Renee Andrews's Blog - Posts Tagged "grace"
Christ's Grace -- Looking past the hand on your face
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6 (NIV)
Growing up, my sister and I shared a room. One night I woke to her screaming, “He’s got me! He’s got me!” I just knew someone was in our bedroom and had my sister so I joined in, “He’s got Gina! Someone’s got Gina!”
My parents busted into the room practically falling over each other, ready to save us. Daddy turned on the light and saw Gina’s hand covering her face. Her arm was asleep, so she didn’t realize the hand suffocating her was…her own.
We laugh about it now, but the instance reminds me of my first years as a Christian, when I never believed I would be good enough for Heaven. I didn’t pray enough, didn’t study enough, didn’t give enough. Quite honestly, I was miserable, because like my sister that night, I couldn’t see past the hand on my face. Grace was something I didn’t understand and definitely didn’t study. I had a fear mentality that controlled my every thought and every action.
Finally, after years of study and a better understanding, I realize by God’s grace I no longer have to worry about being “good enough”. I will never be “good enough,” but through Christ, in God’s eyes, we are all good enough. Christ wants to set me free, in the same way Daddy lifted Gina’s hand and showed her she was okay, that she was indeed free.
Faith Step: Place your hand on your face covering nose and mouth. Feel your struggle to breathe. Now move it away…and remember Christ’s grace sets you free.
Author Renee Andrews
Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com
Growing up, my sister and I shared a room. One night I woke to her screaming, “He’s got me! He’s got me!” I just knew someone was in our bedroom and had my sister so I joined in, “He’s got Gina! Someone’s got Gina!”
My parents busted into the room practically falling over each other, ready to save us. Daddy turned on the light and saw Gina’s hand covering her face. Her arm was asleep, so she didn’t realize the hand suffocating her was…her own.
We laugh about it now, but the instance reminds me of my first years as a Christian, when I never believed I would be good enough for Heaven. I didn’t pray enough, didn’t study enough, didn’t give enough. Quite honestly, I was miserable, because like my sister that night, I couldn’t see past the hand on my face. Grace was something I didn’t understand and definitely didn’t study. I had a fear mentality that controlled my every thought and every action.
Finally, after years of study and a better understanding, I realize by God’s grace I no longer have to worry about being “good enough”. I will never be “good enough,” but through Christ, in God’s eyes, we are all good enough. Christ wants to set me free, in the same way Daddy lifted Gina’s hand and showed her she was okay, that she was indeed free.
Faith Step: Place your hand on your face covering nose and mouth. Feel your struggle to breathe. Now move it away…and remember Christ’s grace sets you free.
Author Renee Andrews
Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com
It is more blessed to give than to receive
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV)
“God bless you.”
I waited, thinking someone sneezed. Then the woman on the other end repeated, “God bless you.”
“Oh, hello. You called about my son’s car.”
She excitedly asked if we could bring it to their home, because they didn’t have a vehicle. I said yes, and she gave me directions to housing projects an hour away. The area where she lived was often on the news, but I said, “Okay.”
We arrived at the home and stepped on a welcome mat that read, “I am blessed when I go in. I am blessed when I go out.” She had a single sheet-covered couch and a television. They had nothing. I fought tears.
“Keisha got a basketball scholarship but doesn’t have a car.”
Her daughter squealed when she saw the restored BMW. Kaleb had put several months and all his money into the vehicle.
While Kaleb took Keisha to drive the car, the woman said, “I have $200 and can give you $800 later.”
Kaleb purchased the car pre-restoration for much more. “Oh, he was asking for more.”
The woman pulled out the paper and showed me an ad for a car 15 years older with a phone number one digit off from my cell. “This isn’t our ad.” I turned the page to show her ours, for $5,500.
The kids returned, and Keisha wanted the car, but her mom explained they couldn’t afford it. We left and drove a couple of miles before my 16-year-old broke down in tears. “I can save and get another car. I just want it. She needs it.” Then we turned around, and he gave her…all he had.
I saw much joy in Keisha’s face when Kaleb gave her the keys, but I’ve seen more in Kaleb’s life as a result of his unselfish gift. Christ said give all. Rarely do you see it, but when you do, it’s beautiful.
Faith Step: Follow Kaleb’s example, follow Christ’s example, and give something away today. Don’t give of your leftovers, but give something you love, something the recipient will love. Experience the exquisite joy of giving.
Renee Andrews
Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com
Merry Christmas!
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
About eighteen years ago, a homeless woman walked into the emergency room of an Atlanta hospital in labor. Shortly after, she delivered a baby girl. She said she wanted the child to have a better life than what she could provide, and she specified that she wanted the baby to be raised in a Christian home. A social worker from the Christian foster agency Agape met with her in the hospital and learned of her wishes. She held the baby before she gave her to the social worker, named her little girl and told the baby that she wanted her to have a good life, a life in the Lord.
That precious baby was born with a mother’s hope that she’d be raised loving her Lord and Savior. And then God blessed our family by putting that sweet baby in our home when she was merely two days old.
When I think about her mom showing up at that hospital in labor, I think about Mary arriving at the inn in Bethlehem. She and Joseph wanted their child to be loved. Christ’s Heavenly Father also wants His child to be loved.
Today, on Christmas, remember the birth of our Savior. Remember how precious it is to raise a child to grow up loving Him, knowing Him, adoring Him. Even though her mother couldn’t take care of her child physically, she took care of her spiritually by placing her in a Christian home. She knew how important it was for her little girl to know her Lord.
Faith Step: Today, while the world celebrates the birth of our Savior, take a moment to explain the miracle of Christ’s birth to a child. Raise your children the way that mother wanted her child to be raised, loving Our Lord! Merry Christmas!
Mondays with Jesus 2015
About eighteen years ago, a homeless woman walked into the emergency room of an Atlanta hospital in labor. Shortly after, she delivered a baby girl. She said she wanted the child to have a better life than what she could provide, and she specified that she wanted the baby to be raised in a Christian home. A social worker from the Christian foster agency Agape met with her in the hospital and learned of her wishes. She held the baby before she gave her to the social worker, named her little girl and told the baby that she wanted her to have a good life, a life in the Lord.
That precious baby was born with a mother’s hope that she’d be raised loving her Lord and Savior. And then God blessed our family by putting that sweet baby in our home when she was merely two days old.
When I think about her mom showing up at that hospital in labor, I think about Mary arriving at the inn in Bethlehem. She and Joseph wanted their child to be loved. Christ’s Heavenly Father also wants His child to be loved.
Today, on Christmas, remember the birth of our Savior. Remember how precious it is to raise a child to grow up loving Him, knowing Him, adoring Him. Even though her mother couldn’t take care of her child physically, she took care of her spiritually by placing her in a Christian home. She knew how important it was for her little girl to know her Lord.
Faith Step: Today, while the world celebrates the birth of our Savior, take a moment to explain the miracle of Christ’s birth to a child. Raise your children the way that mother wanted her child to be raised, loving Our Lord! Merry Christmas!
Mondays with Jesus 2015
