The Voice

Do you remember the most famous town cryer in our country’s history—Paul Revere? Do you remember the message he cried out? How do you think you might have reacted if you had heard it in person during that time of turmoil?

We don’t have town cryer’s today. We have all-day news sources. By being inundated with news, which often being mundane, we have lost the sense of importance and urgency of news. We have lost our ability to discern what is truly important.

In the first century, a town cryer or prophet brought important news that was often urgent. People stopped to hear the news and reacted almost immediately to it. If there was a king about to enter the city, the people quickly prepared themselves for his arrival.

John was the combination of a town cryer and a prophet. He was declaring the coming of the Lord. His message was urgent. The people were to prepare their hearts, not their minds, for His arrival. They were to be ready to hear the message the Lord would bring.

I wonder, in our loss of importance and urgency, if our hearts are prepared for His message. John still cries out for us to prepare ourselves. Jesus still brings the message of the Lord. We need to prepare our hearts to receive His message and react appropriately to it. May we be willing to listen and follow Him.

I pray we all prepare our hearts for the Lord. I pray we receive the message of Jesus. I pray each one of us are willing to hear both John and Jesus as we live each day of our lives. Prepare your heart for the Lord. Listen to John’s words. Listen to Jesus’ words. Accept the message of God. Commit to following Jesus.

John 1:23 He said, 

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 

‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ” 

as the prophet Isaiah said.

Plow, Plant, Water

What do you think about when someone says they will testify? Do you think of criminal cases and courtrooms? Are you reminded of a previous experience? Do you think of a witness of an auto accident? Have you thought it can also apply to telling others about Jesus?

There are many ways in which we testify. We are witness to more than we recognize. We see and hear things all day long. Many of them occur while we are working our jobs. Others occur while in a grocery store or within our homes. We do not often think of those times as being witnesses.

John was sent ahead of Jesus to testify to His coming. He was preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry. In many ways, John was also preparing the way for our ministry. Though he was the first to testify of Jesus, millions have followed him and continue to testify today. Have you ever thought that you are following in John’s footsteps?

We have a message to deliver. Some of us will plow the fields. Others will plant seeds. Still others will water those seeds. It is through the work of all of us that the kingdom of God grows. As we spread the message of Jesus, one or another of us will hit the right note that will bring someone into the kingdom. We each have our own way and style of communicating the message.

As we spread the message, we are not to be discouraged. If someone else gets someone to commit to Jesus after you talked to that person, celebrate. You were part of it. There will be other times when some will get someone to commit after someone else had talked to the person. It’s not about counting numbers, it’s about all of us working to spread the message.

I pray we all continue to spread the message of Jesus. I pray we plow fields, plant seeds, and water. I pray each one of us work as tirelessly as John did, trusting God to provide the strength we need. Spread the message of Jesus. Plow fields. Plant seeds. Water seeds. Celebrate when someone comes to Christ. Trust God in all things.

John 1:6-8 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

Forever Faithful

Do you feel as though nothing is solid? Do you feel as though you are standing on shaky ground or waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under you? Are you looking for solid ground to stand on? Are you looking for something you can put your confidence in?

Our world seems to be topsy turvy. It seems as though everything is in upheaval. There are not enough workers, yet there are people who can’t find jobs. Minimum wages are increasing, but prices seem to be increasing faster. One group of people rails against another.

There are many who live in fear due to war, oppression, or discrimination. New laws are being put into effect that don’t make sense to the common person. We are confused. We feel disoriented. At the same time, we continue to marry, have children, go to school, go to work, attend family gatherings, and go to church. Normalcy mixed in with chaos.

In all that is going on, in all the confusion, there is solid ground we can stand on. If we have put our roots in Jesus Christ, we can stand like the sturdy oak. The winds may blow, the rain pour down, the freezing cold wrap around us, and we can withstand it all. God will give us the inner peace we desire. He will hold us in his arms.

God is always faithful. He will fulfill his promises. He cares for each one of us. He is with us every moment of every day, even when we might wish otherwise. With his Holy Spirit in us, side-by-side with our spirit, he knows our hearts desire and provides what we need. God’s faithfulness knows no end nor does it ever wane.

I pray we all seek to stand on solid ground. I pray we know that God is always with us. I pray each one of us put our roots in Jesus Christ and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us throughout our lives. Stand on the Rock, Jesus Christ. Know God is always with you. Trust in his promises. Know God is always faithful.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Seek Understanding

Have you ever been told, “Do it because I said so”? Have you felt as though you could not question the instruction or judgment of your manager or director? What principles do you live by? Are you willing to stand on those principles regardless of the consequences?

Many of us have been told by parents to do what we are told simply because our parent told us to do it. For most of us, our parents had our best interest at heart and perhaps didn’t have time to explain the why behind their instruction. Yet, that is not always the case.

There will be times when obeying instruction or orders immediately and without question is essential. This is especially true when working in dangerous environments. It is also true for children when told not to touch the hot stove. But the line can become blurry when we work in office settings. Discerning the urgency of completing documents can be challenging. Understanding what the section manager is trying to achieve without seeing the full picture can be a challenge, if not impossible.

The Apostle Paul gives instruction to the church in Thessalonica that applies to us today. We are not to despise those who are preaching God’s Word. The term prophet is interpreted to be a preacher or pastor. At the same time, we are to test their message. How do we do that? We read God’s Word ourselves. We study it. If we have questions about what the pastor stated, ask questions, have a conversation, but don’t walk away upset or angry or confused. If there is not an immediate opportunity to discuss our questions, write them down to discuss later.

He also states we are to hold on to what is good. How do we know what is good? We study the Scriptures. We read God’s instruction, especially Jesus’ words. Unlike those in the first century, all of us can possess a copy of God’s Word. We can study. Most churches offer Sunday School and Bible studies. Participate in them and grow in your knowledge of what is good according to God and ask the questions you have about interpretation.

I pray we all spend time readings God’s Word. I pray we pay special attention to Jesus’ words. I pray each one of us seek understanding of what is good and ask our questions of interpretation of Scripture. Read God’s Word. Study God’s Word. Participate in Sunday School. Participate in Bible studies. Ask questions. Seek understanding.

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

Rejoice in Your Blessings

How good is your memory? Do you remember only the bad things that have happened? Or do you remember the good things as well? Who do you give credit to for all the good? Have you considered who is giving you the good in your life? Do you rejoice in the good?

I see far too many people complaining about all the bad they experience. I am not saying bad things do not happen. However, I am stating we focus on the bad far too much. Even within the bad that happens we can see good things come from it. Minimally, we should learn lessons to apply in the future.

By focusing so much of our time and energy on the bad, we fail to spend a proportionate amount of time on the good. The mere fact that we are living, breathing, eating, drinking, and being with others is a blessing. We should rejoice in each day. I know, it is not always easy. I understand that. I also fall prey to complaining and being down in the dumps. But when I remember it is only by the grace of God that I have that day, I give him thanks.

Recognizing that God has blessed us with every breath, every person in our lives, and every possession we have is cause for rejoicing. It is impossible to complain when we are rejoicing. When we rejoice, we cannot be depressed. When we rejoice, we cannot be fearful. It is the love of God that allows us to overcome the negatives of this world. It is Satan who tries to get us to focus on the negatives. Therefore, overcoming the negatives with love and joy is defeating Satan himself.

The more thankful and rejoicing we are, the more victorious we are. The more we recognize God’s everyday blessings, the more we can be thankful and joyful. We need to open our eyes, our hearts, and our minds to see every blessing of God and overcome the negative in our lives. As we stand victorious, we are the positive example for others.

I pray we all recognize the everyday blessings of God. I pray we give God thanks for his wondrous blessings. I pray each one of us will stand victorious in our rejoicing and be a positive example for others. See God’s blessings. Thank God for his blessings. Rejoice in your blessings. Stand victorious. Be a positive example to others.

Psalm 126:3

The Lord has done great things for us, 

and we rejoiced.

Rejoice in the Lord

How is your relationship with God? What is your perspective of God? Have you decided to rejoice in the gifts he has given you? Do you realize the significance of being given salvation? Do you know you have been made righteous only because of what he has done?

We typically go about our daily lives living in the moment. We have things to do and people to see. It seems there is a never-ending task list. We are inundated with thoughts, images, and conversations. It is no wonder we rarely stop to remember what God has given us.

I know what it is like to work sixty or more hours per week. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed by a to-do list of things to get done around the house. I know what it is like to be constantly on the go, places to be. I know many of you have been in the same situations. In all that busyness our minds are racing, trying to figure out how to get everything done, and finding it very challenging to think about God.

Yet, it should be natural for us to praise him. He has given us gifts that no one else can give us. He has given us gifts that cannot be measured in dollars. They are more precious than all the gold in the world. They have only one source—the Creator of the universe. God has given us the gift of eternal life with him—salvation. He has given us the gift of righteousness through his Son, Jesus Christ. The least we can do is sing his praises and rejoice in the gifts he has given us.

I pray we all recognize the precious gifts God has given us. I pray we rejoice in the Lord. I pray each one of us will praise God for his gift of righteousness through his Son, Jesus Christ. Recognize the gifts of God. Appreciate the true value of them. Praise God. Give thanks to him. Rejoice in your gifts.

Isaiah 61:10

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, 

my whole being shall exult in my God; 

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, 

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, 

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, 

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Good News

Are you in need of some good news? Do you seeking to have a broken heart mended? Are you feeling oppressed and longing to be freed? Has depression overcome you and you need someone to lift you up? Are you mourning and in need of comfort?

We all go through trying times in our lives. Our heart can be broken when a relationship ends. We may feel as though we are in a no-win situation. Depression can set in after having things go wrong. A loved one passes away, leaving us feeling empty or alone.

All these situations and feeling are normal. But that doesn’t make them easy to deal with. Knowing they will come doesn’t make it easier either. We can prepare ourselves as much as we possibly can and still be overcome by our emotions. Our reactions to them are different for each individual. Some of us want others to be around us. Others want to be left alone.

God promised long ago to send someone to be us throughout all situations—good and bad. Jesus Christ came to fulfill today’s Scripture. He promised to send his Holy Spirit to live within us forever (John 14:16-17) so that we would never be alone, so that God would always be with us. This is the promise of old made in Isaiah 7:14 and quoted in Matthew 1:22-23 that is fulfilled in the birth and life of Jesus and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

As we go through the ups and downs of life, we can find strength, endurance, peace, and comfort in God. He will never abandon us. We can lean on him at any time in any circumstance. Knowing this, truly knowing it deep in our hearts, can relieve us of our fears, anxiety, and stress.

I pray we all know that God is always with us. I pray we lean on him every day of our lives. I pray each one of us seek strength, endurance, peace, and comfort from the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Know God is always with you. Lean on God. Know that Jesus came for you. Be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Be comforted by God.

Isaiah 61:1-2

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

The Shepherd

Do you need someone who will hold you tight and protect you? Would you like to have someone who will gather you in their arms when you are in anguish? Does having someone who will guide you along the right path sound good to you?

All of us desire safety and protection. We may have times in our lives in which protection seems more urgent than at others. Those times when we think we have it all together are merely our pride speaking foolish things to us.

God has promised he will care for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. That is an awesome promise! A shepherd leads the sheep to food and water. He steers them away from dangers. He protects them from wolves that may attack.


God also promises us that he will gather us into his bosom. In other words, God will hug us close to him. Having someone who will hug us like a mother hugging her child is comforting and reassuring. It lets us know we are loved and cared for.

God is waiting for us to reach out to him. We have the option of doing so or continuing to think we can do it on our own. He will wait as long as it takes and he will not grow weary in his waiting.

I pray we all reach out to God. I pray we know that he will shepherd us as the Good Shepherd. I pray each one of us will allow him to gather us into his bosom and provide us the comfort and reassurance we need. Know God cares for you. He protects you. He gathers you in. God comforts you. God is patient.

Isaiah 40:11

He will feed his flock like a shepherd; 

he will gather the lambs in his arms, 

and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

God’s Comfort

Are there times when you long for comfort? Is it during times of trial or sorrow or struggle? Where do you seek your comfort? Is there a specific person you go to? Is there a group of people? What if you had a person who could always comfort you?

We all experience times when we need comfort. We can be hit out of the blue by a sledgehammer situation. We can be stunned, shocked, and rattled by an unforeseen event. When we are knocked off our feet, we desire someone who can provide us comfort.

When things go awry, we often turn to a specific person or group of people to commiserate with and receive the comfort we desire. Often those people are family. They also be close friends. For those of us who are members of the church, we may reach out to a pastor or other members. Having someone to bring us the comfort we need is important.

We can always turn to God who will comfort us. Yet, we may think, he isn’t here with me. I need arms to wrap around me. I need someone I can talk to who will provide comforting words. That may all be true, but that’s where God steps in, if we reach out to him. He provides comforting words through his Word and promises. He sends people to wrap their arms around us. He will always listen to our pleas. We simply need to reach out to him.

I pray we all reach out to God during our times of struggle. I pray we seek comfort from God. I pray each one of us will ask God to remind us of his Word and promises and send people to bring us comfort. Reach out to God for comfort. Seek the promises in God’s Word. Trust God will send people to comfort you in your time of need.

Isaiah 40:1

Comfort, O comfort my people, 

says your God.

The Messenger

Have you been a messenger for someone? Was it taking a message from one person to give it to another? Have you been sent ahead of someone else to prepare for their arrival? Were you to take care of the logistics, ensuring all the amenities were taken care of?

Being a messenger can be relatively simple or it can be a daunting task. Taking a message from mom to dad can be simple. Being the lead person for someone on a campaign trail can be exhausting and overwhelming. Many of us relay messages from one to another regularly.

When you are sent ahead to, not only take a message, but to prepare for the arrival of someone else, it can be a very large task. I can remember being on the advanced party for a deployment while I was in the Marine Corps. We went ahead of the larger unit a few weeks before they were to arrive. We had to set up tents, fill sandbags, set up generators and run power lines, set up a computer and radio network, and many other tasks. We generally worked twelve hours a day to get all the work done.

John was sent ahead of Jesus. His task was to prepare people’s hearts. Can you imagine? He was to get people to start thinking about the coming Messiah. He had to prepare them for a significant change in how they thought of salvation. Their sacrificial system was no longer going to be required. They needed to accept the Holy Spirit coming to everyone who accepted Jesus as their Savior. God was going to live among them, but not in a temple.

We should listen to John’s message and take to heart what he has to say. John recognized the magnitude of Jesus and His ministry. He knew from the time he was still in the womb that Jesus was the Son of God. We would do well to see Jesus as John saw Him, someone we are not worthy of. Yet, also see Jesus as He calls us, His friend, brother/sister, and child of God.

I pray we see Jesus as someone far greater that we are. I pray we listen to John’s description of Him. I pray each one of us know that God lives among us and in us in his Holy Spirit. Listen to John’s message. See Jesus for who He is. Know that God lives in you. Know that God is all around you.

Mark 1:7-8 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. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”