“She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, “You’re the God who sees me! “Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!”” Genesis‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭MSG‬‬

What do you see when you look out your window? What is in your line of vision? Yesterday, I saw this tree outside my car window and I was intrigued. Look at all of the crooks and turns in the limbs. I wonder what caused the limbs to change direction? I wonder what helped to shape the tree.

Today’s scripture is about Hagar. If you are unfamiliar with her story, take a moment to read Genesis 16 and read it through Hagar’s eyes. Think of how she must have felt. Think of how her life suddenly and drastically changed direction.

Just like Hagar and even like the pictured tree, we may have a change in direction that may or may not be our choice. Like Hagar, our life may take unexpected turns that leaves us feeling lost and deserted. However, we have a God who sees us when the world throws us for a loop.

On this Mindset Monday may each of us focus on the God that sees us. Take some time to listen to the song, “The God Who Sees” by Nicole Mullen. Click here and listen to all the examples in the Bible of God “seeing” the ones whose lives took unexpected turns that left them feeling alone. As you go about your day, notice how God sees you when the world forces a turn in your direction. Look for God around the bend!

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How was your last week? Was it smooth sailing or was it rough and choppy? Do you have a clear vision for your week ahead or do you feel off kilter and out of focus like today’s picture?

Today is Spiritual Sunday. I encourage you not only to go to worship but to also be an active participant. Start right now by reflecting on today’s featured scriptures. Believe these promises and tuck them away in your heart so that when you face hard pressed and crushing moments you will not lose heart or focus. Let’s use the crushing to remind us that God is building inside of us to prepare us for eternal glory. Let’s allow God to use our momentary troubles to prepare us to be His vessel. Let’s not focus on the blurry vision ahead of us, but on what is unseen.

Click here and listen to the song “New Wine” by Hillsong Worship to begin your Spiritual Sunday. Listen to the words and allow God to speak to you about the hard and pressing moments you have experienced. Let God whisper in your ear words of love and strength. You are a vessel of God and you are heading for eternal glory.

“Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1‬ ‭The Passion Translation

Click here and join me as I talk about breath prayers.

I encourage you to read the guest post devotional by Jennifer Tucker on Ann Voskamp’s website; Annvoskamp.com

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Such a simple yet powerful verse. Have you ever stopped to think how big God’s love is? Not only did He sacrifice His only son but He did it for the entire world. Like this beautifully vibrant bird, God’s love is unique and beautiful for each of us.

Do you feel like you have fallen short this week? Whether it is with housework, raising children, or the daunting to-do list, remember how big God’s love is. We can put our complete trust in the Savior of the world. No matter who we are or what is going on in our lives, our stories are interwoven with God’s big love.

Our readers probably don’t realize that Water Walkers reaches people all over the world. From Ireland, Ecuador, Honduras, Pakistan, India, Romania, Canada, France, Mexico, South Africa, and more. Take a moment to watch and listen to this song, John 3:16 in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English, Korean, and Persian.

On this Finish Friday, take a moment to stop, take a deep breath, and smile because you are vibrantly loved.

“Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all Lords. His love never quits.” Psalm‬ ‭136:1-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Often we need to hear things several times before we hear it. We might read over something but not comprehend it. Life gets so busy we neglect to hear and see God. In this message version of Psalms we are told 3 times that God deserves our thanks and that His love never quits. Even on days when we are not listening, like a child we need to be told mutile times.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords love never quits, even on days when we don’t trust. One day this week I was worried about something. I texted my daughter, asking her to pray. Her response was, God’s timing is perfect so don’t worry. God often uses others to deliver a message so that we will hear it loud and clear.

How about when life gets busy like a busy bee? Even on the busy days, we can say breath prayers, giving our thanks throughout the day. On this Thankful Thursday, remember to continually give thanks for His unending love. Let’s give God our first and last thoughts so that we may hear and see Him clearly.

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

On Monday I wrote about God being a roaring lion. Amazing how He is also called Lamb of God. Each of us have been washed clean by the blood of the lamb. Each of us have a powerful testimony to share in the goodness of God. Many of us also have mini miracle stories that become our testimony.

Our daughter, Kendal was diagnosed with juvenile Scoliosis at 4-years-old. For 11 years we would travel to the Greenville Shriners hospital for her medical care. The staff at Shriners made a huge impact on her life at such an impressionable age. At the age of 15 when she was done growing. We considered her healed because she was no longer at risk for needing surgery. This is what I call a mini miracle. At age 4, the journey seemed overwhelming and scary at times. Now kendal has a powerful testimony to share of God’s goodness.

Kendal is now 18 years-old and is taking her prerequisites for nursing. Her life circumstances helped determined her career path. God often uses our tests and trials so that we can share of His glory in the next chapter of our lives. Looking back at such a tender age, God was our lamb that we trusted. We trusted that God would bring good from our journey.

I encourage you to listen to the song, Ain’t Nobody by Cody Carnes. Some of the lyrics sing; “I’m a living breathing miracle and I just got to testify. I’m a walking talking miracle and I just got to let it out.”

On this Water Walking Wednesday I hope you are inspired to share your testimonies and mini miracle stories with someone in need.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Last week I read this verse from Psalm 23 a little differently than I have in the past. My thought was that if the Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing in/at _________. You fill in the blank. On this particular day I was thinking about a job or calling someone had been chosen for and called to. The Lord is our Good Shepherd. He would never lead us astray or abandon us in our callings. We must trust whatever process we are in and keep moving in the direction God is leading.

There is that word Trust again. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, I want us to picture God taking us by the hand and leading us towards the path He has chosen for us. In this picture the forest is taken care of and so are we. May we all go in Godly confidence today that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

As we listen to Shepherd by Amanda Cook, know that God’s presence in our daily lives is a promise we can count on.