Gospel
Mk 1:12-15
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days,tempted by Satan.He was among wild beasts,and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:"This is the time of fulfillment.The kingdom of God is at hand.Repent, and believe in the gospel."

As I reflect upon Jesus being tempted by Satan while in the desert for 40 days, I am reminded of Satan's attempts to influence my life. There was once a circumstance in my life in which the only escape for me was to believe in the devil. When I speak of "believing" in the devil, I do not mean placing my faith and trust in him...I mean to "believe in him" as our children believe in Santa Claus or the Easter bunny...to acknowledge his existence. Before this experience, I had never really thought about the devil much at all. I was faced with the challenge to forgive something that weighed heavy on my heart. I came to a point that I had prayed over and over again and thought sure that I had forgiven, but still thoughts came back to my mind that made me miserable. Then, one day....a revelation...it must be the work of the devil. It was like the sun broke through the clouds...I knew that God wanted only for me to be happy, and it was not that He was allowing these thoughts...I HAD to acknowledge Satan and denounce him to rid my mind of his evil. Instantly, my fighter instinct kicked in...I said to Satan, "You are NOT going to do this to me. I have my God on my side, and we WILL defeat you." It was instantaneous...my thoughts were free, I physically felt this heavy weight lifted from my shoulders. Since then, I recognize when Satan is trying to weasel his way in again...sometimes I recognize it quicker than others...sometimes it takes some trying times before I can see clearly...but, ALWAYS God is there to protect me and to carry me...God never wants us to be burdened or hurt. He is ALWAYS there to catch us and carry us through.

When have you experienced Satan's attempts to find a place in your life? How has God shown you the way to defeat him?