Burunche’s Blog

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed and enviably happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!”

If the first Beatitude was a puzzler, the second one seems worse! Who among us has not stood by the bedside of a dying loved one? Who among us has not agonized as we listened over the phone, realizing that we were hearing our beloved father, mother, sister, brother, or close friend speak for what could well be the last time? And which of us has not accompanied a body to a graveyard?

There are also other forms of grief just as profound. One friend went to work one morning, confident that he had a few more years before retirement from his secure position, only to find that his company was moving his particular division 700 miles away. Our friend was given a choice: take an early buy – out and cease the work he loved passionately, or tear up all roots and move to a location far from family, church, and friends. Our friend chose the buy – out and went home jobless. His grief was just as deep as that of someone losing a beloved relative. Think of families of veterans who have returned struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The wounds are all internal ones, but the loss of a “normal” life leads to prolonged grieving. There are all kinds of grieving and mourning. But in the midst of grief comes Jesus’ statement that those who mourn will be blessed. So, where is the blessing in these losses?  

The Amplified Version of New King James states that those who mourn may receive” a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favorand especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace.“ When Jesus preached in a synagogue, He quoted Isaiah 61:2 which says, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor], the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.” Luke 4:18 NKJV Amplified states ..He has sent me…to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]”

Now there’s a thought! All of us can relate to being downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity! But why would God favor those who mourn? “Favor” is defined as “an attitude of approval or liking.” God is a loving Father who likes His children. These days, many people are growing up without fathers at all, so fatherhood is a difficult concept to understand. But a true father cares for his children. When a father sees his children suffering, his heart breaks with longing to fix the problem, to make things right, and to comfort his child. The idea of fatherhood began with God, so it makes sense that as the ultimate Father, God would feel our grief as much or more than we do.

In the midst of our grief, God comes with “revelations of His matchless grace.” When do we need grace and comfort? Only in times of grief are many of us open to receive the grace of God. When things are going well, we don’t feel a need for comfort. God wants to become our Comforter in times of grief if we will allow Him. But there is more. God wants to “send us forth as delivered.” God is not merely Comforter but also Deliverer. When Peter was walking on the water toward Jesus and his faith failed, Peter prayed a very simple prayer, “Lord, save me!”

Today you may be caught in terrible problems. You feel that you are drowning in oceans of grief. Or you are in the middle of a terrible situation and see no way out. Do not be afraid! Your Comforter and Deliverer is near and ready to save and deliver. Only turn to Him.

PRAYER: Father, today many of your children are grieving. Sorrow threatens to overwhelm them. Many are caught in situations from which they see no escape. Lord, save us! Lord, deliver us! Lord, comfort us! In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 5: 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The crowds were following Jesus, and so he went up on top of a high hill overlooking the sea of Galilee, where the valley was shaped like a natural amphitheater. And then Jesus began his teachings in a perplexing manner by giving a long list of those who would be blessed in the Kingdom of God. A good teacher introduces his subject, giving the goals of the teaching. Only after setting forth the goals will the teacher proceed to explain how he wishes his students to achieve those goals. But this was such a strange list! This list had nothing in common with the writings on blessings appearing today.

For years, I had problems with this list because much of it failed to make sense. It wasn’t until I began reading the Amplified version of the Bible that I started understanding. In the Amplified version this verse reads “Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life- joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Today there are all kinds of teachings about how to become prosperous, spiritually or otherwise. And for every book about becoming prosperous, there are equal numbers of books advising on how to promote yourself. But very few of these formulas involve being humble or rating oneself as insignificant. So, what was Jesus aiming at with this statement?  The first thing to examine is the definition of what it means to be blessed. Here the term “blessed” means to be “happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life – joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward condition.” So many times, we equate being blessed with getting things – a new vehicle, a house, a great job, new clothes, fancy electronic equipment. And that kind of thinking was around in Jesus’ day as well. The crowd that followed Jesus was a mixed one, and there were probably at least a few rich people standing off at the side and feeling superior.  But Jesus didn’t mention “stuff” or social position at all! In fact, Jesus seemed to be saying that all the things that were so important in society counted for nothing in the kingdom of God.

What does it mean to be “spiritually prosperous?” The Apostle John in 3 John1:2 states, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and may keep well, even as your soul keeps well and prospers.” (For an expanded explanation, see https://abideinchrist.com/messages/mat5v3a.html) But briefly, spiritual prosperity is demonstrated by having the fruits of the Holy Spirit operating in your life. Those fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self – control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Spiritual blessings also bring “life- joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions.” Here it is obvious that blessings have nothing to do with any outward condition, but with one’s relationship with God and acceptance of His salvation. It would seem that rating oneself as significant or important removes one from the category of being poor in spirit. But why?

When we concentrate on our own significance, we lose sight of the greatness of God. We are in danger of worshiping ourselves rather than our Creator. We are insignificant in that the creation can function quite well without any particular one of us. We are significant because Jesus cared enough about each one of us to die on the cross for us. An old country Gospel song says, “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.”

So today, rejoice! Rejoice that you are not carrying the burdens of the universe! Those burdens are God’s burdens. If you are attempting to carry burdens you shouldn’t, lay those burdens down. But also rejoice that in your insignificance, you can be blessed beyond measure and spiritually prosperous.

PRAYER: Father, thank you that You bless us far abundantly above all that we can ask or think! Thank you that you love each one of us individually. But thank you also that we don’t have to promote ourselves to become spiritually prosperous; we only have to love you and serve you. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 4: 23 “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them. 25The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.”

In the beginning, Jesus’ ministry was highly successful. Crowds were following him, watching for miracles and hearing teaching and preaching in the process. At this point, the only disciples who are mentioned by name are the four fishermen, Andrew, Peter, James, and John. But others are beginning to follow Jesus as well. Opposition has yet to appear, and Jesus’ messages are being repeated across a wide area. Great things are happening, and the disciples are probably very excited about their new Teacher.

Sometimes, things do go well for us. Everything seems to fall into place; opportunities arise just when we need them, and the future seems bright. But we must remember that such days are not necessarily the norm. Most of the time, life is much more an up and down, back and forth proposition.

Many of us hope that our lives will run smoothly and that we will not face persecution. But we must realize that things may change quickly; therefore, we should be grateful for days of quietness and peace. We should thank God for these periods of respite because tomorrow our worlds may be turned upside down. But two things will never change: the love of God and the Word of God. Hebrews 13:5 says “5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you,

never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?” And we must hold on to our vision of Jesus.

PRAYER: Father God, we thank you for days of quietness when things move well. We also thank you that no matter what happens, your promises are sure and that you will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that we do not have to worry about men’s plans or schemes because you are always with us. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.  

Matthew 4:18 “As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

21Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, 22and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.”

The first four disciples were fishermen, hard – working, down to earth men who would not be easily swayed. And yet, when Jesus called, they left everything, got up, and followed Him.

THEY CAST THEIR NETS IN GALILEE – FROM ELECTRONIC HYMN BOOK

“They cast their nets in Galilee, just off the hills of brown, such happy simple fisherfolk, before the Lord came down.

Contented, peaceful fishermen, before they ever knew the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too.

Young John who trimmed the flapping sail homeless in Patmos died. Peter, who hauled the teeming net, head – down was crucified.

The peace of God, it is no peace but strife closed in the sod. Yet let us pray for but one thing, the marvelous peace of God.”

Sometimes we think that the call of God is going to come with beautiful music and sunshine and butterflies flitting all around with flowers blooming and everything lovely and safe. Most of the time, the call of God comes as a shock, a surprise, and sometimes as something terribly difficult. Many of us want to echo Tevya the Milkman in “Fiddler on the Roof” when he says, “Lord, I know we are your chosen people, but couldn’t you choose someone else for a change?” Recently Christians in Burkina Faso and Northern Nigeria went to church and died for their faith at the hands of Boko Haram terrorists. Chinese Christians are memorizing the Word because their Bibles and churches are being destroyed. Why should God shield us when our brothers and sisters are suffering and dying for their faith?

1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” 23When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats,  but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 24He Himself bore our sinsh in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

We become hurt and frustrated when we are misunderstood, not realizing that others are suffering far worse torments. If we are to follow Jesus, we must realize that those footprints are bloody. Will we still follow?

PRAYER: Father God, today our hearts are aching! We have tried to follow you and have been criticized and misunderstood. But Jesus, you went to the cross for us. Help us to follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In Your mighty and precious Name. Amen.

Matthew 4:12-13 “Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested and put in prison, He withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the country of Zebulun and Naphtali-”

There was a rhythm and balance in Jesus’ life that is frequently lacking in our lives. John baptizes Jesus, anointing Him for ministry with the Holy Spirit descending. Jesus withdraws into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After overcoming the temptations that struck at the foundation of his ministry, Jesus is ready to move forward. According to the account in John 3:26 – 30, Jesus and His disciples also have begun baptizing at the Jordan. When John’s disciples come to him in consternation about Jesus’ infringing on John’s ministry, John clearly tells them, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the groomsman who stands by and listens to him rejoices greatly on account of the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my pleasure and joy, and it is now complete.”

And it is at this point that John the Baptist is put into prison by Herod the governor, the son of Herod, the King of Judea. Herod wanted to marry his sister – in – law and John told him it was wrong, so Herod threw John in jail. (Later Herod would have John beheaded at his sister – in – law’s request.)

Why was it necessary for John the Baptist to be put in prison? John himself had told his followers “I baptize you with water; but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of Whose sandals I am not fit to unfasten. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” In another place, John also told his disciples, regarding Jesus, “I must decrease, but He must increase.”  John 3:30 John had played his part, calling people to repent. But now Jesus was bringing a new message: “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 From this point forward, Jesus begins announcing the coming of the Kingdom of God and the need for preparing hearts.

Sometimes we balk at the way things move in our lives. We are frustrated because things are either going too slowly or too rapidly. And if something happens that seems to frustrate us or to keep us from moving forward and progressing as we think we should, we gripe and complain. Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins and very close in age. It’s likely that the two men had grown up together. But John had a clear sense of the limits of his ministry. Once John saw that dove descending on Jesus when John baptized Him, John knew that his (John’s) time of ministry was nearly over. So why did John have to be thrown into prison?

In this case, the problem might not have been John at all, but John’s disciples. Andrew was one of John’s disciples who went out and brought his brother Peter to Jesus. If John had still been available, would Andrew have introduced Peter to Jesus? And there were undoubtedly many others of John’s disciples who reluctantly transferred their loyalties to Jesus,  once John was no longer accessible to be followed.

Today, ask yourself if you have been fretting because something in your life has not been moving the way you wanted it to or on a particular schedule. And then give your worries to God. Relax. In His perfect timing, things will come about.

PRAYER: Father, today we wonder about what will happen and we worry that things aren’t going to happen quickly enough. But You are the God of time, and our times are in Your hands. Give us peace in our hearts so that we will be able to rest in you and trust that you really will “make all things beautiful in Your time.” In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.

Matthew 4: 8 “Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and shoed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them. 9 And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me. 10 Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve. (Deut. 6:13) 11 Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

What would you do if somebody offered you unlimited power, as long as you were willing to worship him? Would you refuse quickly, realizing that you weren’t cut out for that kind of control? Or perhaps you might entertain second thoughts; after all, think of all the good you could do! All those things and more must have gone through Jesus’ mind as Satan tempted Him. And it was a real temptation; the day Adam and Eve sinned, Satan gained control of the earth. But once more, the fundamental part of this temptation was to entice Jesus to take a short cut and to avoid suffering. Satan might have told Jesus, “Look, be reasonable! Why should you go through all this pain when you can have all power, just as long as you worship me.” Notice this time, Satan does not try to twist Scripture as he did during the first two temptations; he already realized that gambit wouldn’t work.

But Jesus was the Son of God, and before He was born, Jesus was in the heaven from which Satan had fallen so many ages ago. Jesus knew that what Satan was offering was a fake, a cheat, a sham, and would lead only to spiritual death. Why should Jesus trade His place in heaven for control of one small planet? Again, Jesus answers Satan by accurately quoting the Scriptures, affirming that only God is to be worshipped.

Revelations 19 gives us a picture of Jesus in triumph. ¹¹ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He ^[e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in ^[f]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a ^[g]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Make no mistake, there IS a real “Game of Thrones.” And the contest is not merely for land or for power, but for the souls of men and the Kingdom of God. Today, each of us must make the same choice that Jesus faced: are we worshiping Satan or the one true living God? Make no mistake, each time you choose to serve only yourself, you are choosing to serve Satan. The time of the Lord’s returning is drawing near. None of us knows how much time is left to us. Joshua challenged his people “Choose this day whom you will serve….but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24: 15) At the end of the ages, there will only be one Victor, the God – man Jesus. Choose Him today!

PRAYER: Father God, sometimes we are confused and tired and make wrong choices. But You are the one true living God. You are Elehenu Melech Ha Olam – the Lord God, Ruler of the Universe. Come reign in our hearts forever! Amen.

Matthew 5: 5 “Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret of the temple. 6 And he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91: 11 – 12) 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written also, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” (Deuteronomy 6:15)

Yesterday we spoke about how Satan thought he was tempting Jesus while all the time God was using Satan to emphasize to Jesus how His ministry would have to function. The first challenge tested Jesus’ knowledge of Himself as the Son of God. Satan tempted Jesus to act as His own amateur providence and prove that He could do miracles. And Jesus refused, stating that He had to live by every word that came from the mouth of God. Not only did Jesus refuse to turn stones into bread, but He also refused to settle for a half – truth misquote of Scripture. Jesus had to listen to His heavenly Father and follow His leading. And now came the second test.

This time Satan placed the God – man Jesus in a very dangerous position and then urged Him to test God’s protection and see if God would send angels to rescue Him. In effect, Satan was tempting Jesus to prove whether or not God the Father was really a good parent who cared for His child. Was this a foreshadowing of Jesus’ eventual death on a Roman cross? Did Satan really know how Jesus would die, or was he merely guessing? At any rate, Satan was hoping that Jesus would go for the cheap thrill of angelic rescue, reducing His ministry in the process. But again, Jesus answered Satan scripture for scripture, refusing to force God. But what about us? Many times, we do try to force God. We find a scripture and quote it at God, practically shaking it in His face, as though God was reluctant to act and we had to manipulate Him to care for us.  

Many of us make willful foolish mistakes and then blame God if He doesn’t immediately deliver us. And sometimes we don’t recognize divine intervention when it comes because we are trying to dictate the fashion in which God should rescue us. The story is told of a man in a town by a river that was flooding. The local fire department and police went through town, urging everyone to evacuate while they could. But this one man refused, stating that God would take care of him. Everybody else in town left and the river rose. The water came up to the second story of the man’s house, and some friends came by in a boat, begging him to get into the boat. Again, the man refused, insisting that God would take care of him. Finally, when the man was sitting on the roof of the house with nowhere else to go, a rescue team came with a helicopter and offered to pick him off the roof. But the man again refused, and he eventually drowned. When the man reached heaven, he berated the Lord. “God,” he said, “I thought you would take care of me.” “I did,” replied the Lord. “I sent you the emergency services, a boat and a helicopter. What more did you want?”

So, what can we do when we have gotten ourselves into trouble and need deliverance? First of all, stop doing whatever got you into trouble in the first place. The first rule of holes is that when you find yourself inside one, STOP DIGGING! Next, pray and acknowledge to God that you have made a terrible mistake and that you need help. The prophet Jonah learned this lesson in the belly of the whale, confessing his sins at a time when he had no hope of rescue. Third, having confessed your sins, ask God for help. Satan quoted Psalm 91 to Jesus. The scripture was correct; it was the way in which Satan twisted it that was wrong. And finally, trust that God will help you; but also realize that God may act in a fashion other than the one that you expect. Don’t be like the foolish man in the story who refused God’s help because God didn’t behave the way the man wanted Him to.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you that you DO care for us. Help us to learn the difference between testing you and trusting you. And thank you, that you are always trustworthy. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 3:16 “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

“That’s my boy! Look at that kid run! What a ball player!” “That’s my girl! She’s an amazing gymnast! She stuck that landing!” When we watch our kids and they perform well, we want to make sure everybody knows that we are the parents of that star. Our kids have given us something to brag about, and we are thrilled.

Jesus was the Son of God and yet, throughout most of Jesus’ life, God the Father didn’t say much publicly. But here at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, God allowed Himself a moment of pride and love. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove and alighted on Jesus and God spoke from heaven. What an incredible demonstration of love and approval!

Several years ago, Max Lucado wrote a book entitled “The Applause of Heaven,” in which he spoke about God watching and encouraging us as would a wise and loving parent. God continually watches us in love, longing for us to get quiet so that He can speak to us. And in the silence, if you listen closely, you will hear your heavenly Father whisper, “I love you.” But you must spend time being quiet with and before God to hear His voice.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for loving us even though we are unlovable and unlovely! Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins, so that we might truly become your children. We bless you and praise your name, now and forever. Amen.

Matthew 3:11 ”I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” 15But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.”

It had all started so slowly. One afternoon, John chatted with a few shepherds who were watering their flocks in a quiet pool at the edge of the Jordan River. He was completely shocked when he suggested baptism and the shepherds agreed. The next morning, more shepherds turned up, and they brought their friends from nearby towns with them to hear John preach. And when John finished preaching, he realized that his audience had tears streaming down their faces and they were all moving forward toward the river. What was he to do? The Holy Spirit said, “Baptize,” so he baptized. Day by day, the crowds grew larger and larger. Even religious leaders began coming to hear John. At first Pharisees came because they wanted to check John out to make sure that his message was really orthodox; after all, he had not studied under any of them! And John spoke harshly to them, demanding to know why they had bothered when they were obviously not sincere. Calling one’s hearers “a brood of vipers” is scarcely diplomatic; yet, John was stunned to realize that many of the religious leaders also were repenting and coming for baptism.  

That particular day, the Holy Spirit was moving and John was preaching and baptizing. By mid – morning John had already baptized shepherds and rabbis and Roman soldiers and even tax collectors! John remained amazed at the people God was drawing to this out of the way place on the river bank. John was still standing waist – deep in the water when he looked up to see his cousin Jesus coming down the bank toward him. And suddenly, John remembered everything that he had been told about Jesus. Looking into Jesus’ eyes, John KNEW by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was truly the Messiah whose coming John had been announcing. Overcome with emotion and a sense of the Holy, John wanted to throw himself prostrate on the ground before Jesus in worship. Never before had John had such a clear sense of his own unworthiness. “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” John asked. But Jesus reached out His hand to John and answered, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” In this baptism, both John and Jesus were being obedient. John was carrying out his assignment from God despite feeling totally inadequate. And Jesus? Before Jesus could begin His ministry as Messiah, He had to undergo baptism at the hands of John. By this act, Jesus was demonstrating His humanity, but more than that, Jesus was submitting Himself as an act of humility and obedience to His heavenly Father. Had Jesus refused to undergo baptism, submitting Himself in this fashion, His ministry would have been a failure, even though He was the Son of God.

True ministry must be based on humility and obedience. No matter what God has called you to do, the day you act in pride is the day you fall short of the high calling of God.  Which of us has not come to a point in our work where we suddenly realized how little we knew about our work or the people around us and how much more there was to learn? Only when we are guided by the Holy Spirit can we truly discern what it is God wants us to do. And only when we become quiet enough to listen will we be able to hear the Spirit’s urgings.

PRAYER: Father God, today we ask you to help us submit to Your will and to Your leading. Help us to be quiet enough to hear your Holy Spirit. And help us to realize that it is only with and through you that we will succeed in Your plans for our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 3: 1 “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.’ ”

4Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Up until the age of 30, Jesus seems to have lived the quiet life of a village teknikon, a builder, carpenter, stone mason. And then, suddenly, everything changed. It began with Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist, who had been filled with the Holy Spirit when Mary visited his mother Elizabeth. When John reached manhood, he evidently retired to the wilderness of Judea, a 20 – mile stretch of rocky desert between Jerusalem and the Jordan River. John lived very simply on a diet of wild honey and carob, the pods from a type of locust tree, not on insects. Even today in Israel, carob pods are referred to as “St. John’s Bread.” John wore the clothing of the very poor – garments woven from camel’s hair. And since John was only a few months older than Jesus, John also must have been about 30. Evidently, John was an observant Jew and given to prayer and meditation. Two quiet men living quiet lives in obscure places. And then the Word of the Lord came, and neither of them would ever be the same again.

Suddenly, John turns up, preaching in the Judean wilderness. In the beginning, John’s only audience must have been a few shepherds with their sheep and their goats. Perhaps some travelers came by and stopped to listen as well. But somehow, the word got out and people began to flock to the banks of the Jordan River to hear John’s message and to be baptized. Back in Nazareth, Jesus heard of John’s ministry and recognized God’s signal and God’s perfect timing. Why did John begin preaching when he did and what made Jesus come to him at that particular time? For the answer, read Acts 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost had fully come….” The Bible speaks of the “fullness of time” in many places, and for John and Jesus, the fullness of time had come. John was the chosen messenger to announce the coming of the Messiah, and Jesus was that Messiah. And now was the time for both of their ministries.

Growing up on a Midwestern farm, I learned early on that everything had its season. Spring brought new growth. Summer brought lush produce. Fall was harvest time. And winter was the season of rest and of preparation for spring. Each season had its own duties, none of which could be skipped if farming was to go on successfully. Throughout the world, farmers must observe times and seasons. But these days, so many people live existences that are divorced from nature that it is easy to forget that there are still such things as natural rhythms that must and should be observed.

Here in Ghana, lorries and buses have slogans painted on them. One of the most common slogans is the phrase “God’s time is the best.” And that phrase turns up on Facebook memes regularly as well. But it is true that God’s timing IS perfect. And if we do not stop and listen to God, we will either run ahead of Him or lag behind. How did John know that it was time to begin preaching? It’s possible that one day, John was sitting on the bank of the Jordan River when a shepherd brought his flock down to drink. And suddenly John found himself telling the shepherd what God had been showing him: the Messiah was coming soon and people needed to prepare their hearts. And as the word spread, John’s audience grew. And Jesus, knowing that he was to be the Messiah, was well aware of the prophecies about a messenger who would begin proclaiming his coming. And so, when Jesus heard the news about John, he knew that it was time to leave Nazareth and go down to the Jordan.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us to get quiet enough that we can hear your Holy Spirit. Help us to realize that your timing is perfect and that we should listen for your still small voice so that your timing will be ours as well. Thank you that you love each one of us and want to guide us. In the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.