What Jesus did? - for January 22

By Me? - Matthew 3:13-14

At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. Jesus came to John and wanted John to baptize him. But John tried to say that he was not good enough to baptize Jesus. John said, "Why do you come to me to be baptized? I should be baptized by you!" (ERV)

Key Thought
Can you imagine John's surprise when Jesus wanted to be baptized by him? "I'm not worthy..." "I need to be baptized by you..." But, even when God shows us a way that may seem strange to us, He has a plan and it works beautifully if we will all do our part. So often, God's great leaders had to walk much of their journey alone because no one dared to help them. Discipleship is not just about great leaders, but also about loyal followers -- followers of Jesus who do their part when given the opportunity and followers who dare to imagine that God wants to use them in mighty ways for his Kingdom.

Today's Prayer
O Great Giver of Gifts, thank you for giving me a part to play in your work of salvation. Help me to never underestimate the importance of what you have called me to do to serve you, nor devalue the abilities you have given me to use in your service. I want to fulfill your plans for my life and ministry, so please give me the courage and boldness to seize the opportunities to serve you that you place before me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

What Jesus did? - for January 21

Fire! - Matthew 3:11-12

"I baptize you with water to show that you changed your hearts and lives. But there is a person coming later that is greater than I am. I am not good enough to take off his shoes for him. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He will come ready to clean the grain. He will separate the good grain from the straw. He will put the good part of the grain into his barn. And he will burn the part that is not good. He will burn it with a fire that cannot be stopped." (ERV)

Key Thought

So much of the discussion of this passage focuses on whether fire means judgment or purification. All sorts of interpretative clues are examined. Scholarship is divided. So which do you think it is? My answer is "Yes! He both judges and purifies." From this passage and its parallels, I believe John the Baptist probably intended for us to hear both points. We will be judged based on what we decide about Jesus. When we choose to believe Jesus and trust in him, the Holy Spirit will also cleanse us. Jesus calls us to purity, but more than that, he cleanses and purifies us through and through as he pours out his Spirit upon us. (Cf. Titus 3:3-7.)

Today's Prayer
O precious Father, please forgive me of all that I have done wrong, and cleanse me thoroughly by the sanctifying power of your Holy Spirit. In addition, dear Father, I trust in the Spirit's power to help me triumph over the temptation to sin. Thank you for not only cleansing me, but also sustaining me by the power of your Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Ajutor prevazut pentru orice situatie

Nu trebuie sa ingaduim ca viitorul, cu toate problemele lui grele si perspectivele lui nedorite sa ne tulbure inimile, sa ne faca genunchii sa tremure si mainile sa atarne neputincioase in semn de descurajare. Aceia care isi incredinteaza vietile lui Dumnezeu, pentru a fi calauziti de El si pentru a-I sluji Lui, nu se vor afla niciodata in situatii dificile, pentru care Domnul sa nu fi pregatit deja ajutorul.

Sursa: "Minte Caracter Personalitate ", Ellen White - o lucrare in doua volume, superbe

Snakes

What Jesus did? - for January 20

Snakes - Matthew 3:7-10

Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to the place where John was baptizing people. When John saw them he said to them: "You are all snakes! Who warned you to run away from God's anger that is coming? You must do the things that show that you have really changed your hearts and lives. And don't think that you can boast and say to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you that God could make children for Abraham from these rocks here. The ax is now ready to cut down the trees. Every tree that does not make good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (ERV)

Key Thought
So much of religion can be little more than posturing, passionate opinions, and religious pomp without much true substance. God, however, demands lives that are consistent with the words of our mouths. Wearing robes, having titles, coming from a strong religious heritage, and liking to be recognized as religious, in and of themselves, simply don’t count with Jesus. He wants to see the fruit of lives dedicated to him as God. In fact, Jesus uses terms of utmost derision for those claiming to be religious but not living righteously. He reserves the greatest punishment for those who take advantage of their religious positions. What counts with our Lord are lives that are true to God, not ones that merely look and sound religious.

Today's Prayer
Faithful and just God, thank you for being consistent and true. At times, dear Father, I find myself struggling to have the purest of motives and sincerest of commitments. Please forgive me when my faith is more about religious showy rituals and not about a changed daily lifestyle. Help me to be more true to what I say I believe, and not get caught up in religious pretensions. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.