There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (John 1:6)
Father, send your witnesses among us.
This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (John 1:7)
Jesus, you are the light of the world. Show your light among us so that we will all believe in you.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1:8-9)
Holy Spirit, help us recognize the difference between the messengers that point to Jesus and Jesus himself. Help us give honor where honor is due and worship where worship is due.
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him. (John 1:18 )
Jesus, thank you for making your father’s love know to us.
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” (John 1:19)
Father, thank you for John’s testimony about Jesus.
He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ. “ (John 1:20)
Jesus, in our life times we have seen so many false saviors and false Christs; help us by your Holy Spirit to discern the true from the false.
And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”‘ as the prophet Isaiah said. ” (John 1:21-23)
Holy Spirit, you gave John the freedom to accept his role in proclaiming the kingdom. Please help each of us to live out the work and role you have assigned to us.
Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” (John 1:24-25)
LORD, the Pharisees had gotten so hung up on who could do what. Some in our day have the same hang-ups. Help all of us do the work and ministry to which you have called us. We don’t need to be priests or deacons to share the gospel and bring people to Jesus.
John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is he who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. (John 1:26-28 )
Jesus, help each of us receive your baptism of fire by your Holy Spirit so that we can know you personally. Thank you. (See John 1:32-33))
A word received: Ask the question, “What touches you about John’s life and witness?”
Sunday: 63:1-8(9-11), 98 * 103; Amos 9:11-15: 2 Thess. 2:1-3,13-17: John 5:30-47
HC: 126; Isaiah 65:17-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:(12-15)16-28; John 1:6-8,19-28 or John 3:23-30
Monday: 41, 52 * 44; Zech. 1:7-17: Rev. 3:7-13: Matt. 24:15-31
Notes from the Front Line
*****. Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote
Noblel Peace Prize winner General George C. Marshall (1880-1959) had a three-step formula that is simple to remember and effective in use on handling people:
1. Listen to the other person’s story.
2. Listen to the other person’s full story.
3. Listen to the other person’s full story first
I would add: listen, listen, listen, love and pray with people…
Albany Intercessor
