Cause for rejoicing.

Romans 5:6-11
For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

Since returning to Christ, I have had time to reflect on the wasted time, and energy attempting to get out of the call. Today I was sitting and to be honest depression began to set in. Depression over unemployment, depression on sitting home alone while wife is engaged in her job, depression over just feeling hopeless and scared about the future. Stop me if this sounds familiar, or perhaps you have never been in a dark, scary time yet. If so be grateful, which brings me to the above text. 

While I was a sinner I had 3 things God used to describe me, I was without strength, ungodly and of course a sinner, Paul even says we were the enemy of God. Let that sink in, not Satan, or the Devil, but us. Even though we were in that wretched state God proved His love for us by Christ's sacrifice. His sacrifice reconciled us to God and Paul says we should rejoice. I see you rolling your eyes saying get to the point I have things to do. Rather than spending my time focused on what I don't have or what I am waiting for, why not spend the time rejoicing in the simple fact, I am reconciled to my Father, and the righteousness of Christ has been imparted to me. Putting that squarely in my heart and mouth should make Paul's admonition the the Philippians easy. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4)

Prayer: Heavenly Father help me today to rejoice in my relationship with you. That we are not enemies, but family. Your son died, and resurrected so that I might have life and more abundantly. Help me to focus on that and rejoice. 
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Grace and Peace be Multiplied to you my friends.
Eric