This is awesome!

John 1:33 is a fascinating passage of scripture.

NKJV:
I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

NLT:
I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, `When you see the Holy Spirit descending and resting upon someone, he is the one you are looking for. He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

The amazing thing about this verse is that John the Baptist says "I did not know Him." How is this possible? John and Jesus were related. Their mothers were cousins. Therefore, it would be logical to believe that John knew Jesus. However, he did not know who He was. He didn't know He was the Messiah, the Chosen One. John only discovered who Jesus was when God told him what to look for. God said to look for the Holy Spirit descending and resting upon someone.

Who do you know? Who do you really know? How many times have you said to someone, Oh yes, that's my brother, or my friend, or my in-law. But who is that person really? Is it someone that God is using to further His kingdom? Have you seen the Holy Spirit fall on someone and then watched them be used by God?

Never underestimate the power of God to use the people you think you "know" to further His kingdom. You may think you really know your family and friends, but keep an eye out for God to take the wall flower, black sheep, lost person in your circle of friends and use that person for great things. Don't miss God at work. Don't think you've got everybody figured out. You don't. God will use who He wants, when He wants. Be apart of the movement and rejoice as Christ becomes real and alive in the people around you.

Reflect today. Who do you know?

I LOVE this song. This is totally it for me.



Check it out!

I heard it said today that salt and light are transformational. They transform things as opposed to dominating things. I really liked this thought.

Too much of either of these things will actually kill. Too much salt in the ocean would be a terrible thing for the life living there. Too much salt on food wrecks the flavor and the dish has to be thrown out. Too much light on many living things is detrimental. It can throw off sleep patters - just ask anyone whose husband turns on the light while they are sleeping (I'm just saying.)

God created the universe to have balance. Some light, some dark, some seasoning, some sweetness. As I go through my day and come into contact with others I need to remember to be transformational. God has called me to be salt and light to others. But He has not called me to overpower others with my gifts.

There are people in my life that I want to see come into the full knowledge of Christ. I must be a good example for them, not dominate them, so that God can complete the good work He created them for. An important reminder for me in 2009.