Dec. 31, 2013–Revival Is Coming

December 31, 2013 By

revival

As I sit at the end of 2013 looking straight ahead into 2014, my heart wanders to the scripture in Matthew 25 regarding the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom.  It is said that five were wise and five were foolish.  The five wise kept their lamps trimmed and had enough oil to wait until the bridegroom appeared, but the five foolish ones, well, that is a different story.

 

As we enter into another year, I am certain of two things: God is still on the throne and Jesus will touch my generation.

 

I have been living in revival for a long time.  I came back to the Lord 10 years ago in 2004.  For the last decade I have been living and breathing revival.  I have seen God do incredible things, and yet, I am still waiting for the greater outpouring that has been promised.

 

I first heard about a great coming revival when I was still in my teen years.  I am now 41 years old.  I went to Bible school starting at 18.  One of the highlights of those years was hearing David Yonggi Cho from South Korea’s largest church speak.  He told us that God had a plan for Canada and I believed him.

 

A year or two later I was a youth pastor in Halifax when a young man stood up and prophesied the coming of a great revival that would sweep all across Canada in such a way that the enemy would not have room to move in anybody’s life because most would be saved.

 

Twelve years ago I was at a church in Ottawa when Cindy Jacobs got up to prophesy about Canada and the end time revival.  I was still not really serving the Lord when I heard her prophesy.  I don’t even know how I got to that church to hear her.  When she spoke I heard the sound of a trumpet blowing and I looked up into the roof of the church and saw the heavens open.  The sound I heard was coming through that opening.  It was one of the craziest things I had ever seen.  I could not doubt that God had a plan for Canada when I saw that.

 

And yet, I look at Canada and the USA today and they are darker than they have been in any time in my life so far.

 

About 5 years ago I had a dream.  I was outdoors in a small village at night.  I looked up at the clouds and they were very dark.  I started to run and call out to God.  I knew that He was just above the clouds in the dream because I could see flashes of light coming through the darkness.  I knew He was very close.

 

I started to cry out in intercession.  I said, “You said, God!  You said you would move, so move, God.”  I kept crying this out over and over and my heart was heavy with the prayer–it still is.

 

And today I would say to you “continue believing and praying for God to move.”  Yes, we have been waiting a long time, but the revival will come and those who have been faithful and remained in intercession will see a great moving of the Presence of God that will go forth into the entire earth. 

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning

Dec. 30, 2013–The Year-End Retrospective

December 31, 2013 By

2013Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)

As 2013 draws to a close, we would be wise to take a look at the past year through retrospective lenses. Thus, today’s DWOD is more of a worksheet than it is a word. (You may wish to print it out or copy to a word processing program).

Here are some questions that you could ask and answer:

1.    What blessings am I most grateful for in 2013?

a.    In my faith journey/church life?

b.    In my personal life?

c.    In my family?

d.    In other significant relationships?

e.    In my work/business life?

f.    In my finances/material possessions/assets?

g.    Other areas not covered by a-f?

2.    Where did I experience the grace of God the most? (Grace=what I received that I did not earn/merit/deserve)

3.    What are some prophetic words that were fulfilled in 2013?

4.    What victories did I celebrate in 2013?

5.    What are some areas where I fell short/experienced failure?

6.    What are some lessons I learned about God, me and others?

7.    Who (all) do I need to forgive before moving on to 2014?

8.    In what areas of my life do I need change/transformation? (You may also wish to seek answers to this question from your spouse, a close friend, pastor or mentor)

Now, take your answers and offer them as prayers to God. For example, you could phrase your responses to questions #1-4 & 6 as “Thank You” prayers.
e.g. “Father, I thank you for helping me grow in my ability to hear your voice. I thank you for good health, for the change in jobs, the promotion, the unexpected bonus”, etc.

Your answers to #5 could become a prayer that begins with: “Lord, I am sorry for…”.

Similarly you could simply say: “I forgive ………… for ………..” when you get to #7.

Finally, the answers to #8 could be part of a prayer that goes something like: “Holy Spirit, I need your power to stop criticizing others, to see everyone through the eyes of Jesus, to seek your wisdom first…” Get the idea?

Please give it an honest attempt and let us know how you did. Are there other questions you would ask? I look forward to your responses.

Filed Under: Pastor Jeeva Sam

Dec. 29, 2013–Count The Cost

December 30, 2013 By

count the cost

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? (Luke 14:29-30)

 

Nearly two weeks ago, Holy Spirit prompted me to start looking for a car to replace our 2004 Buick Regal which has served us well for the past 5 years. The odometer, which sported 80,000 km when we purchased it in 2008 is about to hit the 350,000 km mark.

 

When I sensed this nudge, it was still running well, averaging over 30 mpg on the highway. It did not feel like a car that needed to be replaced in a hurry.

 

However, within the past week, it has been acting its age and a number of issues have arisen that would cost way more than the car is worth to fix. So, I had to eat crow and admit to Holy Spirit that He knew what He was talking about when He gave me that prompt. I apologized for not acting on it right away with a sense of urgency.

 

As a result, Sulojana and I have had to switch our thinking into vehicle acquisition mode. One of the first decisions we had to make was what kind of vehicle we would look for. After tossing around the possibility of buying a small SUV or crossover, we eventually decided that a sedan would probably be a better choice, since it would be simply the two of us occupying the vehicle for the most part. And, the fuel efficiency would be better.

 

There was just one “luxury” that we both agreed was a necessity. Are you ready for it? Heated seats. No compromise on this “requirement.” (Perhaps this has something to do with our age?) Since we’ve been very happy with GM vehicles, we also decided that we would prefer a Buick or Chevrolet.

 

The next step was to agree on the price that we were willing to pay for the pleasure of owning such a vehicle. Sadly, we needed the input of our friendly neighbourhood banker to make this decision. Within a couple of days, that matter was settled as well.

 

Now we could approach our car dealer friend Ben Soji and ask him to be our eyes and ears for a suitable vehicle. With all the Christmas holidays, he has not been able to move as swiftly on it as expected…but, from tomorrow onwards, the intensity of the search will increase. We are confident that within a matter of days, we will indeed have our next vehicle.

 

This process of planning the purchase of a car got me thinking about the New Year’s resolutions that many of us will make over the next few days. Let me fess up by acknowledging that my track record has not exactly been stellar in this particular area.

 

As I was reading through Luke 14 recently (in my journey through the gospel of Luke), I began to realize that one of the reasons why many of my resolutions did not lead to successful results is because I had omitted this critical step that Jesus demanded of his disciples: COUNT THE COST.

 

By using the example of a building project, Jesus gets us to ask this question: “What price am I willing to pay to have that which I desire?”

 

This is a critical question to ask when we make our New Year’s resolutions or set any other goals for that matter. When we take the time to count the cost of making that decision and seeing it come to fruition, we may decide that it is unrealistic for us at this particular juncture and drop it. Or we may be excited to pay that price and proceed full steam ahead. Either way, this simple step has accomplished its purpose!

 

Dear DWOD friend, are you one that counts the cost before making such decisions? Would you share your experience with the rest of us? Thanks in advance.

Filed Under: Pastor Jeeva Sam

Dec. 28, 2013–When the great ones fall…

December 29, 2013 By

the great fall(Be blessed by this DWOD for Dec. 28, 2013 by guest contributor Lance Wallnau)

When Julius Caesar landed at Adrumetum in Africa, he got out of his boat and the skilled warrior tripped and fell flat on his face. The soldiers gasped, as this was a most dreadful omen, but Caesar with consummate presence of mind exclaimed: “Thus I take possession of thee, O Africa.” And went on to do exactly that.

 

When William the Conqueror leaped upon the shore at Bulverhythe, he too fell on his face, and a great gasp went forth from his men. It was an ill omen; but the Duke, perhaps recalling Caesar shouted loud enough for his men to hear: “I have taken possession of this land with both my hands.” And he did.

 

Stumbling and falling, are omens to the superstitious mind that ill fortune awaits, but they have no such meaning to the right kind of leader. Caesar and William stumbled but neither can hold a candle to Simon Peter. He stumbled in a far more grievous manner as his was no slip of the foot but a denial of Christ. Yet within 50 days after his worst performance he rose up to become the mouthpiece for the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

 

A peculiar verse in Daniel says: “And some of them that are wise shall fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the time appointed.” (Dan 11:35)

 

What can this mean? The wise falling? The chosen stumbling? For what purpose? “To be refined.”

 

At the risk of being misunderstood I would like to say, I would rather share a meal with a great man who knows what it means to fall on his face, than feast with the sanctimonious who think themselves more righteous than the man with scars.

 

Many a great new thing starts with a stumble. Do not let fear of falling or the experience of falling stop you. Take hold of the earth and say like Caesar or William “I take possession of this territory.”

 

Do it right and like Peter you will find yourself so delivered on the inside that no chains or jail cell can keep you contained on the outside.

 

Do not fear what others fear. To do anything well you have to mess up the first time round. It’s good for you. Makes you more real. Makes Jesus more real through you as well.

 

For those who know what I am talking about it will be a Happy New Year!

 

(Dr. Lance Wallnau is a world-class trainer and consultant whose students span the globe. From bestselling authors, pastors, and billion dollar CEO‘s, he has helped to transform the lives of thousands. Please check out his resources at www.lancelearning.com)

 

 

 

Filed Under: Guest Authors

Dec. 27, 2013–When the Conductor appears…

December 28, 2013 By

symphony(Be blessed by this DWOD for Dec. 27, 2013 by guest contributor Lance Wallnau)

 

2013 was a mixture of breakthroughs, delays and contradictions for many. Like the noise of an orchestra tuning up. But something is building up in the Spirit toward a crescendo in 2014.

 

Our English “symphony‟ comes from (sumphōnia), which is Greek word meaning a “sounding together” or “agreement of sound”, “harmonious”.

 

When Christ described the church He was building, its most essential building blocks start with two or more coming together by His Spirit in AGREEMENT and praying.

 

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree (sumphōnēsōsin) on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)

 

Agreement is the symphony that builds God’s house.

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN GOD IS SILENT?

 

It is quiet in the prophetic sometimes ON PURPOSE so we are forced to hear more clearly. I’ve heard so many questioning: What’s going to happen to the economy? The government? Is America finished?

 

In a concert, a hush falls on the platform.

 

An oboist rings out a pitch perfect “A” and this note becomes the sound all other instruments tune from. The tune-up sounds like a swirl of musical chaos…no order or unity or melody. Everyone doing their own thing, yet each doing what is needed to play their part.

 

Then suddenly, the cacophony ends…

 

Another veil of QUIET descends upon the hall. The atmosphere is electric with anticipation. The orchestra is tuned but cannot begin until….the CONDUCTOR appears from the wings (often to thundering applause) and strides onstage. He bows to the audience, and pivots round, face to face with the musicians who alone have the power to translate the movements of his hands into the rapturous sound called a symphony.

 

God is the composer.

Jesus Christ is the conductor.

The Symphony is brought together by the Holy Spirit.

 

It can start with just two or three in agreement in a family, but the music can become a movement as it expands to a church that joins in.  Then if the “churches,” even two or three can “agree” together in a city a philharmonic will form and God will shake the city.

 

We all play a different instrument: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit..to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge,… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

 

“To one is given a violin, to another a cello, to another a clarinet, to yet another a trumpet. Yet all these instruments sound together, playing the same melody written by the composer, and guided into expression by the hand of the conductor.”

 

The body of Christ is the supernatural answer–if each of us plays our part faithfully. Harmony comes from our diversity.

 

WARNING

However, not all churches are open to this. “Control” is different than “orchestration.” Not all control is bad. I want control in a nursery. But symphonies have movements. God never plays the same “movement” twice.

 

When a church rejects a certain emphasis, they are rejecting a “sound.” Every fresh message has a number of those who trumpet the word. When controlling leaders reject a movement, they forfeit the gift that movement brings with them. When you reject the instrument of the Lord, you reject Jesus Himself in that particular expression and anointing. The area you reject is the area the anointing won’t work for you. Therefore be careful what you mock or reject.

 

Don’t cause division….never stop the music.

 

Don’t get into discord and lose the inner symphony, but don’t quench the sound either because some can’t appreciate it!

 

Expect some cymbal crashes where the body lacks discerning of its own parts.

 

God has been fitting you and refining you for that part which He has designated for you. The first “movement” of 2014 will be upon us soon.

 

I sense a divine hush.

 

The heavenly conductor is about to step onto the stage!!!!!

 

(Dr. Lance Wallnau is a world-class trainer and consultant whose students span the globe. From bestselling authors, pastors, and billion dollar CEO‘s, he has helped to transform the lives of thousands. Please check out his resources at www.lancelearning.com)

Filed Under: Guest Authors

Dec. 26, 2013–A Time to Forget

December 27, 2013 By

forgive-forget-640-360(Be blessed by this DWOD for Dec. 26, 2013 by Kenneth Copeland)

 

Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him…Until seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)

 

Remember when…?

 

That’s a question we hear a lot this time of year. Reminiscing with family and friends, we browse through Christmases gone by, enjoying the memories until inevitably, we stumble across the memories we would rather forget.

 

Suddenly, the pain comes rushing back. The sting of a parent’s criticism, the broken promise of a friend, the rejections, the disappointments, the heartaches…

 

What should we do with memories like that? Do we have to drag them along, like so much baggage, from year to year?

 

No. We can leave them behind. In fact, we must leave them behind. And there’s only one way to do it–through forgiveness.

 

Forgiving someone sounds like a simple thing to do. Yet few of us actually do it. We treat forgiveness as if it were one of life’s additional options, something we can take or leave alone. But it’s not. It’s a basic requirement for every believer. In fact, as far as God is concerned, unforgiveness is wickedness.

 

And in Matthew 18, Jesus tells a parable that illustrates the terrible consequences of it. The parable involves a servant who owed his lord a debt equivalent to millions of dollars. When the debt came due, he pleaded with his master, “Lord, have patience with me and I will pay thee all.” His master was so moved that he canceled the entire debt!

 

Soon after, that same servant sought out a man who owed him $15. Finding him unable to pay, he ignored the man’s pleas for mercy and had him cast into prison.

 

When his lord heard about it, he was incensed. He called him a wicked servant and delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was due.

 

Look again at the size of that unforgiven debt. Fifteen dollars. The little debts are the ones that most often trip us up. The petty resentments between husband and wife, between brother and sister. Tiny bits of unforgiveness that seem too insignificant to bother with. Beware. Those are the kinds of debts Satan uses to torment you.

 

After all, Jesus paid off a mountain of debts for you. You can afford to be generous about the nickel and dime debts of others.

 

Spend time with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to reveal any unforgiveness in you. Then repent and release it. Make this Christmas more than just a time for remembering. Make it a time to forget.  

 

(This post appeared first in from Faith to Faith, a daily guide to Victory. To subscribe to this daily devotional and access other great resources, please go to www.kcm.org)

 

Filed Under: Guest Authors

Dec. 25, 2013–What Christmas is all about

December 25, 2013 By

abba-father-300x225“The Son of God became the Son of Man so the sons of men could become the sons of God.”

These words have been resonating in my spirit every since my pastor friend Duncan Smith delivered them at a Conference a few years back. On this Christmas Day it seems to me that they sum up perfectly the reason why our Father in heaven sent His only begotten Son into our world.

The apostle Paul put it this way in Galatians 4:4-5: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Clearly, the heart of the Father is not to limit “sonship” to the Only Begotten Son, Jesus, but to everyone who desires to be part of His family. Paul tells us that He does this through the process of adoption.

Prior to becoming part of the family of God, we are like orphans who long to belong. Then we are given an opportunity to become His children. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

Simply by receiving Jesus as Saviour and believing that He is Lord (Romans 10:9), we are adopted into God’s family.

Paul goes on to point out the significance of this new identity. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:6-7)

Take a moment to let that sink into your spirits…an heir of God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, Father of Jesus himself. You and I have the same access as Jesus to all that the Father has. As Jesus himself said in Luke 12:32: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Wow! What an awesome change from being orphans without a family to becoming heirs of the one from whom every family on earth derives its name!!! He is now our “Abba!” our “Daddy.” It is an intimate relationship that every orphan child yearns to have…and we have it through Jesus!!

Dear, this identity is the key to advancing into your destiny. Knowing who you are in Christ, knowing whose you are, knowing that you are a joint heir with Jesus, gives you the confidence to forge ahead without fear, with no insecurity whatsoever. Because all of heaven backs you up every step of the way.

This is why God sent Jesus. Not just for us to see His only begotten Son, but for Him to see that all of us become His adopted “sons.”

Duncan Smith was absolutely perfect in his summation of Christmas: “The Son of God became the Son of Man so the sons of men could become the sons of God.”

Merry Christmas, everybody!

Filed Under: Pastor Jeeva Sam

Dec. 24, 2013–The Christ Child in the Manger

December 24, 2013 By

baby jesus in the manger

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1-7)

 

The sight of the infant Christ in the manger is the most vulnerable picture I can imagine.  Here is the Saviour of the world as a mere child who can do nothing to protect himself from the brutality of the world around him. Yet he was safe and grew to fulfill the will of God for his life.

 

Surely all heaven and hell understood the birth of this Messiah King: Heaven rejoiced and hell was thrown asunder.  Surely the devil amassed the forces of hell to launch an assault against this small child and tried to end his life through Herod before he even had a chance to grow up, but God protected him.

 

And that is the nature of God to protect the infancy of His great exploits from those who war against Him.  God will defeat our every enemy in Christ.  When we stay under the blood and look to God alone as our defense and shield, He has a way of carrying us through every storm.

 

When I think of the vulnerability of the Christ child and how God took someone who was born in obscurity in the lowliest of conditions and brought that one to the place of greatest honour, I am amazed at my God.

 

You see, it is not about our ability to achieve, but rather it is about His ability to exalt.  God is able to take the person who is completely sold out and dedicated to Him from the prison to the King’s court (Joseph), from tending sheep to the Kingship of the land (David), from the grape press to the place of the general of an army (Gideon) and from lying in the manger to reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

In 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul says, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

 

That work of infancy in your heart where the fires began to burn on that brand new day and when heaven began to ring like bells over your life was not something that you initiated and it is not something you will have to consummate.  This work of grace is consummated in our hearts through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross.

 

I am convinced that I am safe in God’s arms and no matter what comes in this life I will be with Him where He is.  No matter what the devil tries to do to defeat that work in my life, I will overcome.

 

Jesus was born in a manger to remind us that it does not matter where we come from.  What matters is that if God be for us, who can be against us?  Jesus accomplished the will of the Father and those who are in Christ will accomplish His will also.

 

I pray that through this season you will take some time to remind yourself of what God has done for you, and if you should not yet know Him, then I pray that the greatest revelation of His goodness will rise through this Christmas season. Changed forever by His love, may you then rise to your destiny.

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning

Dec. 23, 2013–The Peace of Christ

December 23, 2013 By

peace ornamentFor to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almightywill accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

 

Christmas can be a wonderful time of year for those who are in families and are surrounded by those who love them, but for those who have experienced loss through death, divorce or separation from loved ones, Christmas can be a time of year when great emptiness and sadness comes.

 

I remember when my first marriage ended; the first Christmas was probably one of the hardest times of my life.  I was living in Ottawa and my two daughters were living in Halifax.  They were very young then–3 and 6.  I was separated from them that Christmas and only got to speak to them on the phone for about 5 minutes Christmas day.

 

I remember getting off of that phone and walking for hours through snow in Quebec as I re-lived my loss over and over.

 

I did not know the Lord then, but Christmas Eve that year I was in a Catholic church with my adopted French Canadian family.  A friend of mine with whom I worked in government took me in for the Holidays.  I would have surely been alone otherwise. 

 

While in that service I remember feeling the peace of Christ in my heart.  I even saw an amber light within that church.  The peace was so great that I was amazed.  I didn’t understand much that was said in that service, but I felt the peace and presence of God.

 

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  My experience of God is peace.  The thing I long for in my heart the most is peace.  If I have the peace of Jesus in my heart, I know I can face anything that comes along because it strengthens me and keeps me safe.

 

I believe that we are in the middle of a great change in the earth and that the way we think of life and the things that we celebrate will change.  But Jesus will never change.  He broke down the barrier between man and God, and the presence of God now abides in the hearts of men.

 

Those of us who carry His presence carry the greatest treasure this world has ever known.

 

Recently I was at a Christmas celebration in government. My boss walked up to me and said, “Darren, since you returned to the job, I have noticed that you have a lot of peace in your heart.”

 

I could not have imagined a greater thing said to me.  I have always said that they shall know God within us by our peace and here was someone recognizing God within me.

 

So this Christmas season I pray that Jesus will be your peace.  I know some of you may not feel like celebrating because of the losses that you face, but I pray that in the midst of your sorrow or pain that you will take time to reflect on the heart of God and that Jesus will come alive in your like never before.

 

God bless you all.

Filed Under: Pastor Darren Canning

Dec. 22, 2013–John The Prepper

December 23, 2013 By

prep workIn those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For 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.’”(Matthew 3:1-3)

In July 1985 we bought our very first house on Sangster Boulevard in Regina, Saskatchewan. After a couple of years, we decided that the entire place needed to be painted—both inside and outside. Hiring professional painters was out of the question and beyond our budget.

 

Only one problem: Neither Sulojana nor I had ever picked up a paintbrush in our lives before. The only rollers we knew were of the holy variety 🙂

 

Enter Muriel Rae, a newcomer to our church and denizen of the same Argyle Park subdivision where our house was situated. She promised to give us a hand with it and promptly proceeded to give us a short, swift and thorough course on painting.

 

It was nothing like I had imagined. Much to my chagrin, painting did not begin with a can of paint and a brush. We had to first prep the walls. Muriel patiently showed us to how to fill the nail holes and cracks with polyfill, use sandpaper to smooth out rough edges, wash the surface with a sponge, tape the trim, etc. Then we had to “cut in” an inch from the ceiling and the baseboard before we could start splashing the paint on with a roller.

 

To be honest, I almost quit before the first coat of paint was ever applied. It was a lot of work…but painting without proper preparation would’ve been an exercise in futility. It was indeed a necessity.

 

Have you noticed that before Jesus could make a splash onto the scene, John the Baptist had to do the prep work? Both Matthew and Luke spill a considerable amount of ink describing in great detail the vital work he did to prepare the way for Jesus to launch his earthly ministry.

 

It was not a pretty job. Admittedly, John was not exactly a savoury character–sporting the first ever camel hair coats, munching on grasshoppers which were not coated with chocolate first, to name a few idiosyncrasies.

 

And his message wasn’t exactly smooth either. He had to do the harsh prep work, preaching an unpopular message of repentance. The sandpaper grit was also evident in the way he addressed Pharisees and Sadducees as “a brood of vipers.” Talk about the ax being ready to be wielded to chop down the trees that did not bear fruit revealed the, er, “cut-in” edge of his message.

 

Yet, John’s prep work and baptism of repentance was absolutely essential for Jesus to proclaim the message of the Kingdom and baptize with Holy Spirit and fire.

 

Jesus himself acknowledges the greatness of John’s ministry when he says of him: “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.”(Matthew 11:11). Quite a high compliment, wouldn’t you agree? That is how much Jesus values the prep work of John.

 

Dear DWOD friend, do you realize that you too are called to prepare the way of the Lord? Your prep work may not be the same as John’s. You may be called to fast and pray for those who have not yet met Jesus. You may be called to “witness to the Light” (John 1:6-8) by sharing your testimony or demonstrating the works of the Kingdom.

 

Granted it is not a glamorous calling. It is not as easy as splashing paint on a wall with a roller. But, just as Jesus needed John the Baptist to prepare the way for His coming, so too does He need you to be His prepper today.

 

Will you accept the challenge? I hope so. I pray so. Let it be so.

Filed Under: Pastor Jeeva Sam
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