Thursday, January 4, 2018

Thurs.’s Devo - Baptism of Fire

Read: Genesis 8:1-10:32; Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 1:20-23
God had not forgotten Noah. On the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on Mt. Ararat. God called the seventh day a day of rest. Ararat means “the curse reversed”. Sin had brought a curse on the earth and God had to destroy it so he could start over. He will do the same thing when the seventh millennium comes.
The story of Noah is full of sevens because it is dealing with a type of the end times. God changed their food from herbs to meat. I think that is a picture of God changing our spiritual food from earthly to heavenly meat.
God gave man a covenant that he would never destroy the earth again by waters of a flood. The next time it will be fire. John the baptist came baptizing in water but Jesus would baptize with fire. Over and over the Bible talks about God’s eyes being a flame of fire. So I have to wonder if his glory will bring the fire. God set his rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant. Noah and his sons began their lives on the new earth. Right away we see the unrighteous line raising its head in Ham. He dishonored his father and was cursed. His line produced the kingdom of Babylon which is the center of Satan’s kingdom. All the nations of the world came from Noah’s line.
In Matthew, John the Baptist was thrown into prison and at that time, Jesus began his ministry. John would die in prison, but his work would be continued through Jesus. John had finished his destiny and would get his reward early. Jesus called Simon and Peter to be his first disciples and then began preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and healing every disease.
Lord, thank you for reversing the curse of sin and death over us and giving us the blessing of salvation and eternal life. Baptize us with the fire of your presence.

No comments: