Monday, June 29, 2009

In Christ - We have Grace

We have so much in Christ, I have briefly touched a few things we have in Him. I Peter 2:9 (my Siesta verse) tells us who we are in Him:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

When I taught the 11-13 yr old Sunday school class at my church years ago (boy when that season was over, WAS it ever OVER!) many of the youth had trouble comprehending grace and why not, it's hard for our finite minds to grasp. I told them to remember this, GRACE - God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Grace is God's unmerited favor poured out on us. We cannot earn it, we do not deserve it. His grace never ends...He freely gives it to us daily...and sometimes by the minute...

The Bible tells us this about grace:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Thank You Father, grace came in the form of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.)

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(Through Jesus, we receive grace - we are New Covenant people - I am a New Covenant girl.)

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (It's God's grace that enables us to minister to those who are most unlovable in the natural realm, but very much loved by God. Grace kept me from smacking the doctor who overdosed my dad and put him in a coma. Grace enables us to be His hand and feet on earth.)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (Whose grace is sufficient - His grace...not our talent, not our deeds - His grace.)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (He's lavished it on us ladies...with all wisdom and understanding..lavished, live like you lavishly receive.)

So let us live as the forgiven children we are, let us receive and extend mercy, let us receive the grace God pours out to us each day and extend it to those we see and talk to everyday. And let us keep persedangvering as we endeavor to live the life He's called us to live...

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Emergency Prayer Request

Please pray for a FB friend's 2 1/2 yr old nephew Patrick. He became ill in church, starting trembling, then become unresponsive, now just stares. He's in the hospital. Seizures were ruled out, little guy is about to have a nasty test to check out his spinal fluid.

Hillsong - Mighty to Save - With Subtitles/Lyrics

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

In Christ - We Have Mercy

Continuing who we are and what we have in Christ, I want to talk about mercy. Mercy is something we talk about, we ask for, we receive, but do we live like we receive mercy? Do we think mercy is for everyone but us?

The Bible tells us this:

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Think about mercy...do you receive it, do you extend it? I don't know how people live without the Lord, but I really do not know how Christians who don't believe they are worthy of receiving mercy get out of bed each day much less attempt ministry.

Live out what you are - s redeemed child of the Most High God...He paid everthing to save you and me. Because you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Monday, June 22, 2009

In Christ - We are Forgiven

Last week, I wrote about just a few of the things we are in Christ, one is forgiven. Do you live as a person who is forgiven? Or do you confess your sin, repent, and then decide you are not forgiven and continually beat yourself up over the sin? One time about 25 years ago, I was so tired of my friend beating herself up over a past sin; I said - so the Cross was big enough for everyone but you, let's discuss your pride problem. Her eyes got big and then we began to laugh. I hope at the age of 47.999999 I would say the same thing if necessary; but not be so blunt.

Scripture tells us:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption,the forgiveness of sins.

I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children,because you have known the Father.

Aren't you glad we don't have to offer a sacrifice at the temple to receive forgiveness? We are New Covenant girls...we confess, we repent and we are forgiven. Psalm 103 tells us:

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Go out and live like the forgiven child of God you are...

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

In Christ

I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Do you ever wonder who you are in Christ? According to I Peter 2:9, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood....a people belonging to God...does that make you want shout and praise His holy name? We need to focus on who we are in Him and not who we think we may be or who someone has said we are.

In Christ we are forgiven of our sins. In Christ we are redeemed from the law. In Christ we are set free to live a life of liberty not bondage to sin, sickness, disease, religion, legalism, etc. In Christ we are made righteous. In Christ we have eternal life. In Christ we have grace. In Christ we have mercy. In Christ we have life.

There is nothing you can do to cause God to stop loving you. Here are a few words from Romans 3:

22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

We also find this encouragement in Romans 8:

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are so much more in Christ than we realize. There is so much more to who we are in Christ than I have written. Go out and confidently live out your life in Christ. Stay in His word...and believe it!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Siesta Memory Verse Time Once Again

I am looking forward to reading my Siestas verses, it's like a feast at a banquet to take in what we are memorizing this year.

Last night I could not sleep for many reasons, my mind would not cool it and relax. My mother and I drove to Alvin from a church we visited in Needville so she could look at a dog she wanted to adopt. I have a new sister, a 2-3 year Rottweiler who thinks she is a lap dog which is typical of Rotties, her name is Roxanne. She is a dainty thing. Mom needed a big dog who does not jump, obeys commands, and wants to please. Rotties are really good pets and not mean. They live to please. We then drove from Alvin to Richmond...they spent a few hours bonding and then mom and I went to Petco to buy out the store!!! (I wonder if Roxanne slept in her crate, on her new bed, or....next to my mother....)

So around 2:00am, I began to fall asleep and then it happened, I began thinking of this year's memory verses and got stuck on 1, couldn't quite remember it, that was it, I really never went to sleep. I think I hope it's a little slow at work today.

I hope all of you had blessed Sabbaths. I know I did - the church we visited was wonderful. Country church, anointed pastor, the feeling of peace permeated the church and even extended to the parking lot.

Time to work on my verse:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

I want to remember who I am in Christ Jesus!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

MICHAEL W. SMITH - AGNUS DEI

Sabbath Blessings Dear Sisters in Christ! (and Brothers)

Friday, June 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Leslie

It's my blogging sister Leslie's Birthday...please join me:

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday dear Lesliiieeeeeeeee
Happy Birthday to You!

All of heaven rejoiced the day you were born. Have a blessed day.

Love, Annette

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Call Me Marty

I was listening to a friend teach the other night at church, Don talked about Mary choosing the finer things by sitting at the feet of Jesus. The phrase call me Marty popped into my head. The Lord said you are more Mary than you used to be, but you still tend to be a Martha. You combine Mary and Martha and you have a Marty.

Do you struggle with being a Martha? I used to be 100 % Martha...probably only Mary as I sat in a chair with my Bible open soaking up the Word of God. This is a struggle for many women. We have a lot to do around the house, many of us work outside the home, there may be children/teens still at home, aging parents, the list continues. It is easy to be a Martha.

We read in Luke 10 beginning with verse 38:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

How many of us have missed or nearly the missed the joy of celebrating Jesus' birth because we were caught up in carrying on family traditions, mailing the Christmas cards, making too many commitments because we cannot say no? How many of us serve in too many areas at church? The Lord wants us devoted, He wants us to serve, but He does not want us to cover every area of ministry offered by the church. We keep others who are called from ministering if we do it all. We miss the Lord when we are over committed.

We must operate in the strength of the Holy Spirit...it's not by our might and power, it's by His might and power.

Sit at His feet, spend quiet time with Him, take a few verses from the Psalms or 1 of the Gospels and read it through out the day.

I long for the day, He will say Annette - well done, you are a Mary, you chose what could not be taken away.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Appointment

Today I have an appointment with an attorney concerning heirship affidavits and wrapping up a couple of loose ends pertaining to dad's estate. I hope this is it. Nice attorney, no hard sell...in fact I realized he lives down the street from me I used to see him when I rode my bike and walked daily as he was out biking and jogging. (I don't see him biking and jogging anymore because I don't bike or walk enough to see anyone!)

We all have appointments: doctor's appointments, hair appointments, nail appointments - my fav...but our most important appointment is the time we spend with our Lord and Savior in prayer and in the Word. He never misses it, He's never late...but we can miss it or be late, can't we! If it's been a while, visit our Lord. He's waiting patiently for you. There is no condemnation or reproach. He's arms are already open waiting to embrace you - you are the love of His life and so am I...

Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Blogging Sister Wendy

One of my blogging sisters is Wendy, who is a full time caregiver to her husband. He is ill with COPD. She wrote an honest and poignant post the other day to which I could not even form a response. It was about changes. I know those changes. For example when someone decides they need a walker or a wheelchair...it's a change and with changes come a little bit of loss...you time everything so as to not be out of pocket/away from home for long, you feel the loss of freedom for your loved one as they lose a little more...changes...

I would ask you to lift Wendy and her husband up in prayer. Pray for peace and wholeness in Christ Jesus. I continue to pray for his lungs to be healed and their youth renewed like the eagle's youth as described in Psalm 103. Pray for refreshment and anything else the Holy Spirit lays on your heart.

Let's carry them before the Lord as the friends carried the paralytic...

So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"