Tag Archives: john the Baptist

A Faithful Mom… Who Walked with God and Changed History

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“…and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.” Luke 1:15

How intriguing! How fascinating! What an inexcusable testimony that validates the life of the unborn, who yet LIVE and can BELIEVE by Sovereign Grace expressed in obedient parents who are diligent to speak the Word. In this case we see mom as the standard bearer of truth. Remember her spiritually sensitive response when Mary showed up at her door? “How can it be that the mother of my Lord is here!” (Remember Elizabeth was old and Mary but a child bride.)

Never. Please never underestimate the power of the Word which runs and accomplishes its end and design. God calls us to life! His gifts and callings are irrevocable.

The point…

This is part Gabriel’s announcement to Zacharius in the promised restoration of God’s order. Remember Zach was struck dumb, unable to speak, because of his unbelief of this angelic word predicting the birth of his desired and prayed for son, John the Baptist. So whom might we credit for effectively teaching John the way of truth as he was in utero but Mom herself? Zach was silent, unable to utter a peep for nine months. So Elizabeth was such an awesome teacher of the Word, no doubt including Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs too, that John even in infancy within her womb was filled with the Spirit as believed in the word of his mother, the very Word of life!

What a mom! What a God of purpose! Who can stand against Him? Who can stay His hand?

“In Christ Alone”

The Hooker’s Dance… the Death of Reason

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“…for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.”
Mark 6

Three Things

  • 1) Sentimentality and faddish spiritual interests are NOT Saving Religion. Saving religion produces the fruit of righteousness.
  • 2) Pick your friends and spouse carefully for their influence will point you either to heaven or hell, and worst case scenario, may have you chopping off the head of a man who loves you enough to tell you the truth about your sin. At a minimum you will castigate him to absolve your rejection of his truth and silence the fools about you.
  • 3) A troubled conscience can become a seared callousness with serial resistance to the Holy Spirit. There is often an ill-defined point of despising revelation and privilege, and subsequently giving up rights afforded in the gospel. Reference Esau and the despised birthright for a bowl of stew. Remorseful repentance was greeted with tearful rejection.  

Remember, Herod (I believe) was the great grandson of Herod the Great who murdered the innocent children of Bethlehem as he made an attempt on the life of The Baby, so please note the undeserved, yet spurned opportunities to respond to grace and truth offered in John’s preaching. Some years later Jesus afforded no hope, and not even one word as He stood before Herod.

What are you bargaining for? A provocative dance by a hooker, a roll in the hay, or just trying to placate that one whispering in your ear. Don’t miss, don’t neglect that voice of reason and truth that nudges you to Calvary today. Today is what?

 “Today is the Day of Salvation.”
“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this applies to everyone…”
The Preacher

  

A Faithful Mother

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“…he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.”Luke 1

John in utero heard only silence from dad. Unfortunately this can often be baby’s experience today. His mother, Elizabeth was the primary, if not the sole instructor who taught John truth and righteousness before birth. The design of this teaching was not simply adequate, it proved complete and theologically sound to make John wise unto salvation even before his birth; perhaps this is original resident theology! Do not minimize faithful teaching of truth for God does many miracles where faith and truth abide. 

I have no doubt that Zach became a man much engaged in secret silent prayer for wife and son. His hands weren’t tied, but his tongue was. Dads we can also speak much but of no consequence. What are we known to speak of most fervently? Does our speech touch eternity and fill the unborn with the Spirit? Do we believe God who acts in time space history?

Moms! Read and sing to your unborn child, and may he or she leap for joy as the Spirit moves and breathes upon the little one! John changed the world in large part from the role his spiritually keen mother played. “How can it be that the Mother of my Lord has come?” Elizabeth was a woman spiritually on key. 

Moms, never underestimate your powers of instructive influence upon the son(s) God gives you. Remember Solomon recalls instruction of his mother in many places in the Proverbs.