Baptized by a Minister, but Not by Jesus

Up to this time when someone in the United States has been born again, most if not all have allowed a minister to baptize them with some form of water baptism, but few of those ministers and those they baptize have allowed Jesus to baptize them in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3: 11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Mark 1: 8 "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Luke 3: 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandals I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

John 1: 33 “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit."

You will be wasting your time and hindering your opportunity to be baptized by Jesus if you ask a minister that has not been baptized in the Spirit questions about being baptized by Jesus.

Enlarging Our Vision

                                                 

At approximately 1 AM Thursday morning the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me about the need for Christians to begin seeking out and focusing on Scriptures that reveal what the Lord Jesus Christ wants to take place, specifically with the body of Christ. For many Christians this will take a renewing of the mind, but will be well worth it.

It is true that all Christians need certain parts of Scripture for personal encouragement as well as for assurance that our legitimate personal needs will be met. But the Spirit emphasized that we must enlarge our vision and look beyond ourselves.

Jesus definitely cares for our individual needs, but wants us to cast those cares on Him and become focused on things beyond ourselves. In seeking first the kingdom of God and working to help build and unite the one body of Christ, we would be working in harmony with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit said that in doing so we would be positioning ourselves for our personal needs to have a better opportunity of being met. This would not be our prime motive for doing so, but would be a by-product of being about the Father’s business.

Let’s enlarge our vision! Let’s truly deny self and take up our cross and together follow the Lord Jesus Christ and cooperate and work with His Spirit to bring God’s kingdom and will on earth. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Deep Trouble

What is really needed by professional football is the truth of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. There are too many owners, players, sports writers and fans that don't know Jesus or are very immature in their relationship with Him and their knowledge of His word. This vacuum leaves too much room for Marxist/Socialist/Communist and atheistic influences that are making things worse rather than solving any real problems in our country.

The real heart of the problem is the immaturity of most Christians in America starting with those in the pulpit. The real need of the hour is truth coming from true and mature ministers that will wake up the church to be true salt and light to our nation and beyond.  Any other alternative is not going to be very pleasant! If the ministers on early Sunday morning TV are any indication of things, we are in some deep trouble!