Thought For Today

But when he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” John 3:7 – 9

Wow Lord, John sure wasn’t saying very kind things to these Pharisees and Sadducees. He saw them like You did …for who they really were. Phonies! They acted one way but they really were not sincere.

Thank You Lord for seeing our hearts and knowing our thoughts.

Thank You for seeing our motives and our desires.

Oh to be like You Lord….full of Your love and Your compassion.

Thank You for Your example.

Thank You Lord.

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Then went out to him (John) Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:5, 6

Lord it is very interesting to see how popular John was. He dressed strangely. He ate strangely. And yet the people were flocking to the river Jordan to confess their sins and be baptized by him.

Thank You Lord for making each of us unique.

Thank You for using us even though we might seems strange to others.

Thank You for calling us all to become more and more like You.

Thank You Lord.

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Then went out to him (John) Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:5, 6

Thank You Lord for men and women like John that are out in the world today winning people to You.

Thank You for our missionaries and those that go on mission trips to help them.

Thank You for our God given desire to do all we can for You Lord.

How wonderful it is to have Your love flow through us as we become more and more like You.

Oh how blessed we are Lord.

Thank You. Thank You Lord.

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Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. John 3:4

Lord I am reminded of the scripture that says, ‘Man looks on the outside but God looks on the heart.’

This verse tells us how John was dressed because it was certainly not the normal apparel of the day. He was very different in his dress and what he ate. Today we would think he was very strange. In spite of his looks and what he ate people were flocking to see him. He had a message to tell. His love for You Lord was shining greater than what he ate or word.

Thank You Lord for not looking at the outside but looking at our hearts.

Thank You for using all different kinds of people to further Your kingdom. What an example we all can be of Your love.

Thank You for Your calling on all our lives. We love You Lord and long to serve You.

Thank You for Your still small voice that calls us on each day to follow You.

Thank You Lord.

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For this is he (John the Baptist) who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of the one crying in the wilderness; Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Matthew 3:3

Thank You Lord for showing how the Old Testament of the Bible was fulfilled.

Thank You for John that loved You and wanted the whole city to know about You.

Thank You for his life and the great drawing power he had.

It is great to read all about him and see his love for You.

Thank You for the gift of his life.

Thank You Lord.

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In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:1, 2

Thank You Lord for Your calling upon our lives.

Thank You that each one of us is called to do something just a little bit different from someone else.

Sometimes Lord it makes it hard to be grateful when we see the many gifts others have. It is easy to think we are not being all that You have called us to be. Thank You for Your assurance that we are exactly what You want us to be.

Thank You for Your comfort.

Thank You Lord.

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And he (Joseph) rose and took the Child (Jesus) and His mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:21 – 23

Lord once again we see that Joseph was obedient and took the child and headed for Israel as he was instructed in his dream. Seems that is how Joseph always got his instructions….through dreams. He listened and followed them. He believe that they were You speaking and he obeyed.

Thank You Lord for Joseph’s obedience to You. He always listened and obeyed.

Thank You for helping us be obedient.

Thank You Lord for always being there to help.

Thank You Lord.

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But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” Matthew 2:19, 20

Lord, there are times we feel like our lives are difficult and full of turmoil. Then we read the stories in the Bible and we realize ‘that IS life.’ Life is a journey and often that journey is filled with experiences that cause us to run to You for comfort. Certainly this time in Joseph’s life was not what he thought it would be. First Mary becomes pregnant and he knows that it could not be his child. Then when Mary had the child Joseph was told to quickly get out of town because Herod was going to kill the Baby. Now Joseph is being told to pull up steaks and go to Israel. His life has been in a constant turmoil. AND what amazes us, that think all should go smoothly because we love You and are following You, was how many trials Joseph and Mary had. This was all happening to them in spite of the fact that we read that Joseph did exactly whatever You asked of him. He was always obedient. How can we expect our lives would be any different than their lives. What we see in all of this is the fact that they listen to You and did as You asked. You continued to be with them just as You continue to be with us every step of our lives. You are always there.

Thank You for always being with us Lord.

Thank You Lord.

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Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children: she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” Matthew 2:17, 18

Lord just reading this makes me feel so sad. I can feel the sadness of the people of that day that had their male children killed in Herod’s quest to kill You. What an evil, jealous man. He wanted to have the limelight and You were taking it away from him even though You were just a baby. This is all so hard to understand. Pain…..oh the pain these people went through.

Thank You Lord for being with those that were suffering then and for being with us today when we are hurting and sad.

Thank You for the comfort You alone can bring in our broken environment.

Thank You that You never leave us or forsake us.

We know You are always there. Thank You.

Thank You Lord.

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Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Matthew 2:16

Lord what an evil man Herod was. We see his anger and his fear venting itself by killing all the male babies under two years old. What a horrible time in history that must have been for everyone that lived through it.

You were safe – the angel had told Joseph to flee. Joseph obeyed.

Thank You Lord for those that love You enough to listen to Your instructions. Joseph listen to what the angel asked. He not only listened – he obeyed. Because he obeyed You were saved from the wrath of Herod.

Thank You for helping us through each difficulty.

We ARE loved.

Thank You Lord.

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