DO WHAT IS PROPER

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

I had the distinct pleasure of baptizing a young lady Tuesday night. Sometimes schedules don’t permit someone to join us in our celebrations on a Sunday at AHOP and so we have a great relationship with a local congregation that “always has the water ready”.

So late Tuesday night we headed over there and shared in the amazing event that is baptism.

And as often “customary”, I will say a little something prior to wading into the tank. And on this occasion the Lord led me back to this passage of Jesus’ immersion.  And while I have probably read or have had read to me that account on numerous occasions, something JUMPED off the page Tuesday night.

It was this sentence. “it is PROPER for us to do this…”

Wow.

Jesus in full obedience to the Father elected to do “what was proper”.  He did this in the face of resistance from John! And then we witness the result continuing with what was proper; His FATHER who was WELL pleased.

WOW!

That will preach, friends.

When presented with a decision to make, do what is proper!

When what is right is even met with resistance, do what is proper!

For when we do what is PROPER, our FATHER will be WELL pleased.

It was a glorious evening for Mel.  She even brought a note of all the things from her past that she was leaving in that grave of water baptism; old hurts, bad decisions; ALL of THE IMPROPER.

And in one amazing stroke or in this case “dunk”, the PROPER erased the improper and she emerged pleasing to GOD her Father.

“Men and women who turn their lives over to God (do what is proper – emphasis mine) will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, and pour out peace.”― Ezra Taft Benson

Will you do what is “proper” today?

 

 

I love you all

Freedom Church