Daily Devotional

Word of the Day

I Will Baptize You

Throughout the Scriptures we see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3, verse 11, John the Baptist says, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." This is important for us to understand practically: Jesus is the Baptizer. You need to understand that He is the One that commanded you to be filled, and He is the One that said, "I will baptize you." Whatever we ask the Father in His name, He is going to do. You come to Jesus today to receive the free gift that He has purchased by His blood.

Luke 11:13 gives us a little more insight. "If ye then, being evil [carnal], know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" We are asking the Father; Jesus is doing the baptizing. Don't get all hung up on a formula or a method. Father has a free gift to give you, and Jesus is the One that administers it to you. This is a done deal, a sure thing; it is what God wants for you. Why don't you have it? Why aren't we full? We are not full because really most of us haven't understood what really is involved in being filled with the Holy Spirit. Some of us pray in tongues for no other reason than that we're too lazy to think. That is not the reason to be filled with the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14 says when you pray in the Spirit, you give thanks well. There is no purer praise than a man praying under the unction of the Holy Ghost. Are you aware as you are praying in the Spirit, the unadulterated worship and praise that's going to Father? The sweet smelling savor of incense is miraculously, supernaturally ascending to the nostrils of God. Those priests were very serious when they went in there to administer that altar of incense. We should be very serious when that incense ascends from our innermost being in worship and prayer, and not be lazy with our praying and our speaking in tongues. When you pray in the Spirit, when you're praying in tongues, you are giving thanks well.

1 Corinthians 14 says when you are praying in tongues, you are edifying yourself (being built up spiritually). You will be able to tell the difference whether you have just been making noise or praying in the Spirit by when you rise up. Are you renewed? Are you refreshed? Are you built up? Are you stronger? Do you have illumination? Are you excited about the ministry? Are you looking forward to going out and being a witness to Him both in word and in deed? That's how you know when you have been in the presence of God, praying in the Holy Ghost. There is the evidence of fruit, the evidence of the gifts, and the evidence of peace. The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings you to peace. You are right with God. You know what course you are on. Your steps are being ordered. You are hearing the voice, "This is the way; walk in it." All of these things bring us assurance. How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those that ask? Jesus is the Baptizer. Father is the Giver of the gift. That leaves one more person, doesn't it? You have to receive it, the gift that keeps on giving.

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