Luke 3:3-6 - Renewal

RENEWAL BY JOHN THE BAPTIST

And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” -Luke 3:3-6, NKJV

This was the message of John the Baptist. John the Baptist wasn't called to convert Gentiles. He was called to bring the Jewish people back to God. His mission was to bring renewal to believers. As believers today, we too need renewal. We need to re-connect with God's presence and Spirit in a fresh way. John gives us some keys here in this passage...

"Every valley shall be filled..." Valleys are bowl shaped geographical regions. They are surrounded by mountains or cliffs on every side and become low points of the land. Valleys are difficult to defend, they are easily overshadowed and, in some cases, easily flooded. John's message was that every valley should be filled. Every low-lying, vulnerable area should be raised. Every dark area enlightened. Every hazardous environment made safe. This speaks to the Holy Spirit filling every empty crevice of our heart and all the benefits that are included with that. Hurt being healed, love being known, depression being replaced with vision and lukewarmness with passion.

"And every mountain and hill brought low..." Mountains are obstacles. Mountains are where kingdoms were built. Mountains are difficult terrain. Mountains speak to pride, unbelief, sin and complacency. These mountains need to be made low. This happens through repentance. Again, this was John's message. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and expose any obstacles between us and Jesus. Through repentance these obstacles can be removed.

The fruit of "being filled" and "repentance" is that "The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth." Once we are healed, set free and cleansed we have easier access to God's throne. There is less resistance, less warfare and new intimacy with Jesus.
Are you feeling dry in your walk with Christ? Ask Him to stir up a fresh hunger to be filled with the things of Heaven. Ask Him to bring low every mountain in your heart. Breakthrough to that place of renewal and restoration. God bless!

The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.” -Luke 11:34-36
I was reading this passage during my morning devotions this week and the Holy Spirit whispered the following to me, "Read those verses again, but replace the word 'eye' with the word 'vision.' " Realizing the connection between our eyes and our natural vision, I immediately read it out loud as follows:
"The lamp of the body is vision. Therefore, when your vision is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your vision is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light (vision) which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”
Wow! It was a moment of discovery. After reading it, I personally felt "darkness" represented times when I'm walking through my day in the carnal, sinful nature. I was reminded of the important spiritual principle that states if I'm not walking in the Spirit (in Christ), I'm walking in the flesh. When I walk in the flesh my vision gravitates towards "darkness." When the eyes of my heart are focused on the vision God has for me though, my heart is filled with faith, expectation and a sensitivity to what He might want to do through me that day.
Remember, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it (Psalm 127:1)." We must work according to His vision if we want His favor. We must work according to His vision if we want to avoid spinning our wheels and laboring in vain. I exhort you today, see freshly the vision God has given you and live within that context moment by moment. Don't get distracted with "darkness." Set your heart away from greed, hurt, disappointment and temptation.
When your vision is good, your whole body will be full of His light. Others will recognize God's presence leading you. Your passion and influence will increase. An unshakable conviction will take deep root in your soul. A divine determination will materialize the immaterial. All of these things will happen if your vision remains "good."