Author: Annette Coffey

When I was 45 I had a massive stroke and lost the ability to speak for seven years. Damage from the stroke has made it difficult to understand me and hard to pronounce some words. So I do not speak much, but that is why I started writing books and my blog. I have so much I want to share and tell with people.

Joy

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

You have two choices, to be happy or to be sad. That doesn’t sound hard to choose but you would be surprised how many people enjoy misery and suffering. When they are depressed and upset they want everyone around them to be miserable also. But when you don’t know the Lord, or choose to be your own lord, then you really don’t have control of anything and you feel like life is out of control. When you know the Lord you know who is in control and you know he loves you greatly and wants you to have a good life. Life doesn’t seem hopeless and you can enjoy the little things. From the moment you wake up until you are ready to drift off to sleep at night you see so many good things. I have been studying in Job lately and he definitely had reasons to be depressed. Life really seemed out of control for him. He lost everything in one day and nobody seemed to understand. He had spent his whole life trying to be perfect and serve God. So he didn’t understand because he didn’t know the whole story but of course God doesn’t have to tell us everything. We also have thousands of years history of his faithfulness to learn to trust him, plus his good words to assure us. God is sovereign and he has the best intentions and his purposes are just and loving all the time because he is perfect. But when you don’t know that it does seem hopeless and futile. God says so many times to rejoice because he knows how important it is. When you love God you know how much you have that you don’t deserve and you can be so very grateful. But when you don’t love God it does seem like he doesn’t care but people have to think there is a God if he doesn’t care about them. So why shouldn’t we want them to know the truth if they’re just bringing trouble to themselves. But that means accepting that they are wrong and nobody wants to admit they are wrong. Even if that could make their life better. You really have something very important to share out of great love and compassion because they weren’t raised the way you were. If they just knew all they are missing out on and all the help and love they could have.d. Shouldn’t we try to help them see.

God Our Provider

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:25

When you trust God you realize that he knows more of what you need than you do. We can be concerned with so many unnecessary details. Things that one day really don’t matter at all to eternity. Food and clothing don’t really matter when you think about forever with Jesus. We are told just to love others and God more than anything. He already loves us more than anyone and has promised to take care of us and he is very faithful. It is more about relationships and integrity than about us. Sure we need to try to look nice but it is our heart that is more important. People may not care what you wear but they care how you treat them. God wants to be the one we rely on. That’s not our job. We need to work to take care of our needs and we shouldn’t be lazy. God knows. He says those who won’t work won’t eat. But he understands everyone’s reasons. Maybe you have small children to take care of or an injury that keeps you from working or other responsibilities. Our society is very good at saying you deserve it. Just go for it. You need that new gadget. You are worth it. More and more stuff. People end up hoarding because they believe the lie. Things can’t make you happy. I’ve known people with money who have everything but are miserable and lonely. People can make you happy but God is why they make you happy. In poor countries people can be so much happier with nothing if their needs are met. They are also more generous than wealthy countries. They share everything they have with all those around them. They know God provided it and they are grateful. If someone stops by it is an occasion to celebrate and invite friends and neighbors to join and fellowship with all the food they have.

Money Back Guarantee

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth will I make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Psalms 89:1

I play games on my iPad so I’m forced to watch many ads to play and everyone has something you just got to try. You just don’t know how much you need this till you try it. It may be awesome for them, in their life, but it may not be something I want. Not everyone wants the same things. But you can get your money back if you don’t like it. I have never known someone who tried Christianity with any effort and didn’t get hooked. I know I did but not till I went all in. I had dabbled with it growing up but didn’t spend a lot of time and was happy with the little I knew, but it didn’t change my life. Oh I knew about Jesus and believed in him, but I didn’t know him personally. Something I recently read said that if the apostles had not gone all in and hadn’t zealously shared the gospel to everyone they could there wouldn’t be a Christian church today or Christian’s. They knew of something that could change a life and had to tell everyone. They were even willing to risk their lives on it. It doesn’t cost money so you can’t give it back but people have to give up something to go all in. Someone I knew was so madly in love with Jesus and could not stop bragging about it. She was so passionate that I was intrigued. They say the best person to reach you is a friend or family member because you know when they are sincere. You know them and their life shows living proof of what they are telling you. The worst person to reach you is someone who can talk the talk but doesn’t live by example. If they have the passion, joy, strength and wisdom in their lives. But if they don’t live it out every day through the good and bad times then you probably won’t be drawn in.

Heavens Glory

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“The heavens declare that glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalms 19:1

If you really think about all that is around us it is difficult to deny God’s amazing glory. Most people just don’t think about it. They just take one day at a time, struggling through. If they just pondered for a moment nature’s faithfulness. The world starts brand new every morning and it is a brand new day not like any day before. The sun comes up at the same time every morning. The weather is always different, whether it is sunny, raining, snowing and hot or cold there is something new all the time. But the plants thrive and animals have water to drink or just play in. He not only takes care of people but every organism. Tides go in and go out. Moon is full or dark. But the sun and moon do Gods bidding and sustain life. Summer turns to fall and then winter to spring. Variety so we have it all. The world has been spinning around for thousands of years. Clocks tick perfectly the same all the time. Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July. So much to enjoy. Nobody wants to go through life on their own. We all need companionship and family. God thought of everything. The best friend we could ever have is Jesus Christ, and he will never leave us or forsake us. He is daddy to his children and never minds sitting and listening to us. When you need a hug or wisdom, or the fires of life are getting close he is there. I can look back at all the mountains you have moved and miracles you have done. I know there is nothing you can’t and won’t do, if I ask. Your power is amazing but you care so much about each one of us. You even care about a sparrow and you know when it falls to the ground. They never worry about what comes next. You have it covered. One day we will breathe our last breath and you will bring your children home to your mansion to live with you forever as one big happy family.

What Is Freedom

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galations 5:13

Jesus paid a very high price for our freedom so shouldn’t we understand what that really means for us. Before Jesus came all people were slaves to an evil master. One who wanted to control us and have control of our lives. When he got Eve to eat the forbidden fruit he thought that now he could be god. But that is because he never understood God and just wanted power. But God is anything but power hungry. So many people think God is all about rules and commands taking your freedom from you and any chance for a life. This is because they don’t know God. If they only knew they are believing the lie that Satan has been pushing down our throats for years just to become a god. They don’t realize all they have already given up because they are his slave and they don’t know it. Jesus came to give life and give it abundantly. He came to give eternal life forever to anyone who would believe on him and just say, “I’m sorry!” God promises to forgive every sin we have ever committed and those we will commit in the future, because we still have a sin nature and can’t stop sinning. Jesus has become our new master, but he does give us free will to do what we choose because he loves us so much. He wants us to love him so much that we get to know him intimately and don’t want to do anything against his wishes. As free people we can do anything we want but shouldn’t we first consider the one who gave us our freedom and how much he loves us and only wants what is best for us. Never wanting to see us hurt. It took thousands of years to bring people to the place they needed to be just to be ready for Jesus to be born. And John The Baptist prepared the way by doing what God called him to do. So many were blinded by the sin in their lives. They tried to earn forgiveness by following rules and rituals. They weren’t trying to do something for someone they loved just keeping the laws that Moses gave them but Moses wasn’t God and he would be the first to say so. He was taught by God what they needed to do to live holy lives. Pleasing God not Moses. But people made it about works not worship. That is why they didn’t see Jesus when he stood before them. He was about love not rules. He went to his death showing how much he loved.

Gods Presence

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“The Lord replied, “ My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

The wonderful thing about God is he will never leave us. He is always watching over us and he is in control because he knows everything that is going to happen and the thoughts and intentions of all people. He sent his Son to die for our sins so we could live with him forever. The more you spend time in his words and talking to him the more you feel his presence. When you have the joy of the Lord in your life you can handle whatever comes your way because he brings contentment that this world can’t give. The blood of Jesus Christ bought our freedom and has overcome all that the enemy tries to bring in our lives. But, greater is he who is in us than he that is in this world. Things and people can’t give lasting contentment only God can. He gives everything we need. Do you need more wisdom, peace, strength, power, or pretty much anything. Just tell him what you need and he comes through for you. He is not a genie granting your every desire because maybe some things just aren’t good for you or what is best for you. But he works for the good of those who love him and have his purposes and his will as their desires. Being used to further his kingdom should be your priority. Things that matter for eternity and not just temporary enjoyment. He has given us everything w need to make this a great life. Strength, wisdom, power to do great and exciting things to better our world. God wants you to have enjoyment but living for him can bring enjoyment and fulfillment.

He Was Sin For Us

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“God made him who had no sin the sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

From the beginning of the world there has been darkness and sin. There is no way we could breech the distance between us and a righteous God. So he sent his one and only son to be sin in our place. Light came into the world to show the way of the Father. Just like every morning the sun rises so we can see clearly to enjoy our new day the Son came to bring us light so that we could see the truth. When we are surrounded by darkness we can’t see clearly to enjoy. Until the Son showed us the ways of the Father we didn’t know we were in darkness. Once we knew the truth we had to let that light into our hearts and believe in him. Once that light came to live within us we no longer need to walk in the dark. Even if my room is totally dark at night I still have Jesus with me and know he is watching over me. My job is to shine my light into the world so that others might believe also. You don’t always have to preach to others but how you live can say it all. We have all sinned there is no perfect person but Jesus. We could do nothing to save ourselves. Nothing I could ever do is good enough. I remember singing a song when I was young. “I can see clearly now.” I’m so glad I had my stroke and that I didn’t die because my life is so much different now. Back then I just wanted to do what I wanted to do. Now it all seems stupid, what I thought was living. Ha, was I wrong. But at least I got a do over before it was over. Now I know what a full and abundant life really is. “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” How will you live?

Victorious King

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, the colt, the foal of a donkey. Zachariah 9:9

This week is Holy Week and we are celebrating all that Jesus did for us. As he rode into Jerusalem the beginning of the week people cheered and waved palm branches to celebrate the victorious King. Palm leaves are decorative for military and other important people. They were declaring him as King although many didn’t believe. Many who saw his miracles knew that only God could do such amazing things. The Messiah. The long awaited savior. They also shouted Hosanna, which means God save and deliver us. Jesus did just that by giving his life for ours. The palm branch is a cymbal of honor, respect and reverence for someone important. It also is resilient and can tolerate poor conditions and is considered eternal. Things that Jesus definitely is. As he willingly let his palms be nailed to that cross he did bring victory by saving us from death and giving us eternal life to all who would believe in him. By his stripes we have been made whole in more ways than one. Satan and the religious leaders thought they had gotten rid of something that irritated them and took the attention off of them. But he was doing just what his Father sent him here to do. He was here to show us the Father by doing just what the Father would do. His great compassion and love for people lets you see how God really feels about each of us. He is not demanding and harsh the way some think he is. The more you get to know him the more you see how much he is interested in helping us to have what is best for us. His death shows what a great price he was willing to pay so that we could be together for eternity. Because God loves people just like the Son.

Perfecting Holiness

Annette CoffeyLeave a comment

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

The key word here is promises- God is good at making promises but he is way better at keeping them. He is a God whose word is perfect. What he says is only truth so it’s for sure. Whether good or bad, it will happen just as he promised. There are things God tells us not to do. Just like when your parents told you don’t touch the stove or you will get burned. If you ever tried you would never do it again. Ouch! He tells us not to sin because bad things can happen. Just like speeding you don’t always get caught the first time but one day you will pay the price. On the other side there are so many good promises and I want all of them. A full and abundant life, who wouldn’t want that one. But it gets better because one day we’ll get to heaven and he has promised that no eye has seen and no mind can even imagine all he has for us when we get there. Some people may think well I believe in Jesus and I’m going to heaven but I heard someone preach once that God is building you a mansion in heaven where one day you will live forever. But they build it with the supplies you send ahead of you. So if you have done the bare minimum to get in you may be living in a dog house for eternity. I want the best he has for me so I am doing all I can everyday. Each of us has been given certain abilities and talents and he has asked us to use them for his kingdom. Some of us one or two and some five talents. What have we done with the talents he has given us. How much do we show appreciation for what he has given us. Eternity is a really long time and I want to live it up. I want to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Greed

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 14:15

Have you ever really watched all those ads that we are forced to watch throughout our day. If you don’t have everything they say you won’t be happy. There is new stuff every day. That new brand of shoes, that new gadget to cook with, or a new car. Jesus has already given us everything we need. But what might we be missing. I was a realtor at one time and I’ll never forget the day I went to a house of a hoarder. I had never even heard of it before but as I walked through room after room of stuff piled to the ceiling and just narrow paths throughout I couldn’t imagine how they could find anything in that chaos. They obviously believed the lies that say whoever died with the most toys won. Because they definitely had the most toys I ever saw. I now have one small room and hardly anything but I could not be happier. First of all I don’t have to worry about losing anything or having it stolen. People are way more important than possessions. I realize that more every day. The most important is Jesus. He has given me a joy in my heart that makes no sense. But it gets me through anything. I remember a family member that just had to have the best deals. Even if it was something that she didn’t need. If it was a really good deal it was a must. People have so many reasons why they have to have more. Keeping up with the ‘Jones’s. But have you ever met someone who has lots of stuff but is truly miserable. People can hide behind their money. Trying to make others believe they have it all. What we really need is to fill that void inside our heart that is without God. They will try anything to fill the hole but nothing but God will truly satisfy. Drugs, alcohol, things and status will not fill it. Some really poor countries have some truly happy people with nothing but their families. They might struggle to eat and keep a roof over their heads but they get by. Ten years from now will that possession be important. The only thing that matters in the end is what you will spend eternity doing. Do you know?