I Thought We Were Talking About Water?

Warriors Arise: June 27, 2023

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

I thought we were talking about water baptism. Isn't that what the Pharisees and Sadducees came out to see? They were wondering what this John was doing. They wanted to know why he was baptizing people with water. Is this something they should be doing in the church? What Scripture is he using to do this?

He wasn't only using Scripture. He is a prophet of God. God was writing Scripture as John spoke and did what God put inside of Him to do. Prophets have it so difficult. They are the cutting edge of what God is saying right now. Preachers preach what has already been spoken and the things God inspired to be written in Scripture. But a prophet speaks things that are new, the fresh Word of what God is doing right now. That is difficult for most to receive. Paul spends a couple of chapters writing to the Corinthians to explain the place of the prophets. He says that all of us can prophecy. It makes me wonder why we don't? If it is something we can do, to encourage and edify the people, then why aren't we doing it? Paul also says that it can be checked by two or three. Are we afraid to be checked? If we are not prophesying, then we are missing out on something that God says is a necessary part of fellowship. Most Christians struggle to encourage and edify one another. Why is that? It is because we do not look at people as God does; therefore, we do not see what God sees in them?

Why would we reject something God has told us is good, benefits His people, encourages them and edifies them? You and I may think we do not reject God but if we do not allow ourself to prophecy then we are rejecting, denying, passing up what God has told us is ours to have. However, prophecy isn't just for ourselves, it is to encourage and build up others. People are so hungry for a Word from God and we have it. We have the Word they need to have the courage to do what God has put in their heart to do. How many people everyday ask God to give them a sign, to speak to them and He is trying to answer them through us; but we would not open our mouths and give a word of encourage or edification?

John is being criticized because he is doing something new. The Pharisees and Sadducees came out to see him and wanting to know what he was doing. Did he have Biblical precedence. (Yes he did.) But what they were seeing was a prophet in action. This can be difficult because prophet speaks of the new, of what is to come, not what has happened. Therefore, what a prophet says has to be taken in faith. John was telling them something they had never heard before. It would not have disagreed with Scripture. It was just a fresh interpretation and application. Just because they didn't have a standard for it, doesn't mean it was wrong. God had prepared him for this time, this moment, this word to deliver to the people. It was more than being baptized by water, so much more. Repentance and baptism were just the beginning for what was going to be possible for the people. Freedom was coming.

Father, I want to be hearing Your voice. I do not want to squelch what You are saying. I want to receive it. I also want to do with it what you intended when You spoke it to me. I pray You speak to me to a word of encouragement to give to someone else, that I do not withhold it. I pray I will deliver it with confidence. I pray i would not make it about me and my nervousness, but I would speak to empower them. I pray I would boldly share the word You give me to edify another. I pray I would not make it about me. I do not want it to be choked out, nor do I want the individual I am to edify to think I am questioning what God is wanting to tell them. It is so important that I am confident in sharing the word and not making it about me. I pray they will receive what You are saying to them through me. I pray I would be a blessing and share without hesitation, without reservation so they know You are speaking to them in that moment for whatever they are needing in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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