Prayer: When we seem to be led into difficult times, strengthen us with your Word and send those to tend to us with care. Amen Reading: Matthew 4: 1-11 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Hard times come to everyone. Sometimes unexpectedly; sometimes we see them ahead. Not sure which is better or worse: to not see them coming or to know they are just around the corner. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert so surely he knew he was in for a difficult time. After forty days of fasting, he was hungry and that is just when the devil started in on him. But for every tempting suggestion the devil had, Jesus had God's Word for an answer. Hungry? Turn stones into bread! No. God's word feeds me. Need help? Throw yourself down so the angels come to save you. No. I will not put God to the test. Okay, fine, bow down to me and I will put you in charge of everything. No. I will worship and serve only God. And with that, the devil left Jesus and angels came and attended him. Whether or not we see hard times coming, it would be best to have the Word on hand and in our hearts. Then, trust that care will be sent as needed. --Ruth Gates
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