Observations:
I asked myself who are all the CHARACTERS involved?
1. Jesus
2. John
3. Spirit
4. Voice

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what happened as Jesus was coming up out of the water!
1. Jesus saw heaven being torn open.
2. Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove.
3. A voice came from heaven

I asked myself what is the significance of each point?

Point 1: Jesus saw heaven being torn open.
That is so amazing that Jesus saw heaven being torn open because He was baptized in the Jordan by John. Heaven opened as Jesus identified with humanity when He was willing to be baptized. Not only that but something remarkable happened which is evident in Point 2.

Point 2:  ‘Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove!’

When the heaven was torn open and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, I was reminded of Jesus as the Prince of Peace because dove is usually seen as a symbol of peace.  This is the first instance we see the Spirit descending on Jesus after Jesus was willing to be baptized. The crowds who were there witnessed it too as revealed in another Gospel. It did not end there which is evident by Point 3.

Point 3: A voice came from heaven.

I asked myself what was the content message of the voice and the significance of each point?

After the Spirit descended on Jesus, the voice said 3 things:

 I decided to look at these 3 statements:

Statement 1: You are my Son.

The voice is giving identity to Jesus for humans benefit. I believe even as Jesus began to relate with humanity, the voice made many in the crowd to realize Jesus has characteristics of divinity. All of the people there were probably Jews who were waiting and expecting a Messiah to deliver them from Rome from what they have been going through. Now Jesus comes up out of the water after being baptized and a voice says, 'You are my Son'.

This has to remind people of the prophesy again from the Book of Isaiah specifically Isaiah 9:6 which states, "For to us a child is born, to us a SON is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE." Jesus is referred to there as MIGHTY GOD and also EVERLASTING FATHER to reveal characteristics of His divinity even in His humanity as He walked the earth.

The voice does not stop there which is evident by point 2.

Statement 2: Whom I love.

This is so cool to know that the voice actually lets Jesus know that He is loved. It can be an awesome feeling when someone tells you that they love you. It gives a sense of belonging and worthiness. I believe the voice is speaking to the crowds already there including John, the Baptist to let them know that Jesus is the One they have been waiting for. Emphasis is placed on love after Jesus is baptized. The voice can be inferred to as God's voice who lets Jesus, His Son know that He is loved.

Do we tell others we love them when we love them or keep it to ourselves?

I tell my dearest wife Chandra always that I love her so much. More than that she tells me how much she loves me and cares for me. It is a special feeling to love and be loved.

It does not end with statement 2 which is evident by point 3.

Statement 3: With you I am well pleased.

Jesus is being praised by the voice for His actions. The voice is not just pleased but well pleased to emphasize the complete praise given to His Son. Jesus knows that and those around could have been informed about that too.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. When people do right it is so important to praise them! A word of encouragement and praise goes a long way! This reminds me of public praise as opposed to private praise for doing right. Jesus was praised in front of the crowds gathered there. I need to do the same by praising those who do right not only privately but publicly for their actions.

Jesus wanting to be baptized by John the Baptist set an example for all of us to follow. It showed Jesus' humility and also surrender to the Father. Father God was so pleased with Jesus that God made it known to all that were there with the statement, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Jesus was praised publicly by the Father and I need to do the same. I need to praise others publicly in front of others when they have done something right instead of keeping it to myself as seen by what Father God did.

I ask you now dear friend, what keeps you from giving praise to others publicly when they deserve it?
Dear friend, I don't know about you but what has kept me from giving praise to others publicly at times when they deserve it is PROCRASTINATION, LAZINESS, TIME, EFFORT, TAKING PEOPLE FOR GRANTED, and ASSUMPTIONS. But, thankfully today's devotional has made me reflect on my shortcomings and see what an example Father God set for me and that I need to be consistent.

Father God did not procrastinate to praise Jesus publicly in front of others for His actions but it was done right away after Jesus was baptized. There was no laziness or 'I don't have time to praise my Son now publicly' so I will do it later. Father God took the effort to praise Jesus publicly without making assumptions or taking Jesus' actions for granted.

I need to do the same in praising others publicly when the opportunity arises. A praise goes a long way in letting others feel appreciated. You can be the one to bring appreciation in a person's life to motivate and encourage them.

I have praised my loving wife Chandra publicly for being a PLUS in my life.

Prayerful
Loving
Understanding
Supportive

Sometimes the person you are praising does not even need to be near you as long as others know about it. I have always shared with my loving wife how much of an impact Hugo (Pastor and Mentor) and Heather, Edwin (Mentor) and Marie, and Kristen (small group leader at the time) and Josh have made in my life few years ago as I was going through a rough time in my life. All three couple were instrumental in me being at the church I am in now. Recently, I have told Chandra how much Calvin (small group leader) and Elise have meant to me to be in Transformers small group.

Even though this type of praise is good, it still is not the same as praising the person in a one-one relationship in front of others as Father God did for Jesus.  It takes time on my part to do that but I have learned the importance of that. It shows others that they are loved and thought of, that their actions in my life are significant and their time has not been wasted.

You can also be that one to bring that appreciation to someone's life who deserves it. Don't hesitate or take it lightly. A lot of times we take people for granted and they don't even know the impact they make in our lives because we never tell them or let others know. I don't want to be like that.

So, as I write this devotional not knowing who will read it, I want to thank you Pastor Hugo for the amount of time you have invested in my life and continue to do so. Thank you for taking the time to go through a 248 page correspondence during Chandra and my courtship days to counsel me and give me your blessings for our marriage. You encouraged me so much even as you exhorted me not to be shallow in the relationship and my walk with the Lord Jesus. You continue to love me and mentor me. Thanks so much also for the template for Pittsburgh Standard....

Edwin, thank you too for the amount of time you invested in my life to make a difference. You were there for me whenever I needed someone to talk and share. You have prayed and prayed for me directing/exhorting my relationship with Chandra during our courtship days. Both you and Marie patiently counseled me on this relationship before marriage and even after marriage. Thanks for the 'Love and Respect' book you both bought for me.....

Kristen, thank you so much for being such a gentle spirit and an awesome small group leader in encouraging me during a hard time in my life and ministry. You and Josh's words of encouragement really lifted me up in addition to Pastor Hugo's/Heather's and Edwin/Marie's at the time. Also, Chandra knows how much you have helped with the Pittsburgh Standard and continue to do so as time permits....

Calvin thank you so much for your prayers and what you and Elise are about to do for Chandra and I. You both were also instrumental in helping me make a decision in my courtship days. It is because of you and Elise, that I joined Transformers and have been so blessed by our group. Thank you for taking a chance with me in leadership and leading Bible study. I have loved the times we have had to talk about different issues in my car rides with you.... :)

There are so many people that I can still praise and praise here but I am sharing about 8 people that my wife Chandra has heard about time after time before our marriage and after our marriage that are non-family members. I can go on and on about our family from mom, dad, and so on but that would drag the point.

But, all this praise for others is not the same as the praise we should give to the One who made us and has kept us alive in Christ. It is Father God, who sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for us and come back to life to save us to give us Eternal Life because He loves us so much.

We need to praise God publicly and should not be ashamed of that. I love how Tim Tebow, the quarterback of the Denver Broncos displays his faith and voices His praise for Jesus Christ, God-incarnate without letting others ridicule stop Him.

No human being deserves as much praise as the Lord Jesus Christ does in our lives. Tebow knows that and acknowledges that. You should too. I hope you are never ashamed to publicly praise Jesus in your life.

When I think about what Jesus did for me on the cross of Calvary to save me, I am so touched. I am afraid of needles and seeing the sight of blood but Jesus took more than a needle for me by taking in nails pounded through his hands and feet so that the cleansing blood that flowed could wash away all my sin. Jesus died on the cross to redeem me from the bondage of sin and death. I who was lost to my own ways have been found by the Lord. I a born Hindu was saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ when He invited me to be His own and adopted me as His child. He did that by taking all my sin upon Himself, burying it in His death, and coming back to life on the 3rd day to save.

I know just as the Spirit rested upon Jesus when He was baptized, the Spirit of the Living God will rest upon me to as I give my life over to Christ. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do that when my mommy introduced me to Jesus and what Jesus did for me in all Eternity.

My shouts of praise publicly should always go out to Jesus for all He has done for me and will continue to do for me. When I was in sin separated from God having no way to reach the Father because all the good that I do becomes filthy rags to the Lord, God provided a bridge for me through Jesus Christ that I can cross to Heaven as I yield my life over to the Lord and take what my Donor offered to me. His precious red antidote is the only antidote that can cleanse my body of its deadly virus known as sin. Everyday, I need to remember that Jesus paid the price for me with His blood to cleanse me of all my sin. Now because of what Jesus did for me on the cross of Calvary, I have entrance to the Father because when God looks at me now, He sees the cleansing blood of Jesus covering over me and His judgment will pass over me.

God in His holiness cannot allow sin to enter His presence and only Jesus could make it possible that anyone can enter the presence of the Almighty God. For that you and I should always praise Jesus because He took it upon Himself to make a way for us to reach God.

No matter what is happening around me I need to praise the Lord Jesus Christ for everything He has already done for me and will continue to do! Thank you Jesus.

May you also never forget what Jesus did for you and always take time to praise Jesus publicly wearing your faith upon your shoulders. He deserves it!!!

"Praise Reiterates Appreciation In Souls Everywhere! (P.R.A.I.S.E)/"What keeps you from giving P.R.A.I.S.E to others when they deserve it?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, please let us not be complacent to praise others publicly who deserve it when we have the opportunity to do so. Help us to let them know in front of others how appreciated they are. Please Lord we need your help. So many times we can be so preoccupied with our own busyness that we don't take time to praise others. Forgive us for that. More than anything forgive us when we do not take time to praise you. You deserve all our praise. Jesus thank you so much for what you have helped me to learn. I learned Jesus that when you came up out of the water, you were given praise by Father God. You were also told that you were loved and Father God was well pleased with you. I was excited to read that. Also, to know the Spirit descended on you like a dove. Wow, Lord! I love you Jesus  so much and need you in my life. I give my praise to you for all you have done in my life and will continue to do. Let our lives be a sacrificial praise to you Jesus.  Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you Jesus that we are never out of your love, never out of your reach. You are there for us always and we yield our lives to you. Thank you for those you place in our lives to impact us. Help us to praise you daily in our lives. Thank you so much Jesus. Forgive ours sins and help us please. We thank you for your help Oh Lord. We trust in you for guidance. Thank you for being there for us and we give our lives to thee. In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)