The act of water baptism is full of symbolism and meaning. For those watching, it’s a public declaration of the person’s inner decision. For the person being baptized, it’s a time of newness of soul and spirit. In Romans 6:4 it says, ” We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Therefore, within the action of water baptism, our old self dies, and our new self emerges out of the water.
Tag: Lord Jesus Christ
John 15:26 ” When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth Who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me.”
Right before Jesus left this earth, He designated the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete…another of equal quality in His place. The Holy Spirit is called a Paraclete because He undertakes Christ’s office here while Christ is away from the world. Bearing witness to the absolute, ultimate, and saving truth of Jesus, the Holy Spirit gently nudges us ever in the right direction.
Galatians 3:26-28 ” You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ…There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.”
We are all one in Christ. There is not one nationality or people group above another in God’s sight. We are all one in Christ. There is no social or economical stigma in God’s family…for we all stand equal in His eyes…from the least to the greatest. We are all one in Christ. There are no gender barriers stopping any of us from fulfilling God’s plan and purpose in our lives. We are all one in Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians 15: 21-22 ” For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
The first Adam sinned, and by his actions all humanity was sentenced to death and eternal separation from God. The second Adam came to earth to make atonement for that sin. Jesus Christ was born…walked this earth as any other man…was crucified…died and was buried…but rose three days later…taking the sins of the world upon himself. The resurrection of Jesus – the second Adam – made a way for all mankind to again have intimate fellowship with their Heavenly Father.
Psalm 80:3 ” Restore us O God; make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.”
Turn us around Lord. Return us to our first love and enable us to know again the joy of our salvation. As it says in Psalm 71:20, “Though You have made me see troubles many and bitter, You will restore my life again.” Refresh us O Lord that we may restore others around us.
Psalm 85:6 ” Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? “
Revive us again Lord…that is my prayer today. Refresh our hearts and spirits. Revival isn’t something we can conger up ourselves Lord, You must show up first with a fresh wind from Heaven. Revive the World’s Church today Lord, that we as the Body may boldly move forward in Your plan and purpose. Amen.
Matthew 5: 21-22 ” You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Raca was an Aramaic term of contempt meaning stupid. But Jesus was more concerned here with the term Moros – You fool – being thrown around. Moros was actually a more serious reproach than Raca as it conveyed a person being morally worthless… a scorning of the person’s very heart and character. The Lord was warning of the dangers of character assassination…of killing the very spirit of a person with angry words.
Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”
Send us O Lord. We are a complacent people, giving in to our comfort and self. We are filled with excuses and justification of why we can’t obey Your Word when You say “Go!” Show us Lord the way…direct our paths for Your glory…drive us out of the four walls of the Church into Your Church – the world. Give us Your passion for the lost…Your fire for the perishing. Send us O Lord.
Mark 10:17 ” As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good Teacher,’ he asked, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ “
“What must I do?” The short answer to the question is that you can’t do anything. No amount of good works will get you any closer to the promised land and the peace you seek. The only thing you can do is to say Yes to Jesus, turn from your sinful life, and come into agreement with Him that you can’t run your miserable life anymore.
Romans 5:8 ” But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love for you was being manifested even while you were far from Him…His care and kindness were being revealed, even while you used His name in vain and scorned His very existence. Yes, over the course of your life God has continued to make it very clear that He loves you…to the point, that if you were the only person on earth – Jesus would have died to save your soul.
Safetypinlove 