“The people were waiting expectantly and were wondering in their hearts if John (the Baptist) might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’” Luke 3:15,16
I believe that in every Christian’s heart there is a desire to receive all that God has for them and as they walk in their new found faith they earnestly seek for just that. This is exactly why so many people wish to be baptized in water after they come to know the Lord. This is good and the right thing to do. Jesus was even baptized by John and when John objected, (for he thought that Jesus should have baptized him), Jesus insisted in order to fulfill all righteousness. But we cannot stop there, Beloved! For John said that he baptized with water, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This tells me that we should not only seek to be baptized with John’s baptism, but also Jesus’. Why are we satisfied with just the one and why shouldn’t we seek the other two? Do we really wish to be baptized by Jesus? What kind of experience is it to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire? Who reads a novel, only to put the book down before the last chapter or who leads a race only to stop just short of the finishing line? How much of what God has for us do we miss because we fail to seek after Jesus’ baptism as we have sought after John’s water baptism?
While Paul was at Ephesus he asked the believers if they had received the Holy Spirit since they had believed. They told him, “No.” They hadn’t even heard there was a Holy Spirit. “Well, what baptism did you receive?” he asked them. “John’s baptism,” they told him. Paul instructed them that John’s baptism was unto repentance and that the people should believe on the one who would come after him, namely Jesus Christ. Paul prayed for the believers there at Ephesus and when he placed his hands on them they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Acts 19:1-7 “Wait just one minute, Pastor Jim. That’s where I draw the line! I am not interested in speaking in tongues.” Can I make just a couple of observations? First, if you think that Jesus wants to baptize you just so you will speak in other tongues, you are completely wrong! Jesus wants to baptize you into His Holy Spirit so that you will be empowered to live in and according to His Word. Second, if Jesus wants to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire, who are we to “draw the line”? Don’t we want all that God wants for us? Is it because deep down we are really afraid to place ourselves completely into His hands. And if that is true, aren’t we actually saying then, that we are not sure of God’s intentions to us or His plans for us? Beloved, God wants us to receive all that He has for us; for our blessedness and for our welfare. Let us not shrink back from God. His plans for us are for our good. Remember, Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish will give him a snake instead? Or, if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”



On the day after my surgery the nurse came in with a very friendly smile and greeting. She was a petite blonde that looked like she couldn’t even lift fifty pounds. Her voice was soft and friendly, her demeanor was peaceful; little did I know that she was all business and nothing would stop her from doing her business. “Good Morning, Sweetie, are you ready to go for your walk?” I think she called me Sweetie just so I wouldn’t react the way I wanted to react. “What? Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? I’m not going anywhere. I cannot move without pain, I cannot sit here without pain. I am having trouble keeping my eyes open, I just want to sit here until I fall asleep again. Go away and leave me alone! And I’m not your Sweetie!” Of course this is not how I responded but just the opposite. “You’re the boss!” I said. (Something that she already knew.) And so, that first day after my surgery I set out of my hospital room with my “luggage” (something that we’ll discuss at another time) my nurse and the nurse’s aid. We probably went about fifteen to twenty feet from the door before we all realized that it was best for me to turn around and go lay back down. I thought I was going to die, I wanted to die. I thought, “If that nurse ever comes near me again, I’m going to ask Jesus to just take me home.”
Today, (two and half weeks after my surgery), I am walking like nobody’s business. Six to seven times a day I walk the length of my driveway –three times, which I figure is close to 1,200 feet @ 7 times –is about 8,400 feet a day! That may not sound like a big deal, but believe me, I happy with my progress. Now here is the lesson: I wouldn’t be walking like I am today if it wasn’t for that little nurse. I needed her; I needed her knowledge, her wisdom and her strength. She knew what I needed to do even though I didn’t want any part of it. I was content to just melt away in that hospital room. I hurt and I didn’t want to hurt and in my eyes, walking meant hurting. She knew better. She knew that walking would be hard at first, but she would be right there to help me and give me instruction. She would motivate me when I just wasn’t interested at all. The Apostle Paul commands us in Galatians 5:16 to “Walk” in the Spirit kjv Our “walk” is our life and therefore, Paul is telling us to live in the Spirit. This would be impossible to do if God did not send His Spirit like that hospital sent that nurse. The Spirit of Christ teaches us, motivates us and gives us the ability to live this Christian walk. We cannot do it without Him; all other efforts will fail and leave us miserably wasting away, knowing all the time we could be better. You may be a seasoned Christian right now who has gone through some tragic spiritual surgery and you’re afraid to step out and “walk” again. God may have had to bring you under the knife, but beloved, He’ll never leave you and He’ll never forsake you. Trust in His love for you, trust in His strength and wisdom, trust that He will lead and guide you in every step that you take for Him, and soon you will look back and see the progress that you have made. And He will cause you to rejoice!

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

This was the Lord’s reply to Paul after he asked 3 times to be released from the thorn in his flesh and this is the Lord’s message to you and me for today. We will not escape troubled times in this life simply because we call ourselves Christian. The dark days will come. Depression will get its foothold. Fear will abound at times. We live in desperate times, Beloved! Sin does abound! The powers of darkness run about seeking those that could be devoured and destroyed by weakness of heart. We become easy marks for Satan’s darts when we fail to “walk in the spirit” in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The stage is surely set for us to shrink back in terror. But if we would believe the word of God, we can truly rejoice over the victorious life God offers. When we are at our weakest point, we need only utter “Father” and He rushes to our side, mighty and powerful, and ready to strengthen us to face the opponent that has reared its head against us. Terrible things surround us these days – serial killers, terrorists, criminals, economic stress – and the surrounding stresses affect us personally – our emotions stand ready to react to the tiniest little infraction, alarm buttons go off easily, and hearts ache over the sadness that is present in so many situations in our lives. Isn’t it amazing that it is at these exact times that God’s power is absolutely perfect?! He has the perfect response to the questions of your turmoiled heart, the perfect strength to fill your aching soul! We need only trust, ask, believe! What a mighty God we serve! He heals our body, He touches our unsteady thoughts, He saves us from eternal damnation to eternal life!! Even here on earth when we experience “whatever” it is that is sheer delight to our senses, we say it is “heavenly” or we are in “Heaven” as a way to describe the pleasure. (Think of a soft mattress or pillow, a cream stick, a devils food cake, etc) As close to perfect as you can get! We need only ask God to help us think rightly, pray for the mind of Christ, and we will begin to see in the spiritual realm. And into the heavenly realm of perfection! We’ll see why we need not let our hearts be troubled over anything. For God is at work in you, around you, and for you. He is on your team. Pitching for you, catching for you, batting for you, and running for you. Sounds like a home run to me. Oh I long to be there!!! Be comforted, Saint of God, in knowing that He will be Sufficient, Enough, throughout your day! Be courageous for when you face the darkness, the giant, God’s Perfection rises up and stands in your defense. Who have we to fear? Paul went on to say that he delights in weaknesses, insults, hardships, and difficulties for at those times he is strong through Christ. I don’t know about you but I stand with Paul. And my heart is strengthened beyond my understanding…and I shout unto God with a voice of triumph.

Pastor Jim’s Rib

Consider the ravens: They do not sow nor reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:24-32

What a joy it has been to experience the faithfulness of God once again! I am taken aback when I consider His goodness in speaking the above words!! Clearly, Jesus was speaking of worrying about what we will have to eat or how we will attain clothes to wear. Not a good thing to worry about such things since the root of that worry is doubt that He cares enough about us to supply these needs. I know without a doubt He cares about not only these needs but also EVERY OTHER NEED I HAVE IN MY LIFE!! (Not to be confused with my wants) The many twists and turns of life have created several needs in my life. Within the time span of one week, I have needed someone to mow our lawn, someone to work in my place at the yard sale, someone to fix my water conditioner, someone to bake for the bake sale, someone to help clean my home, someone to place me at the foot of the cross through their prayers, someone to sit with me, someone to hug me, someone to hold me up, someone to support me with stability and strength, someone to assure me, someone with a truck and the time to use it for my need, someone strong enough to lift things too heavy for me, I suppose I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea. God came through for me in every single need I came across. He used my fellow mankind, not only those who have seen the Light but several whom God’s Holy Spirit is pursuing. Awesome!!! But the best part of this past week was that God gave me the kingdom of peace, the kingdom of love, the kingdom of Heaven in my heart. The few times that the enemy tried to convince me that I would be a widow, faith arose within my heart. I instantly resisted, refused and rebuked the lies and the devil had to flee by the power of the name of Jesus Christ. As I traveled back and forth from home to the yard sale to the hospital each day, I prayed and meditated, and began to think about the past two years and the road that brought us to this point. It was a difficult 24 months, maybe some of the hardest we’ve experienced in our lives. THANK GOD FOR THEM!!! The stress and pressures led to stress and pressure on pastor’s heart which led to a stroke which led to the knowledge that he was in bad enough shape that he could die which led to a surgeon fixing the damage. And I get to live at the side of my precious Baboo for a while longer!! GOD IS SO GOOD! I shout to the Lord: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Brother and Sister, we are that little flock mentioned in the Scriptures and our Father in Heaven is pleased to give us the kingdom. What have we to fear? The Anchor continues to hold, Beloved. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say REJOICE!!!!!

Pastor Jim’s Rib