What do you go out to see?

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

I had a wonderful time in Rogers yesterday with my grandson. He plays basketball - six years old - if you can imagine. My son is one of his couches and it was a sight to behold. They have to lower the goal for the little fellows, but not that much.

I also got to visit with my sister, Jean, who lost her husband a few weeks ago. She is doing really well, and I think is going to start reading Charlotte in the morning! A few years ago she was my champion to keep on with my writings. If you have 'tuned in,' Jean, welcome!

We have been reading about the birth, early childhood, and the preparation for the starting of Jesus' ministry.

Luke 3 goes on to say in the 15th verse Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ, John answered and said to them all,

"As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals;

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.

But (there's the but) when Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the wicked things which Herod had done, Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

This was the beginning of the end for John. John did what he was supposed to do. He wasn't a fancy dresser. He dressed in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4) He wasn't a pretty site.

Matthew 11 goes on to tell us of John in verse 2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him,

"Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?"

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

John did not take offense at Jesus. John says at one point before he was beheaded that 'He must increase, but I must decrease.' (John 3:30) John knew his place - his job to be done - and he knew when Jesus came, he would have to decrease because his job was finished.

As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,

"What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces!

But what did you go out to see? A prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet, This is the one about whom it is written 'Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.'

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom is greater than he."

John was the least in the kingdom because salvation was not yet come. John was not under grace, he was under the law, because Jesus had not completed the plan of salvation at this time.

It was soon after this that John was beheaded. He had done nothing wrong other than what God had sent him to do, yet he lost his life because of it.

What do you go out to see? Another programmed church service with rot singers and written sermons?

What do you go out to see? To read the word of God and go on living like you never read a word?

What do you go out to see? Jesus, the spectacular, or Jesus, the Messiah who came to change your life?

Many times in my life I have wanted to throw in the towel. To say it is too hard. I can't do this. I can't turn the other cheek. I can't be content with my wages. I can't be loving and kind and gentle. I want to tell them to put it where the sun don't shine, or in the words of the western song 'take this job and shove it,' but (there's the but), Jesus did change my life. I have to remember what I'm here for and what influence I shed on those around me. And when the negative comes (and it will), I try to remember that 'the Jesus in my heart must increase and I must decrease.' That is very hard sometimes, but in the long run, it is the only way to live. I certainly don't expect to be beheaded because of it like John. So, what am I about - what am I going out to see?

Lord, help me to always, always go out to see You and only You. Jesus, be real in life - not artificial - but You, Jesus, my friend, my Savior, my Redeemer, my giver of life. And, Lord, no matter what, let my light shine so that others will know and be healed. For it is in your name that I pray! Amen.

Have a great day today!

Charlotte