Baptism holds profound significance in the life of a believer and Christian community. However, as with any act of worship, it can sometimes lose its depth and become a routine and ritualistic practice. In the familiar, we may inadvertently overlook the immense power and transformation that baptism represents.
An interesting analogy comes from Nicander, an ancient Greek poet who used the culinary art of pickling vegetables to illustrate baptism’s importance. He used the Greek word “bapto” to describe dipping the vegetable into boiling water and “baptizo” for leaving it permanently immersed in vinegar. This connection is intriguing, especially considering that every occurrence of “baptism” in the New Testament uses “baptizo.”
Nicander’s use of these words vividly portrays a spiritual truth. Though you may have once been “bapto’d” or dipped into water, the reality of baptism is that when you embraced faith in Christ, you were permanently immersed in Him. Christian baptism is not a one-time event but an ongoing state of being surrounded by Christ like a vegetable forever enveloped in vinegar. And just as a pickled vegetable takes on the essence of the vinegar, our baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus immerses us in His life, transforming us to be more Christ-like than our former selves. This transformation is not brought about by the physical act of baptism itself but by a life of faith in Jesus, empowered by His Spirit.
In Romans 6, Paul asks, “Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Paul is not preaching the need for baptism to already dunked people. Instead, he’s encouraging them to remember its reality, even as they may be struggling with sin. He is pointing them to the truth that they are immersed in Christ; in this, they can find the power to overcome and live in faithful obedience to Him.
So when you see a jar of pickles, remember baptism is not just a dip but an eternal immersion of one’s life, forever united with Christ. If you have not yet been baptized as a follower of Jesus or are interested in reaffirming your commitment, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Lake Day event (Aug. 27th – sign up here).
Our thoughts and attitudes toward God shape how we approach Him. If we see Him as distant or judgmental, our approach becomes hesitant, half-hearted, or filled with fear and shame. Thoughts and attitudes shape our perception, and even if they don’t align with the truth, perception becomes our reality. That’s why Jesus calls us to reset and approach God with child-like faith, free from worldly wounds and distrust. We must let go of false perceptions and embrace His tender care.
In this reset, we go back to the basics: God is love. As Christians, we learn this from the beginning, hearing it in verses like “For God so loved the world…” or singing, “Jesus loves me; this I know…” By resetting to the reality of God’s unchanging, unconditional love, we can confidently approach Him. We come to Him with openness, vulnerability, and the belief that He desires a personal relationship with us.
Let’s hit that reset button and embrace child-like faith. Reflect on God’s love by reading and listening to the hymn below. It was discovered partially written on the walls of an asylum and beautifully speaks of God’s limitless and never-ending love. His love surpasses changing kingdoms and cultures as He seeks out His children in the highs and lows to welcome them home.
The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell It goes beyond the highest star And reaches to the lowest hell The guilty pair, bowed down with care God gave His Son to win His erring child He reconciled And pardoned from his sin
O love of God, how rich and pure How measureless and strong It shall forevermore endure The saints’ and angels’ song
When mortal time shall pass away And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall When men who here refuse to pray On rocks and hills and mountains call; God’s love, so sure, shall still endure All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam’s race The saints’ and angels’ song
Could we with ink the ocean fill And were the skies of parchment made Were every stalk on earth a quill And every man a scribe by trade To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry Nor could the scroll contain the whole Though stretched from sky to sky
“Because of the Lords faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” Lamentations 3:22-23
As the name suggests, the book of Lamentations in the Old Testament might be a bit of a downer. But even amid all the despair and confusion, a glimmer of truth and hope emerges. Right in the middle of this book, we find a powerful declaration of God’s faithfulness.
Amidst great distress and sorrow, the author boldly proclaims the unwavering faithfulness of God. Despite circumstances that could have consumed His people, is the recognition that it is through the Lords loyal love that they are not destroyed. God’s love is an unceasing source of provision, protection, and preservation. Moreover, God’s compassion is new every morning. His mercies are not depleted or exhausted. Instead, each day brings a fresh outpouring. No matter how challenging yesterday may have been, we can wake up to the assurance that God’s faithfulness accompanies us into a new day.
The faithfulness of God is not contingent upon our circumstances or our faithfulness to Him. It is rooted in His unchanging character and steadfast love. His faithfulness endures because of who He is, not what we have or haven’t done. In times of abundance and scarcity, joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, God stands with us, faithful in love and mercy.
The same God who remained faithful to His people in the past is the same God we can trust today. His faithfulness is the anchor for our souls, grounding us in hope and sustaining us through life’s storms. Let us embrace the truth of God’s faithfulness. May we meditate on His Word and recall His past faithfulness. As we do so, let us trust Him, knowing His faithfulness will guide us, protect us, and lead us into a future filled with His goodness and love.
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s glory, as the water covers the sea..” Habakkuk 2:14
What exactly is glory? It’s a concept that can be challenging to grasp. Glory is a captivating display that commands attention and admiration from others. When I think of glory, I’m instantly reminded of the joyful scenes of bath time with children. Those carefree moments when they skillfully evade the towel, gleefully darting through the house, dripping wet and unrestrained. In these instances, they authentically express their true selves, showcasing their unique and remarkable glory for all to witness.
Glory is often revealed in fragments, much like stepping into a teenager’s bedroom. The state of the bed, the pictures on the walls, the scattered clothes, decorations, and the lingering scent all reflect the occupant’s essence. Even in their absence, you can gain insight into their identity through the expressed glory of their personal space. Though not exhaustive, these elements provide an accurate representation, enabling you to begin understanding them through their unique glory.
Interestingly, in Hebrew, the word for “glory” (kavod) is linked to “heavy” or “weighty” (kaved). This connection suggests that glory possesses substance and significance beyond mere abstraction. Just as something weighty commands attention and respect, glory carries a similar weight, deserving reverence and honor. It is not fleeting or superficial but infused with depth and substance.
Take this week to reflect on the weighty glory of God. Seek intimate and authentic revelation from Him. Contemplate the substantial aspects of God’s glory as they manifest in your life and the lives of those around you. Express gratitude for His self-revelation through His glory and ask Him to use you as a reflection of His glory to others.
Missed this past Sunday’s message on the Glory of God? WATCH HERE
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that
you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
In various religions and cultures, people worship and rely on multiple gods. Each god is associated with specific needs or desires. For example, they would seek favor from the rain god and the harvest god for
fruitful crops or pray to gods of war or sea for success in battle. They even turned to fertility gods or goddesses for the blessing of a child. That’s a lot of hoops to jump through and seems exhausting.
However, in Christianity, we experience a significant shift. Our faith centers around the worship of a single God who encompasses all aspects of life. Throughout Scripture, the Bible reveals that the God of the Old and New Testament, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the one and only God. This God created heaven and earth, reigns as the King of the Universe, and His name is Yahweh. He is the God of everything.
That’s why the apostle Paul, recognizing this truth, asks the God of hope to also fill his readers with joy and peace. Paul understands he doesn’t have to go to three places to find hope, joy, and peace. He can find it all in the One True God. And here’s the amazing part: God is so generous that Paul can boldly ask for overflow. This overflow means that hope, joy, and peace can abound to be shared with others.
So, when you’re in need today, look to God for everything you require. Remember, you serve the God of everything. Need patience? He’s your God. Need love? He’s your God. Need wisdom and insight? He is your God. Need forgiveness, companionship, energy, grace, mercy, or comfort? He’s your God. You can ask Him for whatever you need and even request the overflow to share His blessings with others.
For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses. Matthew 6:14-15
Wow! The words spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount leave no room for ambiguity. He boldly reveals the undeniable connection between giving forgiveness to others and receiving forgiveness from God. Forgiveness is not a matter of personal preference. It is a command by Jesus to His followers, and it plays a vital role in experiencing the fullness of God’s mercy. Paul echoes this truth in Colossians 3:13, where he urges believers to embody His forgiveness by extending it to others. Embracing this call requires patience, understanding, and a genuine willingness to release the offenses committed against us in response to the gracious forgiveness God has shown us. As recipients of His immeasurable forgiveness, Christians reflect His character, show others His grace, and extend forgiveness to those around us.
However, releasing offense and choosing to forgive is not always easy. Sometimes it may even seem impossible. Here are some helpful practices to remember when the opportunity for offense presents itself:
Take time daily to reflect on the profound forgiveness given to you by Jesus. Remind yourself of the depth of your own forgiveness, allowing it to fuel your ability to extend grace and mercy to others.
Forgiveness is not a feeling. It is a choice. Waiting until you feel like forgiving may hinder the process indefinitely. Remember, delayed obedience is the first step toward disobedience.
Cultivate the practice of pre-forgiveness. As you start your day, even before your feet touch the ground, acknowledge that someone might offend you. Make a conscious decision to forgive them in advance. Make this commitment out loud by saying, “I choose right now to forgive anyone and everyone for any hurt or offense they may cause me today.”
Make it a personal goal to live an unoffendable life. Ultimately, the responsibility for being offended and living in a state of offense rests on us, not the offender. We have control over our attitudes and actions, and choosing not to be offended is a powerful testament to spiritual maturity and faith in Jesus.
Missed Pastor David’s message on Freedom in Forgiveness? Watch Here
