“John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” – Luke 3:16

John the Baptist was a charismatic and compelling figure in the 1st Century. He was the first true prophet the people had seen in centuries, a larger-than-life figure straight out of the scrolls of the Hebrew Scriptures. His call for radical repentance had the citizens of Israel traveling into the desert, turning their hearts and minds away from sin and back toward God. People flocked to John to repent of their sins and be baptized.

John was also crystal clear that he was just the opening act! He knew that God had sent him to prepare Israel for the coming of Messiah. John came to stir up the spiritual life of God’s people which had grown stagnant. John was to prepare the way for the Lord Himself to come to earth. He prepared people to receive Jesus. Jesus, the Christ, is the One infinitely greater than John. It’s Jesus Whose dusty sandals John feels unworthy to handle.

The ministry of God’s eternal Son Jesus is what John was preparing people for. He turned their minds toward God, then Jesus, Who is God, came and walked among them. He taught, He worked miracles, He loved. Then He voluntarily gave His life as a sacrifice on the cross, died, and rose from the dead. After ascending to heaven, it was Jesus Who sent forth the Holy Spirit to everyone who believes in Him. This is what John promised was coming, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Who’s given to everyone who believes in Jesus. The prophets from the first all the way to John prepared people for the main event. Jesus IS the main event, never get confused about that! Believe in Him and submit your life to Him for He alone is worthy. #FollowJesus

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” – Luke 2:46-47

This is the only biblical account we have of Jesus as a child. When He was twelve years old and still a boy in the eyes of the culture, Jesus stayed behind in the Temple when Mary and Joseph left Jerusalem to return home. He got by on His own for days and devoted His time to early and extraordinary interactions with the great Bible teachers of the time. These are not normal behaviors for a middle-schooler, to say the least!

This story emphasizes that Jesus was always the Son of God from eternity past. He was profoundly aware that God was His Father and that He belonged in His Father’s house. Even as a boy, Jesus demonstrated tremendous knowledge and understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures. His extraordinary knowledge and wisdom weren’t something that came upon Him at His baptism. Jesus was always the Christ, the eternal Son of God Who stepped out of glory into our broken world to redeem us from our sins.

This simple story, this little glimpse of His childhood, helps us remember and worship Jesus as He truly is. Fully God and yet, also, fully human. A boy growing to maturity but always possessing an eternal mind and divine nature. Why did He go through all that? To be able to understand, represent, redeem, and rescue us from our sins. To be able to go in our place to the cross and take our sins upon His sinless self, atoning for our sins so we who believe in Him won’t have to. #FollowJesus

“What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.”
– Psalm 34:12-13

This is a great reminder as a divided nation heads into a particularly divisive season. Though you will see and hear much that is infuriating, offensive, and discouraging, followers of Jesus can’t respond in the same way. So don’t!!!

God blesses His people when we restrain our words, speaking only truth and life in love. A Christian must not speak, like, share, repost, or retweet lies and must care enough to make sure something is true before hitting that button! Feeling true and satisfying you aren’t the test. Is it actually true? God blesses a controlled tongue because only a controlled tongue can glorify Him. An uncontrolled tongue is a tool of Satan.

Even when you’re burning with the temptation to really “blast ‘em” you must not. Should you speak up against evil? Of course! But not in a way that is evil, vicious, or cruel itself. If you have the truth, it doesn’t need to be covered with poison. Should you speak about what’s important to you? Certainly, but do it in a way that is loving and honest, not hateful and false.

Jesus changed the world with love, honesty, and truth. Admittedly, He was crucified for it but that was for our benefit as well. His Spirit lives within every true Christian. If you’re a believer, then you have that same power and should be willing to suffer to change the world. This year, resolve to speak like Jesus, post like Jesus, and tweet like Jesus. #FollowJesus

“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;”
– Luke 1:52

As Mary declared in this verse, God began a great reversal of fortune with the coming of His Kingdom in Jesus Christ. Through Christ, those of low social standing who entrust their lives to Jesus are raised up. In Christ, we’re adopted by the King of the Universe, united with His Son, and sealed by His Spirit. We are co-heirs with Jesus, princes and princesses raised up with Him to reign alongside Him. No matter how difficult or depressed your situation may become on earth, you’re exalted in God’s eyes. God sees you, He loves you, and He exalts you!

Meanwhile, those who’ve grown wealthy and powerful by exploiting the sinful systems of the world will one day be brought down in judgment. Those who’ve profited from injustice will receive true, eternal justice. Temporary power on earth, if rooted in sin and use for evil or selfish purposes, will become eternal powerlessness apart from God’s presence.

Make no mistake, there are godly people of power and influence on earth. Praise God for the good they have opportunity to do for God’s Kingdom! If you’re one of them, recognize that your situation is a stewardship entrusted to you by God to use well on His behalf. Use your blessings to further God’s Kingdom by proclaiming good news and opposing evil throughout the world. Live by the same values God does, including His concern for the uplift of those in low and difficult situations. #FollowJesus

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37

How often do you think in terms of what’s possible and impossible? Children generally don’t but once we get a little older most older folks do. It becomes ingrained in us by parents, peers, teachers, classmates, coworkers, or employers. And yet, as an angel stood explaining to Mary how her aged and infertile relative Elizabeth was going to have a baby as a sign that Mary herself was going to have a baby without an earthly father, the angel emphasized that nothing is impossible with God. Nothing!

Think about it, repeat it, and believe it. Nothing will be impossible with God. Yes, He has usual ways of operating in the well-ordered world that He created. Nonetheless, He can do anything He wants and nothing is impossible for Him. In light of that, be faithful in prayer and ask the impossible. As you grow in understanding God’s will and desire to expand His Kingdom on Earth and make disciples of all nations, ask God to do the impossible. He may choose to or He may choose to wait or He may have a better way to accomplish His will. But it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask!

When you’re facing an impossible situation, take it God in prayer. As a follower of Jesus, approach God’s throne with the confidence of His beloved child and ask for the grace and mercy you need to get past the seemingly impossible. Let God surprise you! #FollowJesus