Our Lord’s Example

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4.
Jesus did not receive baptism as a confession of guilt on His own account. He identified Himself with sinners, taking the steps that we are to take, and doing the work that we must do. His life of suffering and patient endurance after His baptism was also an example to us.
Christ as the head of humanity was to take the same steps that we are required to take. Although sinless, He was our example in fulfilling all the requirements for the redemption of the sinful race. He bore the sins of the whole world. His baptism was to embrace the whole sinful world who by repentance and faith would be pardoned. “After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:4-8. Man was brought again into favor with God by the washing of regeneration. The washing was the burial with Christ in the water in the likeness of His death, representing that all who repent of the transgression of the law of God receive purification, cleansing, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism represents true conversion by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised in the likeness of His resurrection, have pledged themselves to live in newness of life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1, 2.
The Faith I Live By p. 143
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Prayer Requests
—-UPDATE: Keep praying for Preston, He was having some episodes of ICU psychosis due to lack of sleep then medications they’re giving him which sometimes happens. He had a seizure and fever the first day after surgery but none sense. Cyndi
—-We’re initiating tomorrow a prayer chain for Melissa Lerma who has been in the hospital for almost one month. The doctors don’t seem to know how to treat the problem. We’ll be praying everyday 6am and 6pm. Jenny
—-Today the doc told us the appendix they removed had cancer and now they gonna do surgery to remove left side of colon. Please pray for everything to go alright.Jimmie
—- Please pray for my littest granddaughter she is 6 and a missionary in the Philippines for 10 years with my daughter and family.. Lily has been sick off and on this mission! She is sick now.. Please keep them all in your prayers! Toni
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was about three, we lived in a little community in rural Pennsylvania . Within about ten feet of our house trailer was a large field that had cows in it. We enjoyed watching them. Often we would talk to them, and they must have liked the attention because they seemed to spend most of their time near our trailer.
Those cows gave us some problems, though. They would occasionally get out of their fence; and when Ron was home, he would attempt to get them back inside. Many times we had to walk down the hill and across the road to tell the cows’ owner that they had again escaped. We didn’t mind helping in this way. it gave us good exercise>
The big disadvantage to having those cows as neighbors was the flies that were attracted to those animals. There were swarms of them. We could not enjoy being outside because the moment we opened the door, flies would be buzzing around our heads and landing on us.
Those flies were like the influence of some people. When they are around, Solomon’s proverb holds true, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour.” Ecc 10:1 Their very presence causes one to turn away.
So it is in our life. We can have an influence for good of for ill. If we allow our guard down for just one moment, not only can we fall into sin, but we can influence those around us to stray. One little word can cause someone to start down the path that leads to destruction. Our words and actions tell what is in the heart, just as those swarms of flies told that there were cows nearby.
How important that our influence be on the side of right. How important that we daily give our heart to Jesus, that we may exert a right influence on those with whom we come in contact. Jesus, when He was upon this earth, had an attraction that drew people to Him. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 Whenever He was near, they felt loved, they felt accepted, they felt convicted to make a change for the better.
What a privilege it would have been to see our Loving Saviour as He walked about the land doing good. His loving and kind influence was in direct contrast to those religious leaders who bound heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and laid them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves would not move them with one of their fingers. (Matt 23:4) Jesus visited people in their houses, bringing them both physical and spiritual healing. He walked their streets, pressed in by crowds of people all wanting to see Him, all wanting to touch Him. Even though most were there only for the excitement, or for the blessings He could bestow, He never turned them away.
Jesus’ influence even caused His enemies to marvel. When spies were sent to catch Him in His words, they declared, “Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.” Luke 20:39,40 When officers were sent to arrest Him, they returned to the Pharisees with the report, “Never man spake like this man.” John 7:46
May we be as our Dear Redeemer, drawing others closer to Him. May our influence lead others to Him, that they may come to Him and be saved. May “the words of (our) mouth, and the meditation of (our) heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, (our) strength, and (our) redeemer.”
Rose