DATE POSTED
Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Quoted from the Living Bible (TLB) and found in John 1:22-23

THE SCRIPTURE READS
²² “Then who are you? Tell us, so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you have to say for yourself?”
²³ He replied, “I am a voice from the barren wilderness, shouting as Isaiah prophesied, ‘Get ready for the coming of the Lord!’”

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
In my earlier years of ministry, I recall leaving the bedside of a church member I had visited and prayed for, and as I departed, I recall her family member asking her whether I was her pastor. Although overwhelmed that I had left that kind of impression with the family member, I knew that I was merely a servant of the most high God who visited the sick and shut-ins as a means of reminding them that someone still loved them, even while they laid on a bed of affliction wishing that they could be at church encouraging others. John the Baptist showed us in today’s Scripture how to respond to a question like the one asked of my friend. You see, there will be times that you are anxious to share about your Lord with those you come into contact with, and they will question, who do you think you are to come and share your religion with them. It’s a fair question, for they are a sinner, but so are you, it’s just that you have been saved by the wonderful grace and awesome forgiveness of the Savior of this world, in response to your asking. I believe a good way for us to think about our redemption from sin, and our desire to share that with others we come into contact with, is to compare the scenario to an approaching storm. If I heard about a hurricane, or a very bad winter storm approaching my area, and it gripped my heart to prepare as best I good in order to protect myself and my property, I would also want to quickly tell my neighbors and others in my neighborhood, regardless of how crazy they may think about my desperation and move to protect everything and everyone around me. For the believer in Jesus Christ, we know and believe what the Bible teaches, that Jesus will return one day, and/or we will be called out of this temporary body and sinful world one day, to be with our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ and His Father, God. So, we prepare for this inevitable fact by asking Jesus into our heart, since He is the ONLY WAY into heaven. But then, our unselfish thoughts, and our love for our neighbor, kicks in, and we find ourselves desiring to ensure that our friends are also prepared, by knowing how to ready themselves for this glorious event. In this latter event, we become very much like John the Baptist – a messenger crying out in this wilderness of sin here on earth, telling others of the impending return of Jesus and how He will determine who goes with Him. This should impress upon believers to help our friends see and understand the only way to ready themselves for heaven. I believe it is evident that God wanted us to see what John the Baptist went through and how he handled his situation, for God knew that we too would be faced with the identical situation in our earthly lives. For us to reject God’s plan for us as believers, would be the same as if John would have raced the Jewish leaders and priests away without a care for their eternal destiny. Praise God, John didn’t take the latter stand, for he cared for his neighbors, even if they meant evil for him and his ministry. So should we make it our business to make sure our neighbors, family and friends are ready for the return of Jesus Christ? Unfortunately, the alternative is way more desperate and concerning, for we would hate to see them enter into the hands of the evil one where they would receive eternal damnation and punishment by Satan and his evil ones for all eternity. So, the choice is clear, follow in John’s example and share Christ in every aspect of our lives, even if it may turn to mockery, scorn, or question for us.

PRAYER
The urgency of the hour is beyond anything we can comprehend today, for we tend to put off for tomorrow anything we don’t feel like dealing with today. But Lord, I pray that You would constantly remind us of the tips You left for us in Your Word, that no one knows the day or the hour of Your return when You will take Your children home to glory. Therefore, it behooves us to not only ready ourselves for Your imminent return, but to also assume that it could be today. John the Baptist felt this urgency, so he went about his work of sharing Christ with everyone, even those that he knew were out to have him killed. Please Lord, help us to stop worrying about what our family, co-workers, friends, or acquaintances will think or say about us, but to always share the good news of Jesus Christ, the One who will return at any moment to take those who are ready, on to heaven to be with He, the Father and the Holy Spirit. By glorified in us, oh Lord, and allow unbelievers to see Jesus in person in their interaction with us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!