THE GIFT OF GRACE

Emma gave me permission to share the following powerful poem she wrote about GRACE, having been awakened in the night with these words in her heart. I felt this followed so well from Mary's story.

Gifted with Grace, a place to begin
Atoned for, redeemed, washed clean of sin
Grace builds the foundation for newness of life
Freed from our shame, our weakness and strife

Since our very beginning we've mirrored the fall
Lost in transgressions, empty and small
Our earthly desires and sins of the flesh
Are only self serving and fleeting at best

Turning from God, His praises unspoken
We're unshepherded, lost, fearful and broken
But Grace is our life line, the truth and the light
Revealing God's love, His mercy, His might

By Grace we are cradled, carried and grown
As children of God and heirs to His throne
Unconditionally given, offered to all
Claimed for by faith in response to His call

When we are weary, downtrodden and weak
Grace is the light in the darkness we seek
It shines effervescent, it leads us in hope
With Grace as our mantra we're strengthened to cope

Amidst war, persecution, injustice and hatred
Grace sees the world through eyes that are sacred
Righteous, restored and poised for salvation
Bringing heaven on earth, God's perfect creation

The trust deed to joy when all seems quite wrong
Grace is the blessing that bursts into song
No need to feel guilty with this parable of joy
Grace is God's gift for all to enjoy

By Emma Howe through the inspiration of The Holy Spirit

Mary, Mary!

'Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished' Luke 1:45 NIV
'And blessed (happy, to be envied) is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of the things that were spoken to her from the Lord'. Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭45‬ AMP
'Blessed woman who believed what God said, believed every word would become true' Luke 1:45 MSG

All the things that happened to me and were spoken to me I kept thinking over and over as I knew they would be important one day.

I, Mary, was a very beautiful young woman living in Galilee, I was very excited as I was engaged to a wonderful man, Joseph, I had my whole future planned out.
We would be reasonably well off, after all Joseph had a good job and came from a lovely family; I could have several children, the blessing of Yahweh; a lovely home and I would be the best wife. But suddenly everything changed, an angel came to me, Gabriel, God's own messenger!..... Alone, no witnesses! What is happening?

'Greetings,....' YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME!! What was happening, who would believe me? Who would not think I was losing my mind? What would Joseph think?

Then more.... 'you who are highly favoured...... ' surely not, not me? Now I know I have talked to all my friends about the Messiah coming but never heard anyone talk about it maybe happening like this, 'YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME'??

'The Lord is with me' WOW I so long for this to be true, but I know how weak I am, how human I am! But then the challenge I need to hear, He seems to know exactly how I feel, every thought!