Long Time Coming

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd Jun 9 - Filed in Devotional - 3,414 views
  Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. (Luke 3:1 WEB)
  
  It had been a long time coming. Ancient prophecies spoke of the one who would come and prepare the way for the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3). Though many great prophecies had been spoken about his ministry, when John the baptizer was finally born, there was nothing to see but a small child. It wasn't spectacular, most didn't even notice.
  
  For the next twenty years, nothing happened except John grew older. Then the day finally came when the Word of God came to John in the wilderness, and that changed everything. John came onto the scene and changed the world around him carrying a powerful word from God. He was the one that baptized Jesus, recognized who He was and pointed Him out as the Messiah. The word of God could have came to the high priest, but no, it came to John in the wilderness. It was time.
  
  In my own life, the Lord told me when I was young to prepare myself for ministry. So I went through school, got ordained, and then waited, and waited' If I was invited to speak somewhere, they would call and cancel before the day arrived, sometimes the morning of, and after I had fasted and prayed for a week. Twenty years went by, and all the doors in ministry remained supernaturally closed. Eventually, I forgot all about it.
  
  I learned to work on computers, a lot of computers. After many years of that, suddenly the day came when I was pushed into ministry like cattle being herded through a loading chute. We had been out of work for months, could not find a job, could no longer pay the bills, and were packing to move out of our home. That was the day that His word came to me, and things changed quickly.
  
  While sitting alone in my prayer room without saying anything, I had an open vision from the Lord, and by that Friday I was a pastor. Then a friend suddenly stepped in and paid all our bills for the month. It took forever, but then happened overnight, and here I am. Now I use the computer skills that He taught me along the way in ministry.
  
  God has the day marked on His calendar when your situation will change. There is a date, and the closer that you come to it, the more difficult your life usually is at that moment. It's like birth pains. A sure sign that a breakthrough is coming, is when all hell seems to be breaking loose against you. Stay the course. Keep the faith. Try and keep a positive attitude about the situation. You will overcome, and His word concerning you will come to pass. For one word from God changes everything.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for Your goodness. I know that You see me right where I am, and Lord I know that You have not forgotten me. Strengthen me, build my faith, and draw my heart to You. Send Your word to me Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge: James 1:2-4 ~ "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~ 'What Makes You Smile' will be our next fun theme and I'd like to thank my friend Linda for suggesting this theme idea a few years ago. If you have any ideas or suggestions for themes you would like to see in our group please let us know As always, our themes are open wide for creative interpretation, and we encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photos this week reflect my current reason for smiling' my garden almost complete and ready to plant Have a fantastic week y'all, and count it all pure joy! Here is the link:
  
  
  

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