The Chosen One of God

John the Baptizer said “I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” - (John 1:33)

John doesn’t claim that he has any special knowledge of Jesus’ identity because of insider information as a cousin of Jesus. No, John’s recognition was based upon the revelation of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is God’s Chosen One and a key part of Jesus’ role as the Chosen One is baptizing people with the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ identity, ministry, and message are all tied to the work of the Holy Spirit! We can’t follow the chosen one of God without a deep appreciation and recognition of the vital role the Spirit plays in Jesus’ life as well as our own!

Prayer : Gracious God, the Almighty, who has chosen to dwell in my heart through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for revealing yourself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Be at work in my life through the Spirit. Purify my heart, transform my mind, and empower my actions so that I can honor you and help others know your Son. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see
and to hear this morning.
I ‘ m blessed because You are
a forgiving God and
understanding God.
You have done so much for me
and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have done, said or thought
that was not pleasing to you…

I ask now for Your forgiveness..
Please keep me safe
from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day
with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day
to clear my mind so that I can hear from You..
Please broaden my mind
that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper
over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response
when I ‘m pushed beyond my limits..
I know that when I can’ t pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be
a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak…
Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost
and can’ t find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged
and misunderstood..
I pray for those who
don’ t know You intimately.
I pray for those who don’ t believe.
But I thank You that I believe
that God changes people and
God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
in their homes; that they are out of debt
and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance,
or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received
into the hearts of every eye that sees it .
Amen!

Does God Heal Today? I’ve heard people say “It’s God’s will” or “I’ll just leave it up to God” when faced with a serious illness or tragedy. Don’t fall into that trap. God wants us to pray to him for help.

In Luke 18:1 Jesus told his disciples that they “should always pray and not give up.” and then Jesus asked “…will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?”

Pray to God from your heart for healing. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. God wants us to ask him for help. He loves us.

Over 20 percent of the Gospel is about the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray and heal. He sent them to carry on his work. Wouldn’t Jesus want his followers to pray for healing today?

Many spiritual writers have defined the call of healing so narrowly that some people feel they don’t qualify. But today a new awakening in faith has made us realize we are not only called into healing for ourselves, but also in various degrees into healing each other.

Does God Heal Today? The Bible actually gives us some directions on how to pray for healing. For example, in James 5:14-15 we are told: “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15) And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” and in James 5:16 we are asked to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” and then told that “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

In Mark 11:23-25 Jesus further instructs to forgive when we pray “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Only someone facing or sharing a serious sickness, pain or tragedy knows how hard it is. They know how hard it is to cope with the fear and uncertainty. They know how absurd it sounds when someone first tells them to “keep a positive attitude”. They know how terrifying it is when the doubt comes. Does God Heal Today?

They know how hard it is to throw a mountain into the sea. But remember what Jesus told us in Matthew 17:19-20 when he said “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Faith as small as a mustard seed sounds a little like hope to me, and that’s a good start.

God bless you on your healing journey. So answer me, Does God Heal Today?