Strong in Spirit

November 27

(Luke 1:80 NIV) “And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.”

(Matthew 3:1-6 NIV) ““In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." {3} This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" {4} John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. {5} People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. {6} Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.””

(Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. {11} Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. {12} For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. {13} Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

John grew and became strong in spirit. This should be the goal of every believer. The work of Christ’s church is hindered when Christians refuse to grow and become stronger in spirit. Many worship at the altar of “Status Quo”, rather than at the altar of the “Present and Coming King”. Growth and strength in spirit come from time spent in the desert, but many believers resist going there. It was in the desert that John became strong in the Lord. God used the desert to prepare him to be a public spokesman for the coming King. John waited there until God told him it was time to speak. Don’t fear the desert experience, Christian. You can grow stronger in spirit there. It will prepare you to take your stand. Eat what God provides. Wear what He has given you in life. Grow strong in the Lord, and speak out when it’s time. Become like “a voice of one calling in the desert”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Called to Prophetic Ministry

November 26

(Luke 1:76-79 NIV) “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, {77} to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, {78} because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven {79} to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

(Luke 7:28 NIV) “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Zechariah’s son would become John the Baptist. He would prepare the way for people to see and accept the Lord Jesus. He would help them see their sin, and their need for a Savior who offers forgiveness, mercy and salvation. He would speak of the Light of the World, who shines His light into the darkness of human hearts. He would give those trapped in lifestyles of death, a glimpse of the life found in Christ. He would guide those living in chaos to a path of peace which passes all understanding -- a peace found only in Jesus. He would become a prophet of truth and hope. Christians, our calling is similar, but greater. Jesus said that the least in His kingdom would be greater than John. Prepare the way for people to receive Christ. Call them to repentance. Show them God’s mercy. Be a light in the darkness. Lead them to the peace found in Jesus. This is our prophetic ministry. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Enabled to Serve

November 25

(Luke 1:74-75 NIV) “… and to enable us to serve him without fear {75} in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”

(Acts 4:29-33 NIV) ““Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. {30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." {31} After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. {32} All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. {33} With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.””

Jesus did not come just to save us. That was a major goal of His mission, but He also came to equip and enable us to serve him. He came to enable us to speak His word with boldness here on Earth. Many serve to glorify themselves or their church. They want their name attached to deeds of kindness. Others serve out of fear. They figure God is up there somewhere keeping score, and if they do enough good stuff, they just might earn enough points to get into heaven. These are the wrong motivations. Disciples serve Jesus out of love. He has shown His love for us, and we love Him back. Jesus enables us to serve Him boldly and without fear, in holiness and righteousness. This is the right kind of enabling -- not enabling us to get what we want, but to do what God wants. When we serve Him with the right motivation, our lives will bear fruit that lasts. Let Jesus be your righteous enabler. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Rescued

November 24

(Luke 1:69-74 NIV) "He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David {70} (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), {71} salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us-- {72} to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, {73} the oath he swore to our father Abraham: {74} to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear"

(Galatians 1:3-5 NIV) "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, {4} who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, {5} to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

(Psalms 25:20 NIV) "Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you."

We all have enemies in this world. We may have human enemies who hate us. We certainly have a great spiritual enemy who seeks our demise. There is no salvation other than Jesus, who was sent by God to rescue us. But often, we are our own worst enemy. Our external enemies don’t need much help when we do most of the work ourselves. It is often said: “He backslid and fell into sin.” But most of us don’t slide or fall into sin. We run toward it. We wade into it. We soak in it like it was a hot tub. Most of our sins are not accidental. We may be blinded as to the consequences, but we are hardly ever ignorant about our direction. Zechariah sings that Jesus came to save us from our enemies. He came to rescue us from ourselves. The question for today is this: Will you reach up and take his rescuing hand, or will you continue to use your hands to swim in sin? It’s your choice. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day