Prepare and Share

 오늘의 말씀

 

누가복음 1:76-79 (쉬운성경, NASB)

 

76. 아기야, 너는 가장 높으신 분의 예언자로 불릴 것이다. 네가 주님보다 앞서 가며 주님의 길을 준비할 것이다.

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;

 

77. 백성들에게 죄를 용서받는 구원의 지식을 줄 것이다. 

To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,

 

78. 우리 하나님의 사랑과 자비로 인하여 떠오른 태양의 높은 곳에서 

 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

 

79. 어두움과 죽음의 그늘에 앉은 우리들에게 빛을 비추일 것이다. 그래서 우리의 발을 평화의 길로 인도하실 것이다. 

TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace." 

 

 

 BREAD COMMERCIALS OFTEN use words like soft or light to describe their products. But in ancient times bread would have been described quite differently. Bread was hard, brittle, and sometimes dipped in liquid just to make it edible. No one is sure exactly when bread began to change, but it's clear what made the difference. The introduction of yeast revolutionized the baking industry. The micoorganisms that make up yeast cause a chemical reaction that softens and prepares the dough. That's why bread is allowed to "rise" for a period of time before baking. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit softens and prepares our hearts. Without Him, we would be hardened to God's message of love. Sometimes God uses a particular person in a special way to do the preparation. The verse above describes John the Baptist, a prophet and the cousin of Jesus who was "A voice of one calling: In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God'" (Isa. 40:3). While John had a unique mission, we are all called to help prepare the hearts of others. We have opportunities to do so every day through kind words, loving actions, and sharing truth when we have the opportunity. Just as yeast with dough, the little things we say and do often make the biggest difference.

 

Holley Gerth

 

Ask God for the opportunity to prepare a heart for His love today.

 

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