The God Who Sees Me

Good Morning!! "The God Who Sees Me."....When we first focus on these words, we have one of two feeling or thoughts; One: Fear. O'Lord what have I done lately?...What shameful, sinful thing do I wish I could hide from. Two: Gratitude. Thank You Father, for keeping and protecting me. When Hagar first uttered them, it was not as one who felt threatened, but rather with a sense of wonder and delight. We don’t know exactly how that verse should be translated, but I certainly like the contemporary English Version. It is about her seeing God, (amazing!) and God seeing her,...which I find even more important,...especially to anyone feeling as mis-used as Hagar was.

Hagar thought, "Have I really seen God and lived to tell about it?" So from then on she called him, "The God Who Sees Me."—Genesis 16:13 (CEV)

From time, to time, we need to remind ourselves of what all those “seeing” words can imply. We think of a mother seeing to her baby and looking after it, of her provision for it and supervision of it. This new name for God, El Roi, was revealed to Hagar rather than to Abraham. It tells us that Abraham’s God has a deep concern for those who, like Hagar, are outsiders who come into contact with His people. He has similar plans for them also (v. 10). They too will be blessed when their eyes, and hearts, are opened to Him.

Those who resect God, has no reason to fear Him.
Father God, so many of our friends don't know You,...and can’t see You as yet,...please open their eyes. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"God’s presence brings great comfort."

Fear "Phobia"

Good Morning!! The word “phobia” comes from the Greek word for fear, phobos. One could explain a phobia as an irrational fear of something that can potentially be harmful. Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, for example, is an abnormal fear of spiders. Spider bites can be deadly, but most spiders are harmless and if a person gets bit by one, the chances of it being a lethal bite are minimal. Still, a person who suffers from this phobia, can’t be told to “not worry” when they see one of those eight-legged monsters.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."—Luke 12:32 (NIV)

Everyone has their “issue”,...but what if you have lots? As I researched multi-fears (panphobia), I learned that this is more than the every day worrywart sort of fear. It’s a medical condition that is persistent, often debilitating, and very difficult to treat. It’s related to the paranoia typically found in Schizophrenics. After discovering this, I quickly realized that most of us don't have panphobias,...we're not necessarily afraid of everything, we just worry about every little thing. And in case you’re wondering, the definition for the Greek word for worry (merimnao) has more to do with an anxious concern than a debilitating fear.


So today, I’m going to share some helpful scripture with you. The following verses declare that His truth is greater than any worse-case-scenario,...or even real-life-circumstance we can encounter.

“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22)
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)
“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8b)
“Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6b)
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1: 17b, 18)

Isn’t it great that God doesn’t tell us to do something without equipping us to do it first! Through His Word, He encourages and prepares us to face the world, which is after all, can be pretty scary place… especially with all of those blasted spiders!


"God’s presence brings great comfort

Spiritual Seasons

Good Morning!! The weather changes, because God knows that we need cycles of rest, as much as periods of productivity. He factors into our lives spiritual seasons of sunny skies, rainy days, snowed in days and even some hurricanes, tornados and thunderstorms. Why? Because in each of these events, God wants to show Himself faithful and build our faith to trust in Him.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalm 1:2-3 (KJV)

Make a commitment to understand the ways of the Lord. If every day were perfect, there would be no dependency on God or desire to be with Him in heaven. Factor in time to spend with the Lord before your day starts. He will prepare you for the changes in your spiritual life for the day. The Lord's desire for you is to be stable and consistent, even when the seasons are not.

By considering God in our day, we will find peace and joy regardless of what the weather brings.



We tend to look for quick-fixes to difficult solutions,..but, often God's plan is that we hang in there,...so that we may grow.

"If we’re not on guard against evil ,...we’ll find ourselves being influenced by evil."

In Need of a Savior

Good Morning!! Today's scripture below, is one most of us would read with confusion. As Christians we know we’re sinners in need of a Savior. So, every Sunday at church, we thank God for His divine intervention through Christ’s death on the cross. Yet the very One sent to die for us seems to be asking us here to be that which we know we can’t,...perfect. Not just really, really good,...but perfect,...in the way God is perfect. 1 Peter 1:15-16, doesn’t use the word “perfect”,...but instead calls believers to “holiness”.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.—Matthew 5:48 (NIV)

Holiness transcends what someone does (or doesn’t do) and ties directly into who God is. As believers, we aren’t necessarily called to be “perfect” by the world’s standards, but instead to reflect God’s nature to others. His goodness, truth, strength, and love. The only way we can accurately reflect God to others is to strive daily to know Him,...to spend more time in His presence,...to meditate on His Word. Unlike any so called self-help approach, the more we focus on God, the less self-focused we become. And the more available we make ourselves to God's transforming grace in our lives.

"Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to His beloved is that of overcoming self."
(St. Francis of Assisi)



Lord we don't want to waste time trying to fix the things we know we can't,...nor do we need to cover them up. Instead we acknowledge them, and turn them over to You. Our perfection is not gained by any actions of our own, but by Your sacrifice and grace. And we thank You. Amen.

"If we’re not on guard against evil ,
...we’ll find ourselves being influenced by evil."

We Were Created To Glorify Him

Good Morning!! Our whole reason for being here on earth, is for relationship. First, with our Creator (we were created to glorify Him!). And then with those around us (fellowship with family and friends as members to form the Body). Bearing one's self, is a scary thing to do. Submit our lives to God,...and draw close to Him,...so that he might use us as instruments of righteousness. And it's not easy sharing and giving of ourselves with those around us either. Will they accept us,...or will they reject us when they find out who we really are?

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.—Psalm 139:3 (NIV)

Our desire is to be known and loved anyway,...no matter who we are or what we're doing. The fear of rejection makes it hard to reach out,...though, deep down inside each one of us, the longing to be known and accepted never goes away. We must continue to put aside our sinful natures and seek relationship with God,...as he seeks relationship with us. And to live out this example as we strive to know and be known by others here on earth.

Reach out and touch someone,
...it can bring relief and healing to you both,...as it glorifies God.
Father God, we thank You for meeting us right where we are,...and for loving us, even more than we could love ourselves. Help us to be better, at reflecting Your love, for a lonely, fearful world. Amen.

"If we’re not on guard against evil ,...we’ll find ourselves being influenced by evil."

Beyond God's Reach

Good Morning!! Do you know someone you think may be beyond God's reach? Someone whose life has sunk to such depths, that they've done things you could never have imagined? They are so far from the person you knew, or hoped they'd be. Most of have encountered people like that,...in most cases it's someone we love,...like a family member, being consumed by drugs or alcohol.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.—Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Before you completely lose hope for another's soul,...remember, ours' is the GOD of comebacks, and second chances. The Bible illustrates that some of the greatest Christian Saints, were some of the most broken people. Some are touched early, and some touched much later, in life. As long as they are alive,...there is still hope. We must pray for them, until they learn to pray for themselves. Their story can and will be, a testament to God's transforming power,...if we faint not. Transformations come by; tearful prayers, pleading for a broken life to change,...and God pouring out His graces. While healing may not come overnight, all can eventually experience new life. And hope can be renewed, for to those battling addictions,...and the people who love them.

Gripped by their disease, and making one poor choice after another,
...they need help, just asking for help.
Lord, be merciful to us all,...sinners. Help us to realize that when we depend on You,...we'll have no need to depend on anything else.
Father, we pray grace and mercy on all that struggle with addictions, as well as the friends and family, that love them. We pray that hearts are healed, and lives are changed,...and that You be glorified. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"If we’re not on guard against evil ,
...we’ll find ourselves being influenced by evil."

The Power of Life and Death...

Good Morning,...A Marvelous Week Lies Ahead!!! We often choose to ignore the importance of the tongue,...we'd often forget it has "the power of life and death." We may even think or believe that our tongue is more like an appendix or a gall bladder,...not all that important,...but that's just not the case. We never forget the painful things that are said to us. Snapping at family when we're tired, nagging, and complaining all release a poison from our tongue. Not to mention, how easily we infect others by verbalizing our negative thoughts and attitudes.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.—Proverbs 18:21(NIV)

In Genesis 1, God spoke into the darkness, and there was light. Those "mere words" created something from nothing, showing the power of speaking out. This verse, has meaning for us too, since we are created in God's image. We are meant to speak out and bring light from the darkness as He did. That's the power of the tongue, used for good. We know it has power, so the question is whether we'll speak light,...or just add to the darkness.

Try as we might, we'll never control, tame or train our tongue,
...not without the help of the Holy Spirit.
Sweet Spirit of God, help us to control our tongues. Teach us to pause before we speak,...and be more aware of the harm our words can cause. Allow us to speak love and healing, as Jesus taught. And if what we have to say, does not help, let us keep it to ourselves. Help us to speak fewer words, with greater understanding. Amen.

"If we’re not on guard against evil ,
...we’ll find ourselves being influenced by evil."