Trust in Baptism

Do you remember your baptism? Have you been baptized more than once? Have you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? Have you felt a strange warming in your heart? Have you been baptized by fire? Do you want to be baptized by fire?

Baptism can be a tricky subject among Christians. Some believe in infant baptism and others don’t. Some believe the only valid baptism is full immersion, while others believe sprinkling or pouring is just as acceptable. Some believe a person should only be baptized once, while others believe being baptized multiple times is fine.

No matter where we fall in these beliefs, it is more important to believe God’s grace covers our failures. I honestly doubt any one of us is 100% correct. Some of us may be correct in some things while others are correct in others. It is unfortunate that we too often adhere to manmade rules rather than following the example of Scripture.

John the Baptist speaks of the baptism he is performing versus the baptism coming through Christ. Christ’s baptism would not only come through the Holy Spirit but fire as well. Now, let’s not think it is literal fire, though the apostles certainly experienced it on Pentecost. Our baptism by fire comes typically through trials.

Our trials reveal and confirm our belief and trust, or faith, in Jesus Christ. It is often through trials that our faith is increased. We experience God at work in our lives. It is by going through the fire of trials that we gain a better picture of God working in the world.

I pray we all hold onto our faith during times of trial. I pray we trust in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I pray each one of us knows that baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a gift from God. Hold onto your faith. Trust the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a gift from God.

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

The Kingdom is Near

How do you approach each day? Does your daily life include remembering that God’s kingdom is near? Do you spend a moment each morning thinking about God’s kingdom and how much he loves you? How much would your life change if you were to do that each morning?

I venture to say that many of us do not start our day by thinking God’s kingdom is near. Instead, we look for our first cup of coffee and begin thinking about what is on our agenda for the day. We are focused on the busyness of life rather than on God’s kingdom.

We often forget in our busyness that God is there with us. We forget that his kingdom is here now. Sure, we know that full consummation of God’s kingdom will come at some point in the future. After all, that is one of our focuses or reminders during the season of Advent. If we are focusing properly on Advent, we focus on being in the already but not yet. We remember that Jesus instituted God’s plan for his kingdom but know that it isn’t fully realized yet.

During this Advent season we point toward the celebration of Jesus’s birth. Yet, we also recognize we are waiting for His return. Again, the already but not yet. John the Baptist tells the crowd listening to him, and us, that God’s kingdom is near. It here among us. John was referring to the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, was physically in their midst. He was just starting His earthly ministry. We are reminded that Jesus stated He would never leave us.

Therefore, during this Advent season, let’s all remember that God’s kingdom is here. We are living in it, even if it has not come to its final conclusion. Remember that God is with us, he is in control, Jesus will return (physically), and we are not left alone. The more we remember these truths, the better our lives will be.

I pray we all wait with anticipation for Jesus’s return. I pray we remember that God’s kingdom is near. I pray each one of us starts our day thinking about God’s kingdom and Jesus being with us. Anticipate Jesus’s return. God’s kingdom is near. Start your day with God. Know that Jesus is always with you.

Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

God of Hope

What or who fills you with joy? Do you equate happiness with joy? What or who fills you with peace? Do you think of peace as merely the lack of violence or argument? What or who fills you with hope? Do you equate hope to wishing? How you considered all of these can be guaranteed?

Too many people equate joy to happiness. If they are not happy, they have no joy. Many also think of peace as a lack of violence or argument. They do not believe peace can be found in the midst of war. Many view hope as wishing. When they hope, it is merely wishful thinking.

If we fall into the false beliefs mentioned above, we need to do more reading and studying of our Bibles. The Apostle Paul blesses the church in Rome with his stated in today’s passage. God is a God of hope. That is not wishful thinking. Rather it is a trust in his promises. It is confidence in him doing what he says he will do. Obviously, God is confident that he will fulfill his promises.

Paul asks that God fill the church with joy. This is not mere happiness but an inner joy in the workings, blessings, and plan of God. He asks that God fill them with peace. This is not just the absence of violence, but an inner peace based on our trust that God is in control, regardless of the circumstances. Paul goes on to say that the joy and peace given to us by God will lead us to have the same hope that God has because it comes from the Holy Spirit.

So, when things appear to be hopeless, turn to the God of hope. When happiness is absent, remember your blessings from God, which will bring you joy. When filled with anxiety, worry, fear, and discord, remember that God is in control and receive his peace that goes beyond understanding. Most of all, remember you are not alone. God has promised to always be with us.

I pray we all remember God’s blessings and receive joy. I pray we trust in God’s promises and receive peace. I pray each one of us knows that God is a God of hope and accept his hope in our lives. Receive joy from God. Accept peace from God. Have hope that comes from the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Share Hope

Do you have hope? Where does your hope come from? Is it based on your own ability to accomplish what you set out to do? Is your hope put into your spouse, parents, or friends? Do you have high hopes for your children? Have you considered Scripture can build your hope?

Hope is an important concept, feeling, and characteristic we all need. Without hope, we become depressed and can feel like there is no reason to continue living. Hope is one of the driving forces for us to achieve our goals. It lifts our spirits and gives us energy.

There a many people looking for hope in our world today. They may be experiencing a setback in their life. They may have lived in poverty for their entire life. Or they may be fed up with the hatred, arguing, finger-pointing, and disfunction in our society. Regardless of their reason, they continue to seek something they can hope in, something that convinces them things will get better.

If we are looking for hope, the Apostle Paul tells where to find it. He says that God’s Word was written to provide us with instruction and encouragement to give us hope. Do you see Scripture as a place to find hope? Too often, God’s Word is used to “put the fear of God” in people. Fear, as in being in awe of God, is certainly good for us. Yet, Scripture is not meant to cause us to run scared. It is meant to show us the promises of God and help us put our trust in them. We see God fulfilling his promises in Scripture, which encourages to trust and hope in his promises that are yet to be fulfilled.

Those of us who read and study our Bible’s should receive encouragement from them. As we build our trust, faith, and hope, we are prepared to share our hope with others. We have the ability to tell them why we have hope and they can have the same hope. We can lead them to Jesus, changing their lives forever.

I pray we all read and study God’s Word. I pray we are encouraged by what we read in Scripture. I pray each one of us shares the hope we have and lead others to the same hope in Jesus. Study God’s Word. Be encouraged by Scripture. Share you hope. Lead others to Jesus.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

Pray for Leaders

How do you pray for leaders? Do you ask God to bless them with what they need to lead well? Or do you ask God to remove them and appoint someone else? Do you ask God to grant you the opportunity to lead? Have you considered how you should pray for leaders?

Praying for leaders can be murky for us. Each of us has our own perceptions, preferences, and agenda. We often judge our leaders based on personality and limited information, which challenges our ability to pray for them. Asking God to lead our leaders is our best option.

The Psalmist asks God to give the king what he needs to govern the people well. When we read the entirety of Psalm 72, we see many blessings the Psalmist asks God for on behalf of the king. The Psalmist doesn’t allow any existing perceptions of the king to cloud his decision to pray for the king. No, he has something bigger in mind. He asks for God’s blessings on the king for the sake of the people.

We can pray for our leaders in the same way, not just for leader but for the sake of the people being led or governed. We can ask God to grant the leader wisdom, discernment, justice, and righteousness. We can ask God to guide the leader along the path he wants the leader to walk. We know that God answers prayer. If more of us were to pray for our leaders, we just might see God working in amazing ways through them.

I pray we all ask God to bless our leaders. I pray we imitate the Psalmist’s prayer in Psalm 72. I pray each one of us will not allow our perceptions and preferences to cloud our prayers. Ask God to bless leaders. Pray for wisdom. Pray for justice. Pray for righteousness. Pray for the people.

Psalm 72:1-2

Give the king your justice, O God, 

and your righteousness to a king’s son. 

May he judge your people with righteousness 

and your poor with justice.

Genealogy

Do you like genealogy? How far back in your family tree can you trace your roots? How much about your family history do you know? Do you know your cultural heritage? Can you trace your family to other countries? Have you thought about Jesus’s family tree and heritage?

Genealogy can be fun and yet challenging to trace. The scanning of documents, putting them into databases has made it a little easier today. Yet, the challenge is verifying what you think you know to be true. Sometimes, there is just a hint of information. Other times, it is solid.

The prophet Isaiah foretells the coming Messiah and states that He will come from the root of Jesse. Of course, we know today that Jesse was King David’s father. We can also look at the lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Matthew traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Abraham, while Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam. I dare say none of us can trace our genealogy back that many generations.

But Isaiah says the Messiah is a signal to the peoples. His first coming is the signal that God is instituting his kingdom. It started with the death, burial, and resurrection. It was quickly followed by the apostles and other disciples spreading the good news and building the church. We continue to preach and teach the good news today.

Yet, that wasn’t all. Isaiah takes it to God’s final end, which is his eternal kingdom. Jesus will reign forever as the King of kings throughout eternity. His dwelling, and ours according to His promises, will be glorious. Isaiah often prophesied about things that would come to pass in the near term and typically continued by prophesying about the Messiah and His eternal reign. Isaiah was so in tune with God, and God spoke through Isaiah to reveal his plan. We can learn a lot by studying Isaiah.

I pray we all take a time to know a little about our lineage. I pray we understand the importance of Isaiah’s prophesy. I pray each one of us look forward to Jesus coming to reign forever. Know your family history. Study Isaiah’s prophesies. Look forward to Jesus returning to reign forever.

Isaiah 11:10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Looking Forward

How far into the future do you plan? Do you look forward to something in the distant future? Or are you only looking at later today or tomorrow? Do you plan beyond next week? What are you anticipating? What has you joyously anxious while waiting for it to happen?

Planning for the future can be difficult to do. So much of the future is unknown. Sure, we can make our plans, but we know much of it is out of our control, even if we won’t admit it. Our best laid plans often go awry. One thing or another swoops in and disrupts them.

Perhaps the longest range plans we make are weddings a year or more out, college graduation four years out, or retirement several years or decades in the future. Yet, none of these are guaranteed. Things happen. A speed bump or roadblock slows them down or causes us to draw up a new plan. Retirement can be especially difficult. Many think they have planned well only to discover they do not have near enough to retire when the time comes.

The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the Messiah, some eight-hundred years before Jesus would come. Based on Isaiah’s prophecy, the Israelites were looking toward His coming yet had no idea when He would. God did not provide a timeline, so Isaiah could not provide one. He did provide characteristics of the Messiah. He would have the spirit of the Lord resting on Him, be wise, understanding, knowledgeable, a counselor, powerful, in awe of God, following his will.

We, too, look forward to Jesus coming. But we look forward to His return. Much like the Israelites, we do not have a timeline. It is challenging to continue to look forward and be obedient. We can grow lax in our obedience, just as the Israelites did. Yet, it is those who continue in their obedience who will be rewarded by God. Therefore, continue in obedience to God, even though you do not know when Jesus will return.

I pray we all look forward to Jesus returning to claim His own. I pray we hold fast to our faith. I pray each one of us will remain obedient to God’s commands and reap the reward he has for us. Look forward to Jesus returning. Hold onto your faith. Obey God’s commands. Reap your reward.

Isaiah 11:1-2

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, 

and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 

The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, 

the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 

the spirit of counsel and might, 

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Give Thanks and Sing Praises

How thankful are you? Do you recognize the many blessings you have been given? Are you thankful for each one of those blessings? Do you sing praises to God for them? Do you sing praises to bless God’s name? Does singing praise lift your heart?

We often overlook the small, everyday blessings. We take them for granted. Yet, God continues to bless us with them. Not only do we not thank God for them but we don’t praise God for them either. Some of us are not keen on singing praises daily.

The Psalmist instructs us to give thanks to God, not half-heartedly, but with our whole heart. We are told to tell of God’s wonderful deeds. We are encouraged to be glad. In that gladness, we are to exult God. That gladness and exultation results in our singing praises to God. Those praises acknowledge how wonderful, amazing, powerful, creative, and all-knowing God is.

Today, let’s be thankful and sing praises to God. Let us open our hearts to him. Let us sing his praises with joyful voices. Sing out, whether you think you can sing or not. Lift your voice and make a joyful noise to the Lord! God delights in our singing and praising him. He delights in our thankfulness and blesses us. When we are thankful and praise him, he is like a delighted parent with their children.

I pray we all are thankful to God for his blessings. I pray we praise him both day and night for who he is. I pray each one of us sing out our praises and thankfulness to our awesome God. Thank God for your blessings. Praise God today. Sing praise to him. God is awesome.


Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; 

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 

I will be glad and exult in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Like a Thief in the Night

Have you ever wondered where some of our sayings originated? Don’t you think some of them have an interesting story behind them? Have you considered some of them originated from the Bible or a preacher long ago simplifying what the Bible said? We might have one today.

Read today’s passage. What saying comes to mind? I’m guessing you came up with the same one I did: Like a thief in the night. I also imagine that you have heard it used in ways that have nothing to do with how it might originally been used. But that’s how it goes with sayings. Their use morphs over time.

Notice that Jesus uses the example to drive home the point that no one knows when He will return. It also could have been used because the average person can understand it, even today. We typically hear of robberies taking place at night or when people are away. It is still a shocker to hear of a bank robbery “in broad daylight.”

Just as it was stated yesterday, Jesus says we are to be ready. We must remain vigilant in our following His commands. Our momentary lapses must end quickly and with our repentance. Our hearts desire is to follow Him and be like Him. He must be our role model, example to follow, and mentor. When we decide we will follow Jesus with every bit of our being, not only will our lives change for the better, but we will be ready when He returns.

I pray we all see and hear Jesus’s point. I pray we are vigilant in following His commands. I pray each one of us choose to follow Jesus with every bit of our being so we ready when He returns. Like a thief in the night. Follow Jesus’s commands. Follow His example. He will be your mentor.

Mathew 24:43-44 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Are You Ready?

Are you ready? Do you believe in being prepared? Do you train yourself to be prepared for whatever life throws your way? Do you think about the many possibilities for any given situation? Or do you just take life as it comes? Do you live life willy nilly?

Being ready for any given situation is near impossible. Accidents that happen out of the blue can completely derail us. Yet, there is much we can be prepared for. We can prepare for that big speech. We can prepare for the next day. We can prepare for a coming storm.

Being prepared is good. It can keep us from being surprised. It can prevent us from being turned topsy turvy when something goes wrong. It is often by being prepared that we withstand a coming storm, whether a weather storm or an emotional storm. So, yes, being prepared is good.

Yet, how many of us are prepared for the return of Jesus Christ? To be ready, we must live our life for Him. We need to choose to obey God’s commands. We need to be willing to give up our favorite sin. After all, how many of us want to be caught in our sin when Jesus returns? I dare say none of us.

Jesus tells us that no one knows when He will return, not even Himself. He tells us that it is the Father’s decision regarding when He will return. He even gives the example of Noah, when the people were eating and drinking when the flood came. The people thought Noah was crazy until the flood hit. Then they were desperate. Just as they had no time nor option to repent and be saved, we won’t have that option either. Our only option is to be ready when He returns.

I pray we all choose to obey God’s commands. I pray we choose to give up our sins. I pray each one of us will choose to be ready when Jesus returns, knowing there will be no time when he does. Obey God’s commands. Give up your sins. Be ready when Jesus returns.

Matthew 24:36-37 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”