Many people are trying to find God but do not have the right beginnings, but what are the right beginnings?
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the desert of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3: 1, 2, NIV.
GOD'S TIMETABLE
This verse starts with God’s time, it says, “In those days.” This is a statement of fact but it tells us a lot. There is a time set aside for preparation, and often we see it only in hindsight. John came to make the nation ready, the thing that the nation needed was to turn from sin.
THE DESERT
The “Desert” is often a place where God deals with people; it is a bare place free from distractions. We need to get in “Desert Mode,” and live more simply, so we can focus on God, without TV, hobbies, and entertainment; a place for time in prayer, Bible reading, worshiping, meditation on God’s word, and fellowship in a good church. We can’t go to the desert but we can live the “Desert Mode” wherever we are.
JOHN'S MESSAGE
John the Baptist came "preaching." His message was clear and simple. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” The word, “repent,” means to turn around, or turn away, usually from sin. The gospel story begins with “repent.” It was preparatory, and it still is today. If you want God to do something mighty, if you want His blessings, or see His hand at work in it starts with me making a decision to “repent.”
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
A kingdom is a place ruled by a king. Not all church-going or religious people are part of God's kingdom. It is a kingdom that must be entered and its king is someone who must be known.
OUR MESSAGE
First, we must hear the message ourselves and live lives of repentance, and then warn others to become ready for God's kingdom by turning from their wrongdoings and serve the King of Kings.
To learn more about how to enter God's kingdom see my other blog.
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the desert of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3: 1, 2, NIV.
GOD'S TIMETABLE
This verse starts with God’s time, it says, “In those days.” This is a statement of fact but it tells us a lot. There is a time set aside for preparation, and often we see it only in hindsight. John came to make the nation ready, the thing that the nation needed was to turn from sin.
THE DESERT
The “Desert” is often a place where God deals with people; it is a bare place free from distractions. We need to get in “Desert Mode,” and live more simply, so we can focus on God, without TV, hobbies, and entertainment; a place for time in prayer, Bible reading, worshiping, meditation on God’s word, and fellowship in a good church. We can’t go to the desert but we can live the “Desert Mode” wherever we are.
JOHN'S MESSAGE
John the Baptist came "preaching." His message was clear and simple. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” The word, “repent,” means to turn around, or turn away, usually from sin. The gospel story begins with “repent.” It was preparatory, and it still is today. If you want God to do something mighty, if you want His blessings, or see His hand at work in it starts with me making a decision to “repent.”
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
A kingdom is a place ruled by a king. Not all church-going or religious people are part of God's kingdom. It is a kingdom that must be entered and its king is someone who must be known.
OUR MESSAGE
First, we must hear the message ourselves and live lives of repentance, and then warn others to become ready for God's kingdom by turning from their wrongdoings and serve the King of Kings.
To learn more about how to enter God's kingdom see my other blog.
(c) Adron 1/22/10
