Author: Annalee Reyes

“…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.

Continue reading “A New Year of Rest”

“But Jesus was quick to comfort them. ‘Courage, it’s Me. Don’t be afraid.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭MSG‬‬

For many, Christmas “feels over.” But with Jesus Christmas is never over. With Jesus it is always just beginning and it’s never too late. His mercies are new, afresh and alive every morning, noon and night.

Continue reading “Fear Not!”

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!

Continue reading “Everlasting Father. Everlasting Embrace.”

“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

 

 

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.

Continue reading “Thanksgiving For The Hungry Heart”

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.

Continue reading “When God Is Silent”

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.

Continue reading “Are You Trying or Trusting?”

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)‬‬.

Continue reading “Immanuel”

Just for the record, I do not have it all together all the time. Ha! Would you believe there are many days when I feel like I’m a hot mess (hey, it’s a real term just added to the Oxford Dictionary!)? Oh yea…But that’s okay. And that’s the point. The point is to not have to have it all together. And when I am reminded of that, it’s just the place I find myself being overtaken by a flood-tide of Grace and Unconditional Love.

The truth is, we’ve never once had it all together, we were never meant to have it all together and we don’t ever need to try and have it all together. All we were ever meant to do, is to fall into the arms of the Altogether Lovely One (Song of Songs 5:16) and trust Him and all He’s accomplished on our behalf.

Continue reading “Gold in the Mud”

I had the thought of writing a blog in honor of Mother’s Day this week. But this blessed mama has found herself in the midst of the choice to be present in other moments; moments of laying my hands on the backs of my sons to pray for and comfort them while they puke in a bucket…while I wipe up diarrhea and start baths to clean the mess. Moments to simply lay quiet next to each one as they lay still before the next bout (because it was my turn the week before and I know exactly how they feel). Moments to disinfect and wash sheets and clothes contaminated with the viral germs that could so easily lead me into chaos but instead remind me of what love is. Moments to live in the present moment as a mother; the most fulfilling experience of my life.

Continue reading “Mother’s Day: Miracles in the Midst of the Mess”