God's Mercy

Where I'm at: Sitting on the couch in the living room
Weather: Clear skies, 65 degrees oustide
Background noise: Dad's tv
Noteworthy sights: My cat, sprawled out on his back, feet up in the air.
Mood: Blessed and Hopeful

After work today, I went hiking in the hills behind a local college. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I'm wanting to exercise more - both physically and spiritually. So, while I was walking up and down the hills of Evergreen, I memorized a verse (paraphrased) from a card out of my Beth Moore's Praying God's Word box.

"Because of your great love for me, You, God, who are rich in mercy, made me alive with Christ even when I was dead in transgression. It is by grace I have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5.

I am so grateful for my security in Christ. Most of us think that we have to be "good" in order to be accepted by God. That is such a lie. No one can ever be "good" enough to gain God's acceptance. That's the whole beauty of accepting Christ into your heart. It's all because of His death on the cross, and His rising from the grave that gives any of us hope. Nothing else. My sometimes"good" behavior is the result of learning to live out my salvation, allowing my new being in Christ to become stronger than my old being outside of Christ. Anything other than that, is rubish!

I thank you, God, for your mercy to me. I thank you that because I have accepted Christ in my heart, my debt is paid in full. I have the key that allows me access to your kingdom. You would think I would use that key so much that it would be at risk of breaking (if it was an actual key). I'm learning to, though. One day, it will be second nature, automatic, as natural as breathing for me to run to You for anything and everything, or for no reason at all- just to be in Your presence. For now, You patiently watch and wait, as I struggle with this concept of unconditional love and forgiveness,, knowing that You see me complete in You...and one day...one day I will see that too.