgiveness. Let us freely and actually forgive all who offend us, and let us love them for Christ’s sake. Dec. 14, 1952 HOW JESUS USED THE SCRIPTURES Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:16-22; 24:27 The Word of God was given in order to be used (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Some peo ple have overlooked this fact. To them the Bible is not much more than a good luck charm kept in the home in order to bring God’s blessing upon it. Others think of the Bible as merely a literary master piece. But the Bible is the very Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and in tended to equip every believer for useful ness in the service of God. Our Lord Jesus loved the Scriptures. Having grown up in a devout Hebrew home, He had studied (the Old Testa ment in His day), memorized and lived the Word of God. Study the Gospels to see how often He referred to the Scrip tures, how often He quoted from them, and how carefully and lovingly He up held them as the authority of God (John 10:35). Our Lord Used the Scriptures In Times of Temptation Let it be understood that the tempta tion recorded in this paragraph is not a
THAT KEEP
(M
Christ’s Birthday this year, include Christian gifts for all ages. Here’s one interesting group; see others at your book store. Last time at these prices. BABY JESUS ABC STORYBOOK —Grand new book to teach ABC’s by associating letters with first story children hear, the birth of Jesus. Large, beautiful pictures, 32 pages, x 1%, 4-color glossy Kromekote cover. N o . 2 7 2 0 ... .P rice 50c
BIBLE STORY READERS —De luxe books for every child’s library; best Biblical art and modern full- color drawings; best-loved Bible stories, also prayers and poems. Five books, 144 pages each. Nos. 2171 (under 6 yrs.), 2172 (6 yrs.), 2173 (7 yrs.), 2174 (8 yrs.), 2175 (9 yrs.).................. P rice each, $1.25 BIBLE STORIES FOR LITTLE FOLK— Book of 44 Old and New Testament stories from Genesis to Revelation for children 4-8. Each story illus trated with beautifully colored page-size picture. 160 pages. N o . 2 7 3 6 . . . .P rice $1.50 LIFE OF CHRIST VISUALIZED— Gift set with 3 full-color books on the life of Christ in picture- strip form. 48 pages each. 675 full-color pictures. True to the Scriptures. N o . 2 0 7 1 . . . . P rice per set, $ 1.00 WHEN JESUS WAS BORN— Storybook of thebirth of Christ with full-color fold-up pictures which children delight to set up. Excellent for young children'. Full color, plastic bound. N o . 3 3 4 1 ... .N o w on ly 50c STENCILS FOR BIBLE STORIES— Brand-new book with 4 pages of stencils, 35 stencil figures to make scenes from stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and Ark, life ofJesus, Easter; also alphabet and figures for making any Bible verse.
N o . 2 148, Price $1.00 JUST FOR FUN— 96 pages of entertaining Bible puz zles for Junior boys and girls: crosswords, dot-to- dot, mazes, .hidden pic tures, quizzes, Scripture hunts and codes. 8 %x l]/ l inches, in 2-color art. N o . 2 985, P rice$ 1.00
Page Thirty-one
N O V E M B E R , 1 9 5 2
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs