Matt 3:11 I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.
It is so fun to me to look at John the Baptizer (or Baptist, whatever). He was such a passionate guy. He would be termed a “character” by most Southern standards. =) I like his passion for the truth and the humility he shows when Jesus arrives on the scene. Those actions are not often found together in one with his personality type.
The passion with which he speaks here is breathtaking. He speaks of my life. And yours.
What does it mean to him to live a Kingdom life, I wonder. Many have written about what that might mean for us. I like that he reminds of the fact that once a person is baptized, the real action begins. It doesn’t stop there it starts there! Jesus, the one to come, and has now come; will ignite the Kingdom fire within you.
I remember when that happened for me. Oddly enough, it was not near the moment of baptism. It was not until a while later that I began to more fully understand what that meant in my life. Now, I feel/think it almost daily. The purpose for me is clear and simple and complicated and hard to live out.
Whatever I believe about the Holy Spirit (and that is still quite murky to me), I don’t doubt the working and changing that has been occurring. May you be blessed by thinking about these things with me today.
Light the fire, Lord, and give me the courage not to put it out….
Why is it that what you post is always what I need to hear exactly when I need to hear it? Oh yeah, it's a God thing!! Thank you and I love you for many things, keeping me accountable to the One who made me is just one of those things!! Kathy
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