I am sitting here this morning reflecting on a song that I am listening to. It’s off the new Passion CD. I guess it isn’t a new song but its sung by Chris Tomlin

Verse 1:
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Chorus:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

Verse 2:
For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

Verse 3:
He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

Verse 4:
When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Chorus:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

I think I have listened to it about 3 times this morning, now 4…The thoughts it brings across especially at this time of the year. I got the email from Pastor Kevin last night I have decided to take today and fast for this weekend. I am committing to God that I when I feel hungry, I will reflect on the cross of Christ. My time this morning before that cross was sweet!

Still in Romans 6. Starting in v. 5 we have been united in Christ. How? Through his death. The death of Christ was the death of our sin. We no longer live it but in the resurrection. The resurrection in Rom 6:5 shows that our union with Christ assures our future resurrection. But in v.4, it teaches we can share in the resurrection power today!!! What is this resurrection power? Living a life by grace. Sin is no longer my master (v.14). Sin is no longer the name of my life. Grace is!! So how do I live by grace? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.