It's Not Even My Birthday!

A week ago, I was inspired to buy a friend a gift. When I gave him the gift, he said to me, "But it's not even my birthday!"

To my friend, love is transactional; you do something good if someone has been good to you. Why should you receive a gift for no good reason at all?

I explained to him what grace is. I said grace is receiving favours you don't deserve, but he didn't get it.

I understand perfectly where my friend is coming from because I used to live in his world. In that world what you receive is based on merit, how hard you have worked and how lucky you are. 

As Christians, we are saved,  blessed, protected and healed not because of our good works, but because of Jesus' death and resurrection. In other words, God pours His blessings on us and through us because of Jesus Christ.

I am now not only open to receiving unmerited favours, I  see God's favours as natural. That doesn't mean I take God's favours for granted. I acknowledge every good gift as coming from above i.e from God and I am eternally grateful.

Speaking of unmerited favours, when I got home from work, my flatmate shared with me some gifts that she had received on the last day of the school year from her class pupils' parents to show their gratitude.

I received some beauty products, a box of chocolates, a scented candle, a bouquet of flowers, a notebook and a book about the Princess of Wales ...and it's not even my birthday. 😆 (See photos below). Although I tend to only read books on my Kindle app, I will keep this book as a reminder of God's love for me.

I am open to constantly receive God's unmerited favours and to share His favours as I am inspired.

Thank you, Jesus. ❤️

----

Relevant Bible verses:

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever." Psalm 23: 6

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: [3] Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, [4] Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, [5] Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." Psalm 103: 2-5

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Ephesians 1: 3

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1: 17







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