John the baptist message of Repentance

Every one wanted God in those Days. Is should be a good thing right? But the irony was most of the wicked and wretch things was done in the name of the Lord. I need God for MY needs, MY desires, MY satisfaction, MY growth, MY quick money, MY pleasure. Look at their temple - it was a market places. Look at their teacher, the Pharisees - they provided resources called the Steps to Spirituality. Do these or follow these to attain a higher level spirituality!!

Is this not the same today? At least I am like this. Recently I wondered what is the purpose of the many things I do and I was ashamed and broken to realise that it was all about me. I was trying to understand that John meant by the following verses:
Luke 3:11-14
11 He answered and said to them, He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. And he who has food, let him do likewise.
12 And tax-collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, Teacher, what shall we do?
13 And he said to them, Continue to do no more than that commanded to you.
14 And the soldiers also asked of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do not oppress anyone, nor accuse any falsely. And be content with your wages.

John was preaching a very great message here, one the most important commandments of the Lord - Love your neighbor. But I noticed that is related to the one mentioned earlier - Do every thing to Glorify God ie. Love the Lord your God. Come on, it was not only the rich, soldiers and tax-collectors who had questions. There were many who came to John, asking what shall we do an here was John who was preaching live a simple, minimal, giving, faithful and caring life. All these characters point to that of Jesus. Was John enabling the people to see the Messiah who lived among them? People who live a simple life will definitely know a person who lives a simple life. One of the reasons why Gandhi had a huge following was because of his simplicity in life. The people could associate with him not only as their leader, but even more as their father, guide, teacher and friend.

Where am I going with all this?

Lord, I have only lived for myself all my life. I give that I may receive. I do that I am find peace with God. Here I am, filled with selfishness and self pity (and many more :) I am in the process of finding out) I dont know what to pray. Give me a humble spirit, that Glorifies You in all things. Living as my Lord Jesus did, simple, caring and giving; walking in His footsteps. To live in such manner that other may see the life of Jesus in me. That was a huge thing to pray about. But I have this small faith in me that You are able to all this and even more. Build my faith Lord! Lord, when opportunities come to do all that I prayed for, Lord let me recognize and act upon them with your grace. Let me not stray! Let me not run away! - Amen

Grace for Grace

John 1:6: ¶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:8: He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John 1:9: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:10: He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:15: ¶John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
John 1:16: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:17: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

I thank You, God the Father, for sending Your Son, that through Him we can be reconciled with God. Thank you for sending and sacrificing Your Son for a sinner like me. Thank You for Your Love.

I was not born again, because of any act of my own, but of God. Hence, if God knew what He was dealing with, He also would have figured out how to deal with me. I can be changed, I can be reformed, I am a NEW CREATION. I can shout out and say with all confidence in God, that I AM A NEW CREATION.

I like the way Mathew Henry's Commentary elaborates grace for grace.

1. grace for grace sake - Since Christ was full of grace, for Christ sake we recieved teh fulness of grace.
2. grace upon grace - It's a fountain of grace, it flows, it overflows.
   
3. grace for gracious acts & gracious habits - Grace to exercise grace and minister grace to others.
4. grace to improve, confirm, and perfect another grace - We are changed into the divine image, from glory to glory, from one degree of glorious grace to another.
5. grace in us to live according to the grace in Him

Just as I am, no pride, but humble; I come to You. Cleanse me and make me whole. You have always given me more than I can ever have. Yet I went after things that never quenched my thirst. Many times I still go after such. Break me Lord, let me not run away. Why do I run? I want to love You, with all my heart. What is it that happens to me when You try to mold me? Why do I run? I know it is You, still I chose not to acknowledge You. Help me! Lord help!