A couple of weeks ago, THE BRIDGE had the opportunity of baptizing three Christ followers. The scenery was awesome. It was at a lake, surrounded by trees with mountains in the background. It certainly was a worship experience to see these three individuals who have been embraced by God’s mercy to be called to be baptized. Although baptism by immersion is a bizarre ritual, it’s what Jesus asked us to do.

Why did Jesus asked us to be baptized? I believe that baptism is a reminder that we cannot save ourselves. Because we were all born in sin, we cannot enter God’s presence. We cannot rid ourselves of this sin. Jesus conquered sin and death for us. Baptism is an external expression of an internal reality. Baptism pictures how we were crucified with Christ. Baptism is something we do after we have accepted Christ. Baptism publicly announces that we are not ashamed of Christ. Something for us to think about!

Think with me for a moment, how our emotional connectedness impacts our faith. Belief by itself does not equate to action. The authors point out that, “Everyone believes there is tremendous human suffering in Africa; there’s no doubt about the facts. But belief does not necessarily make people care enough to act. Everyone believes that eating lots of fatty food leads to health problems; there is no doubt about the facts. But the belief does not make people care enough to act.” The authors’ premise: “Feelings inspire people to act.” Or, in biblical terms, “loving God and others as yourself.” Emotional health impacts spiritual, relational and physical wellness!

Loving self has a whole lot to do with resourcing our Emotional Tank. The question of the day is “What is filling my Emotional Tank?” My prayer is that you start each day feeding your mind and your spirit with God’s Word. Keeping in step with the Spirit is a great way to fill our emotional tanks! What fills your Emotional Tank?

Sunday, I spoke about Joseph and how God had a special plan for him. His life teaches us that challenges can be used to prepare us for a special task. Joseph was mistreated by his brothers and sold into slavery. But Joseph lived out the truth of Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

His brothers thought they would never see Joseph again, but God, through His providence, elevated Joseph to be the second most powerful man in Egypt, in charge of the food supply. So when a famine hit the land and the brothers of Joseph went to Egypt for grain, little did they know they were standing before the brother whom they had betrayed. They didn’t recognize him with the passing of time. And they certainly didn’t expect to see him in that position. But Joseph recognized them, and eventually he revealed to them that he was their brother. He made an amazing statement: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20).

The same is true for us. Even when bad comes our way, God can bring good out of bad. We often isolate Romans 8:28 and don’t think of the verse that follows it: “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

God’s end game, God’s big plan for you and me, is not to merely make us happy; it is also to make us holy. God’s desire is that we become like Jesus. God’s plan… which seems like “Plan B” is always the better plan!

Faith can afford to accept the appearance of defeat, knowing the true believer cannot be defeated finally. “Because I live, you also will live.” That is the message of Easter. What a blessed message for the whole world if men would only believe it. A.W. Tozer