Mid Week Inspirational Message 'Daily Baptism'

Blessings to you All,
On Sunday we thought about the Baptism of Jesus, and how we can reflect on our baptism as a daily blessing.
When I read a devotional blog on Sunday, I found this reflection from Rev. Mary Lutti very interesting, so I thought I'd share it with you so you can continue to reflect on baptism:
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led into a wilderness. There he struggled with a Tempter who tried to make him doubt the voice that named him Beloved Child. “If you are God’s son…”, Satan prefaced the temptations. But Jesus remembered who he was. There was no “if.” Assured of God’s approval and drenched with the Spirit, he blew the Tempter away.
Whenever the great reformer Martin Luther was in trouble, tormented, tempted, and afraid (he often was), he’d tell himself that he was baptized: “Baptizatus sum”—“I am baptized.” Over and over he’d remind his beleaguered heart who he was: a beloved child of God whose life was forever entwined with Christ’s. He said it blew the demons away.
I used to teach a class about sacraments. Every semester I found that many students didn’t know when they were baptized. Birthdays they knew, and other anniversaries. But not the day a voice from heaven called them beloved and their lives were forever joined to Christ’s. I encouraged them to find out and celebrate that gift.
And I hoped that whenever things got rough (they always do), they’d call on its grace. I hoped they’d remember that they are in Christ, fully known and loved. I hoped they’d remind their frightened hearts, “I am baptized.” I hoped it would make them brave and blow the Devil away.​

If you are feeling a bit down or struggling a little today, or any day, remind yourself that you are baptized as God's beloved child.  You are blessed!   Mary Lutti offers this prayer: 
By your grace, O God, I am known and loved. My life is joined to Christ’s forever. I am not afraid.

Peace, Rev. Gail