Today’s Reading:
Matthew 3:11
“I baptize you with water unto repentance. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
(Matthew 3:11)
John appeared in the wilderness by divine mandate to preach about the kingdom of God and to baptize people with water for the repentance from sin. His message was clear and simple, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” People of different social status ran to him and that was his only message to them. Essentially, this reveals that no matter your class, status, level of academic attainment and how well known you are in the world, you must repent; turn away from sin unto the Lord and have a change of heart. God desires a genuine repentance of heart from anyone that will follow Him. Man was deep in sin but God’s saving grace through the Cross of Christ made a way out of the bondage. John gave us a shadow of what was ultimately revealed in Christ. “For if we have been with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6: 5.
“…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” While the first baptism is necessary to be united to God, the second baptism; that of the Spirit and fire is needed to remain united with God. Through it, it becomes easy to live out the life of God on earth. While the baptism unto repentance brings you into relationship with Christ, the baptism of the Spirit enables fellowship with the Father. Paul wrote, “And you were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1: 13.
With the endowment of the Holy Spirit upon you like the day of Pentecost, you have a greater mandate to publish the message of Christ. The proof of your baptism is to win souls to Christ through the enabling power of His Spirit. The Spirit in us has no barrier; he can speak anywhere. Through the Spirit, signs and wonders are done with the ultimate desire to see the kingdom of darkness plundered and God’s kingdom populated. God desires greater harvest from you this season of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives boldness to declare His counsel. He gives utterance and captures the hearts of men for exploits. The works of ministry can only prosper in your hands through the help of the Spirit.
IKOTUN NEW BREED ADEBISI
PRAYER
I am empowered afresh to manifest God’s kingdom every day, in Jesus name.
Dear Lord, I enjoy the communion of the Holy Ghost every day, in Jesus name.
Today, let there be bountiful harvest of souls into your kingdom, in Jesus name.
Father, let your Spirit convince the hearts of men across the globe, in Jesus name.
Empower dear Lord the words of your ministers for generational transformation, in Jesus name.
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