John 1:29 - 34

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, `Soon a man is coming who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before I did.'

31 I didn't know he was the one, but I have been baptizing with water in order to point him out to Israel."

32 Then John said, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.

33 I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, `When you see the Holy Spirit descending and resting upon someone, he is the one you are looking for. He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Son of God.


John and Jesus were cousins. They undoubtedly knew each other.

John knew he was preparing the way for the Messiah, and God had revealed to him how to recognize the Messiah. Don't you imagine he was anxiously looking for the right one?

Can you imagine how amazed John was when he saw the Dove descend on his very own cousin?

Do you know Jesus? Are you anxiously looking for Him?

John 1:19-28

19 This was the testimony of John when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John whether he claimed to be the Messiah.

20 He flatly denied it. "I am not the Messiah," he said.

21 "Well then, who are you?" they asked. "Are you Elijah?"

"No," he replied. "Are you the Prophet?" "No."

22 "Then who are you? Tell us, so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?"

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah:

"I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,

`Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord's coming!' "

24 Then those who were sent by the Pharisees 25 asked him, "If you aren't the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?"

26 John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not know, 27 who will soon begin his ministry. I am not even worthy to be his slave. "

28 This incident took place at Bethany, a village east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Note that John considered himself, "As a voice calling in the desert" (John 1:23).

Do you ever see yourself as a voice willing to speak the truth of Jesus?

JOHN 1:1-18

In the beginning the Word already existed.

He was with God, and he was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

He created everything there is.
Nothing exists that he didn't make.

Life itself was in him,
and this life gives light to everyone.

The light shines through the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light
so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.

John himself was not the light; he was only a witness to the light.

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone,
was going to come into the world.

But although the world was made through him,
the world didn't recognize him when he came.

Even in his own land and among his own people,
he was not accepted.

But to all who believed him and accepted him,
he gave the right to become children of God.

They are reborn! This is not a physical birth
resulting from human passion or plan -
this rebirth comes from God.

So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of the only Son of the Father.

John pointed him out to the people.
He shouted to the crowds,
"This is the one I was talking about when I said,
`Someone is coming who is far greater than I am,
for he existed long before I did.' "

We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us -
one gracious blessing after another.

For the law was given through Moses;
God's unfailing love and faithfulness
came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.
But his only Son, who is himself God,
is near to the Father's heart;
he has told us about him.

God's Family

But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15

Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
Proverbs 7:12

So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family*--calling him "Father, dear Father."
Romans 8:15

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.
Ephesians 2:19

Never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David's family and that he was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.
2 Timothy 2:8

Those who have been born into God's family do not sin, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they have been born of God.
1 John 3:9

We know that those who have become part of God's family do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.
1 John 5:18

Joshua made the bold statement that he and his family would serve the LORD.
Proverbs said to add insight to our family. If we and our families are truly serving God, the world should be able to see good character in our family.

In the beginning, the Jews were God's chosen people, His Family. Thank goodness it was God's plan to add us, the Gentiles, to His family as well! Because Jesus lived, died, and rose from the grave, we are allowed to share in His promises.

I can still remember the day I became a member of God's Family. I remember studying my Bible, and understanding that I really wasn't sure I was saved. The more I read, the more I was convinced that I needed to take some action. God's word showed me exactly what to do.

I have this scripture memorized:
Peter's words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles-all who have been called by the Lord our God."
Acts 2:37-39

This is what Peter told the crowd at Pentecost. If it was the answer for them, it is the answer for me. So, I was baptized. Then I KNEW I was a member of God's family!

God has continued to bless me for making that choice.

Plans

May he grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans.
Psalm 20:4

But the LORD's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.
Psalm 33:11

O LORD my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
Psalm 40:5

I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your principles.
Psalm 119:26

Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

This "foolish" plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.
I Corinthians 1:25

How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone.
What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."
Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.
James 4:14-16

Who could tell us about making plans better than God? Our lives are so full of plans. We buy planners to write down our plans! We plan weddings, work days, vacations. Planning is often pleasurable. Sometimes we plan for things that are not pleasurable: doctor's appointments, surgeries, chemotherapy sessions. God should be present in all our plans. We can trust Him when we plan for the fun or the not-so-fun.

I am always amazed at how God's plan is present in my life. Often times, I am also amazed that I did NOT see God's plan working until He practically knocked me over with it, saying, "Listen to ME!" I have learned to thank God for the small things, and to look for what He is calling me to do. I pray daily that my eyes will be opened more and more to His plans for me.

God's Guidelines For a King

18When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy these laws on a scroll for himself in the presence of the Levitical priests.
19 He must always keep this copy of the law with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of this law.
20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. This will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
Deuteronomy 17:18-20

As I read this, it struck me that this is also the way God wants me to live as a child of The King. I am so lucky I did not have to copy the law in order to read it daily. I really have no excuses -- It is available easily in my Bible, and in any computer! My favorite computer place is Blue Letter Bible. I can use their daily reading plan, I can look at a daily devotional, I can even read in one of several translations.

Song for Today:
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.

Sing Praises To Him

Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles.
I Chronicles 16:9

Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
I Chronicles 16:23

And each morning and evening they stood before the LORD to sing songs of thanks and praise to him.
I Chronicles 23:30

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
Psalm 5:11

I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:2

And he came so the Gentiles might also give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: "I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name."
Romans 15:9

Well then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in the spirit,* and I will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing in words I understand.
I Corinthians 14:15

Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:16

Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord.
James 5:13

SONG FOR TODAY!
Sing and you'll be happy today
Press along to the goal.
Trust in Him who leadeth the way,
He will save your soul.
Let the world know where you belong.
Trust in Jesus and pray.
Lift your voice and praise Him in song!
Sing and be happy today!