“Humans don't mind hardship, in fact they thrive on it; what they mind is not feeling necessary. Modern society has perfected the art of making people not feel necessary.”
―
DEUTERONOMY 31-32
7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”(31:7-8)
45When Moses had finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46he said to them, “Take to heart all these words I testify among you today, so that you may command your children to carefully follow all the words of this law. 47For they are not idle words to you, because they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” (32:45-47)
LUKE 1:1-23
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
LUKE 1:1-23
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
JOURNAL
The great thing about reading the New Testament through is that Jesus life ends and starts over 4 times through the 4 Gospels. It's really interesting reading the mission for John and what is said about him. Fascinating that God's spirit is with him even before birth. His mission is to "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Of all the things...turn the hearts of the parents to their children. Well doing research this comes from Malachi and the last words of the old testament...5“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”So how does John the Baptist do this? Baptism...Wow...people become new. Not physically but spiritually and are then adopted into the Kingdom.
People getting adopted into the Kingdom...becoming a vital part of God's plan. The symbol of baptism signifies that we are now part of the Epic story of God's redemption and new kingdom. I don't guess I ever really fully connected that my acceptance of God's grace is to transform me into a role of service for the Kingdom of God. It's truly transforming from selfishness to unselfishness. It is a turn from self-protection and self-promotion to service, love and sacrifice.
This is precisely why we connect so passionately with anything involving a team. It's what we were made to do and fulfill. It resonates deep within our soul. We want to do something and be a part of something that's bigger than us. That lives beyond us. I think it's our deepest core desire and it's because God planted it in our mind and soul. That need is essential to our core purpose.
So if I am now part of this new kingdom. Then everything I do today and every day I am gifted is for the ultimate purpose of building God's kingdom. How I do my job, how I interact with strangers, how I love my family and friends...It's all a part of transforming a world obsessed with selfishness, self-promotion and self-protection into the new heaven and earth of God's Kingdom.
The great thing about reading the New Testament through is that Jesus life ends and starts over 4 times through the 4 Gospels. It's really interesting reading the mission for John and what is said about him. Fascinating that God's spirit is with him even before birth. His mission is to "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Of all the things...turn the hearts of the parents to their children. Well doing research this comes from Malachi and the last words of the old testament...5“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”So how does John the Baptist do this? Baptism...Wow...people become new. Not physically but spiritually and are then adopted into the Kingdom.
People getting adopted into the Kingdom...becoming a vital part of God's plan. The symbol of baptism signifies that we are now part of the Epic story of God's redemption and new kingdom. I don't guess I ever really fully connected that my acceptance of God's grace is to transform me into a role of service for the Kingdom of God. It's truly transforming from selfishness to unselfishness. It is a turn from self-protection and self-promotion to service, love and sacrifice.
This is precisely why we connect so passionately with anything involving a team. It's what we were made to do and fulfill. It resonates deep within our soul. We want to do something and be a part of something that's bigger than us. That lives beyond us. I think it's our deepest core desire and it's because God planted it in our mind and soul. That need is essential to our core purpose.
So if I am now part of this new kingdom. Then everything I do today and every day I am gifted is for the ultimate purpose of building God's kingdom. How I do my job, how I interact with strangers, how I love my family and friends...It's all a part of transforming a world obsessed with selfishness, self-promotion and self-protection into the new heaven and earth of God's Kingdom.
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
- Romans 8:12-17
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
- Romans 8:12-17
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