How Does God See You?

When the angel of the Lord visited Gideon, he greeted him as a "mighty man of valor". (Judges 6:12) Gideon did not hold this sentiment. He saw himself as the youngest son of a poor man in Israel. One of the lowest on the totem pole. But God didn't see Gideon that way. God saw Gideon as a valiant warrior who would lead Israel to crush their enemy.

Abram had no children. Not one solitary child to carry on his name. But God saw him as the father of nations, and changed Abram's name. (Genesis 17:4, 5) For years, Abram was called a "father of nations" while he had no children. God saw that Abraham's future was filled with descendants who would become God's chosen people.

When Gabriel visited Mary, he called her a blessed and favored woman of God. (Luke 1:28) Mary was puzzled with the greeting. She didn't see anything particularly special about herself. But God knew she was destined to give birth to the Messiah.  The Lord knew that she was worthy to raise the Son of God.

How does the Lord see you? What name does He have for you?

So often we allow our present situations the authority to dictate how we see ourselves. But we need to begin to see ourselves the same way that God sees us. While we are noticing our lack, our need, and our failings, God sees our victorious, prosperous, destined selves.

Today, go before the Lord and ask Him to show you how He sees you. Allow your Heavenly Father to minister to your inner man the great person that you really are. You are God's special creation. You're not ordinary. You're not average. You're not plain.

You're unique. You are one of a kind. You are God's spectacular child!

Verse of the Day: Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! Psalm 139:14-17

Wednesday's Word: Beautiful Beings

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Psalm 139:13-18

Have you ever sat and thought about how intricate you are as a created being? From the way your blood pumps through your body to the way you balance on two feet to the way your eyes take in the world... You are truly amazing!

God took time to create your being. He fashioned you with love and care. He didn't just give you a body, either. He gave you life! He plotted out a special purpose and destiny for you. He formulated a plan to allow you to be the best you that you could be.

Even as the Lord took care of you before you even made your appearance on this planet, He is always with you. He knows what you are facing, and He understands what you are going through. Today, take some time to give Him praise as the Creator of your fabulous self! Give Him honor for honoring you with His full attention. Send Him some love for how He has taken care of you.

Uniqueness All Around

Last night my church had a great discussion on the soul during Bible Study. It was really interesting and I learned some things. Plus, the topic was so intriguing, I'm going to be doing some further study on the soul on my own.

Nights like yesterday always remind me of why God created all of us with different thought patterns, ways of seeing the world, and personalities. None of us is the same. All of us have something unique and different to offer that will help better those around us.

The Bible says that there is safety in the company of good counsel. (Proverbs 11:14) Also, friends help to "sharpen" each other in their daily walk. (Proverbs 27:17) Because of the effects we can have on each other, the Word also cautions us to not be "unequally yoked" with those who do not believe in Christ.

So, who is sharpening you? What have you learned from those around you? Are you sharing your unique insights and viewpoints with the world?

Today, enjoy the uniqueness of those around you. Remember God created each one of us especially for a specific reason and purpose. Don't hide you're exclusive qualities, share them with the world!

Verse of the Day: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14