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Not By Bread Alone – Beloved Women – October 23, 2023

READ

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 ESV)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT

If you knew you were about to go to war with your greatest enemy what would you do? Prepare, right? That’s exactly what we see Jesus do in Matthew 4 before He is tempted by the devil. Interestingly, His preparation for this confrontation consisted of Him fasting for 40 days. I find this very peculiar. He is about to go to war against His enemy and decided not to strengthen Himself with food, but deprives Himself of it. However, His victory over the enemy teaches us that the strength we need for our spiritual battles does not come from this physical world. Jesus reminds us that we cannot survive “by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 ESV)

Physical weapons, no matter how great they are, will not help us in a spiritual battle. If we want to win against the temptations and trials we are facing, we need less of our strength and more of God’s because it’s in our weakness what God’s strength shows up greatest. I encourage you today to not become discouraged by your weaknesses but to lean even more on the strength of our mighty God.

PRAY

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for your strength when I am weak. I can do so much more with You than on my own. Please help me to always seek You for strength, confidence, and wisdom. In Jesus Christ Name, I pray. Amen.

REFLECT

Have you ever experienced God show up with great strength when you felt weak? How did that experience grow your faith?

RELATED RESOURCE

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CONNECT

Find more encouragement from Christina Patterson at www.belovedwomen.org and download her “Worry-Free” video Bible study + prayer guide here.

© 2019 by Christina Patterson. All rights reserved.

For more Beloved encouragement including Daily Devotionals, practical advice for everyday Christian living, Bible Studies, and more be sure to visit us at www.belovedwomen.org.

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