PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL
BAPTISM

FROM THE SHALLOW
TO
THE DEEP

         Please bear with me as I ask the Lord a few questions this morning. As my lesson on recognizing grief in my spirit, led me to recognize a certain unrest in my spirit this morning, I decided to search it out. This is what I came up with in a very practical examination of my current circumstance.
         A baptism was scheduled on property that really belongs to God, but is shared by my neighbor and myself. At one time, my neighbors showed great concern as to exactly where the dividing line was. This too, grieved me, because to me it wasn’t important. I never did like fences that separated friends.
         Now it appears that I see another dividing line. I’m not sure whether it is good or bad…or just “is”. 
         As time drew near for the baptism ceremony, my dear “Martha friend and neighbor”, and her family were doing many things to prepare for the tradition of Baptism. In their way, they were setting a beautiful table to welcome the presence of the Lord.
         Oh, how hard they worked and the grounds were looking lovely and clean. Food was being prepared in abundance to serve after the Baptism, as the people fellowshipped.
         Martha, who is always thinking of others and their needs, never accepts second best for her guests…nor for her Lord.
         What she sees as BEST, in this situation requires a lot of hard work, and our Lord has given her the desire and ability to provide excellence for His children. I think perhaps I see it more than she does because she is constantly on the run, doing what she knows to do best…SERVE.
         The things Martha and her family have done for this event are out of Love for God and His plan for His family. Her son has been on his father’s tractor for several days clearing the heavy brush and overgrowth, and burning limbs. Her daughter-in-law has been trimming trees and posting signs to direct the people where to go. Much more was going on up the hill at Martha’s house which I did not see.
         But their reasons were honorable. For one thing, it was to make it easy for the older people to safely move around on the river bank without tripping over fallen limbs. Another reason was to allow others to enjoy the beauty of God’s nature at it’s best, with trash removed. A spirit of “excellence” surrounds Martha and her family.

CONVERSATION WITH GOD

         Then, why Lord, do I hesitate to be a part of the crowd? Why do I see myself in a high tower watching over the events below?

         “What do you see?”, He asked.
         “I see ‘shallow water’.”, I said.
         “What does that mean to you?”, He asked.
         “That the deeper water is better. I want them to have the BEST. I want them to understand the FULLNESS of BAPTISM.”
         “On step at a time.”, He said.

         “First the Natural, then the Spiritual. Although the water may be shallow when they take this step in what they consider obedience to Me…My children go from the shallow to the deep. Rejoice over this step towards their OVERFLOW. It was My workers, (Marthas), who brought them this far.
         “If you desire that they move on into the deep…pray for them.”
         Then He smiled and said, “By the way, how do you think you will pray…as you stand in your prayer tower?”

MY PRAYER

         “I will pray for each one as I see them baptized in the natural example of a higher call; that Your Holy Spirit will descend on them like a dove, as You did for Jesus. That, because I stand on my watch, unencumbered form the noise and clatter of the world, that through prayer, the doors of Heaven will open and those chosen ones will begin their journey toward the deeper waters which are Your higher revelations of what TRUE BAPTISM is.
         “Father, because I pray and BELIEVE, they will know that this is not all there is to baptism. Father, that they will hunger to find more. They shall seek and find because it is time for Your Pouring Out of Your Spirit upon all men, women, and children. Thank You Father.
         “I will STAY AND PRAY…as You have asked me to do so many times. Then, if You release me to do so, I will go downstairs and join in the celebration with my brothers and sisters in You.
         “As the rains threaten to spoil the baptism, Lord, we stand against it right now and take authority over the elements. By Faith, I declare that tomorrow will be a blessed day as many experience the Dove of Your Presence. I won’t be surprised at all, when this prayer You taught me is already answered. I won’t be surprised when it comes through the lips of Your Servant the preacher…as he explains exactly what I have prayed for.
         “Thank You Lord, that many will be able to see that ‘fine line’ between the natural and spiritual and will cross over easily in search for deeper waters.”

                                                                            

         Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. I Corinthians 15:46.                

    

YOU CAN FIGURE THIS ONE OUT
FOR
YOURSELF