Daily Devotional - Transition to Power - WK27 - 06/30/24 - Day 161 - “An Authentic Life – The Importance of Living"

Author: Missy' Robenia Leak

Author: Missy' Robenia Leak

An Authentic Life – The Importance of Living

Scripture: Matthew 3:11 NLT
11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

Devotion:
Authentic – being (living) actually and exactly what is claimed to be genuine. (truly what something is said to be.)

John baptized people as a sign that they had asked God to forgive their sins and had decided to live as He wanted them to live. Baptism is a sign to commit and surrender to a new way of living. I’ve often heard that “raising a child/children didn’t come with a handbook.” The truth is, if we would have known that the BIBLE is the Believers’ Instructions Before Leaving Earth; we would have learned that the way of living a satisfied, holy life – a peaceful life, a prosperous healthy, wealthy and successful life is
in the word.

When we make a life-changing commitment, it requires more than a thought. It requires us to renew what we were taught about the true way of thinking and doing better in life. On my journey, my mouth was a total death trap. It was easy to speak and think negatively. Then I started studying the scriptures on the power of the tongue from a sermon about what we think, our thoughts and feelings. I was the “black sheep” in my family, and nothing good was spoken to me or about me and my future.

One New Year’s Eve night, our plan, of course, was to head to the club. My mom said “before you all go to the club, I want to see you in church.” Well, the older siblings decided they were going to the club, then come by the church to see mom at midnight. I was left behind on purpose, so I went to church with my mom and her friends from church, and I’ve been going every since then and committed my life to Christ, and still growing. I was in my early twenties and with the blessing of the Lord I’ll be 64 years old this year.

When Jesus saved me, and I decided I wanted to get to know Him better, my first desire was to no longer go to the club, but to church. Make sure when you make the commitment, ask the Lord to lead you to a Bible believing, Bible teaching house that you can learn from the teachings and from the wiser ones to help lead you on a journey like no other. And for sure, close your eyes to naysayers and the negative talk saying that you’ll never change. That’s a lie! The truth is, you’re a winner! Walk by faith into your victory!

John said Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. We need the Holy Spirit and His power to lead and guide us into all truth. He is our strength that keeps us on the right path, empowering us to live a righteous and holy life. We can do nothing that would last, but we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. If we could do it and maintain a righteous life, there would have been no need for a Savior. Just know that the day will come when we will be baptized by the Holy Spirit or the fire of His judgment.
 
There is a call that God is knocking on the door of your heart, beckoning for you to let Him in. Just know the call has a great cost to be freed from sin into the joy of living an Authentic life to hear the Lord say “well done.”

Prayer:
Father God thank You for freeing me from sin. I accept my calling and I welcome You into my life. Help me to spread the word to others that living with You is the greatest authentic life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen