Devo # 19 - One Baptism, part two

"1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is

one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—

5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and

through all and in all."

On yesterday, we began a discussion of “One Baptism”. Some Christians beleive that this passage refers to water baptism while others think it is talking about Holy Spirit baptism as I described on yesterday. While I hold to the Holy Spirit explanation for this passage, I did want to share a quick explanation of both below from another brother in Christ (see link below the quote):

“As it relates to the believer, there are two different types of baptism in Scripture, ...

. Whenever the word “baptize” or “baptism” is used, it means “to immerse or submerge.”

The first type is baptism by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says:

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

The meaning here is that all believers–that is, all those who have received Jesus Christ by faith and are truly saved–are immersed into the body of Christ, which includes all believers, both living and dead. We don’t have to “ask” for this baptism, or even participate in any kind of ceremony. It’s automatic. And it’s made possible by the Holy Spirit.

The second type of baptism is water baptism, and it is meant to be a witness or a declaration of salvation. It is not a means to salvation. Jesus was baptized, and no one would say that His baptism saved Him. So when you are immersed into the water, you are symbolically identifying with Christ.”

http://christianity101online.com/blog/2009/05/02/what-does-it-mean-to-be-baptized/

Lord, I do thank you that you immersed be into the body of Christ by your Holy Spirit. I also thank you for the privilege of being identified with Christ through water baptism. Lord, help me to live a life that reflects a person who is walking with Christ and has had his sins washed away. Help me to live life worthy of my calling. In Jesus Name! Amen!

Devo # 18 -One Baptism

"1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Today, we will talk about One Baptism.

I Cor 12: 13 says 13For by ]means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and ]by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit..(Amplified)

When we accepted Jesus as our personal saviour. the same Holy Spirit came into each of our lives uniting us as a body of Christ. This one Holy Spirit unites us as Christians, making it possible for us to have instant fellowship, even with people we have just met.

Lord, thank you for your precious Holy Spirit tht unites us a believers. Help me to be sensitive you your presence in my life and in my brothers and sisters as I go throughout this day.

In Jesus Name. Amen

Devo # 17 -Christ Rules

As we continue the Ephesians 4:1-6 passage. We have stopped for several days on "One Faith". This is the last devotional on this subject, as we use the InterVarsity basis of faith.

The eighth statement of our basis of faith reads in part. "We believe in the victorious reign and future return of Jesus Christ who will judge all people with justice and mercy, giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation but receiving the redeemd into eternal life. "

The last devotional dealt with the second part, Christ's judgement of all people.

Today, we will look at the victorious reign and future return of Jesus Christ. Phillipians 2:9-10 plainly declares Jesus as Lord and king over everything!

⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Isaiah 9:6 which talks about the future reign of Jesus: "for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Prayers: Jesus, you are my Lord and King. It is my honor to serve you. In your name O Lord. Amen.

Devo # 16 Get Ready! Christ Is Coming Back Again!

Today's Scripture:

^"1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."( Ephesians 4:1-6 - NLT)

Today is the last devotional on " One Faith" as found in Ephesians 4:5 above: I have been using the InterVaristy Basis of Faith, to illustrate the components of our Faith. The final component as mentioned in this document is:

"We believe in the victorious reign and future personal return of Jesus Christ who will judge all people with Justice and mercy, giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation but receiving the redeemed into eternal life."

Jesus says in Matthew 5: 32-38 and 41:

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: ³²And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: ³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: ³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ^{..... 41}Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Prayer: Lord, you are the Rigtheous Judge who will judge every person on the earth. Thank that you are also a God who is full of love and mercy, offering your son as a ransom for my sins. Thank you for my salvation. Help me to live a life that is worthy of my calling! Give me the courage to tell my unsaved friends about your terrific offer of salvation! I do not want them to suffer eternal condemnation but eternal joy with me!

In Jesus Name! Amen!

Welcome to Fred's Daily Devotional!

Greetings Friends!

I am using this forum to post a summary of my personal daily devotionals. These are scriptures that I am meditating on daily along with a brief reflecton and a prayer. My hope is that these devotionals will encourage you to regularly spend time with the Lord in Prayer, Bible reading and Meditation on a daily basis. Developing a daily devotional is probably the most important discipline that a Christian can develop.

May we all long to spend time with the Lord like david and find the benefits that David found in Psalms 119:11-16

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
¹² I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
¹³ I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.
¹⁴ I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.
¹⁵ I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
¹⁶ I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

Lord, let my friend find the joy of daily spending time in your presence through daily bible meditation, relfection and prayer. May their love and obedience toward you row deeper and deeper with each passing day. May people see the presence of God in our lives as we become more like him.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

Devo # 15: The Unity of All Believers!

Good Morning!

For some time now, we have been sharing our devotionals from Ephesians 4:1-6.

¹ "Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."

We have paused for a while on "One Faith" using the InterVarsity Basis of Faith to elaborate on the components of our Faith.

The sixth plank of the InterVarsity Basis of Faith is:

"We believe in the unity of all believers in Jesus Chrits, manifest in worshipping and witnessing churches, making disciples throughout the world. "

Our passage above illustrates this perfectly:

"Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all." (Ephesians 4:3-6, NLT)

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the many diverse members of that make up the body of Christ. Help me to do everything in my power to maintain unity in your body. Help us together to tell others about your love for them shown through Jesus Christ sacrifice. Help us together to train people up in the things of God so that they will be esablished in he faith to your glory! In Jesus Name! Amen!

Freds Devo # 14 "One Faith: The Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit

Today's devotional is focused on the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity.

The Fifth InterVarsity doctrinal statement says: "

We believe in the indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit who gives to all believers a new life and a new calling to obedient service. "

John 14:16:

" ¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

¹⁷Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you....

^{26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."}

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit, my comforter, teacher and counselor. Help me not to quench the Holy Spirit today but yield to what the spirit wants to say and do in my life.