Do you remember singing “I’m in the Lord’s Army!” as a child?  Unfortunately, many of us have grown up with the idea of marching to a different beat. Our battle armor has been traded in for what is in style. While chasing after opulent living, and the affluent society, we have become “Cruise liner” Christians. We may not believe in the prosperity gospel movement, but we fall into the idea that we deserve the grandeur and find ourselves growing angry with God when He has different plans. Yet, we should all be ready to offer up our heads if need be!

Hello God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still.

As I continue to make mourning, fasting, and praying a part of my Fasting Challenge for the month of September, I must confess how easy it is to look for the uncomplicated way around, that which is most comfortable and unconfrontational: often falling prey to MY dreams and ambitions which fit in with a Cruise liner Christianity mentality.

However, there is a man in the Bible who teaches us to stand up and stand out for God not by seeking the affluent lifestyle but quite the opposite. This servant of the Lord came preaching not in 3,000 member churches but in the wilderness; he came wearing a garment made of camel’s hair not the style of the day, he came eating locusts and wild honey not a thick, juicy steak (not that a big church, nice clothes and a great steak can’t be enjoyed 😉). But this Prophet of God came to do battle, and to stay the course he didn’t allow any of the trappings of this life to cloud his mission.

John the Baptist had a mission and his devotion to Jesus Christ kept him on course. He was preparing the way of the Messiah King (Matthew 3)!

Our mission is a bit different. We aren’t preparing the way for His first coming, but we are to be making disciples for His second one: His Trumpet Call: “when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more” (When the Role is Called Up Yonder)!

Therefore, like John the Baptizer, we need to stay the course while communicating our central message that every church age saint has been given to proclaim: It is the good news of the gospel: Christ died for the sins of the world, He rose from the grave the third day and ascended to heaven where he sits at the right hand of God, awaiting His Father’s announcement: “Go get your bride!” So, make a joyful shout in great anticipation to all: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!

Many BELIEVE that, like a fairy godmother, God wants to wave away our poor circumstances with His magic wand and show Himself miraculous. –Barbara Rainey

Yet these three women shout a different message reminding me of modern-day John the Baptizers! Joni, Ciara, and Colleen  Check them out for yourself!

One thing I’ve learned; gotta live with open hands … Lift an offering of all my hopes and plans, It can be hard, even break my heart, But I’ve come to understand, Every no means You’ve got a better yes, Every “not now” gets me closer to what’s best, Believing You’ll be leading me to somewhere I’ll be blessed, Every no means You’ve got a better yes! (A Better Yes by Travis Clark).