John 1:19-23 (NKJV): Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 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."
Matthew 11:2-15 (NKJV): And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
GOD LOVES US, and He SHOWS NO FAVORITISM. GOD calls EVERYBODY and ACCEPTS ANYBODY willing to COME and SERVE as an AMBASSADOR for His Kingdom according to His Will for His Purpose; ANYBODY willing to REPENT of his or her sins--disobedience, lawlessness, and rebellion--ANYBODY willing to CHANGE his or her mind, his or her lifestyle, his or her direction, moving forward and GODWARD; ANYBODY who TRULY BELIEVES in GOD's SON JESUS CHRIST and ACKNOWLEDGES HIM as LORD and SAVIOR, as the WORD, the LIGHT, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of OUR FAITH, the MEDIATOR, the CHIEF HIGH PRIEST, the CORNERSTONE, the ROCK, the HEALER, the DELIVERER, the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, the GATE, the DOOR, ALPHA and OMEGA, the BEGINNING and the END; ANYBODY willing to HUMBLE HIMSELF or HERSELF enough to OBEY GOD's Commands and LOVE HIM and OTHERS; ANYBODY willing TO BE A NOBODY willing to GO ANYWHERE ANYTIME to TELL EVERYBODY about SOMEBODY who CAN SAVE ANYBODY.
But this is our problem: GOD is calling US all the time, EVERY DAY, but most of us are not listening or paying attention. And these are the questions we have to ask ourselves: Are we willing to SURRENDER EVERYTHING and SUBMIT to HIM, OFFERING HIM our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strength? Are we willing to TRUST HIM or BELIEVE HIM at HIS WORD? Are we willing to DECREASE ourselves, so JESUS can be LIFTED--EXALTED--in us? Are we truly willing to be NOBODIES telling EVERYBODY about SOMEBODY who can SAVE ANYBODY? Are we willing to WALK AWAY FROM or GIVE UP our IDOLS--anything or any one we put before or in place of GOD? Are we willing to DENY OURSELVES, FOLLOW JESUS, and LET HIM BE LORD of OUR LIVES? Our answers to these questions, the choices we make, and the actions we take today will determine WHERE and HOW we spend eternity: in love, light, and peace in GOD's presence or away from GOD's presence in hate, darkness, and torment.
This is GOD'sWORD from GENESIS to REVELATION: the only HEADLINER in the GOOD NEWS is JESUS CHRIST, the SON OF GOD, and the only WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE is HIM--JESUS CHRIST--and NO ONE comes to GOD the FATHER except THROUGH HIM. This is GOD'sWORD found in John 14:6. So, as GOD gives HIS SHOUT-OUTS, calling and drawing us into HIS FAMILY, HIS MINISTRY, and HIS KINGDOM, the most important choice we have is this: Will we ACCEPT or REJECT GOD'sWORD--JESUS CHRIST?
