anglican devotional

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 10 January 2021 – Short-Cuts Not Allowed

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Topic: Short-Cuts Not Allowed

Read: Matthew 3:13 – 17 (NKJV)

  1. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
  2. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
  3. But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
  4. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
  5. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The Message:

Jesus came to John for baptism, John tried to prevent Him but Jesus insisted- He wanted to fulfil all requirements of God and identify Himself with the sinners whom He came to save. Jesus however was not baptised because He needed to repent of sin personally. Many politicians, church and society leaders feel too superior to associate with the masses and their followers whom they lead. Today we see Jesus doing the opposite: He chose to follow the regular route rather than the short-cut, even though He is God. Let us lean to behave the bible way: Associate with the humble (Rom.12:16).

After His baptism, Jesus had the Holy Spirit alight on Him

and empowered Him throughout His ministry. No wander Act 10:38 tells us that God anointed Jesus Christ with Holy Ghost and power and He went about doing good and healing people. If you want to be empowered, anointed and guided in your profession, business and ministry, you need the presence of the Holy Spirit – Ask God to baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Note again that it was God the Father that announced Jesus as His beloved Son in whom He pleased; Jesus did not make the announcement Himself! Nowadays many people praise and project themselves in the ministry by taking on high-sounding titles. Is God pleased with the way you think, speak and act? Desist from self-praise and rather seek to please God.

PRAYER: Father, please fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to please you.