01/09/2026

Happy (almost) Feast of the Baptism of the Lord!

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. clothing; food

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

10 And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

John Baptizes Jesus

13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of You, and come You to me?

15 And Jesus answering said to him, Allow it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed Him.

16 And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up immediately out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. — Matthew 3 | KJV Easy Read Bible (KJVER) The Trusted King James in an Easy Read Format® is a registered trademarks of Whitaker Corporation. Cross References: Leviticus 11:22; Joshua 15:61; Judges 1:16; 1 Samuel 14:26; 2 Samuel 23:7; Ezra 10:1; Psalm 1:4; Psalm 2:7; Psalm 40:7-8; Psalm 92:12; Proverbs 28:4; Isaiah 1:31; Isaiah 4:4; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 42:1; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 2:1; Matthew 2:22; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 12:18; Matthew 12:34; Mark 1:3,4 and5; Mark 1:9; Luke 1:16; Luke 3:8; Luke 16:24; John 4:34; John 8:33; Acts 26:20; Romans 1:13; Hebrews 7:23

Thursday, 10/2/25

SCRIPTURE:

“Change your hearts and lives! "Here comes the kingdom of heaven!” He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said:  The voice of one shouting in the wilderness,  “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” ~ Matthew 3:2-3

OBSERVATION(S):

Showing my age here, but verse 3 brings to mind the beginning of the '70s musical Godspell ~ the first song, and the only line - "Prepare ye the way of the Lord" 

The first half sung by "John the Baptist"...

The second half sung by the entire chorus...

Sometimes seen as a call to action to get folks ready...

...when it's really a call to action to get myself ready...

...get myself "straightened out"...

All it takes is one person to influence others for Jesus...

I can be that one person... 

Am I?

APPLICATION:

Change my heart and life! Here comes the kingdom of heaven! (verse 2)

Prepare the way of the Lord! Make His path straight. (verse 3)

Produce fruit that shows I have changed my heart and life. (verse 8)

PRAYER:

Father of God Mercy ~

Change my heart and life in preparation for Your coming kingdom of heaven and prepare Your way in my heart and life - may I, with the help and strength of Your Holy Spirit, make Your paths straight... and through Him please produce the fruit that shows I have changed my heart and life in the ways that only You can do and that lead others to Your grace and blessings... Thankfully in Jesus's Name, and for Your great glory, worship, praise, and honor...

Thankfully yours... 

𝖌

<))><

12/04/2025

He "shaved" up for it.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 ¶ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea

2 and saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, who said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and all the region round about Jordan went out to him

6 and were baptized of him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 ¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who taught you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance

9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father, for I say unto you that God is able to raise up children unto Abraham of these stones.

10 And now the axe is also laid unto the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,

12 whose fan is in his hand; and he will thoroughly purge his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the storehouse, but he will burn up the chaff with fire that shall never be quenched.

13 ¶ Then Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him.

14 But John resisted him much, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now, for thus it is expedient for us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, after he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, behold, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him;

17 and, behold, a voice from the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. — Matthew 3 | Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) Jubilee Bible 2000 Copyright © 2013, 2020 by Ransom Press International. Cross References: Leviticus 11:22; Joshua 15:61; Judges 1:16; 1 Samuel 14:26; 2 Samuel 23:7; Ezra 10:1; Psalm 1:4; Psalm 2:7; Psalm 40:7-8; Psalm 92:12; Proverbs 28:4; Isaiah 1:31; Isaiah 4:4; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 42:1; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 2:1; Matthew 2:22; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 12:18; Matthew 12:34; Mark 1:3,4 and5; Mark 1:9; Luke 1:16; Luke 3:8; Luke 16:24; John 4:34; John 8:33; Acts 26:20; Romans 1:13; Hebrews 7:23

The Mission of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:1–5; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28)

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

4 John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan.

7 But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 I baptize you with waterd for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 12 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)

13 At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

15 “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.