Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert 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 does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (Matthew 4:1-11)

Jesus knew two things when we came in full contact with temptation at its ultimate peak. Jesus had to know that there was 1) more at stake than what meets the eye and 2) when it comes to temptation...your ability to withstand it has everything to do with your confidence in God.

Because let's be honest...Satan right in front of you putting on a full-on assault of temptation is unparalleled intensity. I can't think of any temptation stronger than that. We're talking about...the serpent, the deceiver, the father of lies, the god of this age...I could go on. He didn't get those names for being a swell fellow. And being tempted by the father of lies is wrestling with utter darkness. I hear students say all the time, "It was Satan that may me do (it)" It being...(sleeping with my girlfriend) (lying to my parents) (smoking dope) (buying more crap that doesn't matter while forgetting about the poor around me).

No...you've bought a lie.

Satan didn't make you do anything. You did it. You willfully chose yourself over God. Satan wants you to think that he did it...that's the only glory he can get. But if you can do his job for him- that excites him even more. (And if we are going to be honest...most people will never be tempted by Satan himself...that's the thing about Satan...he can't be two places at once...he likes to send his demon mob squad to spread lies- so your little comment about Satan making you do it is pretty flawed).

James 4 says, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." In James 1 we get a glimpse into a similar sentiment: "For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."

Don't blame the Evil One for the evil in you. But Jesus didn't have that evil in Him. And Satan knew this so he had to show up in person...had to put on the biggest offensive of his existence. So as you venture through the text here as Jesus interacts with the father of lies...you see an audacious, confident perspective. Jesus realizes there is more at stake here than what meets the eye. Their interaction really has nothing to do with food or power or rule (all the things Satan tempted Jesus with)...it was all about worship. It was about who Jesus was confident in to fulfill Him, feed Him, lead Him. And Jesus was convinced that nothing was more desirable, nothing was better than His Father. Period.

So when you are faced with temptation...when it is glaring straight into your eyes...you may even be touching it already...discovering if you want to continue on with the pursuit of it...look toward Jesus. Look toward His father. Do you really believe that thing you are about to throw yourself into is better than your Creator?

And could there really be something more at stake here than just what meets the eye?

What a ridiculous night! We were only missing two leaders and 14 students of our over 130 leaders and students going. I could already sense the movement of God in the lives of students- seeing us as the community of God merge with the purposes and love of God. Beautiful stuff.

If you are not a part of our August 2-6 camp- we need you begging God to transform hearts. Ultimately, there is no other reason for why we do something like this.

If you are a part of camp- you're not going to know what hit you. Neither will I. That's the beauty of the God we pursue (and who pursues us!)

Peace.

for the Mystery Trip that's coming up in less than a month!

Matthew 1:18: "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but before they married, she learned she was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit."

I will be making some posts in the next few months as I read through the Gospel according to Matthew (the first book in the New Testament). Keep your eyes open!

Ok- honestly I guess these aren't supposed to work out. I just received confirmation from the Bytwerk's that their pool is already being used tomorrow by another group so we are moving over to the Posthuma's at 2840 Dell Ridge Dr. Holt, MI 48842. This will only be from 11-2 p.m. The HS time is now cancelled due to prior scheduling conflicts with the Posthuma's pool. High schoolers- you now will have to join us at the 11-2 p.m. time slot.

Sorry for all the changes!

Ok, maybe pool parties are unholy or something because this is the second time in a row that we have had to cancel a pool party! But this time we have a second option...

The pool parties that were originally scheduled for tomorrow, July 15 are going to move one day later to Thursday, July 16 (at the same time). The day is the only thing changing.

Hope to see you there!

If you did not receive our bulk mailing earlier this month, please check them out at our main student ministry page: http://trinitywired.com/ministry/student-ministry.

Also, I would suggest contacting our Ministry Assistant, Shelly McGee at 517.272.3841, asking her to add your family to the bulk mailing list so you can receive mailings like this in the future.

Looking forward to merging with the movement and momentum of God along with you and your families!

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It's time for some poolage, grubbage and volleyball domination by yours truly on Wednesday. The forecast is calling for thunderstorms (sounds familiar huh? We already had one pool party cancelled because of rain), but it's going to take a lot for us to call off this one. We are also looking at a replacement day later in the week if Wednesday doesn't work out- but we are still thinking that it will be Wednesday!

We want you at camp- and don't doubt the fact that you'll be missing out if you aren't a part of it. It's easy...all you have to do is use the following sign-up form and get it in by July 19. 

Just received this e-mail from Steve Berg, who heads up all of our outreach relationships with Bingham Elementary. They are inviting Bingham students to be a part of our VBS in a few weeks, but they need to get the word out. If you are interested in helping, you can call Steve Berg directly or just show up. We should have a few representatives from the Student Ministry there! Check it out:

Get your forms turned in for camp and mystery trip! Don't forget you only have until July 19!

Quote from A. W. Tozer: