I need an extra ounce of patience these days. It’s a hard thing to remember that happiness, joy, and contentment is not based on my circumstances, but is based on my hope in the Lord. If I am putting my hope in earthy things, I will end up just like I was in the past. Ephesians 2 explains it well. I need to rely on the grace and mercy that the Lord lavished on me at the cross. I am no longer dead in my trespasses and sins because Christ paid the price for those things on the cross. Such a hard process to learn and remember. I am sure I will be learning this lesson well into my life. So, I have started the process of memorizing Ephesians 2. Starting with verses 1-3 this week, but the entire chapter is so good. It is been so helpful today in remembering Christ’s promises and his purpose in coming to the earth and dying on the cross. He did it for me and the rest of his creation to redeem us from the sin we once walked in and has made us alive in Christ Jesus. I am redeemed.

“[2:1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—[3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“
(Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV)

My circumstances can’t get me down, because I have been made alive with CHRIST!!!!!! He has given me grace and mercy and joy so that I should walk in it!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!


To Be Continued… =)