7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Mark 1:7-8

John made it clear that he was but the servant of the man he would eventually baptize. John’s baptism would be an outward expression, much like the ordinance we experience today, but Jesus baptism would certainly be an internal experience, burning away the crud and sin in our lives while cleansing our hearts. John introduced the Holy Spirit to us as a cleanser and refiner.

Nothing’s really changed except our knowledge of who the Holy Spirit is and what He can do in our lives.

Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit in our lives to refine and winnow out the internal junk of life we seem to accumulate. We need the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, insight, discernment, and conviction. We need Him to chip away the non-essentials to help us focus on what’s important and relevant.

May He refresh your spirit today as you seek Him, Brothers and Sisters.