Category: John the Baptist

Too Frozen to be Chosen

What a scripture: Psalm 65:4, Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

If you feel that strong compulsion and are drawn in by God’s Spirit to intercede and pray, this scripture says you’re blessed. God chooses and causes us to approach Him. This is a great truth.

“Many are called” Jesus said, “but few are chosen.” If you’re chosen, do not hesitate to answer His call. I believe many have been called, but so few have qualified themselves to be chosen because they have not answered that call. They’re too frozen to be chosen!

The Fear Factor

What keeps us frozen? More often than not, fear keeps us frozen from being chosen. Like a proverbial “deer in the headlights” we’re paralyzed by fear. But what kind of fear? For some it’s rejection. They fear that when they launch out, they’ll get rejected by their peers, by the popular crowd, or even the world. Jesus said, “if you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you.”

The Great Unknown

Another fear is the unknown. We have no idea sometimes what to expect. When we’re given a vision, or receive a call on our lives, that may be all we know. God doesn’t very often provide us with in depth details of our calling. More often than not, this is a walk by faith and not by sight. If you’re waiting until you have all the answers, you’ll remain frozen by that fear and never become the difference maker God called you to become.

Going All IN

There are many forms of fear, and this post by no means will cover them all, but the last one I want to expose is the fear of commitment. We think this only exists when it comes to personal relationships, but we fear this spiritually as well. A calling on our lives takes sacrifice. It will require a death to self, and a call to become more like Christ and less like the world; a call to go ALL IN!

John the Baptist described it this way; He (Christ) must increase, and I must decrease. Powerful words from a man who knew all to well what it meant to step aside and let Jesus have his ministry. Literally, some of John’s disciples left him and followed after Christ. OUCH!  John knew this wasn’t about his kingdom, but about the Kingdom of God. In fact, his favorite sermon was called, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!”

In Closing

Of course there are a variety of other factors that may have you frozen; a comfortable life, a cozy career, a love for worldly pleasures, you’re too busy with your own agenda, or the opposite, you’re just too lazy.

Listen, we have work to do and time is short! If God has in fact called you, take that next step and avail yourself to become chosen. And, when you’ve been chosen to approach His Throne! GO BOLDLY! – RDM

Promises in the Womb

Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Much like Hannah did for Samuel and much like Samson’s parents did for him, we found out yesterday that our parenting starts before the actual birth of that child. Hannah committed her son to the service of the Lord before he was even conceived. Samson’s mother was forbidden to drink strong drink or eat any unclean thing because of the promise that was in her womb. Let’s not forget the much-anticipated birth of even Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. Preparation for parenting must begin immediately. Prayerfulness, faithfulness, and preparedness are keys to helping your child become the promise God intended your child to be.

Who can forget the momentous occasion when Mary greeted her cousin Elizabeth who was still pregnant with Jesus’ cousin and forerunner John the Baptist, “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” (Luke 1:41)  Evidently, this connection, while yet to happen physically, transcended the womb and caused John to leap within Elizabeth!Don’t let lethargy, weakness, or a feeble spirit interfere with your child being a success in the Lord. Each generation should be setting up the next for success. Each generation should be holding up the hands of the next. Rather than decaying in principles, values, and morality, if parents embraced the will and direction of the Lord for their children, we would be raising generations that would do even greater exploits than this present generation.

Think about it Mom and Dad – David was forbidden to build the temple for God, but that didn’t stop him from setting up the next generation! What will you do today dear mother who has the promise yet in her womb to ensure your child walks in the richness of God’s grand design for their life? What will you do dear father to set up the generation of promise that is still nesteled in the womb of your beloved wife?

Parenting begins the moment you conceive. God has already ordained a future for that child. Embrace the promise. Set the child up for success. Love God and be faithful to Him. Be prepared to train up the child in the way he must go.

God bless you parents – whether your child of promise has been fully birthed or yet to arrive.