Seen

Seen

Genesis 16: ¹³ Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” ¹⁴ Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

 

¹⁵ So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. ¹⁶ Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

 

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Hagar had a conversation with JESUS, the Angel of the LORD. She had probably heard about GOD from Abram, but may have never experienced HIM. JESUS sought out Hagar after she had escaped the persecution of Sarai. HE told her HE would make her have many descendants. When she heard this, she knew it was GOD speaking to her.

 

My Observations:

• Hagar’s situation did not change, only her mindset.
• Hagar had a rare face to face conversation with JESUS without asking, praying, giving, going to church or praising GOD.
• Hagar may have become committed to the LORD so she named the place Lahai Roi, possibly to remind her of what happened.

 

One thing to notice about Hagar’s encounter is that she did not ask for anything. She did not ask for Sarai to be kinder or for her to become rich enough to leave comfortably. She was so excited about seeing GOD and being seen by HIM, that she went back to serve under Sarai.

 

GOD changed her mind so that she could endure. She was part of GOD’s plan, even though she would not be the one who would fulfil the promise GOD made to Abram. Hagar’s encounter with JESUS made her see things differently. GOD saw Hagar.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think Hagar seemed excited?
• Have you ever had a memorable encounter with the LORD?
• Do you know GOD sees you and wants HIS best for you today?

Out of Sight Out of Mind

 

Out of Sight Out of Mind

Romans 6: ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. ²¹ And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. ²² But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

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Dirty underwear, toys and stuff I found outside were shoved under my bed. The directive was to “clean my room.” I cleaned the room in record time. I knocked everything onto the floor, pushed it under the bed and sat down with a grin. As long as no one looked under the bed, I would never be suspected of being a slob.

 

• Many times I have hidden things I was ashamed of.
• Many times I shoved what I was ashamed of, into hidden places.
• Many times I hid the garbage to have the appearance of looking clean.

 

Paul explains that we are no longer slaves to sin. He tries to reason with everyone about the temporary nature of sin. It brings on pleasure for a moment, but causes people to do things that remain hidden. If the thing was so “good” then why not say it to everyone? Paul then provides the right way, namely to do those things that lead to holiness.

 

• GOD wants me to step out of the dark, hidden places and show HIS light.
• GOD wants me to do things that I am not ashamed of.
• GOD wants me to be bold enough to accept HIS free gift of love which is eternal life through CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

 

Shame causes me to seek more shame. I may even find a group of people who accept the shameful things I do so I can feel “good” about myself. BUT GOD wants something different.

 

Instead of seeking destruction, covering it up and pretending everything is fine, GOD wants me to seek HIS path which leads to HIS holiness and HIS eternal life. Giving up sin is sometimes hard, especially when I practice hiding it. BUT GOD helps me by providing courage to express my sin, little by little. I am grateful for JESUS who freed me from my path to death.

 

• What are you shoving under your bed?
• Do you pretend to be “good” or do you seek a crowd that will accept what you do?
• Will you seek what GOD wants for you so HE can guide you to an abundant everlasting life?

As You Are

As You Are

John 21: ¹¹ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

¹⁴ This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

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Thinking I had to be just like other people, I mimicked several folk’s moves. I wore the styles of one person, talked like another, and discussed car desires of another. An observer, who knew me before I started mimicking, asked “What are you doing?” I said I wanted to be successful. They replied, “Just be yourself.”

• At one point I thought I did not have what it took to be successful.
• At one point I thought I had to be like someone else, because I felt the way I was could not possibly be successful.
• At one point I desired to be successful, but was scared that people would see my flaws.

Peter came to his senses and started helping drag the huge catch of fish to shore. Not only did they catch one hundred and fifty-three fish, something amazing happened. The net did not break. The net was just as it was before, but did amazing things.

• GOD wants to use me just as I am.
• GOD wants to do amazing things through me without needing me to be someone else.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIS power and only I can reach a certain group of people HE has given to me.

When JESUS called HIS disciples, HE never said, “Change for ME” rather HE said “Follow ME.” This bold statement enables me to remain who I am, yet follow HIS examples. HE also takes care of the miracles. The miracle of the net shows me HE can take my pitiful efforts and use them for miraculous things. I am glad GOD delivers, every time, in miraculous ways.

• Do you feel inadequate?
• Do you think you cannot possibly be used for something large?
• Will you stop thinking it is your power that makes you succeed rather GOD’s power?

Heart of All

Matthew 18: ¹⁰ “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

¹² “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? ¹³ And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. ¹⁴ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

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Looking around I could see no familiar faces. I panicked and began crying as I had no way to get myself “found.” People came over to me and led me to an office, but this provided no comfort. I was noticed, but not “found.”

• It is scary being lost.
• It is terrifying being in an unknown place where it seems to be no way out.
• It is horrifying to be lost with no means to be found.

Humanity can be the same way. Many situations can seem so overwhelming to me that I feel “lost” with no way out. BUT GOD has an answer for that.

• GOD sees me when I am in need and answers prayer before I even ask.
• GOD knows my every fear and guides me out of the darkness.
• GOD understands when I am lost and seeks me before I seek him.

I should never pretend that I am not lost when it comes to GOD. Admitting I have no idea how to be found is a start, but doesn’t do anything if no one is looking for me. GOD decided to search for me in my “lost” state. HE tapped on my heart to show me the way. It was up to me to follow HIM back to a place where it was safe. I rejoice over GOD’s search for me!

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you know your own way?
• Can you let go and allow GOD to lead you back to HIM?