Re:Verse reading–Luke 1:1-38 (day seven)
John the Baptist is an alien to us. In Luke 1 he is described as “great in the sight of the Lord”, never having alcohol, and filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb. How is that even possible? Matthew 3 reveals another time in John’s life, but it just as incomprehensible. John is preaching in the wilderness wearing a garment of camel’s hair eating locusts and wild honey. That sounds terrible.
As foreign as the peculiars are surrounding John the Baptist’s life, the message is familiar. In Luke, John is said to turn people’s hearts toward God (v.17). Matthew uses the term we are more familiar with: repent. John’s message to prepare the way for Jesus Christ was always repent. Repentance is the only way we can ever prepare ourselves to meet our God. Luke 1 focuses on two groups who need to repent. One, fathers must repent for not taking their God given role as seriously as God demands, and two, those that are disobedient to God need to seek out God’s wisdom instead of their own. Fathers: repent. Disobedient ones: repent.
We are not called to live like John the Baptist, but we should heed his message: Repent.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it”~~Peter Drucker
Peter Drucker’s quote has been my motto for change and for shaping a new direction. If the Kingdom of God is one’s future, Jesus is the way. If Satan’s Hell is one’s future, sin will continue to stay in one’s life!
In personal life and organizational life, change will transform the way we see things (personal) and the way we work (organizational). Change is needed when the same issues or problems keep occurring. In spiritual life, repentance will transform us. Repentance will transform us into another person, the person God wants us to be.
Our future in the Kingdom of God is certain if we trust in Jesus, walk in the Holy Spirit and by faith with God. God is our way. Let’s the Holy Spirit guides our hearts and minds. Only through repentance, we can feel the Holy Spirit works in us, feel forgiven and be transformed to a “new” us and a “new” you!! I am convinced! I am bought!
It is a challenge to change as Satan works 24 hours a day to build his Kingdom of Evil, but it is worth trying to become who God wants us to be and to receive our inheritance for God’s salvation and Kingdom. It takes patience, courage and determination for change or for any transformation efforts as Satan works hard to keep us away from God’s influences, but a life full of God’s love and mercies, peace, joy and happiness is worth fighting for. When the same problems continue to surface, change is the way. When the same moral and ethical issues and problems continue to surface, repentance is the way. Moving forward to a Godly’s life is desirable for all and will please God.
What and for whom are you fighting for? What is your prediction for your future? What are your strategies to shape your desired future?