Scripture Memory Monday

My husband and I are big fans of the ESV Online Study Bible.

I love it because it provides the option to listen to whatever 

passage of Scripture that you desire 

- this is especially great for moms of little ones! - 

as you're doing dishes, folding laundry, brushing your teeth (you get the picture :)

David follows Robert Murray M'Cheyne's Bible Reading Plan.

On the ESV Study Bible website, it has a Devotion tab and you can click on 

different Reading Plans.

The One Year Tract is based on M'Cheyne's reading plan

and it makes it much easier for me to follow try to follow along with David.

Ephesians 4 was on the scheduled reading for today.

Honestly, I only got through the first 3 verses of this chapter; 

however, the "meat" therein gave me much to chew on throughout the day.

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Ephesians 4:1-3

I found myself looking at verse 1 and pleading for the Father to grant me grace

to walk in a manner worthy of this glorious high calling to which

He has so graciously called me.

Then I was greatly challenged as I looked at two verses following. . .

oh, to truly possess these characteristics!

As I read this virtuous list, I felt the need for these things more than ever!!

I realized that there is no way that I can be the wife and mother 

(friend, daughter, sister, etc. for that matter)

that the Lord has called me to be unless I am filled with the 

humility and gentleness and patience spoken of here.

If I truly bore whatever daily circumstances I (my husband, my children) face in love, 

and sought to maintain unity and peace,  

what a difference this would make in my interactions with my husband and children

and the rest of the world!

And - going back to verse 1 - there is no way that these virtues can characterize me

unless I am "walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which I've been called."

And it's impossible to walk in that manner

unless I am first walking in the Spirit (Romans 8:4)

and delighting in the Law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2).

So my prayer for today is that I would do just that.

I do pray that the words of Life spoken in this passage

would take root in my heart and change the way I live day in and day out.

Oh for the grace!!