Friday, November 20, 2009

Appearances Vs. Lifestyle

Matthew 3: John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.' "[a]
4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11"I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
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I can honestly say, that I do judge situations based on appearances! This is not necessarily a good thing! John the Baptist lived for Christ - he was not concerned with anything else but doing what God commanded him to do. John was probably scary looking and didn't smell all that great, and yet people came to be baptised!! This just proves that God's mission is accomplished regardless of what other's may think, say, feel, or do.

I believe that it is time for me to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas that I am just keeping up appearances and not living by faith!! God has done a great deal of work in me so far, I am sure He is not done yet!! He will be glorified with all that He does!!!

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