Straightening the Crooked Roads in 2025
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight,” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased. Mark 1:2-11 ESV
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The Gospel is neither a discussion nor a debate. It is not about helpful reviews; it is the Good NEWS! And Mark wastes no time in getting to its heart!
John the Baptist, standing near the Jordan River one day, was preaching that there was One coming that was mightier than he was, the coming Messiah! As John was calling people to repent, suddenly Jesus showed up, requesting to be baptized. Why? We will consider this today. Jesus was then baptized by John, and from that day forward Jesus’ ministry began preparing a way for us with His life, His death, and His resurrection! All of these events are FORETOLD!
2,000 years have passed since Jesus came as a baby in a manger. Today, Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of His Father, interceding for us as we journey in the “prepared paths” He has given each of us to walk in.
In light of the dark, evil, and troubled world we are living in today, how can we have the confidence and courage to know that our “Roads will be made Straight” in the coming year? That He will be with us all the way home? We are suggesting that the first step we can take is when we:
REMEMBER HIM!
1. Remember, God is BIGGER.
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, and enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” Isaiah 40:12 ESV
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2. Remember, God is GREATER.
“Behold the nations are like a drop from a bucket and are counted as the dust on the scales…” Isaiah 40:15 ESV
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3. Remember, God is NEVER TIRED.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 ESV
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4. Remember, God SUPPLIES the POWER.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV
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5. Remember, God is our SAVIOR.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 ESV
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What an opportunity for all of us in the coming New Year— REMEMBER HIM!
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What is a practical way to Remember Him? By tucking these Bible verses into our memory banks, and then we can experience these truths as we…
1. NOTICE THEM
Do you notice what he has done for you and is doing for you?
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims
his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 ESV
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2. ASK FOR THEM
What have you been asking from your Father in heaven? Or are you asking?
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40:17 ESV
You do not have, because you do not ask. James 4:2 ESV
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3. ACT ON THEM
Jesus acted in obedience to His Father. Where are you being obedient to Him and His Word?
I appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
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Jesus promised (foretold) that He would return someday!
“Surely I am coming soon!” Revelation 22:20 ESV
He is coming back!
It is far later than you think! One call, that may be all!
ARE YOU READY?
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