When did you last praise God for the marvelous way he made you?

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:13-16

Praise for God's Workmanship

Any biology text can illustrate how wonderfully complex the human body is. From brain cells to blood cells—each intricate component of our bodies is carefully designed. You don't have to take a biology course to marvel at how our eyes can take in the bright blue color of the sky, how our ears can detect a pin drop, how our nose can enjoy the aroma of ground coffee or the scent of a beautiful flower. How exciting it is to enjoy the body God has made for us!

David expressed this same wonder as he prayed this prayer. Set aside a few minutes today to praise God for his sovereign care.

Dear Lord, thank you for making me with such marvelous workmanship …

How much do you see God in his creation?

Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed to worship them? If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven. 

Job 31:26-28

We understand the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Hebrews 11:3

Sunsets and chromosomes

A student stood on the crest of a hill silently admiring the sunset. As the colors came to a brilliant crescendo, he suddenly shouted, "Way to go, God. Fantastic!" Then he raised his hand in praise to the Creator.

Dr. Carl Sagan marveled that a single human chromosome contains 20 billion bits of information. This corresponds to four thousand 500-page books—and that's only one chromosome! Yet Dr. Sagan never professed any belief in God.

When it comes to praising God for his incredible work in creation, some of us are more like Dr. Sagan than the student. We are quick to condemn those who deny that God created the universe, yet we, too, often forget to praise him for all that he has made.

We praise God for salvation but forget to praise him for creation. Whether we look at the grandeur of the heavens or the intricacies of a chromosome, we should stand in awe of our Creator. Praise him today for his masterful work.

The unwearied sun, from day to day
Does His Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand.

JOSEPH ADDISON

What does it mean to be created in God's image?

My heart overflows with a beautiful thought! I will recite a lovely poem to the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet. 

Psalm 45:1

Why does an artist paint, a musician play, or an author write? Because they are overflowing with ideas and must express them. Creativity is the overflow of a full heart and mind. But sometimes we're empty—or full of the wrong material. How can we be full of the beauty that will spill out in wonderful visions, sounds, words and movements? Take time to know God—the author of all creativity. Take time to soak up all that is beautiful. Take time to think. As your inner wells fill up, you can be sure that the creativity will soon be flowing out of your life in productive ways.

How can you help others avoid temptation?

Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. 

1 Corinthians 10:13

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. 

Psalm 119:9

Power over temptation

Because of some long-term unwise spending habits, the Walkers are now facing serious financial troubles. Their economic woes have been the source of constant tension and stress at home.

They have no idea how they got into this mess, much less how to get out. The thought of admitting their situation fills them with embarrassment.

Interestingly, in the midst of this major money crunch: Denise has gained some thirty pounds, is thinking about reneging on a financial commitment to her church's building campaign, and has also begun playing the lottery (something she used to call a stupid waste of money).

Donald has been escaping regularly into the world of internet pornography while he considers partnering with an old college buddy in a "can't lose" (i.e., highly questionable) business deal.

The Walker's situation reminds us that when we feel weakened and worried by the pressures and problems of life, certain temptations can seem irresistible. How would you counsel the Walkers using the above promise of God?

Do biblical examples, like Daniel, help you avoid temptation?

But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead. Now God had given the chief official great respect for Daniel. But he was alarmed by Daniel's suggestion.… "If you become pale and thin… I am afraid the king will have me beheaded for neglecting my duties.… "Test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water," Daniel said.… So the attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion… At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.… God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the time. And God gave Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of visions and dreams. 

Daniel 1:8-17

Daniel's example

Daniel, his friends, and many other young Hebrews had been carried off into captivity far from their culture, their temple, and their faith traditions. Suddenly exposed to the decadence of the king's table, most of them abandoned their commitment to purity and consumed the forbidden fare. But Daniel and his friends had already made a commitment to remain pure, and they had each other for accountability. We are more successful at resisting temptation when we have prepared for it. Determine ahead of time how you will respond in certain situations. And bolster your own resolve by sharing your commitment with another person.

Do you deeply mourn your sin, or choose cheap grace—and sin again?

Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness. He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. 

Mark 1:12-13

Mourning our sins

Lord, who throughout these forty days

For us didst fast and pray,

Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins,

And close by Thee to stay.

As Thou with Satan didst contend

And didst the victory win,

O give us strength in Thee to fight

In Thee to conquer sin

.

Lenten Hymn (v1,2)

CLAUDIA FRANCES HERNAMAN (1838-98)

We don't know a lot about the forty days Jesus spent in the desert before His temptation. We know it was a time of fasting and probably of prayer. When the devil came to Him, the conquering words of Scripture were quick on Jesus' tongue, so it may have been a time of meditation, a time of special communion with his Father.

This song draws the comparison between Jesus' forty days in the desert and the forty days of Lent. Traditionally, the Lenten season is a time of fasting. People "give up" something for Lent. The idea is not to punish ourselves, but to put aside something that may distract us from our communion with God. It is a time for special devotion to God, a time when He may "abide with us" in a special way. Lent is a time to refocus on our relationship with Christ.

Is it possible Jesus faced the same temptations you do?

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. 

Hebrews 4:15-16

But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. 

1 Corinthians 10:13

We experience temptation every day. Jesus himself was tempted in every way, yet his temptation did not lead to sin. It is not a sin to be tempted, but to prevent temptation from becoming sin, we must use all the resources God gives us to recognize, resist, and flee the situation. Since Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted, we can turn to him in all honesty when we're having a battle with temptation. Have you talked with him lately about potential situations that would be difficult for you?