This week’s teaching was inspired by a song called Resurrection Day. This song came to me on June 7, 2017. Here is what I wrote about the song the day I received it: This song was born as I mowed the lawn. Since it takes me about 3 hours to mow my entire lawn, I have a lot of time to meditate! It is my practice to use that time to pray and to simply clear my mind. On this particular day, I was sensing the need to write an affirming word or song for my church, All In All Church.
As I thought about the day, my thoughts went to some of the things our little church body was facing along with some health issues I am facing. It occurred to me that, in spite of my circumstances, I could still choose my thoughts. My mind immediately went to the realization that each day I wake up and find breath is like rising again! Simple, I know, but powerful in truth.
As followers of Christ, isn’t every day a day of resurrection? Isn’t every day we face life from the King’s point of view a day of victory? As the simple chorus of the song began to play in my mind, it became a song of rejoicing. Regardless of what we face in this life, we are victorious even in the face of death!
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Romans 6:1-7 NASB
Let's take the next few minutes and simply rejoice in the truth of knowing every day with Jesus is a day of celebrating the resurrected life we have through faith in knowing Him.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to [obtain] an inheritance [which is] imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in [the] last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, [being] more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9 NASB
Due to my struggle with Parkinson's, I now (2023) have to have help in mowing my lawn, but that does not deter me from meditating on the truth of God’s resurrection power in my life. In fact, I honestly have more time to meditate on that truth due to the symptoms of Parkinson's. So, from my point of you, I receive and live in the power of the resurrection each and every day I draw another breath. Parkinson's does not win. The one who was victorious over sin, death, and the grave wins and I am included in that victory. Every day is Resurrection day for me. How about you?
You and I are both given a free will meaning we can choose what we think and how we think. I just happen to believe that God's Word is the ultimate truth and I choose to put on that truth each and every day. Parkinson's does not diminish God’s goodness in my life. It does not diminish God's love for me. Parkinson's actually serves me in a positive way by pushing me deeper into my dependence upon the presence and love of Almighty God. God really doesn't waste anything we go through in this life. Happy resurrection day!
Dennis Jernigan
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this teaching and to hear the song, Resurrection Day, go to https://www.patreon.com/posts/resurrection-day-86227825
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