Yesterday I had the privilege, along with the rest of our church family, of being present for the baptism of 2 men in our church. These 2 men have made tremendous leaps in their walk of faith with our God. It has been a pleasure to watch them grow and learn, and to come to this point of obedience through baptism.
Our church feels that the Bible teaches Believer baptism. This is a baptism where once you fully make a conscious decision to accept Jesus' gift of salvation and repent of your sins, you can and should be baptized. Jesus himself was baptized, so we should follow His example. Baptism doesn't guarantee salvation or eternal security, but is a way for us to show the world the outward sign of an inward decision for Jesus. It is telling the world that you wish to be holy (set apart) for God. It's telling the world of your decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly for the rest of your life. It's symbolizes you as a follower of Jesus.
I take it yesterday that the 2 men being baptized would have had a hard time reading their testimonies, so their wives each read their story for them. This was touching all the way around. The wives were so happy for their husbands as they have prayed for them for years to get right with God. Each one read what their husband penned on the paper with excitement and emotion. As each of them read the testimony, the men, as well as our Pastor, were in the pool. The emotion and love these 3 guys have for each other was humbling. They stood together, cried together, held each other.....a total blessing of godly love and unity right before our eyes.
After the testimonies were read, Pastor said what he needed to and the first man to be baptized was in the middle of pastor and the other man. Both of them held the man in the middle as he went into the water and they helped bring him back up.....symbolizing new life in Jesus. The same was done for the second man. All 3 of them were so in sync with how they held each other and how they helped each other, it is too beautiful for words.....at least for me.
This day was part of an annual outside service we have at our church, but was the first time a baptism was incorporated into the service. It was especially special for me as my family was with me for the whole day, including my husband. My husband is sick a lot, but wanted to be involved in the service for these 2 men. For that, I am grateful to him and to God.
After the service, we shared a picnic together. We as a church family and visitors, laughed, prayed, ate together, played games, helped one another, enjoyed each other company.....I could go on and on. The whole day truly was a blessing from God.
This is a day I'm sure the 2 men and their families will never forget. This time of love and unity is one that will be with all of us at our church for years to come.
I was lucky enough to be one of the men who was baptized. It was truly a great day for me. It was very overwhelming to see all the people in our church supporting us on that day. It was good day for the church as well. I could feel the church family becoming closer as a group and i could feel the love the church family poured out on to me. For me i think that is what it means to have a church family. We cry and hurt for those that are hurting, but we also rejoice with those that rejoicing and i was certainly rejoicing on that day.
ReplyDeleteI have felt God's presence with me before telling me a bad situation was going to be ok, but on Sunday i felt Jesus's love. I felt him rejoicing with me. I could his love being poured out on not only me but our church family. During the baptism there was a peace and calm and as i said love in the group of people that attended. It was incredible to see and even more incredible to feel. I can describe the feeling of being up there when the three of us hugged. It was hug of love, a hug that we all knew Jesus as men a hug of love that hopefully others could feel. Even after the ceremony was over, i received many hugs from people that were emotional and one of the best was from my son. He hugged as if he were poured of me and i know he hugged me as if loved me. Again it was hug of men and jesus was in that hug with us as he was in all the other hugs i got.
I have so many people to thank for helping me get to the place that brought me to getting baptized. Tammy you are on of those people. There are many others as well. I have had families including yours. Couples that have just taken the time to say good morning and give me a hug or hand shake. Single men and women. My children and their families. Men that i work with and just everyday people like man that had a sign in his window about being blessed which lead me to short conversation in which he said the sign was given to him by his mother before she passed away and how he prayed with her as she was dying. To all of you that have had a hand in getting me to this time and place in life i am extremely grateful!!!
Now, my goal is to try to share the love that i felt on that day. Share the love of Jesus. Share the love of a God that never turned his back on me even though i turned my back on him. I truly want other to see what i see and fell what i feel.
MY PRAYER, Heavenly father i pray that you let the Holy Spirit follow down from heaven into those that don't know you and your might love. That you touch those that need touched, that they know what i know of your love, that they feel your love as i feel your love, and that see what see. That they see how much you are blessing them. Lord; use me to make disciples, to lead others to the gift of Jesus Christ and salvation. And, continue to bless me with the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit stay inside me, so i can bless others, so they to will feel what i feel and by making disciples they will give you the glory you deserve. Amen!
Bruce you are amazing and God is glorified through you!
ReplyDeleteYou have helped a lot of people and your love for our church is such a blessing. I am still talking about that day with people. I can't get it out of my mind. It was so beautiful. May God bless you abundantly for your obedience to Him. Please know you are loved by Us and we can continue to grow together. Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for the encouraging words. I hope that God will continue to let see all the things he has done and is doing in my life.
ReplyDeleteSorry its been a while since i posted anything but have been busy.
No worries my friend. Enjoy your retirement!
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