Jesus' Recognition of John (the Baptist) - a message calling us to live out our faith despite negative circumstances

Most of us have someone relatively close to us who has had a significant positive influence on us in life. For some of you, there may be more than one person. When these people come to mind their name is associated with good thoughts. I would guess that your name is on someone's list, as well.

Sunday, we looked at Matthew 11:1-19 where John (the Baptist) is in prison and has some of his own disciples to see Jesus. Within in that text, Jesus seems to give recognition to John for his faith. John's faith is a great example for us to model after. As we think about this, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Ask Questions ~ Some view the thought of "God" as a "no questions asked" kind of mindset when it comes to their faith in God. Similarly, He is someone who is unapproachable. It is interesting to simply do a search in the Bible of the word "why" and see how many of them are questions toward God. In the book of Job there are questions like this. In Psalm 22 and 42 you see some questions directed toward God. As John's disciples asked if Jesus was "Jesus" then it is OK to ask God questions. I challenge Him myself from time to time.
• Commitment to Him ~ Jesus compliments John for his commitment to the Way, even while in prison. One of the least enjoyable places to be, prison, didn't cause John's faith to waver. Such a great example for us to remember to let our faith be strong even in the least enjoyable of times.
• Unswerving ~ Jesus asks a question pertaining to John, "Did they expect to find a reed swayed by the wind." John was a very consistent person when it came to his faith. He was not one who was swaying in the winds of life. Another reason to look up to John for his faith.
• Comfortable in His Own Skin ~ As John was a trailblazer for Jesus, he also seemed to be comfortable with himself, not caring about what others' thought. There is something to be said for that way of thinking. To exercise our faith with little inhibitions may bring about some great results. I am not talking about making a fool out of ourselves, making ourselves seem hypocritical, or that a relationship with God is all great with no "real." Own your faith and share it!

John the Baptist was a very unique guy and the Bible has portions of his life depicted to show his uniqueness. He was lifted up and recognized for his faith by his cousin, Jesus Christ. As Jesus seemed proud of His cousin, I think He is proud of us when we have a faith that is solid.

As you go through life, may the negative factors that come with your life be as less influential to weaken your faith as possible. Stay strong!

Now it's your turn...what has been a time in your life that either negatively affected your faith or had the potential to do so?

Surge Ahead So You Don’t Miss Out

I recently took a “test” that determined what my top five strengths are out of thirty-four possibilities. It was a book I was given called “Strengths Finder 2.0”. As I am in ministry, it is not a religious book. I found the top five accurate, in the sense that I can see myself in these strengths.

One of the strengths that came up was “Learner”. I won’t get into the details, but when I read this week’s quote, I went back to this strength to maybe see why this quote “spoke” to me…here it is…

The limit of your present understanding is not the limit of your possibilities.  ~ Guy Finley

If I were to ever have let my present conditions or understanding be the “iron fist” of my life, I know I would not have been able to do some of the things I’ve done. I cannot say that I have never succumbed to that “fist”, which has caused me to miss out on things in life.  I wished I wouldn’t have, so that my life may have been better.

I like to “put myself out there” and see what will happen. If I get a “no” or no response, that is OK, but what if I get a “yes”!  I shoot for “yes” and accept the “no”. But, so I don’t miss out, I surge ahead to see what will happen. May you do the same…expand your possibilities…full-speed ahead!

Exploring New Paths

Templates are created to make it easier for people to create things. I am not a user of many templates. I only used a template for my blog because I don't know how to design my own, yet. (I don't even use a Blogger template, to try to be more unique) Whenever I design a website, I don't download a template. I want it to be something that I created. When I write a sermon, I don't look for other peoples' sermons to use. When I teach, I like to use my own material, not taking a published lesson straight from a book.

As we go about life, it is much more energizing and rewarding to go to places others have never been. Places other's have been do not bode well for new explorations. Where have you tread in life that others had not gone before? That brings us to this week's quote...

If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success. ~ John D. Rockefeller

When you go down a road never taken, you get to be the first to experience the experiences. You may be breaking ground on something that has never been done before. You get to be the first to plant the flagpole in the ground to say that you're the first one here, ever!

As you finish out the rest of the week, look for paths you can head down, which someone else hasn't yet taken...find the success in each day by being that day's trailblazer!

Walk down the path of "success"!