Renewed in the Light of Jesus

Ten days ago was a day I will remember forever! Being renewed in the light of Jesus through baptism was what my heart desperately needed.

I said, “Yes!!” when a friend asked me to join her in attending the LO Sister Conference. Sadie Robertson Huff and her amazing team of Jesus-loving women put on this conference. It’s something I’ve wanted to attend for years but always kept putting it off or never making time to do it. Little did I know, it would change my life forever!

What is Baptism?

The LO Sister Conference couldn’t have explained it any better:

“Baptism is a declaration of faith! When you are baptized in water, it is a public declaration that you identify yourself with Jesus. It is an outward testimony of the inward change in a believer’s life.

Baptism is a way for you to outwardly express what God has done in your heart and life in the presence of other believers. You declare, “The old life is gone, my new life in Christ has begun, and I am not going back.”

In the Bible, water represents cleansing. As we go under the water, it symbolizes being cleansed from our sin as the old life is buried, just as Jesus was buried after He died to take the punishment for our sins. Coming up out of the water demonstrates the new life we have through the power of the resurrection of Jesus.”

Here are some Bible verses that talk about baptism:

 “Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.” Romans 6:3-5 (NLT)

“And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” Galatians 3:27 (NLT)

“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” Colossians 2:12 (NLT)

My Story of Baptism

I have loved Jesus since I was a little girl. I was saved and baptized when I was only 7 years old. His faith has always been who I am. Life happens, though. I am no longer the little girl I was all those years ago, but a strong woman of God who has grown up, faced battles, lost some but came out on the other side. There were so many things I needed to give to God and let go of. The Holy Spirit had been tugging on my heart for quite some time to get rebaptized. Since I was previously baptized, I never knew when the right time would be or how I would go about this.

Going into this trip, I had no idea they were even doing baptisms. The first day when they mentioned them, I felt the tug on my heart get even stronger. I knew this was the time and place, surrounded by thousands of my sisters in Christ. On the second day, I was in denial. Did I actually need to be baptized again since I declared my faith when I was 7 years old? What would people think of me?

Listen to the Lord

Let me tell you, friend… if the Holy Spirit tells you to do something, just do it. Your soul will feel at peace. Just because I had already been baptized didn’t mean I could never do it again. A lady I met at this conference had been baptized 6 times. Every time she went to Jerusalem, she got baptized again. How amazing is that?! I have such a better understanding of Jesus and how to live for Him, now at 24 years old, versus when I was 7 years old. That was something to celebrate and declare.

August 20th, 2022, will go down in history as my “new birthday.”

I am a new light burning for Him.

Washed with sun and light, we radiate His glory.

Oh, how He has set my heart free.

Help Translate God’s Word to All People by 2033

Did you know that 1 billion people live in Bible poverty? 3,627 languages are in need of translation. The company, illuminations, has a plan to complete this mission with our help! They have a challenge called 12VC (12 Verse Challenge). For 12 months, you donate $34 (the amount to translate 1 verse) each month! We can see a real, radical change in our lifetime. How cool is that, friend?! I couldn’t be more excited to see this unfold and to be a part of something life-changing for so many people.

“All nations will come to your light.” Isaiah 60:3 (NLT)

In the meantime, check out a few of my favorite blogs!

xoxo,

Juliann