December 17, 2008

Read Mark 1:1-8

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"—Mark 1:2-3

A few weeks ago, Pastor Matt finished his sermon series, “Why Church?” A lot of what we talked about was the public perception of Church and how people viewed Christians. Although we don’t wear camel hair and eat locust drenched in honey as John the Baptist did, we can seem kind of weird to people who are not followers of Christ.

When trying to reach people, with the good news of Christ, the Advent and Christmas season is the perfect time to introduce your faith to them. I think what sometimes gives the church a wrongful perception is that too often the people try to do the “saving” themselves. John the Baptist teaches us to prepare the way of the Lord. Sometimes, all we need to do is plant the seed and let the Holy Spirit do the rest!

In this season of giving, think of someone who can use this good news and share it. Let us all be like John the Baptist in preparing the way of the Lord here on earth.

Pray: Lord, allow your spirit to move in me as I do my best to tell everyone I know about your amazing love. Help me in my own way, using the gifts you’ve given me, to prepare the way for others to feel the presence of your Holy Spirit.

Andy Waggoner leads our worship with music each Sunday at The Gathering.