John the Baptizer was courageous. John was passionate, but he realized he was just a "pointer" — someone who directed people to someone far greater than himself. Jesus was in existence long before John appeared on the scene. In fact, Jesus existed before creation. No matter how important others viewed him, John knew God had sent him to earth with one primary job: Point others to Jesus, the preexistent "Word" of God!
In a world full of people obsessed with getting their fifteen seconds of fame, John is a breath of fresh air. His life challenges each of us to ask an important question: Will I spend my life helping others know of Jesus' greatness rather than having them focus on me?
1 Samuel 12:20
"Do not be afraid," Samuel replied [to the people of Israel]. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart." —
Israel wanted a King. This crushed Samuel's heart and angered God with the people's lack of faith. Samuel, however, reminds them that while they have stumbled and fallen, they must not abandon the LORD himself. Instead, their political concerns must give way to their total allegiance to God and their willingness to serve him fully.
'Immeasurably More'
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
— Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Are you a dreamer? Even if you are not a dreamer, imagine the most highly impossible thing you could do to honor God. Then realize that God can do far more through you than that — more than you can even begin to imagine! And the power to do it? The power at work within you? Ah yes, you guessed it: It is the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16)! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within each true follower of Jesus (Ephesians 1:17-20).
Thought
This joy in God is not like any pleasure found in physical or intellectual satisfaction. Nor is it such as a friend experiences in the presence of a friend. But, if we are to use any such analogy, it is more like the eye rejoicing in light.
- Augustine
In a world full of people obsessed with getting their fifteen seconds of fame, John is a breath of fresh air. His life challenges each of us to ask an important question: Will I spend my life helping others know of Jesus' greatness rather than having them focus on me?
1 Samuel 12:20
"Do not be afraid," Samuel replied [to the people of Israel]. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart." —
Israel wanted a King. This crushed Samuel's heart and angered God with the people's lack of faith. Samuel, however, reminds them that while they have stumbled and fallen, they must not abandon the LORD himself. Instead, their political concerns must give way to their total allegiance to God and their willingness to serve him fully.
'Immeasurably More'
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
— Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Are you a dreamer? Even if you are not a dreamer, imagine the most highly impossible thing you could do to honor God. Then realize that God can do far more through you than that — more than you can even begin to imagine! And the power to do it? The power at work within you? Ah yes, you guessed it: It is the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16)! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within each true follower of Jesus (Ephesians 1:17-20).
Thought
This joy in God is not like any pleasure found in physical or intellectual satisfaction. Nor is it such as a friend experiences in the presence of a friend. But, if we are to use any such analogy, it is more like the eye rejoicing in light.
- Augustine
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post a Comment