January 11, 2011 The Big Trip 5-2

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

Good Tuesday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters, and welcome to let's pray for a cure day on this line. Yes, the day we set aside most prayers for those individuals and pray for cures from diseases for everyone. Cancer and heart problems, strokes, and those bone things that cause so much pain are just a few that top my list today You folks send me your list and I will put them together and next Tuesday we will have a big, big list of diseases to pray over. Please also remember when it comes to diseases that we have mental, and other things like drugs and booze.

The Big Trip 5-2: Matthew 3:13 - 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?" (NIV)

In our scripture today we see Jesus coming to the Jordan river where John has been baptizing folks for them to repent from their sins. And I want to add here that if you were not faithfully seeking to repent from your sins, John did not baptize you. I think churches need to look, and I am going to get into trouble for saying this one, but churches that baptize babies, or children long before they can repent from their sins should be taking another look at that. As I see it in the Bible, it seems to me that no one should baptize another unless they are willing to repent of the sins. I was baptized as a very young child and I had no idea what it meant, I just was with my parents who were so proud of me. Later in life, in fact not too many years ago, I wanted to be baptized again, this time knowing full well what it meant. And on that night when Pastor Paul, from Christian Life Assembly was about to baptize me, God got to me first and did it on His own... Then Pastor Paul did it again... Ok, here is what happened, I was in line last of many who were going into that baptismal. They did not have a wet suit that would fit me, so I was going in fully dressed except for my shoes and socks. As the last one before me came out of the "tank" I started down the stairs and my feet went ahead without me and I fell in, going under... I got up and said to Pastor Paul. Jesus got me ahead of you, and looked up and shouted, "Thank You Jesus!" Then Pastor Paul baptized me again...

Anyway, while John was baptizing the masses Jesus walked up and told John to baptize Him. John did not want to do that. You remember John had said he was sent ahead of Jesus and that he was not fit to even carry the sandals of Jesus. So what happens next? You should know, but we will be talking about it tomorrow and also one very, very important statement made by God The Father...

Dear Lord, please keep us safe this day, watch over us and please, Lord, give us a cure for all cancers and all those other diseases, and please, Lord, give us peace from wars and those who want to shoot every one and each other. What I am really praying, Lord, is for You to return. Father in Heaven, please send Jesus back for us, and Father in Heaven, until You do, please keep us working for the Kingdom of God, for we know it is near... Love and blessings to You, dear Father, as I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Now go forth and share those blessings. Love ya, Pastor Dan.