Key Thought

Isaiah had foretold of a "bulldozer from heaven" that would make straight roads, leveling the hills and filling in the valleys, so that people could find the Savior. Does your life do that for others? Does it help them see Jesus more clearly? Does it show the transforming power of God at work? All of us are called to be like John in the road-smoothing work of making it easier for others to come to know Jesus.

Today's Prayer

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O LORD God, please use my life to influence others to come to know your salvation. May my life never be a stumbling block, but instead, may it be a help to others looking for your hope and healing. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

It was the 15th year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar. These men were under Caesar: Pontius Pilate, the ruler of Judea; Herod, the ruler of Galilee; Philip, Herod's brother, the ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, the ruler of Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At that time, a command from God came to John, the son of Zechariah. John was living in the desert. John went through the whole area around the Jordan River. He told the people {God's message}. John told them to be baptized to show that they wanted to change their hearts and lives. Then their sins would be forgiven. This is like the words written in the book of Isaiah the prophet : "There is a person shouting in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled. And every mountain and hill will be made flat. Roads with turns will be made straight. And rough roads will be made smooth. Every person will know about the salvation of God!'" People came to be baptized by John. John said to them, "You are like poisonous snakes! Who warned you to run away from God's anger that is coming? You must do the things that will show that you have really changed your hearts and lives. And don't think that saying, 'Abraham is our father' will help you. I tell you that God can make children for Abraham from these rocks here! The ax is now ready to cut down the trees. Every tree that does not make good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

— Luke 3:1-9 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.