Matthew 4:1 (ESV): “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” The Holy Spirit will never tempt us, but He will lead us into places of testing. Don’t despise the wilderness—it is part of every Christian’s journey. It is there that what is truly inside of us is exposed. It is there that our weaknesses surface and our need for growth becomes undeniable. The wilderness is not punishment; it is preparation. Lean into it. Let God do His r

Matthew 3:16-17 (ESV): “ 16  And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17  and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”” Jesus was fully righteous in all His ways. That is partly why He was pleasing to the Father. It wasn’t just because He was the Son, but also because He did the w

Matthew 3:8-10 (ESV): “ 8  Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9  And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10  Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” The true sign of Christian sonship is a changed life. One can say they are a believer, but unless they bear the