Matthew 4:1 says that Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. How did He resist every temptation? He preceded His answer with ‘It is written…’ then quoted Scripture.  Hebrews 4:15 says that He was tempted in all points as we are.

We take our example of resisting temptations from Jesus. That means that the Scriptures we need have to be hidden first in our hearts. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

Jesus was led into temptation. However, James 1:13 is a foundational understanding that we need. It says, “…God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Never will we be led by the Spirit into a temptation.

That verse defeats any lying spirit that whispers to us to engage with tempting thoughts. Verse 14 says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

Praying Scripture unites hearts with God’s purpose. 2 Peter 1:20-21 says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Here is one Scripture we can pray. We know from 2 Peter 3:9 that God is not willing that any should perish. We can stand on that verse as we fulfill His command to pray for our nation’s leaders.

Paul included prayer without ceasing as a strategic piece of God’s armor. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Agreeing with Scripture in prayer is so powerful. It keeps us from inserting our own personal agenda. Colossians 1:10 is a verse that I often use to pray for someone struggling with sin, overcome with circumstances, waning in faith, or veering off the path of righteousness. 

Acts 2:1 says, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Strong’s definition for with one accord is being unanimous, having mutual consent, being in agreement, having group unity, and having one mind and purpose. 

Everyone is on the same page. That is not how we could describe the churches in our nation right now. Some have veered off track. We must intercede for a united front based on the truth of God’s word. 

When Peter wrote his second letter, he warned against false teachers. James 3:1 says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

In Ephesians 4:1-6, Paul was calling the church to unity. In verse 12 he wrote that the teachers were, “For the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Edify means to build up.

Revelation 8:5 says, “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” The prayers of the saints were stored up, to be used in this cataclysmic event.

Years ago Reinhardt Bonnke, a German evangelist, held crusades in Africa. He built a high platform that he would preach from. Under the platform were intercessors. They prayed the whole time he was preaching. He called them, “Fire under my feet.”

We are living in unprecedented times in our nation and in the world. It is a call to intercede. As in Ezekiel 22:30, the Lord is looking for those who will stand in the gap. We need to be fire under the feet of our nation. Let’s fill the bowls of incense, so that the unquenchable fires of revival can be poured out!

Revelation 5:6 says, “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain…” 

Verse 8 says, “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Revelation 8:3 says, “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.”

Now watch what happened with the censer. Remember that it is filled with the prayers of all the saints. Just take a minute and think about it. All the saints…

In 1997 I bought an old mobile, and had the old shag rug removed. I replaced it with an emerald green carpet. I wanted to think of God’s throne room each time I vacuumed. Revelation 4:3 says, “And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.”

In Hebrews 4:16 we are encouraged to come into God’s throne room. It says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

As I read Revelation 4 this time, I thought about my emerald green carpet. My next thought was from trying to picture one scene. The four living creatures continuously say, “

…Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Note that they have eyes all around. I picture it as though they see a fresh revelation of Him and cannot contain their awe ~ as we will one day.

Psalm 15 is a barometer Psalm for me. David started out with two questions in verse 1. It says, “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?”

The answers are in verses 2-5. Let me recap: one who walks uprightly, works righteousness, speaks truth in his heart. Does not backbite, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend. Despises a vile person, honors those who fear the Lord, fulfills the promises that he makes. Does not charge interest to someone he knows, and does not take any bribes.

Verse 5 ends with, “…He who does these things shall not be moved.” I think of a barnacle that clings to a surface. Nothing can move it. Tempestuous storms do not phase it.

The Lord will shake the activities and relationships in our lives that detract from our testimony. We are called to a holy calling. Translation? Our lives would exemplify Him in every aspect. I encourage you to take inventory and measure your heart with God’s word ~ 

Revelation 3:2 says, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die…” The Amplified says, “Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains…” If a fire is about to go out, we must fan the flames to reignite it.

Hebrews 12:27 says, “Now this, Yet once more, indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.”

What have you neglected to remove from your life ? What have you become lax in? The Lord will use all kinds of adversities in your life to shake the activities and relationships that He does not want to remain.

What needs to be fanned into flame? What disciplines need to be reinstated? What relationships have fallen through the cracks that are in your sphere of influence? What have you begun but not finished?

All thoughts generate from what we believe in our heart. Our thoughts precede our actions. Our actions exude an attitude. Have you ever woken up in the morning in a bad attitude? You can attribute it to your thoughts before you went to sleep.

Years ago I heard a message entitled, “Coppin A Tude.” Our attitude is a reflection of our inner character. I love Hebrews 1:3. It says of Jesus, “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”

Philippians 2:5 Amplified says, “Let this same attitude and purpose and (humble) mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: (Let Him be your example in humility:).” Galatians 5:26 says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Here is our attitude barometer. 1 John 2:6 says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Let us put off thoughts that would taint our testimony, and put on a fresh attitude of humility.

I was walking and praying. As these words came out of my mouth I stopped to think about them. ‘Lord, help me to please You even in the attitude of my heart.’ I am sure it came from a verse that I messaged to a friend just before my walk.

Though this is written to married women, the words apply to each one of us. 1 Peter 3:4 Amplified says, “…hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which (is not anxious or wrought up, but) is very precious in the sight of God.”

We can play-act before others, but our heart attitude is always open before the Lord. Ask yourself this question: does my heart attitude please the Lord in every aspect of my life? David had a prayer that we can pray.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”