A Reason To Always Be Thankful...

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

Luke 3:16

Having just celebrated thanksgiving and enjoying fellowship of family and friends, let us continue to examine the blessings that have been poured out in our lives and take a closer look at the first reason that we all should be thankful… As a child of God we all must make a decision in life, this decision is the choice that we make to live our lives according to the will of God instead of adhering to the designs and plans of the world… Baptism is a result of the decision that we just looked at in the previous verse; when one is baptized you are displaying not only your faith and acknowledgment of your sin, you are also showing that you have a changed outlook and mindset internally by the visible steps you have taken which are outlined by being baptized… It is a privilege and indeed an honor for one to be able to be baptized… This is why I started off by saying that we will examine the main reason to be thankful which is that God has allowed you a golden opportunity to be transformed from your life as a sinner and be molded into the child which He specifically designed you to be… Remember that Jesus made His mission and assignment clear in John 10:10 when He said I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly… This is the fire and Holy Ghost that we receive when baptized by the one who is mightier than John… We indeed can decide to be about the work of God; however, you must have the indwelling Holy Ghost to serve as your comfort and guide along the way and then ignite the flame of faith which will allow you to overcome storms and obstacles that are meant to break and deter you… The only way to reach your divine destiny is to be baptized into the divine will of God… This step can only be obtained when you are under the guidance and rule of the savior… John the Baptist himself was not able to define the purpose and plan of a believer which is why he classified Jesus as the one, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose… There is nobody who can get you to where God has ordained you to be, nothing of this earth which can be bought or given to obtain the abundant life which Christ came to give… I say this to reinforce the point of why we must always be thankful to God, knowing that He did not have to give us the very life and chance that we have today… You are blessed beyond belief without having every need met because God has offered you another chance to turn your life over to Him and begin to really live… Understand today that you are alive because of the mercies of God and your abilities to reach all the avenues and levels which he designed for you are made possible by today’s focus verse…

Luke records that John was going throughout the land baptizing people and preparing the way for Jesus; John later says that there is one coming that will baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire… Through this story we see how much that John was dedicated to do the work of the Lord (he was later beheaded) he gave himself up and prophesied to the nations of the coming of the Lord; later on we see the prophesy fulfilled when Jesus comes and performs numerous miraculous signs before leaving this earth! As Jesus was preparing to return to heaven he states to the disciples that I will not leave you comfortless and a (n) assured them that the Holy Spirit would come! It is in the book of Acts that we find the Spirit placed within the hearts of the disciples and the power of the Lord being instilled within them… Let us remember not only to be thankful on thanksgiving but to be thankful everyday of our lives for all the bountiful blessings that have been poured out! Be thankful for the John’s of this earth that have poured themselves out to the work and will of the Lord and prepared you for Christ to enter your life! Let us continue to examine the task that was given to Jesus and the sweat that was shed in the garden in the form of blood! Jesus gave and lost everything so that you could gain salvation; He died so you could live and became poor that you may inherit the riches of eternity… When you feel isolated and abandoned by loved ones, know that Christ has poured out the Holy Spirit to comfort you, to guide you and to protect you! The spirit goes to God on our behalf and is entrusted to guide our footsteps; the spirit wipes our tears late at night and holds us in His arms so that we can sleep in peace! It is through the Spirit that we have direction, purpose and a plan! Christ gave the spirit unto all that believe and trust in him! Let us be thankful today for the sacrifice of Christ, but also be thankful for Jesus giving us the Spirit… After all Thanksgiving is being thankful in giving (Jesus is thankful that He gave us the Spirit, let us use it to grow closer to Him)!

BE BLESSED!!!