Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea. He said, “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here.” John was the one the prophet Isaiah was talking about, when he said,

“In the desert someone

is shouting,

`Get the road ready

for the Lord!

Make a straight path

for him.’ “

John wore clothes made of camel’s hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.  Matthew 3:1-4

John had a message:

PREPARE

PREPARE THE WAY

GET READY

TURN BACK TO GOD

REPENT

CHANGE

THE KINGDOM IS NEAR

THE KINGDOM IS COMING

CHANGE AND BE READY

BE AWARE

BE LOOKING

BE EXPECTANT

BE PAREYRFUL

John was a sign and a wonder.  he was a demonstration of God and the coming kingdom.  He was wierd on the outside – but living a life of obedience set apart for God.  His mission was to get people ready – ready for the incarnation of the messiah – ready for a saviour – ready for Jesus – ready in their hearts and minds and spirits – watching and waiting and expectant for teh reality of God!

John was all about:

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

NEW THINGS

A NEW AGE

in our own lives we should be living lives that demonstrate the love and grace of God.  we should be living and DOING what God has called us to do.  it is important and part of His plan.  we are preparing people too – we are planting seeds and sharing the message of the good news – that Jesus CAME and LIVED and DIED and ROSE AGAIN that we may draw near to God and be new and clean and forgiven and holy and loved and forgiven.   Jesus is coming AGAIN and we should be sharing the message of his reality to those around us, our family and friends, getting them ready for the kingdom of God – be they meet it through death or Jesus’ return.  Be like John – have a message, live a message, BE the message!

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