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I’ve been reading in Romans lately. I don’t remember how I got started (because I’m actually reading through the whole Bible right now and I’m in 1 Chronicles), but it’s been a nice change of pace from Israelite history for a bit. I’m always amazed at how God leads me to passages that directly deal with what I’m facing or thinking about, and Romans has been no exception. The other night as I was reading in Romans 6, I thought of Easter coming up and I just thought it was so neat that God led me to this chapter right now. Romans 6 is all about what Christ’s resurrection means practically to us today!
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 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.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 6:1-6, 16, 22-23, KJV)
Thinking about those verses in light of Easter was really a blessing to me and gave me a fresh perspective on what Easter should mean to me as I commemorate Christ’s resurrection this Sunday.
Because of Christ’s resurrection, I have eternal life, yes, but I also have freedom from the power of sin. Because I have been “buried with him by baptism” (verse 4), I am called to “walk in newness of life” (also verse 4) as I participate in His resurrection. What does that mean in shoe leather? It means that I have an obligation to say “no” to my fleshly desires. It means that God has given me the strength to resist temptation. It means that I must die to my selfishness daily and serve God out of love and respect for Who He is instead of floating along in a surface performance of “Christianity”.
Christ’s death was the ultimate example of surrender and sacrifice. I too must surrender my desires and will to God and lay all my own pride and wishes on the altar.
Christ’s resurrection was the ultimate example of triumph over sin. I too must claim God’s power and Christ’s blood to overcome temptation and self will.
Let’s be living examples of Christ’s death and resurrection this week!
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(picture of me and Katelyn, my sister, last Easter)
On a personal note…
Life has been rather full lately and I always have to work on trusting God to plan my days and show me what to do when. While my OCD is a lot better than it used to be and is generally very manageable, being super busy creates scheduling anxiety that I have to deal with daily. This last week was very full, but it was also very profitable and I feel like I learned a lot through it all. God came through for me in so many ways this week, and I am very blessed. I was able to catch up on getting a lot of chicken-scratch recipes typed up on my computer (I was about 20 recipes behind at one point). I talked to my new tech guy and we’re going to be migrating my website to a new web host in the next week, so that’s exciting! I’m so glad to have a dedicated technician on board to take care of the particulars so I can focus on other things that need my attention right now, like finishing up my cookbook! I have less than 50 recipes to go to complete the first round of recipe creation/tweaking, and I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have a feeling that there will be a quite a few recipes that will need a second dose of tweaking as I type everything up so I can make sure that everything is just so, but that will be easy breezy. Having the initial recipes in place will make the second wave of perfecting so much easier. My goal of publishing this fall is looking good right now, and I’m so excited!
Once the recipe testing is done in about two months, I’m looking forward to being able to take the summer a bit easier. The past few months have left little time to breath, so I’m looking forward to being at home with my family, helping in the garden, doing some sewing, working on an ebook or two, and singing! I’m participating in three singing groups this summer, and I am so excited. I might actually be more excited about some of these groups than about publishing my cookbook. No joke. A year ago at this time I never would’ve dreamed that I would be publishing a book or singing with a professional singing group, but I’m currently talking with a publisher and just got dress fabric for a choral ensemble uniform in the mail this week, so this is real. I am just blown away by how God directs our lives and takes us down paths we never would’ve anticipated – but His ways are so wonderful and when I sit back to enjoy the ride, I always enjoy where He takes me! Yet again, I am reminded that I am so blessed. “By the grace of God, I am what I am.” Soli Deo Gloria
Valerie says
These Scriptures are so deep and thought provoking. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I am going to reflect on these Scriptures a little bit more today.
Deborah says
Thank you for sharing Romans 6 and all your thoughts. It is a blessing to see a young woman living for God and seeing & doing His will. You are blessed.
Jenise Flowers says
Loved the post and the timely scripture! You are a woman of God and are blessing so many, as well as your family. I’ll be praying for your choral and cookbook endeavors and for God’s perfect will in your life.
Briana Thomas says
Thank you Jenise; I appreciate that!
Denise says
Thanks for sharing and giving me a quiet moment this Saturday before Easter to reflect on Romans 6. God bless you in everything he’s called you to.