Baptism

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the death by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."- Romans 6:1-11

What a beautiful day. I woke up to a text this morning from my mom that said "Today is the day the Lord has made and I am rejoicing! Can't wait to see you today." What a wonderful reminder. I couldn't go back to bed because the excitement of getting baptized today crept into my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about it. This is such a sweet day for me, as it has been for many. It has been such a blessing the past few weeks to not only decide it was time for me to be baptized, but also to just be reminded of this unbroken grace God has extended to me. He has saved me! In all my sin and wickedness, God loved me enough to die for me so that I may have life! I did nothing. I can do nothing. But my God, the God of the entire universe, CARES for me. I know he rejoices in the believer's baptism. So I rejoice as well.

I never realized the importance of baptism but it has been made so clear to me in the recent weeks. I am called to share with the world in outward testimony that God has saved me. He has written my story to spend ETERNITY with Him!!! What a beautiful Savior I serve. Jesus himself was baptized, and was he not a model for us? In the Bible, baptism comes hand in hand with Christians. It is unheard of for a Christian to not be baptized. It is what we are called to do. And what Christian would not want to outwardly proclaim that God is a saving God who hates sin, but loved us enough to kill and RAISE His son for us! He has defeated death! Satan doesn't win in this story. Sin will have no dominion over us! Shout it from the rooftops friends! The news must be heard.

I am so thankful for my friends and family who both will be able to celebrate with me today, whether it be at my baptism or at a distance. God has truly opened my eyes to His love through the love He has extended to me through my sweet friends and family. And I honestly mean that with all my heart. I have never felt more accepted and loved for exactly the women God has made me, and I couldn't be more thrilled that 2 and 1/2 years after giving my life to Christ, my friends who God has shown me so much through will be able to celebrate with me. I often wonder how God could bless me with such amazing people. But he has written my story with all of you in it, and for that I praise him without ceasing.

May only GOD get the glory today,
May our praise and worship be pure in His name,
and may we be reminded that we have a story to share,

.ck.