Month: October 2021

Baptism | The Good Confession

This writer was re-baptized last Sunday. It didn’t overshadow my first baptism wayyyyyy back when. I still remember the feeling of total cleansing as I came up out of the water that first time. There were many witnesses at the church. My own mother was baptized that evening, too. We accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior together and we were baptized together. It was a double testimony of our faith in Christ.

So why this second baptism?

Have you ever re-dedicated your life to God? Me too. When the pastor suggested that any who had re-dedicated his or her life consider being re-baptized, I prayed about it.

11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ~ 1 Timothy 6:11-12 NKJV

His answer: Re-baptism is my good confession to many witnesses of my re-dedication to faith in Jesus. It says that I haven’t always been as obedient as He commanded. My re-baptism shows that I am still pursuing a right standing with Jehovah through belief in His Son, Jesus. There is major spiritual warfare going on around us and I am re-engaging in the good fight of faith, even in blindness. I can’t see the battle, but I know it exists. My God is strong and all powerful. Studying His Word equips and shields me against the arrows of the enemy who would slay me with false knowledge. We know who wins this war of souls, and I still want to be counted among those who trust Jesus as our foundation for hope and a future of eternal Life with Him. Jesus is MY Lord of lords and MY King of kings.

This time as I came up out of the waters, it didn’t feel as exhilarating as it did that first time. But it was life-changing; full of wonderment at what Jesus has done for me, a sinner. It impacted the witnesses, too. Many in church this past Sunday told me later that they were encouraged, hearts were gladdened, spirits were uplifted, and more positive comments confirmed to me that my step of faith was God’s will. See, it brought contentment to the brethren, and it blessed me.

That is my good confession for you today. Trust in Jesus. He rules and reigns. He is ALL.

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Faith in Tribulation

Tribulations shall come; and we are told to glory in them (Romans 5:1-5 NKJV). 

1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4and perseverance, character, and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t say that I glory in times of testing.  At times I have been so gripped by fear that I was virtually stuck – powerlessly overwhelmed by worry, doubt, and loss.  My nights were sleepless and when I called out to God in prayer for peace of mind, it did not come.

What is wrong with me?

I was not earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 1:3).  I lacked boldness and confidence in my Lord that He not only provides for all my needs, but He is more powerful than any circumstance.  I was not living by faith in Jesus, but faith in myself. 

I can’t fix anything!  Once I turned everything over to Him, my burdens were lifted as He carried me through one difficulty after another.  The more I trusted Jesus to take control of my life, my prayers were heard and answered according to His will.  I can now see how giving God the glory fits with tribulation, as his solutions to problems are perfect compared to mine. Where was the evidence of my faith? Sadly – gone. But praise God, once I repented and began to live according to His Spirit guiding me, I learned:

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  ~ Romans 1:16-17 NKJV

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass… 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret – it only causes harm.  ~ Psalm 37:3-5,7a, 8 NKJV

Jesus keep me from stumbling!  Keep me from taking back any burdens You have freed me from so I can rest in You always.  Thank You LORD!

28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, as I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, 30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  ~ Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

And also:

20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  ~ Jude 1:20-21 NKJV

Victory in Jesus

51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55  “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  ~ I Corinthians 15:51-58 NKJV (emphasis added)

13Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done with love.  ~ I Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV