A Crucified Life - - Prepares The Way

 

    Mark 1:3

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight'."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.

Prepare: make ready

From the Greek word 'hetoimazó' (pronounced het-oy-mad'-zo): I make ready.

    Yes, Christ Jesus came to die for all of us. His once-and-for-all decision impacts each and everyone who hears of such wonderful news. Yet, it is the each that disturbs people. 

    For each one of us must prepare our hearts and our minds to receive Jesus Christ into it. Believing on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is paramount to entering into God's kingdom. It is the most important decision any of us will ever have to make. 

    Though this verse in Mark refers to the prophetic conclusion referred to in Isaiah 40:3, the many of us who have believed in the Name of Jesus Christ for our salvation have been proclaiming to the not yet believing that Christ is returning soon. 'Soon' is just a not-yet-determined time that lies in the near future. Don't be discouraged if it hasn't happened yet. Everything happens in God's timing, for God is over all, even time. 

    Matthew 24:36-51 tells us to be ready for His return. Isaiah 40:3 tells us to prepare His way. As roads were made passable for visiting kings, so, too must we prepare ourselves to receive our King. 

    We prepare our hearts to receive Christ when we acknowledge we are sinners and repent of our sins against God. 

    We prepare His way when we believe that He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. The Way of salvation and righteousness. The Truth in every aspect of God's Word. The Life Eternal, having resurrected from the dead and walking into newness of life.

    We prepare the Way of the Lord by living holy, blameless lives under the direction of and in the empowerment of The Holy Spirit. Seek His direction now. I seek His direction at every step of my life, especially when preparing these studies. For I have no desire to lead you astray: I don't want to make any mistakes when sharing, proclaiming, God's Word with you.

    We call you now, all around the globe, in every corner of this earth, to prepare your hearts to believe on the Name of The LORD Jesus Christ, that you may receive His salvation through repentance of sins and be baptized. Baptized in water as a public confession of your faith in Christ. Be baptized in God's Holy Spirit that you may receive power to live your newly birthed faith and spread the Good News of God's saving grace with all of God's people. 

    Isaiah 43:1

But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine."

    Revelation 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it. 

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A Crucified Life - - Is Hard Pressed

 

2 Corinthians 7:5

For from the time that we came to Macedonia, we had no relief for our body, but we were tormented in all things: combat from without, and fear from within.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3600/2852 & 2346

Tormented: to suffer pain; to be mistreated violently

Pressed: afflicted, hard pressed, constricted, compressed 

     

     I used the Aramaic translation for today's verse because it explained best to me this verse. But finding the correct definition of 'tormented' in this instance took some time, as there are many types of torment.

     Paul is writing from their personal experience of being violently coming against for bringing the gospel to Macedonia. At the same time in which he and his companion(s) are being come against personally, their thoughts began to bring fear into the equation. So, from both the outside and the inside they felt tormented, compressed.

     Ever seen an apple squeeze? That's pressing hard from two sides to produce something that doesn't even resemble an apple, yet is sweet to the taste and quenches a body's thirst. That's what was happening here. Being hard pressed on every side, these men were becoming something more, being changed and conformed to a sweeter taste in the Lord. 

    It is the same for every born again believer who is willing to share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. We must be willing to stand up for Jesus in the Love of God. We are not violent. We do not take  up arms against the unbeliever. If we need defending, Christ is our Defense. We must pursue righteousness every step of the way.

    We overcome fear that rises up within us by the Word which is in us. The Holy Spirit upon us, and working through us and in us, girds us up and builds a fire within us to keep going, to keep speaking the Name of Jesus and God's message of salvation and deliverance. 

    He reminds us that we are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Our strength is in the Lord, not in ourselves. The only power that is wielded is the power of God bursting forth from our obedience to Him. 

    In this day and age in which we currently live, born again believers are not welcome. Our differences set us apart boldly. We have one voice: we speak the Love of God. We have one heart: we pursue godly agendas. We have one name: born again believer. 

    And we have one Savior: the only begotten Son of God Jesus Christ, the Messiah who was promised in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament. 

    Lord, use us for Your glory as we bring Your Word to a lost and dying world who desperately need You. Help us to bring You to each and every one who hungers for Truth and Love and Friendship that is faithful and sure. 

In Your Wonderful Name,

Amen.

PRESSED FOR THE BETTER  (A Jesus Culture playlist)

Alive In You

Where You Go, I Go

My Soul Longs For You

Break Every Chain

One Thing Remains

Fill Me Up

Rooftops

Set A Fire

Your Love Never Fails