Post by mommadee48 on Sept 15, 2022 13:30:28 GMT -5
GOD SEES YOU: (GENESIS 16:7-16).
YOU ARE THE GOD WHO SEES ME.
EARY MORNING CAN BE PAINFUL FOR MY FRIEND ALMA, a single mom of two. She says, "When everything is quiet, worries surface. As I do household chores, I think about our financial concerns and the kids' health and studies".
When her husband abandoned her, Alma bore the responsibility of raising her children on her own. "It's difficult," she says, "but I know God sees me and my family. He gives me the strength to work two jobs, provides for our needs, and lets my kids experience His guidance each day".
Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, understood what it meant to be seen by God. After she got pregnant by Abram, she began to despise Sarai (Gensis 16:4), who in turn mistreated her, causing Hagar to flee to the desert. Hagar found herself alone, facing a future that seemed bleak and hopeless for her and her unborn child.
But it was in the desert that "the angel of the Lord"(v.7) met her and said, "The Lord has heard of your misery" (v.11). The angel of God gave Hagar guidance on what to do, and He assured her of what the future would hold. From her we learn one of the names of G0d---El Roi, " the God who sees me"(v.13).
Like Hagar, you may be on difficult journey---feeling lost and alone. But remember that even in the wasteland, God sees you.
Reach out to Him and trust Him to guide you through...
INSIGHT:
How encouraging it is to know that those who are marginalized by what others do to them or by what they do to themselves don't escape the attention of God. Genesis 16 emphasizes this with two names---the name of a place, Beer Lahai Roi ("the well of the Living One who sees me", v.14) and the name of a son, Ishmael ("God will hear", v.11). The words " the Lord has heard of your misery"(v.11) shown the keen nature of diving hearing. The root word of "has heard" is the oft-used Hebrew word Shama" which means " to hear, listen, or obey." Indeed, " The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry" (PSALM 34:15).
NEXT:
OUR DAILY BREAD:
LIVE LIKE YOU'RE HEALED: (ACTS 3: 1-10).
TWO SISTERS FROM INDIA WERE BORN BLIND. Their father was a hard-working provider, but he could never afford the surgery that would give them sight. Then a team of doctors came to their region on a short-term medical mission. The morning after their surgery, the girls smiled wide as the nurse unwrapped their bandages. One exclaimed, "Mother, I can see! I can see!".
A man who had been lame since birth sat in his usual spot at a temple gate, begging for money. Peter told the man he didn't have coins, but he had something better. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk" (Acts3:6), he said. The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went...jumping, and praising God" (v.8).
The sisters and the man appreciated their eyes and legs more than those who were never blind or lame. The girls couldn't stop blinking in amazement and celebration, and the man "jumped to his feet".
Consider you own natural abilities. How might you enjoy these abilities more, and how might you use them differently, if you had been miraculously healed?
Now consider this. If you believe in Jesus, He's healed you spiritually. He's healed you spiritually. He's rescued you from your sins.
Let's thank the One who made and saved us and dedicate all that He gave us to him.
INSIGHT:
Early in their training, Jesus sent His disciples "out two by two" (Mark 6:7). It seems that Peter and John thrived in this pattern since they're often seen working together (Luke22:8; John20:3-4; Acts3:1, 4:1;8:14). In Acts3:1-10, we see them together at the temple. The Jews had three daily times of prayer: 9a.m., 12 noon, and 3p.m. (see Psalm55:17, Daniel6:10, Acts 10:30). The temple would've been crowded with the Jews who'd come to offer their prayers. As devout Jews, Peter and John may have come to the temple to offer their evening prayers too. Additionally, and more likely, they might have come to tell the crowd gathered there about Jesus (Acts 3:11-4:2, 5:20-21,42). Beggers were apt to gather at the temple because devotees who came to seek God's blessings were more willing to give alms in the hope of impressing Him with their generosity.
NEXT:
OUR DAILY BREAD:
FOLLOWED BY GOD'S GOODNESS: (PSALM 23:6)
AT MY FIRST JOB DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, I worked at a women's clothing store where a female security guard dressed as a shopper followed women, she thought might steal merchandise. Certain people fit profiles of those the store owners' thought were suspicious. Others not considered a threat were left alone. Others not considered a threat were left alone. I've been profiled in stores myself and followed, and interesting experience since I still recognize the tactic.
In sharp contrast, David declared he was followed by a divine blessing---God's goodness and mercy. These two gifts always stay close, following him not with suspicion but with real love. The "twin guardian angels", as evangelist Charles Spurgeon described the pair, follow believers closely during both bleak days and bright. "The dreary days of winter as well as the bright days of summer. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins".
As a onetime Shepard, David understood this intentional pairing of goodness and mercy as it's provided by God. Other things could follow believers---fear, worry, temptation, doubts. But "surely", David declares with undoubting certainty, God's kind goodness and loving mercy follow us always.
As David rejoiced, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6).
What an amazing gift to follow us home!
PSALM 23:
1)THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I LACK NOTHING.
2)HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES, HE LEADS ME BESIDE QUIET WATERS,
3)HE REFRESHES MY SOUL. HE GUIDES ME ALONG THE RIGHT PATHS FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE.
4)EVEN THOUGH I WALIK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.
5)YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES. YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP OVERFLOWS.
6)SURELY YOUR GOODNESS AND LOVE WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.
YOU ARE THE GOD WHO SEES ME.
EARY MORNING CAN BE PAINFUL FOR MY FRIEND ALMA, a single mom of two. She says, "When everything is quiet, worries surface. As I do household chores, I think about our financial concerns and the kids' health and studies".
When her husband abandoned her, Alma bore the responsibility of raising her children on her own. "It's difficult," she says, "but I know God sees me and my family. He gives me the strength to work two jobs, provides for our needs, and lets my kids experience His guidance each day".
Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, understood what it meant to be seen by God. After she got pregnant by Abram, she began to despise Sarai (Gensis 16:4), who in turn mistreated her, causing Hagar to flee to the desert. Hagar found herself alone, facing a future that seemed bleak and hopeless for her and her unborn child.
But it was in the desert that "the angel of the Lord"(v.7) met her and said, "The Lord has heard of your misery" (v.11). The angel of God gave Hagar guidance on what to do, and He assured her of what the future would hold. From her we learn one of the names of G0d---El Roi, " the God who sees me"(v.13).
Like Hagar, you may be on difficult journey---feeling lost and alone. But remember that even in the wasteland, God sees you.
Reach out to Him and trust Him to guide you through...
INSIGHT:
How encouraging it is to know that those who are marginalized by what others do to them or by what they do to themselves don't escape the attention of God. Genesis 16 emphasizes this with two names---the name of a place, Beer Lahai Roi ("the well of the Living One who sees me", v.14) and the name of a son, Ishmael ("God will hear", v.11). The words " the Lord has heard of your misery"(v.11) shown the keen nature of diving hearing. The root word of "has heard" is the oft-used Hebrew word Shama" which means " to hear, listen, or obey." Indeed, " The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry" (PSALM 34:15).
NEXT:
OUR DAILY BREAD:
LIVE LIKE YOU'RE HEALED: (ACTS 3: 1-10).
TWO SISTERS FROM INDIA WERE BORN BLIND. Their father was a hard-working provider, but he could never afford the surgery that would give them sight. Then a team of doctors came to their region on a short-term medical mission. The morning after their surgery, the girls smiled wide as the nurse unwrapped their bandages. One exclaimed, "Mother, I can see! I can see!".
A man who had been lame since birth sat in his usual spot at a temple gate, begging for money. Peter told the man he didn't have coins, but he had something better. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk" (Acts3:6), he said. The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went...jumping, and praising God" (v.8).
The sisters and the man appreciated their eyes and legs more than those who were never blind or lame. The girls couldn't stop blinking in amazement and celebration, and the man "jumped to his feet".
Consider you own natural abilities. How might you enjoy these abilities more, and how might you use them differently, if you had been miraculously healed?
Now consider this. If you believe in Jesus, He's healed you spiritually. He's healed you spiritually. He's rescued you from your sins.
Let's thank the One who made and saved us and dedicate all that He gave us to him.
INSIGHT:
Early in their training, Jesus sent His disciples "out two by two" (Mark 6:7). It seems that Peter and John thrived in this pattern since they're often seen working together (Luke22:8; John20:3-4; Acts3:1, 4:1;8:14). In Acts3:1-10, we see them together at the temple. The Jews had three daily times of prayer: 9a.m., 12 noon, and 3p.m. (see Psalm55:17, Daniel6:10, Acts 10:30). The temple would've been crowded with the Jews who'd come to offer their prayers. As devout Jews, Peter and John may have come to the temple to offer their evening prayers too. Additionally, and more likely, they might have come to tell the crowd gathered there about Jesus (Acts 3:11-4:2, 5:20-21,42). Beggers were apt to gather at the temple because devotees who came to seek God's blessings were more willing to give alms in the hope of impressing Him with their generosity.
NEXT:
OUR DAILY BREAD:
FOLLOWED BY GOD'S GOODNESS: (PSALM 23:6)
AT MY FIRST JOB DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, I worked at a women's clothing store where a female security guard dressed as a shopper followed women, she thought might steal merchandise. Certain people fit profiles of those the store owners' thought were suspicious. Others not considered a threat were left alone. Others not considered a threat were left alone. I've been profiled in stores myself and followed, and interesting experience since I still recognize the tactic.
In sharp contrast, David declared he was followed by a divine blessing---God's goodness and mercy. These two gifts always stay close, following him not with suspicion but with real love. The "twin guardian angels", as evangelist Charles Spurgeon described the pair, follow believers closely during both bleak days and bright. "The dreary days of winter as well as the bright days of summer. Goodness supplies our needs, and mercy blots out our sins".
As a onetime Shepard, David understood this intentional pairing of goodness and mercy as it's provided by God. Other things could follow believers---fear, worry, temptation, doubts. But "surely", David declares with undoubting certainty, God's kind goodness and loving mercy follow us always.
As David rejoiced, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6).
What an amazing gift to follow us home!
PSALM 23:
1)THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I LACK NOTHING.
2)HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES, HE LEADS ME BESIDE QUIET WATERS,
3)HE REFRESHES MY SOUL. HE GUIDES ME ALONG THE RIGHT PATHS FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE.
4)EVEN THOUGH I WALIK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.
5)YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES. YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP OVERFLOWS.
6)SURELY YOUR GOODNESS AND LOVE WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.