Isaac Boluwatise

But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Luke 12:50.

Bible Reading: Exo 14:15-23

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Whatever the baptism is that you have to go through, it brings pressures and turmoil until it is over.

This is the picture painted by the Lord in Luk 12:50. He felt the weight of it but He could bear it. It was crushing on Him but He could look beyond it to the finishing point. The fact is that the distressing baptism is not only a passage, but also a process that shall come to pass.

In spite of the overwhelming pressures that tribulation bring, we can testify line Paul that: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Cor 4:8-10.

How do you feel today in your own situations? It definitely will feel, whatever it is, the way it was with Christ who suffered for us.

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” 1 Pet 2:21.

The distressing baptism you might be going through shall be accomplished, finished or completed. It will not swallow you; you will go through it and come out victorious.

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Join us to be nurtured for influence this Thursday at Kingdom Luminaries Training (7 pm) @ 3, Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos 100242.

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… So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; Mark 10:39

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Bible Reading: Exo 14:15-23

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That baptism is applicable to sufferings and life challenges was demonstrated by the Lord in Mar 10:38-39. The sons of Zebedee had approached him to request for special privileges or positions to be reserved for them in His coming glory or Kingdom.

He opined that they did not know what they asked for, the reason being that for every glory there are prices to be paid or responsibilities to be fulfilled. These disciples did not know that, hence their request.

Jesus asked them if they were able to drink the cup which he drink and be baptised with the baptism that He was baptised with. The cup and the baptism were used in the context to refer to the passion or sufferings that Jesus would go through.

The brothers responded that they were able. They were willing to go through anything to accomplish the desire of being at his sides in the kingdom.

Jesus told them that they will indeed be baptised with the baptism; they will indeed be submerged and immersed into calamities and affliction that will be overwhelming.

To be part of the coming kingdom, you will go through many tribulations. We can only reign with Him after we have successfully gone through sufferings for His sake.

It may be avoidable either by turning back or by using alternative options, if there is.

Everyone that will live a life that agrees with God will be baptised through trying times, 2 Tim 3:12.

The trying times are only passages into the joy ahead.

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Join us to be nurtured for influence this Thursday at Kingdom Luminaries Training (7 pm) @ 3, Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos 100242.

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“You will go through it and come out, no matter how overwhelming it might be”

Bible Reading: Exo 14:15-23

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The word baptism literally means to be immersed or submerged as under water. It is also figuratively used to describe the process of being immersed and submerged into calamities and affliction which overwhelms.

It is used in the Bible for the water baptism that new converts experience after they must have turned to the Lord in faith and away from their past lives. It is being immersed for a change or a new status. Being dipped into the water during baptism is more than a swim, it is an experience you come out of to signify a new status.

In 1 cor 10:1-2, the word is used to described the children of Israel in respect of the Red Sea, the cloud and Moses.

They were baptised in the wilderness into Moses through the Red Sea because he was the leader of the people then, just as christ is our leader spiritually in the New Testament, Acts 19:3.

They were also baptised into the cloud because it was an experience they were immersed or submerged into as part of the process of training for the needed change on the way to Canaan. The cloud was the evidence of the glory (shekinah) in the wilderness. It wasn’t the usual cloud, yet it was a visible phenomenon that served for a spiritual covering and guidance for the people.

The experience at the Red Sea particularly was a tribulation, a trying one for the people. They thought it will be their cemetery, but God saw it as their baptism.

Whatever you are going through today will not constitute your burial; it will serve as your baptism.

You will go through it and come out, no matter how overwhelming it might be; even if it is the valley of shadow of death, you need to fear no evil; it will serve to encourage your trust in God, who is with you, as you journey through your wilderness.

Shalom!

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Join us to be nurtured for influence this Thursday at Kingdom Luminaries Training (7 pm) @ 3, Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos 100242.
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Follow @iatbolu on Twitter

Every time you think about now, please think about it in respect of the future. You write you history with every word spoken and every action taken.

Bible Reading: Exo 14:15-23

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When the children of Israel saw the Red Sea, they thought that it will be their cemetery. They regretted ever coming out of Egypt. They feared that they will have no headstone.

Headstone was important to them. Headstone is a memorabilia that the coming generation will see to know that certain persons were here. An average person wants to be remembered, but not many think of what will be on their tombstone.

Whether there is an epitaph on it or not, the tombstone will always reenact your epitaph. It will be obvious if not to all, definitely to some of what you did with your life. Don’t think that nothing bad will be said of you because you have departed, if not all, definitely some will discuss the good or the evil you did with your life whether you like it or not.

What will your headstone read? Everyone must think about this.

Every time you think about now, please think about it in respect of the future. You write your history with every word spoken and every action taken.

What will you be remembered for and what will your report be on that day when you appear before the Lord.

Shalom!

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Join us to be nurtured for influence this Thursday at Kingdom Luminaries Training (7 pm) @ 3, Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos 100242.
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Follow @iatbolu on Twitter

“God has a different view of your troubles”

Bible Reading: Exo 14:15-23

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The Red Sea was on the way of Israel and God was aware of that. He knew that the Red Sea cannot stop them, but that rather a way shall be made through it. The constant factor in their journey is that the nation must be settled into her Canaan; this was the will of God for them.

The Red Sea was on their way to serve as a tool for and a part of the series of changes that they must experience as they journey toward Canaan.

Each experience of victory should embolden and prepare you for things ahead. None of the challenges you face is in vain. God intends to use them for your good.

When the people saw the sea, they concluded that they were doomed. Two things were materially obvious around them:

1. There was no way to the right or to the left.

2. There was no going backward or forward

If they stand still, Egypt will either overrun them or take them back; if they go forward, the Red Sea will become their cemetery that will feature no headstone for any of them.

The situation they found themselves in would not be enough to end their lives nor their story. Instead of thinking what confronted them will mark their end, God instructed them to go forward for He had a different view of the read sea and its significance for the people.Whatever it is that you are faced with cannot determine your end; it will only serve as your baptism.

Shalom!

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Join us to be nurtured for influence this Thursday at Kingdom Luminaries Training (7 pm) @ 3, Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos 100242.

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Follow @iatbolu on Twitter