Freely Given

God woke me up with a specific phrase rolling in my head “freely given” over and over again I kept recalling these 2 words. I went to my Bible and saw that freely is only referred to 4 times. It wasn’t until I got to the last passage that I knew what God was trying to impress upon me.
Grace was given to us so very freely, and that gift was so very costly to our Heavenly Father. God had to go to such extreme measures to get us to wake up and smell the blessings. I know from personal experience that I was not an easy listener. I had always prided myself with being self sufficient and independent – the only person I could count on for anything was myself! I was stubborn to a fault. Now, I am determined for another purpose, God’s Will for my life. Complete 180. I am so very thankful that God pursued me so that I could experience His gifts in my life.
Ephesians 1
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints in Ephesus,[a] the faithful[b] in Christ Jesus:

2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

I really enjoy verse 2 – what a wonderful blessing to pray for another!!! So very short and sweet but definitely power packed!!!

As we get closer to the Christmas celebration, I am reminded of all the lessons Jesus has taught us while He was walking on earth. The compassion that He demonstrated by coming to earth in the first place, Holy and Powerful and yet so vulnerable. As mothers, having just delivered our little precious baby, we hold them for the very first time, a sense of utter love and devotion sweeps over us, and without any hesitation we accept this responsibility. I can not even imagine how Mary and Joseph actually felt.



Love you all!!!