The First Step

Baptism means different things to various church members. Some traditions use infant baptism while others use immersion. I grew up in a Disciples church that baptized when the individual was able to choose baptism as a way of cleansing of sin and beginning a new life with Christ. My parents grew up in the same church and they were baptized in the Iowa River near Liscomb. I was baptized in our church baptistry on April 9, 1967.

Perhaps Jesus' first act of ministry was His own baptism by John. Baptism represents repentance of sins and the changed life that follows. However, for Jesus, who never sinned, baptism was a way to show His obedience to God's plan or as Jesus said, "To fulfill all righteousness," (Matthew 3:15 NIV). 

John the Baptist was preaching in the Desert of Judea, preparing the way for Jesus. He was a prophet who praised God in all he did. He said:

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire," (Matthew 3:11 NIV).

John was humbled when Jesus came to him, asking to be baptized. 

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased"," (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV).

No matter how or when you were baptized, I pray that you can come before God with a heart that is His alone.

O, God, Father of all Mankind, we can only imagine the awesome sight of Jesus' baptism. We would love to have been there. We open our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to work in us today. Let us be led by You and guided in all that we do. We worship You, O Lord, and offer our complete devotion to You and the teachings of Your Son. This we pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Walking to Jerusalem

The season of Lent means different things to different people. I first heard of Lent in high school when my Catholic friends would discuss what they were giving up for Lent. Meat, cursing, chocolate, television watching. Perhaps these days it might include cell phones or video games. For me the biggest thing to give up would have to be ice cream. Lent can be a time of using self-discipline by giving up something important to us. But I never really understood the reason behind giving up something you can hardly live without. 

Lent is the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, replicating the 40 days that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness before He began his work of teaching. Lent is a time to understand that our humanness is sinful. It is a time to seek our hearts for evil and reflect on the gift of grace we receive through God. Lent is an opportunity to repent from our sins. To pray more, worship God more, fast and to solemnly prepare our hearts and minds by remembering the life and death of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I like to think of using these 40 days to walk along side Jesus, listening to His teachings through the scriptures, and purifying my sinful life. I'm still amazed that Jesus, knowing full well what lay ahead for Him, continued walking toward Jerusalem and His physical and spiritual torture. If only I could be a little bit like Him. To reflect His glorious, sinless, life of devotion. 

"Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant' O Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you," (Isaiah 44:21-22 NIV).

I love the translation in The Message: "I have blotted out your sins and dissolved them like the mist."

Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You, baring my sinful self, ready to accept the wonderful blessing of Your grace. Make me strong enough to walk beside Jesus during this season of suffering and help me to be the person You want me to be. I kneel before Your Holiness, in solemn worship and pray. Amen.