Quote: Oswald Chambers

 

The Gift of Being Seen and Known by God

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her:

‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said,

‘I have now seen the One who sees me.'”

Genesis 16:13

I called my closest friend with joyful expectation. Sunday afternoon was our time to spend together. However, she told me she had promised another friend she’d go to the cinema, and we couldn’t meet. She didn’t invite me to join, nor did she offer me another time to talk or meet.

I felt the rejection hardening my stomach with its icy sting.

Have you felt this sting too? Have you struggled with rejection from your family, friends or co-workers?

Rejection is truly one of the most painful human experiences. It cuts to the core of our being and projects powerful and heart-shattering messages like:

You are not enough.
Your work is not good enough.
You are not loved.
You don't deserve it.
You don't belong.
You are worthless.
You will never measure up.

These harmful messages can damage our identity and relationships if we believe and internalize them.

But God’s Word has a different message. One of my favorite passages in the Old Testament is the story of Hagar - an abused and rejected woman who experienced God's love and care.

Genesis 16 tells us Hagar was the slave of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who was barren and used Hagar as a surrogate mother. This changed the dynamic in the family, and Sarah began to mistreat Hagar. Rejected and despised, Hagar fled to the desert.

There, God sent an angel with a personal message for her. God Himself manifested His presence with Hagar in a powerful way: He came to this woman and brought encouragement, comfort, vision for the future, and a magnificent promise to bless her family.

Hagar gleaned hope from the angel’s words about God’s love and acceptance of her, and she trusted the message. She heard God saying:

I see you.
You are valuable to Me.
I love you.
I accept you.
I have a plan for you.
I will take care of you.
I will not abandon or reject you.

Hagar gave a name to the Lord right then and there: “‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’” (Genesis 16:13).

Imagine this for a moment: God sees, understands and loves every part of your being. He sees your past, present and future. God sees the hurt and even the invisible wounds in your heart. He sees the light and the darkness.

And He stays; He does not reject. He sees your true self, and all parts of your story come together as His plan unfolds.

May we accept this gift of being seen and known by God, letting Him heal our wounded hearts as only He can.

Dear Lord, rejection is hard. I sometimes struggle with lies bombarding my mind, and I doubt my worth as a person. Let me experience Your unconditional love and acceptance in a fresh way. Heal my wounds, and impart Your blessings to me. I want to see the One who sees me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Hadassah Treu

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Music: "Friend In High Places"

New Life

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated - we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6,7). At conversion we do not merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master.

You do not become a Christian by asking Jesus into your heart. You become a Christian when you are born again. Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Saying a prayer or making a public commitment or signing a decision card will not save you. Only being born again will do that. The apostle Paul said that when you are “in Christ,” the old things pass away. In the moment of your salvation, every sin you ever committed is forgiven. Healing for every hurt you have ever suffered is available. Love and acceptance are yours despite every failure you have ever experienced. Your past, no matter how difficult or painful, is completely and thoroughly provided for.

Some will seek to diminish the awesome reality of your spiritual rebirth. You will hear them say, “Even though you're now a Christian, you must still undergo years of counseling to overcome the hurts you've experienced” or “You may be born again, but you'll continue to struggle with your sin, and hopefully you will eventually gain victory in areas of your weakness.”

The problem is that we seek changes by our own will rather than by turning our lives over in faith to the One who has given us new life. The profound testimony of Scripture is that the blood of Jesus Christ and the death of the Son of God is sufficient to completely free you from your sin. Satan will seek to convince you that it is not. Whom will you believe?

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Meme: Why Me?

God Never Gets Tired of Hearing About It

“Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8

Sometimes I can’t shake the feeling that I’m a burden.

I’ve even felt this way during prayer-request time in my weekly small group - one of my favorite moments with some of my closest friends from church. We’ve shared so many beautiful and difficult things. But when it comes time for me to speak, I sometimes hesitate.

Normally I’m an open book, quick to share what’s on my heart. But what if they’re tired of hearing about this? The thought echoes in my mind. So instead of being honest, I keep my requests safe and surface level.

There are seasons in life that last far longer than we expect - times when the same frustrations seem to keep repeating. Though I know my friends would listen without complaint, the weight of my burden feels too heavy, and I don't want to place it on their shoulders.

Maybe you’ve felt this way too. Whether it’s a lingering struggle with your health, a broken relationship that continues to cause pain, or a financial need that feels impossible to overcome, it can feel never-ending and overwhelming.

But, even if those around us grow weary of hearing our struggles, God never does. He invites us to come to Him.

Psalm 62:8 reminds us, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

God not only calls us to trust Him with our challenges but welcomes us to pour out everything burdening our hearts - worries, sorrows, frustrations and unfulfilled hopes. In Him we find the shelter we need in the middle of storms that seem too long to bear.

Despite the nights when I've sat in that small group and held back what I wanted to say, I find comfort in knowing that God is never burdened by what weighs on my heart. He never tires of my repeated prayers.

Sometimes what our weary hearts need most is to pour everything out to Jesus. He invites us to bring it all - no matter how messy or heavy it feels. He offers the strength we long for and the compassionate ear we crave. He provides exactly what we need.

So let's dare to run to Him as our safe place. He will never grow weary of our tears.

Oh Lord, help me to remember that You have asked me to trust You with all my heart. Thank You that no matter how many times my burden comes to my mind, I can pour it out to You again. Help me feel Your tender protection from this storm as I come to You, my Shelter. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Ashley Morgan Jackson
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Meme: I Can't Wait...

Sermon: Where You Meet With God

 

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"When you pray, I want you to share everything with Me: your joys and heartaches, your struggles and triumphs, your worries and questions. I am your best Friend - pour out your heart to Me. And then thank Me for the answers that are already on the way."

"Jesus has the power of God. His power has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness."

- 2 Peter 1:3 (ICB)

- "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

Music: "Miracle Power"

 

Q&A: Am I "Religious" or "Spiritual"?

Question:
I'm a born again Christian, however, I do not believe in organized (man made) religion. Am I considered to be "religious", "spiritual" or something else?

Answer:
Great question! While "religious" and "spiritual" are often used interchangeably, they describe two different ways of relating to the world and the divine.

Being Religious

• Organized Beliefs and Practices: Typically involves regular worship and rituals in a community setting, often according to the doctrines of a particular faith. Examples include attending church, mosque, synagogue, or temple.

• Sacred Texts: Religions usually have holy books or scriptures, such as the Bible, Quran, Torah, or Vedas.

• Authority Structure: There are often defined leaders, such as priests, imams, rabbis, or monks, who guide the community and interpret sacred texts.

• Cultural and Social Identity: Religion can also be a big part of cultural and family identity, influencing social customs and holidays.

Being Spiritual

• Individual Experience: Emphasizes personal and individual connection with the divine or the transcendent. This can include meditation, personal reflection, and experiencing nature.

• Flexible and Inclusive Beliefs: A spiritual person may draw from multiple religious traditions or none at all, creating a personal belief system.

• Less Formal Structure: There may be no set rituals or community worship; instead, spirituality is often more fluid and open-ended.

• Focus on Inner Life: Often involves seeking personal growth, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the universe.

Some people see themselves as both religious and spiritual, finding that the two aspects complement each other. Others might identify more strongly with one or the other. 

Spiritual Christian

• Personal Faith: You maintain a strong, personal connection with Christian teachings and Jesus Christ, focusing on your relationship with God rather than following formal practices or church structures.

• Flexible Practice: Instead of adhering strictly to church rituals, you might choose to express your faith through prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, and living according to Christian values in your daily life.

• Individual Beliefs: Your faith is shaped by your personal experiences, reflection, and interpretations of Christian teachings, independent of institutional doctrines.

You might be considered part of a growing group of people who identify as "spiritual but not religious" (SBNR), where the emphasis is on personal spirituality rather than organized religion. It's all about what feels authentic and meaningful to you!

(Answer obtained via Microsoft Copilot)