Thur.’s Devo - Baptized in the Holy Spirit

Read: Judges13:1-14:20, John 1:29-51, Ps. 102:1-28, Pr. 14:15-16 There are many barren women in the Bible. They represent the people. The people were spiritually barren - producing no fruit just like Manoah’s wife. After the forty years of punishment for turning from God, God is ready to move on his people again. He causes a barren woman to conceive and bear a deliverer. Samson is born and he seems to have a weakness for pretty women, especially pretty Philistine women. The Philistine’s were in control over Israel so God used Samson’s weakness for His purposes. Samson is drawn to a Philistine woman in Timnath and takes his parents to see her. On the way he is met by a lion that he takes apart with his own hands. Samson knows that he has a supernatural power, but he tries to keep it to himself. When he is tricked by the Philistines his power is no longer a secret. He went home mad and his fiancé was given to another. In the New Testament, John sees Jesus and knows He is the Messiah. When he baptizes Him, John witnesses the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven and remaining on Jesus. John knew that he came baptizing with water, but this man, Jesus came baptizing with the Holy Spirit. The water in the baptismal stands for the Holy Spirit. It is a picture of us being baptized into the Holy Spirit and coming up to walk in the Spirit. John lost two of his disciples to Jesus. One of them was Andrew who ran home and got his brother, Peter. Jesus picked up Philip the next day. Phillip went and got Nathanael. Nathanael was skeptical until Jesus gave him a word of knowledge and he was convinced. Jesus promised them they would see greater things than that if they followed him. They would not be disappointed. Neither will we be disappointed when we choose to give up everything and follow Him. He is worthy. Lord, help us to see Your big picture and be our part in Your plan.