(4) The Book of Mark - God's Man in the Wilderness

   Mark 1:7-8   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.

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.


John the Baptist lived a hard life and was up to it.  He was strong. He preached with such a power that people came from all over to hear his message, repent, and be baptized. But none of this went to his head.  He certainly didn't get rich from it.  He could have thought it a good time to take up a collection and maybe buy some real clothes and go out to eat at nice place.  John could have easily gone his own way with his ministry, like some preachers seem to have done today.  But no.   He realized and humbly told everyone that one stronger, more powerful, and with a larger message than he was coming and that  he would have to step aside when He does.  

John was God's man crying in the wilderness, showing an absolute disregard for trying to inflate his own image, power, or prestige.  He knew who he was.  He knew why he was here.  And he knew what he was called to do. 

Not a bad thing to shoot for:  to be God's man or God's woman putting yourself aside to be completely sold out to God and His purpose, His calling upon your life. My prayer today is to have a commitment like John had, to be everything God wanted him to be, regardless of the cost. Amen 


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