Mark 1:16-20

Mark 1:16-20  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed him.  When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.  Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. 

When Jesus called his first disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, He had scripted a life for them that was beyond their wildest imagination.  He made a life for them that left this earthly domain and all its attractions, a life in the kingdom of God that could only be entered by faith in Jesus' works.  They worked their entire lives for a kingdom unseen, a home unavailable to the flesh.  When Jesus walked by and called them, they were men of this earth.  After his call, they became members of a heavenly body, bound for a heavenly city, neither made by human hands.  When Jesus called, they were merely the sons of their biological fathers, but after his call they became sons of God, joint-heirs with the begotten Son.  How could they have ever imagined something so great?  The best plans and the highest goals they could have set down for their lives as young men would never have surpassed what Jesus had planned for them, what the Holy Spirit had in store.  While they would not reap riches or live as kings, they would learn to be disciples from the Son of God, and be known throughout the ages as those who left their nets and followed him, as those who gave up everything to become fishers of men with the Master Fisherman.  They did not ask for time to settle their affairs; they did not ask to go out for another good catch to fund the journey: they simply followed Jesus.  They heard the voice of God in Christ's simple call: Come, follow me.  The Spirit penetrated their hearts and minds, and they began the journey of a lifetime. 

So it is with us, no matter the dreams of our youth, no matter the pinnacles of success we thought we would climb, God always has a better plan for our lives: more meaningful, more successful, more enduring.  He planned our lives to be eternally profitable, for his spirit to guide, comfort us and lead us to our heavenly home.  A Christian's life is never unsuccessful in the hands of God.  When we take control, we are in dangerous territory.  Many scriptures tell us the foolishness of going our own way.  We do not have the mind of God.  As He spoke through the prophet Isaiah: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)  The devil is the great deceiver, and he tries to tell us we can manage our lives better on our own, that we are free to pick and choose what part of the gospel we accept and the parts we reject.  We read in Proverbs 16:25: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.  We think of this as speaking of eternal death, but we also reap havoc, darkness, and death to our spiritual walk in this life when we reject God's leading and refuse his perfect will.  So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.  That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’  So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”  (Hebrews 3:7-11)  Just as the children of Israel failed to enter into God's rest in the Promised Land because of unbelief, we can fail to enter into his rest each day because we do not trust him.  We do not believe He is a perfect Father who loves his children with a perfect never-ending love.  We are not willing to put Jesus in charge as Lord of our lives. 

When Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee calling first Simon and Andrew and then James and John, He was looking for disciples who would answer his call.  They did answer and we know them as part of the twelve apostles who helped spread the "Good News" to the known world.  We also know them as men who gave everything for the cross of Christ, not merely their livelihood, their families, and their reputations, but eventually their lives.  They faced sorrow, doubt, and confusion at the cross because they did not understand why their Lord had left them and was now buried in a grave.  But when Christ arose from the dead and when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, these men and the early church became a mighty force for God, spreading the gospel message that Christ had won the victory over sin and death.  They did not turn back to their former lives; they did not renounce their calling; they continued to follow Jesus.  They knew who they were in Christ and who Christ was in them.  They had surrendered their plans long ago on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and they were now love servants of the Most High, joint-heirs with Christ their Lord and Savior.  They did not go forth in their own strength but in the authority of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.  They had also entered into the rest of God--Jesus Christ!  After describing the failure of the Israelites to enter into God's provision, the writer of Hebrews goes on to say: There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.  (Hebrews 4:9-11)  Today, the Lord Jesus calls his children to follow him.  He asks us to cease from our own labors and to do the work of the Father.  He says, "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."  Yet, He also says, we need not worry, strive, and carry these heavy burdens.  He wants us to enter into his rest, to enter into the rest prepared for the sons and daughters of the Lord.  Listen, little children, and you will hear his voice.  He calls you by your name.  

Mark 1:14-15

Mark 1:14-15 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!” 

Luke 2:8-14 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  

The kingdom of God has been near from the time Mary and Joseph obeyed the decree of Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  As they traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem the town of David because Joseph belonged to the house and the line of David, they knew Mary was soon to give birth; but they did not know that the Son of God would be born in a stable in the most meager of circumstances.  They did not know an angel of the Lord would cry out to shepherds in the fields, watching over their sheep, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Perhaps they would have made other plans, preparations for the coming of the Christ Child.  But God knew, and God had prepared for the birth of his Son.  God had prepared the simple cloths, the lowly manger where the child would rest his head, the animals that would view the scene, and the shepherds who would come to give him praise.  God sent angels to announce the "Good News."  A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel who announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds.  We cannot really picture what that scene must have been like for those lowly sheep herders: suddenly the field becomes an arena for the heavenlies, and glorious praises to God penetrated the air surrounding them with words that stirred their hearts and minds.  They must have asked, "What does this mean: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests?  Yes, God is deserving of glory, and He is high and mighty in the heavens, but what did the angel mean about a savior being born in a manger, and how can there be peace on earth when we are a captive people, certainly without favor?"  No wonder after pondering these events, they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  (Luke 2:15)  

Today, December 22, 2012, our world is busy, more busy even than usual because as we all know, Christmas is upon us.  Many are out buying those last minute gifts or large supplies of food for the sumptuous meals we will consume to honor the birth of Christ.  While some Christians complain about those who substitute the phrase Happy Holidays for Merry Christmas because it leaves Christ out of the celebration, we have wondered if it would not be better to have a winter holiday celebration and to give Jesus another day altogether where we really do celebrate him and his birth.  Just as He said when He began his ministry: “The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!”  That was his gift to all mankind; that is the gift we have to share with everyone we meet.  Yet all over the world people are looking for just the right item or the most unusual event to capture the attention or regard of someone with an outstanding Christmas gift.  Mom opened at advertisement that has appeared at the beginning of Facebook recently for last minute gift buying.  You order the gift online, the recipient receives a confirmation of the gift by email or text, and it comes after Christmas.  Oh the tempting and exciting offers:  Gift cards for Bubb Gump Shrimp Company, the Rainforest Cafe, itunes, or the ever-popular Starbucks.  Give a donation to your favorite charity.  Buy an adult apron or a duvet cover you can decorate yourself with a permanent pen.  If your old measuring spoons are too blasé, purchase a ceramic set.  Everyone needs a wine aerator to bring out the flavor and aroma of the wine.  How about a year's supply of classic tooth brushes, some happy knee socks for creative calves, or some bottled water in an award winning design bottle.  One of our favorites was organic toys for your pets made from natural cotton and dyes, and for you musicians there is a lovely punch set to make your own custom made guitar picks.  There were many more choices for the "perfect gift" for that special someone.  We have lost our way in a sea of stuff.  

When Jesus when to the temple as was his custom, when the scroll was handed to him, He read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  (Luke 4:18)  The kingdom of God is near, and this is the year of the Lord's favor.  God sent his son to be born in a manger, to live as a man, to die a cruel death on a cross, and to rise again in glorious victory over sin and death that we might live forever with him as sons and daughters of the most high.  This is the "Good News" dear friends: this is Christmas.  The best gifts do not come in beautiful packages with perfect ribbons.  They sometimes come in stables in imperfect conditions.  This Christmas take time to share the Christmas story with your loved ones and friends.  Rejoice in Christ your Savior.  We give gifts to our grandchildren--all 19.  We make gifts for our children and their spouses.  We enjoy giving those gifts.  But Christmas must be more than that if we want joy, real joy, wonderful joy.  We must make room for Jesus.  We must dial back a bit and turn away from the craziness of our world.  The Holy Spirit is always with us and wants to lead us.  But He is a gentleman and will not force us to listen to his still small voice.  Think of someone to bless today.  The Lord may point out someone He wants you to bless financially, maybe with a small gift of $20 or a larger one.  Be listening.  God's sheep hear his voice.  Jesus is always in the room.  And He still says,  “The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!”  Merry Christmas dear ones.  

Mark 1:11-13

Mark 1:11-13  And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan.  He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 

Luke 4:1-2  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

We see as Jesus came up from the water of baptism, God affirmed him as his beloved Son, yet at once the Spirit sent him out into a desolate and lonely place to be tempted in body, mind, and spirit.  In the desert the Devil meets Jesus, promising him the ultimate aspirations of rulers and kings: to control all the earthly elements, to have power and authority, to be protected from harm.  As He struggles with the temptations of the Devil, Jesus is also exposed to the compelling needs of the body: food, shelter, and drink.  As Jesus struggles with the Devil and fleshly needs, He adamantly asserts his allegiance to God's authority in his life by using the Word of God against the Devil's claims and assertions: “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’” “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”  “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”  (Luke 4:4,8, & 10-11)  Jesus did not resist the devil with his own words but with the written Word of God as an example to all that He came in the name of his Father, God.  Jesus' baptism at Jordan meant that He was all in for his Father's purposes.  His biological needs and personal success or failure would not hinder him from fulfilling his Father's will.  He put his trust in the knowledge that God had a purpose for him to fulfill.  He knew He could trust in the steadfast love of the Lord.  He knew God was pleased with him and would lead him through every desert and every valley.  Jesus could not be tempted by the false promises of Satan because He recognized him as an adversary.  The Holy Spirit within Jesus guided him at all times and gave him power to resist the devil and to trust his Father.  

As with his forty days and forty nights in the desert, Jesus would live every day regardless of his personal needs or desires as an uncompromising Light in a dark and dismal world of sin.  He would contest the Devil at every front.  Often, He would be tempted by the people around him to avoid his journey to the cross. As the Devil tried to do, people would try to persuade him to seek the fame and comforts of the world.  Many clamored for him to be the king of Israel, to help throw off the yoke of Roman oppression.  For a time his apostles probably thought they were on the fast track to fame as long as they stuck to this Jesus, this strong leader who could work miracles and attract large crowds.  But Jesus kept talking about servanthood, not fame, fortune, or ruling power.  Finally, Judas the deceiver realized his "leader" was not going to be the "lord" of the secular world.  Hence, thirty pieces of silver was a good pay off to betray this ambitionless leader.  As Jesus journeyed through this world, He could have easily fulfilled Satan's desires for him: winning the affection of the masses and ruling over the kingdoms of the world.  He was in position for rulership, for He had healed the people, delivered them from demons, raised them from the dead, fed them when they hungered.  For many, Jesus was the answer to their problems, especially the sick, maimed, poor, and powerless.  Satan's message in the desert was a reality every day for Jesus, always present with him.  All he had to do was compromise a little by feeding fleshly desires.  But He did not come to compromise with the flesh, with evil.   He did not come for self-adgrandizment.  Instead, He came to release people from bondage, to set captives free.  He came to suffer and to die on the cross.  He came to make men and women righteous before the Father as new creatures in Christ their Savior.  He came to bring adopted brothers and sisters into the family of God.  As Jesus proclaimed when He read from Isaiah in the Temple: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  (Luke 4:18-19)  Praise the precious and lovely name of Jesus!

Have you ever experienced a desert, a place of unyielding temptation?  Have you ever in the midst of a maelstrom found yourself so weak that you needed angels to minister to you?  Such times test your will, your baptism of repentance, your commitment to the family, your "all-in" attitude.  God asks you to make up your mind for him by stepping out in faith: He says, Will you trust me and believe me regardless of the circumstances?  Will you say, "I will rest in God's will and not my own.  I know the path I have marked for myself is easier and more rewarding, but  I will follow him."  If you have not committed fully to your Lord, you are still dealing with a double-minded personality as a child of God.  A double-minded person may appear very religious outwardly, but  when the pressures come or when the Lord asks for a full surrender, the cracks in the foundation of the house of faith are evident.  We read in James 1:8 that a double-minded person is unstable in all he does.  Such instability leads to doubt, anxiety, fear, and unbelief.  Remember, Jesus was tempted every day of his life not to follow his Father's will.  Even at the last we see him asking the Father if the cup of the crucifixion could be removed, but He did not flinch or waver.  His desire to please his Father was cemented in the desert experience.  He would follow God regardless of the situation.  As Job said, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.  (Job 13:15)   Dear friends, are you determined to do God's will regardless?  If today, you have been led to the desert by God, make up your mind to serve him regardless, to hear his voice, and to follow his plan for your life.  If you do so, eternal life and a fountain of God's blessing will be yours throughout eternity.  When Jesus told his disciples He had to go away, He said He would send the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to abide with them and to teach them all things.  Then He said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  (John 14:27)  Fear not dear ones: we are not alone.      

Mark 1:9-11

Mark 1:9-11  At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:13-17  Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”  Then John consented.  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Jesus of Nazareth, the sinless, perfect One, came to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  His baptism, as with all baptisms, symbolized putting off the old, and putting on the new: dying to this world with its all consuming needs and self-interests and rising alive to a new world under the auspices of the perfect will of God.  The Spirit of God descended on Jesus that day when He was baptized in water, revealing God's approval of his Son and the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The scriptures note that from the day of his baptism, Jesus was totally committed to bringing the Kingdom of God to the people.  The Bible says: From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  (Matthew 4:17)  Christ's daily concerns would no longer revolve around food, drink, and shelter; for his Father had now made him the heavenly manna and living water for others to eat and drink to find eternal life.  He clearly stated, "I am the bread of life.  Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died.  But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.  This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”  (John 4:48-51)  He proclaimed one must enter the kingdom of God by believing in him, by eating and drinking of him, by putting their trust in his deeds, not their own.  After Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness where He would lay down all his physical wants and needs, the interests of the flesh, to face the torments of his enemy, Satan.  There in the wilderness, Jesus became hungry, thirsty and weak.  Yet through the power of the Holy Spirit and the written Word, He resisted the temptations of the devil and defeated his adversary.  He dismissed the physical and psychological needs that every human being experiences.  He dismissed these needs of the flesh for the will of the Father.  After this difficult experience in the wilderness, He followed God wherever the Spirit led him, doing the works of his Father.  Eventually, we hear him pray in emotional and physical agony on the Mount of Olives,  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  (Luke 22:42)  As we know, the Father's will was the cross: his destination, the place where Jesus would shed his precious blood for the sins of all mankind. 

To do the will of the Father, Jesus had to hear the Father's voice.  As Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  (Luke 14:35)  This is also a cry to each of us today who is sitting at this breakfast table.  Do we have ears attuned to the voice of the Father?  The Spirit says to each of us, "Those who hear my voice are mine."  Are you hearing his voice?  We read of our inheritance in the Word: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  (John 1:12-13)  Has the baptism in the Spirit caused you to be a sensitive son or daughter, desirous to fulfill God's plan in your life?  We who are born again are made alive to a set of senses that extends beyond this world of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching.  We are alive to a better set of spiritual senses, that does not falter or grow weak with age: love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Our newborn lives should no longer be consumed merely by seeking food, drink, shelter, and other worldly amenities.  Rather, our new lives should have new ears, attuned to the words of our dear Father.  How easy it is to write these words; how difficult it is to live them.  How easy it is for us around this table to discuss what we should do or what our nature should reflect, but how difficult it is when we are struggling on the Mount of Olives in our weak flesh, sweating blood, asking God to remove the task.  That is when we need the Holy Spirit not only in us but in those who surround us, who are literally part of the body of Christ.  At those times, we need to hear from within and from without those words that come from God.  My friends, are we willing to commit to God and to each other?  When we see Jesus on the Mount, He is really alone.  Yes, He brought three of his disciples with him to hold him up in prayer.  They did not hear the still, small voice of the Spirit that night.  Jesus was left alone to face the terror of that night.  They fell asleep, still under the control of their five senses and their own self-interests.  We need each other, just as Jesus needed the disciples when they slept instead of praying with him.    

Yes, John baptized the sinless Jesus.  Jesus' baptism was the cleansing of the worldly dust off of his body and soul.  However, Jesus knew, as Paul knew, as the disciples knew, that when they went under the water, they would come out "all in," as a sign to the world there are no lukewarm Christians in the Kingdom of God.  In Revelation 3:16 we read, So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  Christ was all in, totally surrendered, after receiving John's baptism of repentance.  He was no longer a carpenter: He was a servant of the Most High, on the road to Golgotha.  We who are alive IN CHRIST are servants of the Most High too, for we are members of the body of Christ, where every part works in unison for the effective functioning of the whole body.  The body is alive to spread the Good News, to serve God and a world in need of his love and mercy.  As Jesus was baptized so are we baptized in water and in the Spirit because of his work at the cross.  As He lives so do we live as newborn creatures made in his image with his life in us and his inexpressible joy strengthening us.  We are sojourners on a holy mission, just passing through.  Jesus said, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  (Matthew 8:20)  He was just passing through, with his eyes fixed on his Father's face and his ears tuned to the Father's voice.  Paul wrote to the church:  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  (Philippians 2:5-8)  Let the mind of Christ be in us.  As we pass through, whatever work the Lord has for us to do today, let us do it.  May our ears be attuned to the Spirit as the Spirit abides richly in our lives.  And we pray the Lord will allow our lives to give off an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  (Philippians 4:18)  God is pleased with obedience and faithfulness.  He will say, "Well done my good and faithful servant."  

Mark 1:4-8

Mark 1:4-8  And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him.  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.  John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.  I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John displayed all the accoutrements and actions of a holy man, a prophet of God.  He lived alone in the wilderness, ate only locusts and wild honey, wore clothing made of camel's hair, girded himself with a leather belt, displayed long and uncut hair.  He set himself apart from the activities and culture of the secular world.  His secluded and self-sacrificing lifestyle made him the perfect man to pave the way for the Son of God because he was a messenger of God who was not distracted by the world.  He epitomized the holiness revealed in the law of God; therefore, he alone would be allowed to baptize Jesus, the only begotten Son of God.  Viewing John's holy demeanor, we easily understand why God chose him to introduce his Son to the world.  Who better to prepare the way for the Lord; who better to call people to a baptism of repentance?  Yet, Jesus said this John God trusted so much to do his work is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.  We who sit around this breakfast table have attained a higher level of righteousness and acceptance with God than John the prophet of God.  He who sacrificed so much for God is lesser than we are in the Kingdom of Heaven.  John is a man of the Law, but we who are IN CHRIST because of enduring faith in his works are found with more righteous clothing than John, for we are clothed in Christ's righteous, holy robes bought by his precious blood.  We died with him and we are raised IN HIM to life eternal.  We are hidden WITH CHRIST IN GOD; therefore, we are totally acceptable to God.  (Colossians 3:3)  We received the privilege of entering into intimate relationship with God as his beloved children.  We do not seek acceptance into his family: we are in his family because of Christ's work on the cross.  We are now known as citizens in the Kingdom of God, joint heirs with Christ.  As we read in God's Word: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,  having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1:3-6 NKJV)  

Now, how should we live, knowing we are in a position with God that is greater than John the Baptist's position?  We should live as children of God, displaying  his likeness and character to the world.  His likeness is evident to us in the attributes of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter who dwells within us as a helper and a guide.  Rather than reacting negatively to people, we should be positive in our daily duties and relationships.  Rather than appearing sad and depressed, we should possess joy in our spirits that comes from a close walk with our Lord.  Rather than possessing hesitant and fearful personalities, we should be confident and bold in our interactions with others.  Knowing our lives are eternal, we want our hearts and minds to be continually caught up in the heavenlies, thinking God's thoughts.  We are not of this natural world, bound to this earth and time.  But these truths are hard for believers to grasp fully, including us.  When we face uncertainties and the frailities of the flesh, we all struggle with our fleshly weaknesses.  We have to ask ourselves hard questions sometimes:  Am I happier than the people of the world, more optimistic than they are?  Am I less fearful than my unsaved friends?  Do I display criticism and judgment more than encouragement and healing salve?  Jesus has told us we are the light of the world, the salt of the earth.  Are we serving in that capacity or are we hiding our lights under bushels and going along with the fault-finding crowd that specializes in negativity?  People are looking for lighthouses in the middle of storms.  We are called to serve and to save.  Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  (Philippians 2:1-8)  

Every believer will find himself or herself struggling with faithlessness.  We read in God's Word: Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10)  The joy of the Lord strengthens us, not our wisdom, not our insight into the world's problems, not our ability to argue theology.  When we face circumstances beyond our control, we must latch on by faith to the joy of the Lord, and we will find the strength of the Lord that sustains us and sees us through to the end.  As little babies receives comfort and peace when they nurse from their mothers' breasts, so must we relax in God's arms and receive the peace and joy He provides for his children.  The Bible tells us that we are in a much better place than John, the most holy man that walked this earth, the one chosen to prepare the way for the Son of God.  We have a position more secure than John, a position in the grace and mercy of a loving Father who gave everything to secure our eternal salvation.  We must enter into that place of rest provided for us every day, for God has given us that place in his loving arms.  The writer of Hebrews tells us, There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.  (Hebrews 4:9)  He goes on to say that we must not fail to enter into that rest as the children of Israel failed to enter the Promised Land because of unbelief.  Today, God is calling his children.  He is calling each of us to a closer walk with him.  He says, I am here for you.  I want to comfort you and give you my peace.  I want to fill you to overflowing with my Holy Spirit so you might bless others in my name and share my joy with them.  Come to me and I will bless you, heal you, and send you forth in the name of my Son.