Messages Can Come From the Wilderness

John comes on the scene, and he teaches that forgiveness of sin was a heart issue, not gained by an animal sacrifice.

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Where is your life calling? What message are you carrying? Whatever stage in life we are in, it’s not by some random accident. There is a mission, a purpose why we were created.

One mans’ commission forever changed the world! That’s an amazing call. This man, John The Baptist, was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was called to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.

He was commissioned during the days of two High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas. Never in Jewish history had there been two High Priests. This priesthood was corrupt.

John’s calling, with his double-portion anointing, was clearly coming up against the religious leaders of his day. It takes a double-portion anointing to encounter a double portion of corruption. Perhaps, that is why he had to be full of the Holy Spirit from conception, to defeat this corruption.

John went preaching and baptizing throughout the Jordan Valley. His message was about turning AWAY from sin and turning TO God. These two were linked together as one word–repentance.

Remember, religion taught that forgiveness could only be temporarily removed by offering sacrifices in the temple. John comes on the scene, and he teaches that forgiveness of sin was a heart issue, not gained by an animal sacrifice. Forgiveness does not come from religious acts.

This important and beautiful message was preparing people to be ready to see the life of God! As believers, God wants His life displayed through us! He wants His overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love, to be released and received. John was the voice, of the one preparing the way!

I envision John as a gruff, no-nonsense guy who loved the outdoors and the wilderness, who had no problem eating locusts for his lunch. His calling was unique.

This once, sweet, young baby, who leaped in his Mama’s womb, filled with the Holy Spirit, now a fiery preacher, relentlessly preaching to many crowds, calling people, “You, brood of Vipers!” (Luke 3: 7)

What’s a “brood of vipers” anyways? It’s a family of deadly snakes filled with venom and poison.

His words were harsh as he was telling people “to turn away from their sins, turn to God and prove it by a changed life.” He took his message a little further when he said, “Don’t think for a moment that it’s enough to simply be the favored descendants of Abraham. That’s not enough to save you.” (Luke 3: 8)

Ouch! He stepped on lots of toes with that comment. He was strongly implying that God values reformation OVER ritual.

His approach was bold and offensive but yet chosen by God to be the one who comes in the name of the Lord, making preparations.

As I pondered his bold, offensive approach, I asked this question: “What is the job of the Holy Spirit?”  My answer came, as I remembered the powerful words of the late, Billy Graham, saying:

The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of our sin. He uses a mother’s prayers, a tragic experience, a Pastor’s sermon, or some other experience to convict us of sin and of our need to turn our lives over to Jesus Christ.”

I recalled, also, this: “You will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8)

That’s exactly what John, Zechariah’s son, was doing.  

Whatever God is calling you to, do it faithfully and with fervor! YOUR voice and your message can have the same impact, as John’s, as Jesus loves and speaks through you.

“The VOICE of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness…”Psalm 29: 4,8)

Interestingly, John’s message which began in the wilderness shook and prepared folks to come and receive.  Your voice, God’s voice, shatters strongholds. Let His message flow out of you in His passion and in His way. We are His voice, His hands, and His feet.

 

 

 


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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com