Are you ready?

With all the preparation happening, this question came to mind.

But it has nothing to do with Christmas.

Instead, it’s about my heart.

For weeks now the Lord has been challenging me to give up my own ideas and expectations; to come to Him with a heart ready to listen rather than request.

Not that I’m without requests, for it is important to stand before the Lord in prayer for those He places on my heart.

Intercession is about coming before God on behalf of those God leads me to pray for and often I begin with asking the Lord for how He would have me pray.

Which is what He’s been leading me to do in my personal prayer time as well.

To come before Him with humility, acknowledging my sins, open to correction, and willingly laying down my desires.

Because I’m learning how beautiful it is to die to my flesh, to surrender my thoughts, and to adjust my expectations.

It’s not easy, but it’s so good.

Why?

Beginning each day with a heart ready to serve the Lord is the best way I can be ready for my day.

Choosing not to start with telling Him all my plans, but rather asking Him for His.

Am I ready?

Are you?

Romans 12:1-2KJV — I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for teaching me continually through Your scriptures. Please continue to train my heart to be ready for Your service, walking in humility, quick to listen and slow to speak. Lord, thank You for using my circumstances yesterday to show me a place in my heart which wasn’t ready to serve You, but was still stubbornly clinging to what I wanted. Lord, thank You for reminding me that I have no idea what is best for me and I have often wanted things which were not what was good for me. Lord, please keep me from living in rebellion to You and Your Word. Place a hedge of protection around my heart that I might not fall into sin, but rather be transformed by Your Word. Lord Jesus, Your ways are perfect. Your truth is amazing. Your salvation is proof of Your incredible love. Thank You. My heart is Yours. Whatever comes today, may I be Your faithful servant. In Your name, Jesus, I request these things. Amen.

“Prepare ye the way…”

Isaiah 40:3 NKJV — The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.”

These words, penned hundreds of years before, we’re fulfilled.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Luke 1:5‭-‬7 KJV

They were righteous before God, but they were childless.

Elizabeth’s barrenness wasn’t a punishment, but rather an opportunity.

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:11‭-‬17 KJV

Elizabeth’s only child was the man God used to fulfill His Word through Isaiah.

Mark 1:2-4 KJV — As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Mark 1:7-8 KJV — And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

John the Baptist not only declared the Messiah throughout his adulthood, he was used by God to confirm His Word to Mary before he was born.

Luke 1:41-45KJV — And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

This Christmas may we need these things and prepare our hearts before God as well as declare the truth.

Jesus Christ is the reason for this holiday and He is returning some day.

“Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God!”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the miraculous life of John the Baptist and how You used him so mightily to prepare the hearts of people. Lord, please continue this blessing. Work through those who are following You to prepare the hearts of people for Your return. Help us remember that You gave specific instructions to those who would follow You. Lord, I want to be about Your business. I want to be walking in Your will daily. Thank You for the scriptures which are truth and life and blessing. Lord, my life is Yours. May it bring glory to Your name. I love You, Jesus. Amen.