Set Apart
Read: Luke 1:5-16 For he will be great before the Lord. (v. 15) Imagine that you are Zechariah, a respected priest enjoying a long marriage to an equally respected spouse, but
Steve Petroelje November 16, 2023
John the Baptist was chosen by God to prepare the way for Jesus. Just as John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus and point people to him, we have the privilege of also pointing others to Christ.
Even before he was born, God was at work in John’s life. This series traces John’s life through the Gospels, and traces the path of God’s work through John. John’s work of prophecy was intimately tied to Jesus, starting before he was born, through his ministry, all the way through his death. In every part of his life, he went before Jesus, pointing back towards Christ.
As you prepare for Christmas and Jesus’s birth, consider how you can follow John’s example of discipleship. These fifteen devotionals will help you grow in your faith, see how you can be a vessel of God’s love, and humbly serve Jesus.
Read: Luke 1:5-16 For he will be great before the Lord. (v. 15) Imagine that you are Zechariah, a respected priest enjoying a long marriage to an equally respected spouse, but
Read: Luke 1:16-17 He will go before him . . . to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. (v. 17) Do you believe that God has a purpose and plan for
Read: Luke 1:34-45 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (v. 44) As you approach Thanksgiving and Christmas,
Read: Luke 1:57-66 All who heard [these things] laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Read: Luke 1:76-80 To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins. (v. 77) Zechariah’s song tells of the mercy and salvation that God offers. Salvation
Read: Matthew 3:1-12 This is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the
Read: Matthew 3:13-17 The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. (v. 16) Before a popular
Read: Luke 3:9-14 Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (v. 9) For those in the United States, today is Thanksgiving
Read: John 1:1-18 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. (v. 7) Light is a blessing. From campfires to oil lamps
Steve Petroelje is a specialized transition pastor who serves vacant churches and helps them assess health, pursue missional effectiveness, and conduct a pastoral search process. He is the past-president of the Words of Hope Board of Directors.