QUESTION TO PONDER/APPROACH QUESTION:
What have you done in your life to show you have taken a stand for the Lord?

Observations:
I asked myself what do I learn about Jesus in verse 1:9?
I learned 2 things concerning Jesus in verse 1:9:
1. Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee.
2. Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what was the significance of Jesus coming from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River?

It is interesting that the Bible mentions that Jesus came all the way from Nazareth to the Jordan to be baptized by John, the Baptist as John prepared the way for Him. Nazareth was at least 70 miles or 3 days walking distance from the Jordan River. This showed me the stand Jesus took to be baptized.

Not only that but 3 days stuck in my mind. In retrospect, when we look back, Jesus was in the tomb for 3 days before coming back to life. It took Jesus approximately 3 days of journey from his hometown to the Jordan River to be baptized.

It becomes that much more interesting that John baptizes Jesus when John specifically told the people “And this was his message: ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’” (Mark 1:7-8)

If anything, people may have expected John to be baptized by Jesus. It did not happen that way.

I asked myself what was the significance of Jesus’ baptism?
Mark 1:9 did not really give me the details so I looked to other Gospels to see if they gave me reasons. The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew gave a reason.

Jesus did not have to be baptized because He was already perfect but took the long trip and allowed John to baptize Him to set an example to the people of the importance of fulfilling all righteousness.

It was so cool to read about Jesus’ commitment. Three days is a long trek to take to be baptized and yet Jesus took that trek. He did not allow obstacles to come in the way nor did Jesus have the attitude that He is in control and should be baptizing others rather than being baptized. This also shows Jesus' humility and the stand Jesus takes.

Implications:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
Jesus took a stand no matter the time, inconvenience, etc that it took to journey all the way from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, the Baptist so that all righteousness could be fulfilled. It could have been easy to reason that Galilee was right in Nazareth to be baptized in the Sea of Galilee but instead Jesus does not do that but goes all the way to the Jordan instead of asking John to come to Galilee!

I need to do the same and take a stand in the things I know that ought to be done no matter the time, inconvenience, etc because it is the right thing do. If I need to get something done, I should not let obstacles stand in the way but depend on the Lord Jesus to help me accomplish those purposes. That can only happen when I take a stand for Jesus with His help.

I ask you now dear friend, what should you stand for in life?
Dear friend, we see from Jesus' example that Jesus did not let obstacles come in the way of getting baptized but took a positive stand even if it meant journeying for 3 days from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River. Not only that but Jesus did not also reason what would people think if John baptized me since John has been proclaiming ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’” (Mark 1:7-8) Instead, for righteousness to be fulfilled Jesus took a stand setting an example for all of us. 

So, no matter what you think you stand for in life right now, Jesus wants to challenge your thinking to make a stand that will be about righteousness. You should stand for righteousness no matter the obstacles that come your way. Standing for righteousness can only occur when you stand for Jesus. When we stand for Jesus, the Good News is that our Lord Jesus will help us to accomplish the things He wants us to make a stand on so we need not worry. Praise the Lord!

It will not be easy to take a stand many times for issues you believe in that are biblical but taking a stand for Jesus and the Bible is the best thing we can do. Taking a stand for doing right is the best way to go.

Trust in the Lord and allow Him to help you through the situations. Many people throughout history have taken a stand on many issues but it was not always peachy. I am not going to say that it is going to be easy but the Lord will strengthen you through the situations.

As the Fall 2010 is  already underway, your faith could be tested and put through the fire. Satan will try to burn you out and make you charred so you cannot stand up for your faith. He could bring all kinds of obstacles into your presence whether it is through professors who speak out against what is biblical, through doubts that creep in, through peer pressure to do things that go against biblical morality, through family life of those that are not followers of Christ, etc. But, you don't have to give in!

Yet friend, you can take a stand! Yes, you can! Jesus loves you so much and paid the ransom for your sins so you can be set free when you turn to Him. Jesus did that by dying on the cross, shedding His precious cleansing blood, being buried, and coming back to life on the 3rd day to save.

We all need Jesus in our lives because sin has marred our relationship with God separating us from Him. Now because of this deadly virus known as sin, it will prevent us from taking a stand for righteousness because it is a slave master keeping us in its bondage but thanks be to God that we can be freed through what Jesus did for us.

Yes, Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit when we yield our life over to Him.

"No one is righteous, not one! All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

"While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us."

He will help you take a stand for what He wants you to take a stand for :) We can know what Jesus stands for by reading His Word, meditating on it, and following it.

Friend, there will be those that tell you that this is the 21st century and the Bible is outdated but it is not friend. The Word of God stands the test of time and is the same when God gave it to His people to share with all those that would be born later such as you and me.

It will be easier to take a stand when we believe 'The Bible is the Word of God', instead of believing 'Bible becomes the Word of God' or 'Bible contains the Word of God'.

Believing in the other two statements will allow us to pick us choose what parts of the Bible we want to follow. We cannot choose which instructions to follow and which instructions to skip when we want to assemble something. No, all the instructions have to be followed in its context.

In the same way, God the Author of Life has given us an instruction manual here on earth to follow for our well being. It is the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation for us to follow.

We cannot follow the Bible or take a stand on our own without the help of the Holy Spirit. Allow the Lord Jesus to help you to take a stand for Him, for He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, guiding and leading you! Yes, He will!

I want to share with you what I think is a true story that occurred on one of the campuses in the United States that I shared with every InterVarsity Christian Fellowship student in the past and with so many others regarding taking a stand.

There was a professor in a philosophy department who was an atheist and angry towards anyone who believed in God that he would make fun of them. The first day of philosophy class with 300 students, he had dared anyone who believed in God to raise their hands. Not one single student raised their hand except one student in the back.

When the student raised his hand to take a stand for God, the professor mocked him and told him, 'if your God really exists, let's see if he can stop this chalk from breaking and threw it on the ground. The chalk did not break when thrown on the ground but rolled away. The class of 300 was just amazed.

Friend, you maybe just one person but you can make a difference. Yes, you can friend. This one person had taken a stand for the Lord and he became a witness to the entire class. He did not let ridicule stop him or what he saw as obstacles because he wanted to take a stand.

Now, Jesus knew the importance of fulfilling righteousness. In the same way, as you are in school, at home, or at work this Fall of 2010, taking a stand for Jesus should be very important. When you stand for Jesus, you will stand for righteousness.

The purpose of today's devotional was for me to understand the importance of taking a stand for Jesus no matter the obstacles so righteousness can be fulfilled in the Name of the Lord.

When you have to take a stand for Jesus may you be given the strength and endurance to come through in the Name of Jesus Christ for His glory! Amen!

"Savior’s Truth Accept Now Daily!" (S.T.A.N.D)/”What should you S.T.A.N.D for in life?”

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray the prayer below, meaning it in your heart.

Prayer:
God I am a sinner. I am invaded by this deadliest virus. Many times I feel so guilty and yucky inside. I need forgiveness. I am so sorry for my sins. I have not obeyed you with my whole heart! I have gone my own way and done my own things. I still struggle with sin. I need you Jesus in my life so I can receive forgiveness and a new beginning. In the process, I can forgive others as you help me to. Thank you so much Jesus. I accept the antidote you have sent me. I believe Jesus you died for me and your cleansing blood will cleanse me from all my sins. You came back to life to save me. Thank you God I am set free, free from the bondage of sin. Hear my cry Oh Lord. I accept you Jesus into my heart. I make you my Lord and Personal Savior of my life. Thank you Father God for giving me Salvation. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you for being my Lord and personal Savior! I can live a life of peace with you on my side. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me! In your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!