Good morning, dear people.
I guess it’s obvious that I continue to be irregular. Not many devotional productions so far this month. And even this one flows out of the text for yesterday. Oh well. I have to wonder how regular you are. (Oops! I didn’t intend to get personal.)
Today is destined to be non-typical too. Andy and I have talked many times about fishing. We’re both so flooded with work that it’s hard to break away. But we’re finally going to do it today. Andy will be able to use Thano’s kayak (Hobie Adventure Island—like mine), and grandson Zane will use another kayak I picked up years ago (16’ Pelican). Thano has to work. We plan to be at Pacific City to fish the incoming tide about 11:30am. I anticipate getting our limits of Rockfish—5 each.
Blessings on your day. Ray.
Quoting this passage from Isaiah 40:3-5 is one way that Luke shows prophetic fulfillment in the life and ministry of this special person we know as John the Baptist. It profoundly describes the impact that John had in his day as a forerunner of Christ. He was dramatically used to create upheaval in that setting of spiritual dullness. But take note of exactly how John’s message of required individual repentance is presented. Is this a message only fitting for that day? Is it just an old-fashioned version of repentance? Wow! Of course not! It’s a message of as much urgent personal importance for us today as it ever was!
There is a phrase in that quotation that reverberates in my little head—“everyone everywhere.” Let’s back up and reflect on a similar prophetic utterance by old man Simeon at the temple in Jerusalem when Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus there to be dedicated to the Lord in compliance with Old Testament Law. There was definitely something special going on surrounding that occasion. Simeon was overwhelmed with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and he prophesied—“Lord and Master, I am your loving servant, and now I can die content, for your promise to me has been fulfilled. With my own eyes I have seen your Word, the Savior you sent into the world. He will be glory for your people Israel, and the Revelation Light for all people everywhere!” (Luke 2:29-32, TPT)
Now, let’s back up a bit more in this amazing story and revisit the angelic announcement to those freaked-out shepherds at Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God and the shepherds were terrified! (…as they should be!) But the angel reassured them, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere!’” (Luke 2:9-10, TPT)
I don’t know about you, but I get the strong compelling impression that this Biblical Gospel is essential GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE EVERYWHERE! It confirms for me that the Lord really meant what He promised to Abraham centuries before—“All nations (everyone everywhere) will be blessed through you” (Galatians 3:8, NIV). After all, “For God so loved the world”—everyone everywhere! “Go ye therefore and teach all nations”—everyone everywhere!