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The
voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of
the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our
God. (Isaiah 40:3)
As we get
ready to close out this year, many of us may find ourselves in a
wilderness experience. It's like God is wanting to do something new,
but He wants to get the old out of us so we can embrace the new.
That's great news, but it is not easy. Trying to move forward with a
bunch of old stuff dragging us down will prevent us from truly
embracing all that God has for us.
Here's
some examples of how God used wilderness experiences to get folks
ready for the new thing:
When
Moses was in the desert, God called him and prepared him to go set
His people free.
When
Elijah was in despair in a cave, God spoke to him in a whisper and
called him out of that cave!
When
John the baptist was in the wilderness, he was calling people to
prepare the way of the Lord, because Jesus was about to arrive on the
scene.
When
Jesus was in the wilderness, God used that experience for Him to
overcome the devil and prepare to begin His ministry that would save
all mankind!
In each
situation, these men were in a season of preparation. It wasn't a fun
experience, but a necessary one. What the Lord is calling us to do as
we end this year is to allow Him to cleanse us, clear out the old and
remove things in our heart that need to go.
As we
celebrate Christmas, and celebrate we should, may we remember to
allow God to use this time to get us truly ready to embrace new
things that are coming that will bring glory to God and help for many
people. Our job is to listen to His voice, ask questions and obey His
commands.
Remember,
it's easy and great to enjoy Him in those mountaintop moments. But
God does His best work in us when we are in the wilderness. He draws
us closer to Him. So, painful though it may be, give Him thanks and
embrace the new you that He is busy forming. Then go out and make
disciples!
Rejoice
always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians
5:16-18)
Song:
Holy In My Heart
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We love
you so much!
Denny
& Hanny Stearns
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