It’s Getting Done

John 3: ²² After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptised. ²³ Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptised. ²⁴ (This was before John was put in prison.) ²⁵ An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. ²⁶ They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan – the one you testified about – look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’

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Working long hours, I felt exhausted but satisfied. I mean I had everything under control, or so I thought. “Why don’t you let that person do this part of the project now?” my boss said directedly. When the person did their work, I felt a sense of jealousy. They were getting accolades I was used to getting.

• I felt jealous.
• I felt I was losing accolades.
• I felt I was slipping in value.

JESUS and HIS disciples were baptizing people and John “The Baptist’s” disciples questioned why these guys were doing this. They noticed their crowd was getting smaller and smaller and sensed something was wrong, or so they thought.

• GOD wants me to be part of a team who bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to see how HE is working through others.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM daily for what HE is doing, especially when someone else is doing it.

As long as it is getting done, who am I to argue. If someone else is serving GOD by serving others, I do not need a pat on the back or an accolade for what I am doing. GOD sees what I am doing as part of HIS plan for all of humanity. HE knows the pie is big. In other words, HE knows the harvest is plenty and the laborers are few. I am glad I am part of GOD’s big picture.

• Are you jealous of someone’s abilities?
• Do you talk bad about someone so you can get praise?
• Will you stop trying to point at yourself and allow GOD to work through others and through you?

Why Do You Do What You Do?

John 1: ²⁴ Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ questioned him, ‘Why then do you baptise if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?’

²⁶ ‘I baptise with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷ He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

²⁸ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

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“Here, take these” were the words as he handed me a pair of shoes. A friend saw my holey shoes and gave me a pair of his. I couldn’t afford new shoes and I couldn’t pay him back. “Here, take my car” said an uncle, giving me his car for a few dollars.

• Sometimes I wonder what makes people do what they do.
• Sometimes I wonder what the motive is behind their actions.
• Sometimes I wonder why people have helped me.

“Why do you baptize?” the church leaders asked John, questioning his authority. John gave his reason, namely JESUS.

• Because JESUS saved me, I am forever grateful.
• Because JESUS saved me, I feel a desire to server others.
• Because JESUS saved me, I want others to crave HIS grace.

When I get tired, JESUS is there to strengthen me to continue on. When things are falling apart all around me, JESUS is there to pick up the pieces and make me whole. JESUS gives me purpose and keeps me going. HE is my desire.

• Why do you do what you do?
• Are you trying to satisfy your inner desires?
• Can you turn your desires over to GOD so HE can do a marvelous work through you today?

All Taken Care Of

John 1: ¹⁹ Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders^[c] in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Messiah.’

²¹ They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’

He said, ‘I am not.’

‘Are you the Prophet?’

He answered, ‘No.’

²² Finally they said, ‘Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’

²³ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Make straight the way for the Lord.”’

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“How much do I have to pay?” was my worrisome question. “Nothing” was the reply. “This trip to the islands is an all expense gift that is given to you and your family.” “You mean I don’t have to do anything?” I asked again.

• There were times when I felt some things were too good to be true.
• There were times when I thought I had to do something even when I didn’t have to.
• There were times when I felt I had to be someone I did not have to be in order to get something special.

John made it clear that he was not the Messiah. He was simply the one who would tell everyone about the great news of JESUS’s arrival. A very simple message was given to people by John that JESUS came to save the world. John didn’t even have to go and get the people. They came to him.

• GOD says to me “I freely give you the gift of salvation.”
• GOD says to me “I will knock on your heart. If you open the door I will come in and sup with you.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who pursues you. Open your heart and I will live with you forever.”

JESUS is the messiah and HE did it all. Sometimes I feel pressure to do more so I can ne “closer” to CHRIST. How much closer can GOD get to me than inside of me? JESUS sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to dwell in me when I confessed I needed HIM as my savior.

HE gave me an unbelievable gift that seems too good to be true… BUT it is! JESUS wants me to be with HIM and HE took care of everything. All expenses of sin are paid. I can enjoy eternal life because of HIM.

• Do you think you have to do more in order to please GOD?
• Do you feel you are “far” away from GOD because you are not getting your way fast enough?
• Will you allow GOD to work in your life and take care of all your needs today?

Nobody Greater

Luke 7: ²⁴ When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵ But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.²⁷ This is he of whom it is written:

‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

²⁸ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

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“Wow” is all I could say as I walked into the executive wing. I saw a meeting with the top executive in the company making plans and doing whatever they did. “I want to be great like them” I said to myself.

• I used to have a different definition of greatness.
• I used to think greatness meant wealth and power.
• I used to see greatness as being a corporate executive whit a huge internal following.

JESUS spoke specifically about the greatness of John. He wasn’t dressed fancy or live in a fancy house. In fact, John was homeless and wore animal skins. JESUS says John was great because he put all of his time into spreading the great news about JESUS.

• GOD wants me to see HIM as my measure of greatness.
• GOD wants me to know that humans have no power over HIM.
• GOD wants me to know that Spiritual HIS kingdom is greater than any human.

Fancy cars, houses and tailored clothes does not make one great according to the LORD. GOD wants me to focus on bringing people to HIS kingdom. The least in HIS kingdom is greater than any rich or powerful human. GOD’s definition of great is what I seek.

• Are you seeking greatness?
• Do you want to be seen by humans as being great?
• Can you change your definition of greatness and focus on GOD’s greatness today?

Rejoicing

Luke 1: ³⁹ Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, ⁴⁰ and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

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With car now dented, I had to drive around town with less pride than before. It was raining this particular day and when I tried to roll up the window it tilted and I could only roll it up part of the way. “And now my stinky life is complete” I thought to myself as I headed off to clean toilets at work.

• Sometimes I was not filled with joy.
• Sometimes I thought life really stinks.
• Sometimes I could only see the negative in life.

Two women held the most joyous conversation in history. Miracle babies would be born around the same time and one would redeem the world. I can only imaging the conversation as they spoke quickly and with deep excitement! The HOLY SPIRIT was in the middle of their conversation as they spoke of “belief.”

• GOD wants me to focus on HIS promises when I am feeling glum.
• GOD wants me to practice my belief when I am feeling down.
• GOD wants me to look at HIS deliverance when I am feeling low.

Life has a daily choice. I can spend each day down or I can choose to rejoice in spite of situations. GOD has already blessed me and all I need to do is sit back and watch HIM fulfill HIS promises with the might HE has.

• Are you down right now?
• Do you think everything around you is falling apart?
• Can you focus on GOD instead of looking at the waves splashing around you?
• Will you believe today?

How to Spread

Mark 1: The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, ² as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”—
³ “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

⁴ And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶ John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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One of the hardest things for me to do was to talk about JESUS to someone. What if they didn’t want to hear it? What if I am laughed at? What if they reject what I am saying?

• There were times when I did not want to talk about CHRIST.
• There were times when I feared speaking about JESUS.
• There were times when I thought more about my reputation than GOD’s reputation.

John was truly the second greatest human to ever live. He dedicated his entire life to telling people about CHRIST. He had the right attitude and the right message.

• JESUS wants me to understand I have a purpose, namely to speak about HIM.
• JESUS wants me to know I am not the center of attention rather HE is the primary subject.
• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS return so I can point people to HIM rather than fixing their ills.

Preparing the way is still desired by CHRIST, HE wants me to tell people there is still hope in a hopeless world. JESUS is that hope, not mankind. HIS message is simple, just believe.

• Are you trying to get people to pay attention to you?
• Do you want to be the center of attention?
• Will you point people to JESUS today instead of yourself?

Your Story

Matthew 11: ⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

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JESUS spoke about John in a special way because John dedicated his entire life speaking about JESUS. It made me think… I speak so many wasted words are spoken on a daily basis.

I mean, my thoughts are on family health, work, business, bills and sports all of which are not problems but what should my “story” be?

• GOD wants to brag about how I spoke about HIS SON.
• GOD wants to boast about how I stood firm in my beliefs in HIS SON.
• GOD wants to crow about how I took time out of my day and spread HIS good news about HIS SON.

John is not a person to compete against by saying “I’m going to be better than John,” rather he is one to be admired. I admire that fact that he followed his GODLY purpose to the letter each and every day.

Each person can have a wonderful story that JESUS says “See… look at what ‘my messenger’ did.” GOD gives me a chance, each and every day to craft another chapter in HIS wonderful story for me.

• Are you talking about JESUS on a daily basis?
• Do you seek JESUS on a daily basis?
• Can you start talking about JESUS to other people HE sends you today?