Matthew 3:16,17 “And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” As I read this, I was thinking about the day I was baptized many years ago, in Cherry Creek, out on Teeters’ ranch. I was so happy, I believed I was truly born again and was forgiven for my past, and that act signified that I died to self and came out alive in Christ and ready to start living for Him. I didn’t hear God’s voice, but there was a big shadow of a cross on our haystack that night. The moonlight hit the phone pole just right that night and I knew I God was pleased I had made the right decision.
Jesus had lived a sinless life when God said He was well-pleased with Him. I can’t imagine anything about my past life that God was pleased with, except that I had finally made the right decision, but I knew I wanted to please Him with my life in the future. To do that, I had to continue to learn more about Him. That also involved a commitment on my part, and a plan of action.
One of the most important things I learned was to apply the things I was reading in the Bible to my life, to watch as I was reading as if it were written for me. The Bible is alive; it is not just an old story to read, it is new and vital to learn from to guide our lives. As I was reading about Jesus’ baptism, I couldn’t imagine God saying those words to me. But I began thinking about my life now, and as the years go by and I follow Him and try to discern my purpose for Him along the way, I hope He is pleased with me as I go. And I want to continue to serve Him all the rest of my life.
As I pondered those words, I was thinking that I would like to hear God say those words to me at the end of my life. As I arrive in heaven, I would like to hear the words, “This is Carolyn, my daughter, in whom I am well pleased.”
I hope when you are reading the Bible you can take time to consider how His words affect your life and the circumstances you are in right now. I hope you realize how precious you are to Him, and how much He has for you to learn about your daily life. When you read something that makes you stop and think, do that, and ask Him for more understanding and how you can apply it to your life. You’ll be surprised how much guidance He gives you, and how He uses other people in your life to guide you.
Matthew 25:21 NIV “His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’”
