By Justin Schaeffer

Pastor Steve wrapped up the Lords prayer this morning with a challenging devotion (in other words…it was challenging to follow at 7am!). He traced the word translated “temptation” in Matthew 6:13 throughout the New Testament and revealed to us a robust meaning including ‘testing’ and ‘trials’. He basically set up the juxtaposition that Jesus is, on one hand, asking for God to not lead us into temptation while on the other hand, in the sense of testing and trials, He often does lead us into temptation (yet would never entice us to evil). I think the notes speak for themselves, so I commend the scripture to your hearts and encourage you to meditate on what Jesus means when He prays “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (or the evil one)”.

Our Purpose (Romans 15:30 paraphrased): I urge you brothers, by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayer to God the Father for the glory of the name of Jesus.

Matthew 6:9-13
9Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread,
12and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil (or the Evil One).

Luke 8:13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.

Luke 22:28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,

Luke 22:40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Timothy 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Temptation commonly means “solicitation to that which is evil.” God never solicits us to do evil (James 1:13-15), but God does allow/ordain/intend that we be tempted by the world (1 Jn 2:15-16), the flesh (Ro 7:17-18), and the devil (Mt 4:3). In this sense “temptation” is common to all, and for the Christian it is a test—one that God means for good (shaping us into his image), and satan means for evil (to mar and distort the image of God). Temptation is not necessarily evil in itself, but it can include enduring great evil and difficulties (trials) – think of Jesus or Job – which in themselves become temptations to respond in kind with sin and evil (as in Job’s wife). In this sense temptation/testing/trials must be endured by all, and God promises to give us strength in the midst of them, and ultimately to deliver us from them (1Cor 10:13, 2 Pet 2:9) and from the devil (Heb 2:14-15). In the meantime we are to know in the face of solicitation to evil from the world, the flesh and the devil that we belong to Jesus and therefore sin cannot gain ultimate victory (Rom 8:1-11; Phil 1:6). We are also to free even to rejoice in the face of great trials knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:31-39).

When we pray “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” we do so in the midst of a world where temptation/testing/trial are our daily experience. Praying this prayer with faith gives me full assurance that all the testing, temptation, trial, tragedy, hardship, difficulty, and “sifting” I may experience in life has passed through my Fathers loving hands, is under the control of King Jesus my intercessor, as well as the power of the Holy Spirit our comforter/counselor.

Luke 22:31-32 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Strategic Prayers for our Campus

MEN’S ADVANCE

• Pray that those God has drawn to warm beach this weekend will be blessed, equipped, energized, and called to His mission.
• Pray for Pastor Steve and the other speakers leading sessions this weekend that the Holy Spirit will bless them with humility and wisdom as they prepare and that He would use them to speak God’s word into the lives of our men.
• Pray for those leading volunteer teams for setup, registration, hospitality, sports, production, and breakdown and for their volunteers, that God would be going ahead of them to put together all the details in order that they might serve those attending well and accomplish God’s purposes for the advance this weekend.

THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

• Justin Schaeffer will be leaving for vacation on Sunday and returning Monday the 26th. Please be in prayer for him and his family as they travel and seek to get recharged and refreshed.
• Please pray for Jeff Gwin as he seeks to learn his new job and take on Justin’s responsibilities while Justin is gone.
• Pray for Pastor Steve as he prepares to preach on May 25th.
• Pray for the band that will be trying out for us tonight at Proxy. Pray that God would give us discernment to judge whether they are ready or not to lead worship on Sundays. And please pray that they are ready! 
• Pray that God would provide enough worship bands for Jeff to fill out our June, July, and August schedules.

SHORELINE CAMPUS MISSION & COMMUNITY

• Pray that God would give the staff and campus leadership creativity and wisdom to provide ways for the body to connect with one another in simple relational ways.
• Pray for our community groups, that they would continue to be well attended and would provide a place for the majority of our body to be known at a deep and real level in order to walk in the light and be blessed, ministered to, and equipped by the body of Jesus.
• Pray that those who don’t fit into the community group model would find other ways of being in community through serving, charter groups (affinity groups), mercy ministry events & opportunities, etc…

PERMANENT LOCATION

• Please continue to pray that God would provide a building for us in the Northend.
• Pray that our relationship with Crista would continue to be a blessing to both organizations.

CAMPUS PRAYERS

• Pray for people and their families on our campus that are asking God for faith, but feeling forgotten by God, that they would come to know His faithfulness in their hearts and would know the joy and peace that comes with knowledge of His character.
• Pray for a newly-wed man at our campus who is currently working two jobs in construction who would like to be able to use his mind more in his work and would like to be able to find a single job that could provide the income he needs so that he can cut down to one job in order to be with his new wife.
• Pray for wives on our campus who are victims of spousal abuse
• Pray for the many broken marriages on our campus
• Marriages near to divorce
• Spouse attends church alone w/ out their spouse
• Wives who desire their husbands to lead spiritually and husbands who have abdicated their roles.
• Pray for divorcees and single parents on our campus – that they can find the love of Jesus through His body – the church and that by the Holy Spirit they might see their true identities in Christ.
• Pray for those in our body experiencing stressful financial times, those who are looking for work, and those who are having a hard time at work.