Matthew 3:16 "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him." The gentle dove rested on Him. The Holy Spirit wants to descend in the midst of my mess this day and rest on me.
The people in this day were blinded by their self-centered understanding
of what should come next in the story. They thought I should send
the Messiah to bless them. John knew the Messiah woud come
to change them, to restore their souls before I restored their blessings.
66 LL
"Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." Matthew 3:8 Change me this year, this day, O God!
Prologue...
ReplyDeleteIt would be good to read The Prologue and Introduction to 66 Love Letters again.
Michele wrote yesterday about the free study guides for 66 Love Letters. Larry has an e-online store on his website:
www.newwayministries.org
Click on 66 Love Letters then
Click on Study Guides.
There are two free study guides that are immediate downloadable pdf files.
1. 66 Love Letters Introduction to the Study Guide - Part One: A Fall, A Promise, and the Story Begins (Pentateuch) - FREE
2. 66 Love Letters: An 8 Lesson Introduction and Overview - FREE
The individual Study Guides of 66 Love Letters of each book are also available now for purchase. Each downloadable pdf file is $2.00 per each book of the bible. These short study guides are immediate downloadable pdf files. There is one study guide for every book of the Bible.
So much meat in today's reading. I suppose what stands out most is:
ReplyDeleteBear fruit in keeping with repentance.
I want to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit which comes by repentance and living a godly life.
The Baptism of Jesus
ReplyDeleteMatthew 3:13(AD)"Then Jesus came(AE) from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14(AF) John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
The perfect example of perfect humility, John knew he was unworthy to baptize Jesus. Jesus, knew He was of God, and that He was God. Jesus journed to the Jordan river to allow Himself to be baptized by John.
For me in 2011, there is much work to be done, deeper humility to be sought and accepted, a heartfelt longing for a pure spirit-filled heart, this is my prayer and challenge for this new year.
Jesus is coming again. His winnowing fork is in His hand. Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.
ReplyDeleteMay I too, Lord, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Show me any hurtful way in me. You are a Holy God. May my words and actions reflect You.
I copied Matthew 3:16 to post also. I remember a teacher describing that one moment when Jesus went into the water, He who knew no sin, bathed in the water that washed clean others' sin. "He took on sin who knew no sin." This was a physical sign of His commitment to save us. He was ready for his ministry to begin. He was equipped with the Holy Spirit. The physical act of our saving had begun. This is one of those moments I imagine us all singing with thankful hearts in heaven over one Day together. A proud Father of His Son who so willingly took on my sin to bridge heaven and earth. I'll never get over it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the resources for 66 LL, Michele and Bev. I'm off to download mine later today!
ReplyDeleteOh,how each of you blessed me with what you saw in the reading. What jumped out at me was John telling the "leaders" of the church that they needed to repent, they could not rely on the legacy of their forefathers to save them. How many people are walking around believing they are good people and because their parents or grandparents were believers that they are too. My prayer is may others see the Holy Spirit moving in my life to the extent that they desire Him so much that they lay their pride down and fall at His feet in repentance. Loved what Larry Crabb wrote the people just wanted the Messiah to bless them, John knew He would change them. How often have I been mistaken in the past and just wanted Him to bless me and make my life more comfortable than wanting more of Him. He has opened my eyes thru His Word and thru 66 LL.
ReplyDeleteThat's right Mary Lou...and I get to some safe thinking that I am a decent Christian too...yet what's going on in my own heart? All I can deal with is my own stuff.
ReplyDeleteHey, I downloaded 66 LL on my smart phone using the Kindle app and it was $9.00.
A couple of weeks ago, I stood in the Jordan River where it was traditionally believed that Jesus was baptized. Surreal is all I can say to know He was there. And that Dove resting on His shoulder is a picture that lingers with me. I so need to find a rest in my life in midst of unsettling circumstances that are grabbing at me. Oh my soul, find its rest in Thee!
Thank you Bev, for encouraging me to read the Prologue of 66LL. These pages really blessed me and the knowledge from you and Michele about the Study Guides are so helpful.
ReplyDeleteMary Lou, I'm with you in reference to the church leaders.
Matthew 3:10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thank you LORD for providing more opportunities to learn more of who you are and who you created me to be to produce good fruit.
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
This is a Song I must Sing, Sylvia
I could write a book here about John the Baptist and Jesus. I don't know why but these two are really prominent in my pondering and in my spirit.
ReplyDeleteI'll spare y'all the long version. Here's the condensed.
I keep seeing red barns in odd ways here lately. On the web, on Christmas cards, on calendars...and it's always really odd when I find them.
I had even told my mom that was what I wanted for Christmas! And I changed my blog a while back, posting a local picture in middle Georgia of a red barn in one of our very rare snow storms here. I was just drawn to that picture.
I've liked barns in the past but I've never been so overwhelmed by the way I keep noticing them.
Saturday it was like the Spirit revealed to me about the connection with harvesting and the barn.
He is plowing through really hard ground, He will sow a crop, He will reap a HUGE harvest. The big, red barn reminds me now that the harvest is coming.
My memory verse for Siesta Scripture Memory Team this first 2 weeks of January was already selected before I had the connection about the barns. It is Galatians 6:9.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
And now, here in today's reading I find this:
Matthew 3:12
"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
I just LOVE it when God gives me these glimpses into what He is doing! I can't look at red barns now without being reminded that a harvest is coming...
"gather his wheat into the barn"