Nailed It!

Sin, shame, condemnation, guilt, regrets, fear of punishment, rule-keeping, failures, distress, judgement, strife, sicknesses, diseases, death: NAILED! Every one of those things born on Jesus’ body and nailed to that cross, come from us trying to be like God because of Adam.

They come from trying, striving, doing…in an effort to please Him. Those things come from rule-keeping, law-living. Condemnation is the direct result of trying to live out a list of do’s and dont’s before God; a list we could never, would never and were never meant to try to live out.

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Eagle Vision

Long before the Philadelphia Eagles won this year’s Super Bowl, the Lord had already been speaking to my heart about Eagle vision. And because He loves to speak prophetically, even in sports, it was no surprise this team of believers from “the City of Brotherly Love,” was going to champion a picture of God’s heart for His children and this country in this season.

To have Eagle vision is to see Jesus. To see Jesus is to see Grace; His unearned, unmerited favor, faithfulness, goodness and kindness towards you. To see Him is to know Him. To know Him is to experience eternal life right here, right now. And when you continually see Jesus and yourself in Him, you will rise above the oppression and depression that pulls you earthbound and soar on His wings of victory. But what exactly does it mean to “see” Jesus? And how do you “see” Him?

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A New Year of Rest

“…You can’t force these things. They only come about through My Spirit…” Zechariah 4:6 msg

The best thing you can resolve to do in 2018 is to rest in what Jesus has done. The life of grace and intimacy with your Savior, is the life of trusting more and trying less. His unconditional love invites you into the unforced rhythms of grace by letting go of trying to “fix” yourself and letting Him do for you what you can’t do for yourself.

Did you know He’s actually attracted to your weaknesses and can’t wait for you to brag about them? Why? Because when you realize your need for Him, His grace explodes there. Society shouts “Be more and do more!” But Jesus reminds you, at the cross, He took your place and gave you His so you can be loved as you are and rest in what He’s done…to receive the desires of your heart instead of strive for them.

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Everlasting Father. Everlasting Embrace.

If we’re all honest, there are times during the Christmas season when we end up feeling overwhelmed or obligated, weary or worn-out, hurried or hurting, lonely or lost.

If that’s you, don’t feel ashamed. Rejoice. Because Christmas came for you. Christmas came to embrace you where you are. And Christmas came to heal you there, raise you up there and fill you with a Living Hope and Resurrection Life there. Christmas came to restore your true identity; to remind you Whose you are.

Christmas is Jesus. And Jesus came to reveal the Father’s love for you and renew you once again in the Spirit of sonship (daughtership)! The wonder of this Christmas is the joy of your Salvation found in the embrace of your Father’s arms!

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Enter Into Christmas Devotional

“to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There’s no part of your humanity that Jesus isn’t in touch with. He took on human flesh to truly feel you. It’s safe to let your guard down with Him and let Him in. He wants you to know Him by knowing He knows you fully & seeks you out there.

Our hearts become hardened when we believe there is some part of us that isn’t accepted; when we feel our secret hurts, insecurities and failed attempts are a disappointment to our Father.

On the contrary, it’s when we receive His unconditional Love, tenderness and grace in the midst of our suffering-knowing that we are wholly embraced and accepted IN the Beloved Son-our hearts become softened and vulnerable.

Vulnerable like a tender baby. Like a helpless infant (sinless) Savior who chose to leave His throne and be embraced by sinful flesh, wholly dependent on an imperfect young girl, full of fear and insecurities.

And all so He could take her condition, and yours, upon His body, on a cross, and give you His perfect condition without conditions. Undeserved favor, unearned compassion and unmerited kindness.

All wrapped up in His righteousness alone that wraps you in His glory and honor. All wrapped up in a newborn’s cry; the cry that calls for you to come as you are. The cry that silences your heart’s cry to be loved as you are.

So go ahead, let your guard down and hear Him whisper, “Come My beloved. Let it go. Let your dependence be wholly on Me and enter into Christmas!”

Resting In His Love,

Annalee Reyes

 

 

Thanksgiving For The Hungry Heart

When was the last time you woke up in the morning and thanked your Daddy God for…you? When you open your eyes, do you realize He kissed you awake? As you exhale and yawn, do you discern you’re inhaling His breath? Do you thank Him because He made you His marvelous masterpiece and has marvelous plans for you?

Maybe this Thanksgiving you need reminding that “thanks-giving” is actually “thanks-receiving,” and all that you have gratitude for is in direct relation to how you see God, how loved and accepted you believe you are and how much you believe He freely gives.

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When God Is Silent

I don’t know about you, but I have heard and read so many well-meaning messages and devotionals about why, when and how God is “silent.” And every one was tainted in some way with a religious tone. Some would point to God being silent during certain seasons of your life while others would suggest He is waiting for you to arrive at some point. Regardless, there is only one truth to His silence. And in this love letter, I hope the sound of that verity resonates freedom in your soul. It’s the reason I can’t keep quiet!

In this gospel, there is only good news. And the more intimate I become with God and the more He reveals to me His heart, His finished work and His ways, the more undone I become in His love and grace. Now don’t get me wrong…there has been many a “season” in my relationship with Jesus when it has felt or seemed as though God were silent. Actually, it felt more like He was completely ignoring me! But as He has gently unraveled the chains of lies that religion loves to keep us bound in, I have come to see just how He relates to and communes with us. And it’s always in Perfect Love.

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Are You Trying or Trusting?

What if you didn’t “try” to do anything to please God in any way…but instead chose to TRUST Him moment by moment (casting each care on Him, expecting His goodness), REST in Him (inwardly be at peace) and actually ENJOY a real relationship with Him?

Right now, if you are feeling completely burned-out as a Christian, consider yourself blessed; He’s calling you to the high life of real freedom. If you are at the end of your rope, get happy; He’s calling you into a life of real rest.

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Immanuel

You. Are. Not. Alone.

Immanuel = God with us. Jesus with you. No matter what you are going through or how lonely you feel, your Savior Himself has promised you:
“…I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!].”
‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭AMPC)‬‬.

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