'Make Way for the Lord--Part 2'
Yesterday we looked at the purpose of John the Baptist's ministry: preaching a baptism in repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Today, let's dig a little deeper into John's message in Luke 3:
John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." Even tax collectors came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't exhort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."
Notice John the Baptist's exhortation: produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He is telling us that if we are truly repentant, others will notice the change in us. We won't just talk the talk, but we will walk the walk; our lives will be transformed through and through and our transformation will bear much fruit. I find it interesting that when the crowd asks what they should do to bear fruitful lives, John the Baptist gives them a very practical response. He tells them if they see someone in need to provide for them, if they have to collect money, do not collect anymore than is necessary...basically, he is telling them: 'be content and out of that contentment, help others.'
Contentment. True contentment gives it all away, hording nothing. True contentment does not store up treasures here on earth, nor does it seek after that which is perishable by fire. True contentment enables us to live fruitful lives because we are not distracted by the managing and taking care of 'stuff'. True contentment is focused on others and not self.
What circumstances in your life are robbing you of contentment?
Dear Lord,
I fall down before you, asking for forgiveness. Forgive me for discontentment in the area of _____________________. Forgive me for holding on too tightly to worldly possessions. Open my eyes today--shed light on the darkness of this sin. Free me from selfishness--all in my life that has self at its core. Instead, make me others-focused. May I look outward and look to be your hands and feet to those around me. Show me needs around me, big and small, and let me be Your vessel today to meet those needs. Also, keep me others-focused today by reminding me throughout the day to lift up prayers on behalf of the women who will be attending the conference...that this conference will be a beginning for them --a beginning of an abundant, fruitful life.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
Showing posts with label John the Baptist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John the Baptist. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day Thirty-nine
'Make Way for the Lord--Part 1'
John the Baptist's entire purpose in life was to go before the Lord, readying the people to receive Jesus as their Savior. Before they could receive Him, however, their eyes had to be opened to their sinfulness. Thus, he went into all the hill country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:4-6 goes on to quote the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him, every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.'
John's message was one of repentance for the sole purpose of preparation. Hearts were being prepared, readied and softened to receive Jesus the Christ, the One that was to come. You see, repentance (the turning from sins) had to occur to open up the heart to the Gospel message. Obviously, we no longer are waiting on Jesus to come to complete the message, as they were in John the Baptist's day. Jesus has come! The Gospel message is complete! However, the same principle still holds true: Repentance must occur to open up the way to salvation.
Throughout history, revival has resulted among believers when God opened up their eyes and exposed their sin so vividly that they became completely broken over it. Revival occurs when we see ourselves in light of God's holiness and have the response of Isaiah (as in Is. 6): 'Woe is me!'
Today our prayer will be two-fold. First, we will pray for the unbelievers that will be coming to Deeper Still, for an opening of their eyes to their sinfulness--that the blind will see. Second, we will pray for the believers that are coming, for the sanctification of their hearts through and through, revealing blind spots of sin in their lives. And over both believers and unbelievers, alike, we will pray for brokenness.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you would open up the eyes of the blind women who are going to be at the conference, Lord. Open up those eyes so that they can see! Let June 10-11 be the days when lost sheep our rounded up and brought home, Lord! Pry their hands loose of their sins--may they give over every last bit of it! For the many believers that will be attending, myself included, I pray for an awakening...an awakening of Spirit within ourselves that will give us a fresh look at ourselves when compared to You, oh Holy Father. May you bring bokenness to each one of us, a deep eye-opening brokenness. Holy, holy, holy, are You Lord, God Almighty! The whole earth is full of Your glory! May we see ourselves as Isaiah did, Lord. May we have an accurate picture of ourselves, Father! Open my eyes and show me my blind spots. Sanctify me through and through. Ready my heart and the hearts of all the women that will be attending Deeper Still and prepareth the way for the Lord!
In the precious holy name of Jesus I pray,
Amen.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Day Ten
'Make Way for the Lord--Part 2'
Yesterday we looked at the purpose of John the Baptist's ministry: preaching a baptism in repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Today, let's dig a little deeper into John's message in Luke 3:
John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." Even tax collectors came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't exhort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."
Notice John the Baptist's exhortation: produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He is telling us that if we are truly repentant, others will notice the change in us. We won't just talk the talk, but we will walk the walk; our lives will be transformed through and through and our transformation will bear much fruit. I find it interesting that when the crowd asks what they should do to bear fruitful lives, John the Baptist gives them a very practical response. He tells them if they see someone in need to provide for them, if they have to collect money, do not collect anymore than is necessary...basically, he is telling them: 'be content and out of that contentment, help others.'
Contentment. True contentment gives it all away, hording nothing. True contentment does not store up treasures here on earth, nor does it seek after that which is perishable by fire. True contentment enables us to live fruitful lives because we are not distracted by the managing and taking care of 'stuff'. True contentment is focused on others and not self.
What circumstances in your life are robbing you of contentment?
Dear Lord,
I fall down before you, asking for forgiveness. Forgive me for discontentment in the area of _____________________. Forgive me for holding on too tightly to worldly possessions. Open my eyes today--shed light on the darkness of this sin. Free me from selfishness--all in my life that has self at its core. Instead, make me others-focused. May I look outward and look to be your hands and feet to those around me. Show me needs around me, big and small, and let me be Your vessel today to meet those needs. Also, keep me others-focused today by reminding me throughout the day to lift up prayers on behalf of the women who will be attending the conference...that this conference will be a beginning for them --a beginning of an abundant, fruitful life.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
Yesterday we looked at the purpose of John the Baptist's ministry: preaching a baptism in repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Today, let's dig a little deeper into John's message in Luke 3:
John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." Even tax collectors came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't exhort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."
Notice John the Baptist's exhortation: produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He is telling us that if we are truly repentant, others will notice the change in us. We won't just talk the talk, but we will walk the walk; our lives will be transformed through and through and our transformation will bear much fruit. I find it interesting that when the crowd asks what they should do to bear fruitful lives, John the Baptist gives them a very practical response. He tells them if they see someone in need to provide for them, if they have to collect money, do not collect anymore than is necessary...basically, he is telling them: 'be content and out of that contentment, help others.'
Contentment. True contentment gives it all away, hording nothing. True contentment does not store up treasures here on earth, nor does it seek after that which is perishable by fire. True contentment enables us to live fruitful lives because we are not distracted by the managing and taking care of 'stuff'. True contentment is focused on others and not self.
What circumstances in your life are robbing you of contentment?
Dear Lord,
I fall down before you, asking for forgiveness. Forgive me for discontentment in the area of _____________________. Forgive me for holding on too tightly to worldly possessions. Open my eyes today--shed light on the darkness of this sin. Free me from selfishness--all in my life that has self at its core. Instead, make me others-focused. May I look outward and look to be your hands and feet to those around me. Show me needs around me, big and small, and let me be Your vessel today to meet those needs. Also, keep me others-focused today by reminding me throughout the day to lift up prayers on behalf of the women who will be attending the conference...that this conference will be a beginning for them --a beginning of an abundant, fruitful life.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day Nine
'Make Way for the Lord--Part 1'
John the Baptist's entire purpose in life was to go before the Lord, readying the people to receive Jesus as their Savior. Before they could receive Him, however, their eyes had to be opened to their sinfulness. Thus, he went into all the hill country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:4-6 goes on to quote the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him, every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.'
John's message was one of repentance for the sole purpose of preparation. Hearts were being prepared, readied and softened to receive Jesus the Christ, the One that was to come. You see, repentance (the turning from sins) had to occur to open up the heart to the Gospel message. Obviously, we no longer are waiting on Jesus to come to complete the message, as they were in John the Baptist's day. Jesus has come! The Gospel message is complete! However, the same principle still holds true: Repentance must occur to open up the way to salvation.
Throughout history, revival has resulted among believers when God opened up their eyes and exposed their sin so vividly that they became completely broken over it. Revival occurs when we see ourselves in light of God's holiness and have the response of Isaiah (as in Is. 6): 'Woe is me!'
Today our prayer will be two-fold. First, we will pray for the unbelievers that will be coming to Deeper Still, for an opening of their eyes to their sinfulness--that the blind will see. Second, we will pray for the believers that are coming, for the sanctification of their hearts through and through, revealing blind spots of sin in their lives. And over both believers and unbelievers, alike, we will pray for brokenness.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you would open up the eyes of the blind women who are going to be at the conference, Lord. Open up those eyes so that they can see! Let June 10-11 be the days when lost sheep our rounded up and brought home, Lord! Pry their hands loose of their sins--may they give over every last bit of it! For the many believers that will be attending, myself included, I pray for an awakening...an awakening of Spirit within ourselves that will give us a fresh look at ourselves when compared to You, oh Holy Father. May you bring bokenness to each one of us, a deep eye-opening brokenness. Holy, holy, holy, are You Lord, God Almighty! The whole earth is full of Your glory! May we see ourselves as Isaiah did, Lord. May we have an accurate picture of ourselves, Father! Open my eyes and show me my blind spots. Sanctify me through and through. Ready my heart and the hearts of all the women that will be attending Deeper Still and prepareth the way for the Lord!
In the precious holy name of Jesus I pray,
Amen.
John the Baptist's entire purpose in life was to go before the Lord, readying the people to receive Jesus as their Savior. Before they could receive Him, however, their eyes had to be opened to their sinfulness. Thus, he went into all the hill country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:4-6 goes on to quote the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him, every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation.'
John's message was one of repentance for the sole purpose of preparation. Hearts were being prepared, readied and softened to receive Jesus the Christ, the One that was to come. You see, repentance (the turning from sins) had to occur to open up the heart to the Gospel message. Obviously, we no longer are waiting on Jesus to come to complete the message, as they were in John the Baptist's day. Jesus has come! The Gospel message is complete! However, the same principle still holds true: Repentance must occur to open up the way to salvation.
Throughout history, revival has resulted among believers when God opened up their eyes and exposed their sin so vividly that they became completely broken over it. Revival occurs when we see ourselves in light of God's holiness and have the response of Isaiah (as in Is. 6): 'Woe is me!'
Today our prayer will be two-fold. First, we will pray for the unbelievers that will be coming to Deeper Still, for an opening of their eyes to their sinfulness--that the blind will see. Second, we will pray for the believers that are coming, for the sanctification of their hearts through and through, revealing blind spots of sin in their lives. And over both believers and unbelievers, alike, we will pray for brokenness.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you would open up the eyes of the blind women who are going to be at the conference, Lord. Open up those eyes so that they can see! Let June 10-11 be the days when lost sheep our rounded up and brought home, Lord! Pry their hands loose of their sins--may they give over every last bit of it! For the many believers that will be attending, myself included, I pray for an awakening...an awakening of Spirit within ourselves that will give us a fresh look at ourselves when compared to You, oh Holy Father. May you bring bokenness to each one of us, a deep eye-opening brokenness. Holy, holy, holy, are You Lord, God Almighty! The whole earth is full of Your glory! May we see ourselves as Isaiah did, Lord. May we have an accurate picture of ourselves, Father! Open my eyes and show me my blind spots. Sanctify me through and through. Ready my heart and the hearts of all the women that will be attending Deeper Still and prepareth the way for the Lord!
In the precious holy name of Jesus I pray,
Amen.
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