Choosing to Follow Jesus
by Lynda Scott
Earlier this year my daughter Kirilee, who is 9 Years old, had been watching a video that had a big impact on her. She saw an animated version of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. Afterwards Kirilee came to me and asked me about it, wondering if that this was something she should do. I told her that when you have made the choice to follow Jesus and you have been saved, the next step is to get baptized. Even Jesus himself was baptized by John to show us what we need to do. From that day the Holy Spirit put it in Kirilee’s heart to be baptized.
Jesus gives all His followers the same command: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). There is something precious about a person making an informed choice to follow Jesus and then to be baptized. In some nations around the world to be baptized as a follower of Jesus brings with it very real sacrifice and risk.
So this weekend Kirilee was baptized at a local river with our church. It really was a step of obedience for her, even though she is only 9. When you know something is right to do and the Lord has spoken to you about it, the next step is obedience. It was wonderful for Kirilee’s faith to be a testimony to the children at church as to why she was getting baptized. Then it was a very encouraging time for all who witnessed the baptism.
Baptism is a very special moment in any believer’s life. Your age doesn’t matter - Kirilee was 9 and my father Don was baptized when he was about 70. Jesus is looking for people of all nations, all ages, rich and poor alike, Jew and Gentile who will choose to lay down their own lives in order to follow Him. Will YOU be one of them?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you that you set an example for us to live by when you lived on earth. I want to follow you and please you in all that I do. I lay aside my life and choose to follow You, doing as You did, for Your glory. In your name I pray, Amen.
Lynda Scott was first introduced to Ellel Ministries at a conference led by Peter and Fiona Horrobin in 1996 when she was miraculously healed following a devastating accident. Lynda has continued her association with Ellel Ministries over the years and has recently written her story “Lynda: From Accident & Trauma to Healing & Wholeness.” She lives in Australia with her husband Leigh and 3 children, who are all at school. She works in a local health clinic, as well as helping her husband with the administration of their beef cattle farm.
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