GPS-The Floor is Lava

APR 13 / Sunday – Read Luke 4:1-13 / John 12:12-19 / Luke 22:39-46

Overview: To win, avoid the floor (hot lava) while navigating between objects above the ground. Because one slip and you fall to your destruction. Kind of like avoiding temptation, isn’t it?

14 / Mon – Temptation  |  Read Luke 4:13 / Matt 21:12-13

During Jesus’ time in the wilderness prior to his public ministry, he resisted Satan’s offers, but that wasn’t the last time he was tempted. The triumphal celebration and the people’s approval might have tempted Jesus to give in to their expectations. He knew his real purpose so he did not. Instead, he went into the temple to confront the religious status quo by speaking God’s truth. How do you keep focused on your mission when tempted to choose a different route?

15 / Tue – Antidote to temptation  |  Read Hebrew 4:15-16 / 1 Corinthians 10:13

In the children’s game – The Floor is Lava – each kid scrambles up on a sturdy piece of furniture to keep from falling into the ‘lava’ on the floor. Temptations can be ‘lava’ that burns you when you fall into them. They aren’t always immediately recognizable but, when you see them, use God’s words of truth to disarm your enemy. Exchange pride for humility, conquer envy with gratitude, and fight despair with hope. Do you know your weakest areas? Will you decide to pause before you react and then ask God to show you the way of escape He’s providing?

16 / Wed – Going through the fire  |  Read 1 Peter 1:3-9

There is a temptation, in circumstances that don’t make sense, to abandon your trust in God. If He loved me, why would He allow _____ to happen? Peter knew from personal experience what that felt like. Read his encouraging words again in v6-7. Do you realize how precious your faith is? Yet an untested faith is not really faith at all. Look at the results in v7b when you come out of the fire on the other side. If you are in the fire right now, listen carefully. You may find an answer or maybe you will hear God asking…do you still love me? How will you answer that question?

17 / Thu – The Last Supper  |  Read Luke 22:7-20 / 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Did you play the Matching Game when you were little? Cards are face down and you pick up two at a time. If they match, you keep them. If they don’t, you put them back. The cards use pictures to help you better remember them. Jesus knew that his people needed something tangible so he gave us the symbols of communion to remind us. Each time you receive this sacrament, will you ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember and comprehend the magnitude of what Jesus did for you?

18 / Good Fri – Surrender and death  |  Read Matthew 26:36-54

The battle was won last night in the garden. Jesus struggled with sorrow and anguish threatening to overwhelm his soul. He knew exactly what lay ahead; he knew what it would cost. He asked God for another way yet, in the end, he submitted to God’s will. He trusted His Father. He surrendered and then resolutely moved forward. Is God asking you to do something you dread, yet you know it’s what He wants? Will you follow Jesus’ example? It is the true test of your love for Him.

19 / Sat – The saddest day in history  |  Read Luke 23:50-56

The Jewish Sabbath was from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. It was time set aside to rest from distractions and focus on worship. The Sabbath that followed Good Friday had to be the saddest day in history. Jesus’ followers were in deep grief, devastated, and confused. Maybe you can relate? You’ve probably heard this said before, but it is a solid truth, especially in the kingdom of God: the worst thing is never the last thing. Sunday is coming. It came for the disciples then and it will come for you as well.