We Must Carry Out All That God Requires

"I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be His slave and carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."…Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk Him out of it. "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you," he said, "so why are you coming to me?" But Jesus said, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires." So John agreed to baptize Him. After His baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." Matthew 3: 11, 13-17.

Jesus’ journey to the Cross included a dip in the Jordan River—His baptism. At that time His cousin John was calling people to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand and when they confessed their sins, he baptized them. Jesus was sinless—but baptism was part of God’s plan—as Jesus said… for we must carry out all that God requires. The Pharisees were among the people who heard John the Baptist calling for repentance. Their response…

But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism. Luke 7:30.

The Pharisee refused God’s plan. Are you open to God’s plan—focusing on it—following it?

God’s plan for Jesus to be “baptized” by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was there at Jesus’ baptism— descending like a dove. God, the Father, was present at Jesus’ baptism, too, in the form of a voice from heaven exclaiming…"This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." In this way God showed approval of His Son—that He was pleased with Jesus. Jesus brought the Father great joy. Do your children bring you great joy? Mine certainly do.

Are you teaching your children and grandchildren to seek God…to seek His will for their lives? "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 NKJV.

Prayer ~ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you? - 1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV.

Lord God…I am a temple for You…for Your Holy Spirit. Dear Jesus, You paid a tremendous price for my salvation and I want to honor You in all that I think, say and do.

Daily Bible Reading: March 23 – Joshua 1-4

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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