Impact

 Luke 3:7-18 v 18 “With many other encouraging words, he (John the Baptist) told the Good News to the people.”

People came looking in the desert for John. He told them “Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act.” “Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire” John made his teaching very clear, with practical tips to different types of people. To those who had two shirts he told them to share with someone who didn’t have any, the same with food. He had clear answers to the questions from tax collectors and soldiers. The people were starting to get excited. Was John the Messiah they had long been waiting for? Again, his answer was clear, “I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps.”

Yesterday a good faith filled friend gave me a book. The title was “IMPACT”. I have only opened it to the first page which has a definition of impact as a verb and a noun. A verb explains things and a noun does things. John had an impact on the people who listened to him. His first message was to explain that people had to “prove that they had turned to God” and then he gave them practical ways in which to do that and as a result he baptized them.

Are we any different today? What are we looking for that will make us excited? Are we prepared to change the way we think and act? Are we willing to listen to encouraging words, the Good News found in the bible? Are the benefits of hope, peace, joy, and love worth changing for? Are you excited about the celebration of the birth of Jesus or is it all about the presents under the tree for you?

Listen to the Good News, change the way you think and act. You can have a direct effect on the corner of the world in which you live. Search the encouraging words found in the bible, and then share what you can this Christmas.

Prayer: Loving Father God, thank you for sending your son for all the world to see your love. Open our ears to your words and our hearts to those around us in the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.