When You are Called to Prepare the Way

 

"For he (John) will be great in the sight of the Lord.

He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,

and He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth"

( Luke 01: 15 )  (NIV)

Reading Passage - Luke 01: 05 - 17

                     John the Baptist was a forerunner. A man who made history by preparing the way for Christ Jesus; the Son of God. And it was foretold to Zechariah by the angel at the alter  that through John's birth many will rejoice and he will be a joy and delight to his family (Luke 01:14). John was a miracle child; a baby born to an old couple who were barren. 

                   We know by our knowledge of history that this foretelling became a reality through the life of John. But as we meditate on this foretelling we find something interesting in it; a prophecy that included its own Godly disciplines and spiritual needs. It was not just a simple word of encouragement and good news to Zechariah, but it was a framework of a Godly discipline that was presented to all of us; all of us who are called to prepare the way for the Lord in this world. A few interesting facts can be read between these lines.

                   Have you been called to be part of this great preparation that's going on? If you haven't realized your calling yet let me remind you, that everyone who knows that "Jesus is Coming Soon" is part of this preparation. This preparation didn't begin yesterday or the day before, this began the day Jesus rose up to heaven. So you are in it.

                 Now as you know that you have been called to prepare the way for Him, I want to encourage you to look at John, and what was told about Him even before he was conceived in his mother's womb. The word says 

                  "For he (John) will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth". Let me repeat those highlighted words for you. Great in the sight of the Lord - Never to take anything that gives you a temporary pleasure - Be filled by the Holy Spirit. These three things are essential for you to be a forerunner; an ambassador of Jesus Christ. 

Let me lead you into few questions.

                       

                        Firstly. John was great in the sight of the Lord. 

                      

Are we living a life that is great in the sight of the Lord? A God fearing and fruitful life. A life that will make God smile and also inspire many lives. I pray that all of us will be great in the sight of the Lord, doing deeds of goodness for Him, and become a testimony for Him. With everything that we do and with everything that we think, let the name of God be praised and His Kingdom grow.

                        Second. John never took wine or fermented drink. 

Is there anything that takes you temporarily away from the presence of the Lord? Are you depending on anything else than the Lord to free your stress at the moment? Whom are you depending on for your happiness? Is your bank account making you satisfied and peaceful? Has your job become an addiction for you? Is your relationship with someone becoming more important to you than your relationship with God? What is the wine in your life?? Take it away! Rip it out! God wants you to keep them away if you are to be a true servant of the Lord.

  

                        Finally, John was filled by the Holy Spirit while he was still in his mother's womb.

                      What is the place you have given to the Holy Spirit in your life? Is the Spirit filling you every day? Are there signs in your behavior, character and life that show the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Are you willing to be filled by the Spirit, so that His love will overflow through you to many others. His gifts will enable you to be a blessing to many others. This Holy Spirit that was sealed on us to guide, to lead and to inspire will take us to greater heights. The Spirit will enable us to move forward. That ever burning fire of passion will help us to sustain the good work.

                       Dearest Sister and Brother in Christ, I pray that God will enable you to be great in the sight of Him, will help you to give away all that hinders your beautiful relationship with Him and will fill you with His Holy Spirit.

May God bless you.