Showing posts with label Baptism of JESUS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baptism of JESUS. Show all posts

Monday, April 8, 2024

Expectations Met

Expectations Met

1 John 5: 6 Jesus Christ is the one who came with the water of his baptism and the blood of his death. He came not only with the water, but with both the water and the blood. And the Spirit himself testifies that this is true, because the Spirit is truth. 7 There are three witnesses: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and all three give the same testimony. 9 We believe human testimony; but God's testimony is much stronger, and he has given this testimony about his Son. 

 

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Sitting in driver’s school, I looked at my watch all day! It seemed like the hours moved as days as the instructor warned all of us speeders about the dangers of driving fast. I had to check in at the beginning of the class and then check out at the end.

 

  • I was sentenced to serve eight hours for my speeding.
  • I was required to take the driver’s class.
  • I needed an official witness that I took the class in order for the speeding ticket to not count against me.

 

John addressed something that people are still looking for to this very day, namely a person who can fix the mess humans are in. Poverty, sickness, violence and other problems seemed to grow, removing all hope. John addressed the fact the JESUS is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Humans witnessed HIS baptism, but only HE experienced death and the SPIRIT testifies that HE met the criteria, GOD was looking for.

 

My Observations:

  • Satan’s pride caused him to get kicked out of heaven, and he introduced sin into the world by tricking Adam and Eve into performing an seemingly innocent sin.
  • All of humanity became sinners through Adam and Eve and needed a sinless Savior.
  • JESUS became a human, who never once sinned, who was baptized and murdered by HIS creation, but was raised from the dead by the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Human witnesses are good, BUT GOD’s witness is the ultimate. I mean, humans can provide a witness to something and still be wrong or possibly have a sinful motive behind his or her witness. BUT GOD’s witness is pure and contains no sin.

 

The HOLY SPIRIT witnessed JESUS’s death and raised HIM from the dead. This act redeemed all humans who believe in the need of salvation. HIS resurrection was enough to meet GOD’s expectations. I am glad GOD supplied everything I needed to remove my sentence and to become redeemed by HIS SON.

 

Challenge

  • What does the writer point out about JESUS?
  • Have you ever pondered why did HE have to go through all of the pain and suffering?
  • Will you see GOD’s love in JESUS’s actions by surrendering your life to HIM and by knowing that all expectations of you have been met, simply by believing in what HE has done today?

Friday, March 4, 2022

New Clothes

New Clothes

Galatians 3: 26 It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus. 27 You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. 28 So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.

 

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Tattered clothes made me feel ashamed  to be in public. Ridicule from other children made me self-conscious about my garments and I began to second guess my abilities. “What do I have to offer if I don’t fit in?” I thought from my insecurities.

 

  • I was insecure.
  • I was self-conscious about my outward appearance.
  • I was busy looking on the outside of me and I did not like what I saw.

 

Paul concludes his explanation of the temporary use of “The Law.” He mentions that “It is through faith” that we are GOD’s children. Baptism by the HOLY SPIRIT brought all who believed in JESUS as the Savior, into union with CHRIST. Now the promise of being a descendant of Abraham is available to those who believe.

 

My Observations

  • I can be secure in this life when I put my trust in JESUS.
  • Sin soiled and tore my godly clothes.
  • GOD gave me new clothes that are not made with human hands, rather of the SPIRIT.

 

Being adopted into the family of GOD has its benefits. I mean, now I am in union with CHRIST and I can be confident that the Creator wants me to have everything in HIS kingdom. Unfortunately my insecurities blind me to focus on the world and I overlook GOD’s kingdom.

 

I fall into the trap of trying to wear clothes made from humans and I adorn myself in businesses, jobs, titles, political affiliations, social groups and social pressures. These clothes get old quickly, BUT GOD’s clothes never stain or tear. I gladly wear the life of JESUS as a garment I am not ashamed to wear.

 

Challenge

  • What does the passage say about equality?
  • How does this passage address insecurity?
  • Will you accept the security of GOD for this life and the next by believing in JESUS as your Savior so you can put on HIS new clothes of purpose and freedom today?

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

That’s what it’s all about



Luke 3: 21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

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One single endorsement was all that was needed. JESUS prayed and the HEAVENLY FATHER opened up heaven and said “YOU are MY beloved SON; in YOU I AM well pleased.” This statement declared JESUS as being the SON of GOD.

  • JESUS became a human to save me.
  • JESUS lived HIS life sinless as an example to me.
  • JESUS was baptized to show me what I should do to others.


Life is all about JESUS. HE guides me and many others through HIS HOLY SPIRIT. HE loves like no other and pursues me daily. JESUS along with the HOLY SPIRIT and the FATHER are always there for me.

  • Have you pondered JESUS?
  • Do you recognize that JESUS is GOD?
  • Can you focus your attention on HIS power today?