The God Who Sees

 Do you ever feel like a tiny little speck in a great big world? I do. It is a lonely feeling, a feeling that no one sees you, or understands how you feel or what you need. I remember the first time I felt the overwhelming reality that I was indeed a tiny little speck in a great big world. The front porch of our house had two swings, one on each end, and my sisters and I would often sit in those swings and make up all sorts of games. We imagined the swings were airplanes, or trains, or even ships on the ocean and we were all on a journey to a far away land. We especially loved to play those games on rainy summer nights and on one such stormy night while pretending we were in the middle of the ocean, I looked out into that big front yard with all those trees and felt so tiny, so small. I remember exactly where I was, which swing I was in, and just how I felt: a tiny little speck in a great big world.

Many years have passed since that dark, rainy night in that front porch swing, but I can still experience feeling small and unseen. In the Old Testament book of Genesis, a young woman named Hagar experienced the same feelings: she felt alone and that no one saw her.

Hagar was a maid servant to Sarah, Abraham's wife. She was an Egyptian and she became a part of their household when Abraham had taken his clan to Egypt, and because of his deception to the Pharaoh, he was commanded to leave. The Pharaoh had given Hagar to Sarah while Sarah was living in Pharaoh's house and when Abraham was ordered to leave, Hagar went with them and she became the property of Sarah. Her life was completely controlled by her mistress, she had no say-so at all, and when Sarah was unable to have children, she gave Hagar to Abraham as his concubine. The child they would have together would be considered the child of Sarah and Abraham. But as soon as Hagar was expecting, everything changed. Whether it was jealousy or pride, the two women found themselves in a much different relationship than before. Hagar became insolent and when Sarah complained to Abraham, he told her to take control of the situation. She did, and when she disciplined Hagar, Hagar ran away. 

In Genesis 16, Hagar finds herself in the wilderness, all alone, and afraid. But then an amazing thing happened: the incarnate Lord appeared to her, an Egyptian girl, a Gentile, and asked her why she was in that wilderness place. She told Him she was done, (I've said that a few times) she was leaving, (felt like doing that a few times) she said, "I'm running and I'm not going back!"

In verses 9-12, the Lord told her to return to Sarah and to "submit" to Sarah's authority. And then He made her some amazing promises that let her know she was not alone, she was important, He saw her. She was expecting a child and that child would become a great man and do great things. 

I love reading the Hebrew names for God and I want you to mark Genesis 16:14 in your Bible and when you feel all alone, that no one sees you, this verse will assure you that you are seen and known by God: v14; Then she called the name of the Lord Who spoke to her, Jehovah Roi, the God Who Sees; "For," she said, "Have I also seen Him Who sees me."

Maybe you are in a wilderness place today. Maybe your wilderness is financial, or a relationship with someone you love is strained, or maybe you are feeling alone because of your health. No matter your wilderness place, or how alone or unseen you may feel, Jehovah Roi sees you. He sees exactly where you are physically and spiritually, and He cares. 

Hagar was obedient to God. She went back to Sarah and to her home. She had a son and named him Ishmael, just as the Lord commanded. God kept HIs promises to her, and Ishmael became a great man.  I believe Hagar often called out to Jehovah Roi and each time she did she knew that "she had seen Him Who saw her."

Are you feeling like a tiny little speck in a great big world? Look to Jehovah Roi because He is looking at you. 

Penny

It's Time to be Bold

I do not like confrontations. I do not like to disagree, hurt someone's feelings.....take a stand. I like happy, feel good moments with everyone getting along, smiling and agreeing, in other words, "I'm not a fighter." But just the other day I learned a very important lesson that I pray I don't soon forget: true believers, true followers of Christ, Christians living under the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ are called upon, yes even commanded to confront, disagree, hurt the feelings of a loved one if necessary...to take a stand.

I have tried to stay clear of battles on Facebook concerning the election, (will it ever be over?) the pandemic controversy of mask or no mask, ( I'm saving money on makeup) and the endless lists of opinions on everything from laundry detergent to the best way to peel a banana. But ladies, when it comes to biblical authority it is time to be bold. It is time to stand.

Almost 20 years ago a young woman began attending my Sunday School class. She was so sweet, so eager to learn and in the course of time she became a believer and began to grow in her faith. I invested myself in her by praying for her and with her, and listening to her questions about the Bible and how to apply it to her life. I've watched her mature as a wife and Mom, teacher of young children and faithful Christian. She has blessed me many times by thanking me for mentoring her in her faith. She is kind, soft spoken, doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or stir the pot so to speak, but she became the teacher and I the student as I watched her take a stand and be bold.

My friend is pro life and outspoken about her convictions. She not only says that she is pro life, she backs it up with her involvement in children's causes. After sharing a pro life post on her Facebook page, a person she respected and liked challenged her belief. And when I read this young woman's response I had to share what I learned:

1. Begin with the positive. Thank them for sharing their feelings with you. Ask how they are doing, give them a heartfelt compliment or word of encouragement.

2. Respect them and their opinion. The tone of our voice or the tone of the words we speak or write telegraph our respect or disrespect. To be bold does not necessarily mean being loud.

3. State your convictions without apology. A conviction is much different than a preference or opinion. A conviction defines us and dictates our words and actions. Believers live by our convictions, not our opinions. We owe no one an answer or apology for our convictions. Convictions influence people. Leaders lead by conviction, not by opinion.

4. Be ok with walking away. Not everyone will agree with you or respect you. If that changes me, then I need a time of reflection and self-examination. If someone is not ok with my convictions, I must decide where my loyalty lies: with my Savior or with what others think of me.

I believe the time of our Lord's return is near, and if there ever was a time for Christian women to be bold in our faith and convictions it is now. In Esther 4:4 Mordaci said to her, "Who knows if you were brought to the kingdom for such a time as this?" You and I were not placed her in this time and place by accident: we are here "For such a time as this." We are here to be bold.

Penny

  

 

My Forever Home

I love Fixer Upper. I love Property Brothers, Home Town, you name it I really enjoy home improvement shows and one phrase that seems to be the theme of most of them is, "forever home."

I like old stuff. Old dishes, old furniture, old houses, David loves old cars, we  like old stuff. There is something so satisfying about getting a room painted, a new area rug, an old drop leaf table with an old pitcher sitting on it filled with hydrangeus from my yard that makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. I'm a nester, I love my home and there is no other place I'd rather be than safely tucked in, within the walls of my little place on earth.

In 2019 Americans spent an average of $9,081.00 on home improvements. We did not, but I sure spent my fair share. Home improvements have increased more than 17% and decorating/renovation cost now surpass home maintenance. Let's face it, we like to decorate our homes. And within reason and the right priorities, there isn't anything wrong with wanting our home to be a refection of our personal style and taste. The Bible even says it's ok and encourages us in Proverbs 31 to "look well to the ways of our household."  In Genesis we can even read about some of the decor that adorned the tents of Sarah, Rebekah and Rachael. But here's the thing.....this little corner where I live is not my forever home. And no matter how much I paint, fix up, keep up with the latest styles and decor of my friends it will still be just a little house here on earth that I live in for just a little while. But..... while I am maintaining my home here on earth and copying what I see on all those decorating shows or trending designs of my friends, Jesus is preparing my real home, my forever home. In John 14:3 Jesus tells me that He is preparing a place for me, a home like nothing I have ever seen or can imagine. Nothing can destroy it, it is mine, His gift to me. It will be decorated beautifully.

In our church service last Sunday evening, our pastor encouraged us to share what we had learned about ourselves during the covid 19 shutdown. I knew without even thinking about it that I had learned the true meaning of contentment. While I grieved over the images I saw on tv about the suffering taking place all over the world, I was content to stay home, to stay put. David and I have lived here almost 50 years. We've raised 3 sons here (believe me it shows the scars) and 9 grandchildren fill it up with love and laughter. (and sometimes a few more scars)  So what do all of these random thoughts and ramblings really boil down to? Simply this:

Don't get caught up in the house and miss the home.
There are no forever homes here on earth.
Let your home really be your home. It's ok if everything doesn't match, if it looks a little dated, if there's a few bumps and scars. Sheetrock can be fixed, believe me I know. Someday I'll write a post about all the holes in the sheetrock from wrestling matches, "hall ball", and yes, walking on your hands and falling into the wall. The memories that are made here are eternal and our kids will learn  early in life what we really value: do we value them more than we value our temporary home? Because you see, children are eternal, they are forever, houses are not.

So... I guess I'll keep watching Joanna Gaines do her thing, and the Property Brothers work themselves crazy trying to create a forever home. But while I"m watching, I won't loose sight of my forever home in Heaven. There, I will live for all of eternity with the One Who made it possible for me to live in a forever home, bought, paid for, created by Him.

Matthew 6:20
Lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven, where moth nor rust corrupts and thieves do  not break in and steal. V21: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Where is your treasure? Where is your heart?

The Most Important Question You Can Ask

The sudden deaths of Kobe Bryant, his young daughter, and seven others has shocked the world. So young, so much life to live, so much to give, and then in an instant it was gone. As a believer I know that God has complete control over life and death, our world and everything in it, but still, we wonder why some who have so much to give and to live for are taken so young, and the evil we see around us continues, unaffected by the good.

I read a short article by Randy Shepherd and Jamie Johnson telling that they had met Kobe Bryant in a hotel lobby at the Summer Olympics. They talked briefly, then they asked him if he had ever accepted Jesus as his Savior and he said yes. They gave him a gospel tract and he took it graciously, the three had their picture taken together, then went their separate ways. Even though I do not know these men, actually never heard of them before, I must say I admire their boldness in asking someone I would think as unapproachable, the most important question that a believer can ask: "Has there been a time in your life when you knew you were lost and you asked Jesus to forgive your sins, then asked Him to save you?"

Many people believe that if the good they do outweighs the bad, they'll go to heaven when we die.

Many believe they must be baptized, be a part of a certain church or movement, or do good works and that will be sufficient. But the Bible declares that the only way to heaven is to: recognize that we are lost without Christ, repent (turn) from our sin, ask Jesus to forgive our sins and to save our soul. 

Be bold today; ask someone you love the most important question. Ask a friend the most important question. And yes, ask someone you hardly know at all the question that could start a conversation that would change a person's eternal destiny.

Listed are scriptures that can help you get started. Be bold. Share your faith. We never know how close someone may be to hearing the gospel message for the last time.

John 3:16
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10: 9, 10

Penny