Command 47 : Baptize My Disciples | Day 326 Live Day to Day After Baptism!Crowds cheered as the majestic sailing ship was christened and faced the ocean waves for its maiden voyage. The ship sailed to its destination and was loaded with the precious treasures of the New World. Once it was filled with as many goods as it could carry, the ship began its return voyage. However, a tragedy was about to take place. As the ship sailed along the coast, it encountered a stretch of sharp coral reef that tore a gaping hole in its side. The hull rapidly filled with water and the ship sank. This mighty sailing ship was built to withstand the powerful winds and waves but not to sustain major damage to its hull. Future shipbuilders lessened this risk by adding multiple watertight compartments to the design of the ship's hull. This meant that if one compartment filled with water because of a hole, the ship could remain afloat because the rest of the compartments were sealed off. The same principle can help us live in victory. We shouldn't let the things that happened yesterday "sink" our ship. Just because yesterday's "compartment" was full of problems and challenges, we should not let those difficulties dominate the new day. We must learn to live one day at a time. Jesus made this point clear when He said: “Take therefore no [anxious] thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil [trouble] thereof” (Matthew 6:34). The problems of yesterday will rob us of today's joy, and the concerns of tomorrow will often hinder our ability to see creative solutions for the challenges or tasks we are facing today. What does all of this have to do with baptism? Baptism represents death to sin, to self, and to our old way of life; it also represents the newness of life that God gives us through salvation. (See Romans 6:4.) Through baptism, we publicly express our heart's decision to follow God and to walk in the new life He has given. When we keep the perspective that we "died" in baptism, each day thereafter can be viewed as an extension of life from God, to be lived for Him. On December 24, 1995, I was almost electrocuted while giving a chalk talk in Moscow, Russia. Afterwards, I realized that my life had been spared by the miraculous intervention of God. Since that event, I have more fully treasured each day as a special opportunity that is entrusted to me by the Lord. I know that I must live it out as fully as I can, because I will have to give an account to the Lord for how I used it. I meet many people today who are taking medications for depression, hypertension, insomnia, and other ailments. In many cases, their suffering is due to living with yesterday's problems and tomorrow's concerns. We are not to be anxious about the problems of life, but rather to place our confidence in the Lord and bring those needs to Him in prayer. (See Philippians 4:6.) Let's purpose to live one day at a time in the strength of God's grace so that we can bring Him glory and experience the lasting success He wants to give us. |
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