How are we similar to John the Baptist, as Followers of Jesus

John was that voice crying in the wilderness preparing the way for the coming Messiah

“A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.40.3.NASB1995

We are in the wilderness of a thirsty and dry land, desiring something more than man’s wisdom, yet lacking any Hope. We as believers, are here to prepare the way, for the one who has now come, and gives hope. His name is Jesus. The hope is “Good News” to the one who believes in Faith.

“Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.3.1-2.NASB1995

“As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mrk.1.2-3.NASB1995

Matt 3:3 ; Mark 1:2-3 ; Luke 3:3-6

We are a voice, crying out to a lost and dying world that there is hope, both now and for an eternal future, to ALL who believe, JUST AS YOU ARE, not by anything we can do but accept his word, but by everything that HE DID FOR US.

May we be like John the Baptist, that many will be pointed to Jesus, by both our WORDS and our DEEDS.

Lord, May we all be as patient as you were to us, as we pray for those to turn to you, as the one who can save them from there sins, just as you saved us from ours.

bible.com/bible/100/2pe.3.9.NASB1995

Happy New Year, brothers and sisters. Out with the old, in with the new. Can’t wait to see what the Lord will do in each of our lives and look forward to hearing about it, from each of you.

bible.com/bible/100/isa.43.18-19.NASB1995

Because we have a loving Father, he forgives us. This is not a license to sin, but a source of great joy. He picks us up and washes us when we fall. All because of Jesus!

www.bible.com/100/psa.51.1-2.nasb

Key point in this verse. We don’t do good, to bring attention to ourselves, but to God. The temptation is to make it all about ourselves, and that takes glory away from God. May out light shine bright, for HIS sake today and everyday.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NASB
https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/mat.5.16/425

Beware of the legalism, that can so easily come upon us. God wants a changed heart, that compels us from within, to honor God, not some self righteous, me oriented, do good mentality that checks a box off. Jesus as God, showed us the Love, compassion and devotion to the Father, that he deserves, and we should desire. Thank you Jesus, for giving us your spirit, to help, and guide us, in our path.

For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/hos.6.6.NASB

The Christian life, is not about remembering a point in time. Salvation is about that, but it is just the beginning. We are called to follow Jesus, and that is not an intellectual exercise. The Bible says that even the demons acknowledge Jesus and shutter! We are Called to Read and study, meditate and pray, serve one another, minister to the weak and poor, share His Story…..You get the idea. If you have been, negligent in this area, confess it. We serve a gracious God who forgives, and separates our sins, as far as the East is from the West. Is that not Amazing! Let’s go out today, filled with the Spirit, and see what God will do. Please share if you see his work in your life today. I know I have already this morning. I had no idea I would be writing this, even after I saw the verse. God is so Good. Thank you Jesus!

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9 NASB
https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/php.4.9/3082

This was a response from God, for being outwardly religious, but inwardly wicked. All our hearts are inherently wicked, but Jesus sent his spirit, and his word, to help us change our hearts. If our hearts are changed, then our actions will overflow with pure motives. This would be a great life verse, don’t you think? God Bless, Alan

I want you to stop and think about this, with me for a minute. Jesus’s way, is not the world’s way. We are called to Love our enemies, not destroy and overcome, like the worldly view. We overcome with Love and Compassion, just as Jesus did. Think about an enemy, or someone you are at war (there is strife of some sort) with right now. Show compassion and love to them, but don’t do it to get something. Do it because that is how Jesus did it. The rest is not up to us. God Bless you today.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
LUKE 6:36 NASB
https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/luk.6.36/420

Lord, may our hearts humbly bow before you, in persistent prayer. May we be alert, to the needs of others, so we might lift them up. Reveal yourself to us, through answered prayer, even though it may not be, what we wanted the outcome to be. May we always remember, that you care about us and love hearing our petitions.

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
COLOSSIANS 4:2 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/col.4.2.NASB