Rayni Risher

God Encounter-Genesis

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Today I’m beginning a new ongoing series called God Encounter. Have you ever had an experience where you “knew that you knew” God was real because He made Himself known to you in some way? An encounter with God inspires awe and strengthens our faith. It’s a cornerstone experience to go back to again and again through the years when you need to remember what God has done in your life; how real, good and sovereign He is.

For the past couple months I’ve been reading through the Bible in chronological order and as I read through each book I see person after person encountering God in profound ways. So, in this ongoing series we’ll focus on a different book of the Bible each week and look more in depth at one person’s personal encounter with God. I pray that reading about these God Encounters throughout the Bible will strengthen your faith and encourage you.

God-Alive-Sees-Me!
Some people say they would feel afraid to been seen by God. They think of God as a cosmic cop keeping a tally of all of their wrongdoing, waiting to give them a harsh sentence. But the fact is that God sees and knows everything about us and He loves us in spite of the negative parts. He is so gracious and full of mercy and love for us; and He looks for ways to to reveal His loving presence to us. One of my very favorite examples in the Bible of a God Encounter is in Genesis 16.

Meet Hagar.

Hagar was the Egyptian maidservant of Sarai (later called Sarah). God had promised Sarai that He would give her a child with her husband Abram (later called Abraham). Sarai got restless waiting for God to fulfill His promise to her and took matters into her own hands, making her husband marry Hagar and get her pregnant. After Sarai’s plan was “successful”, she began mistreating Hagar causing her to run away, while pregnant.

After she has fled, God meets Hagar where she is and gives her a promise about the son she is carrying. God reminds her that He hears her and answers her. He also tells her to go back and submit to Sarai. Instead of being upset about having to go back to a difficult situation, Hagar is full of awe, excitement and wonder as she proclaims in verse 13,“You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Or as The Message also translates it, “God-Alive-Sees-Me!” Because of this very personal encounter with God, Hagar knows that God is with her and this gives her the encouragement, strength and faith she needs to be obedient to what He told her to do.

But There’s More to Hagar’s Story…

Years later we read in Genesis 21 that Abraham and Sarah turn Hagar and her son out from their home with a little food and water. Not knowing what to do or where to go, Hagar wanders into the desert. Before long the food and water run out and Hagar begins to sob as she believes that she and her son will soon die.

“God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.” (Genesis 21:17-19)

Then we’re told that Hagar and her son settle in a city and live out their lives.

So…
Why does God care so much about a servant girl and her kid? So much so that He made a point to reveal Himself to her throughout her life and to rescue her from the brink of death? Two reasons come to mind. First, we know from Psalm 139 that God lovingly and carefully creates each one of us in our mother’s womb. He is quite concerned with everything that happens in our lives, just like a good father would be for their child.

And second, we also know from reading through the Bible that God is an advocate for the victim. Hagar was used and mistreated but God met her in the midst of her most desperate hours giving her the comfort of knowing that the God of all creation saw her, knew her, loved her and was there to help her.

May you know this week that God Alive Sees You and cares about every part of your life.

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Life Abundant: New Theme & Web Design!

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What is Life Abundant?
The name comes from John 10:10 where Jesus says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (NASB)

I also like the way The Message puts it, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

The “they” in this passage is YOU and ME. US! Living out heaven on earth with all of the abundance God brings.

In the Word
In John 10:10 the word life comes from the Greek word zoe, meaning “life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence”.

The Greek word for abundantly is perissós, meaning “more, greater, excessive, abundant, exceedingly, vehemently.” Also, “all-around excess, beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation.”

That’s the kind of life Jesus came to offer us. A life now and for eternity that exceeds expectation and is better than we could even dream of on our own!

No Feeling So Full of Life?
Abundance isn’t about possessing material stuff, although God does bless in great abundance in every way so we can bless others. But this abundant life I’m talking about is about overflowing with joy, freedom, redemption, salvation, healing, eternal life; all the promises of God for you! They are there for the taking but we have to choose to receive these gifts and walk in them.

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily activities of life until one day you realize all of your hopes and dreams have been put on the back burner and you are numbly walking through this existence with a heart that feels half dead. The good news is that Jesus revives and brings freedom and fulfillment. He will bring you back to life again!

Three Things I Hope to Do Here

Encourage
I want my words to encourage you onward in your journey with God; to build you up and speak life to you.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV)

Equip
Through continuing to teach from the Bible and share from my experiences I want my writing and speaking to help equip you with truth as you discover and live out your God-given destiny.

“So Christ Himself gavethe apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of Godand become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV)

Encounter
I want to encourage you to seek God daily and to encounter Him each day. God is present with us all the time, we just need to remember to look for Him.

The Bible is full of “God-encounters” that help us to understand that God is with us and His love never fails. One of my favorite examples of a God-encounter in the Bible is Hagar’s. She was forced out of her home and thought she and her son would die in the desert. Then God appeared and spoke directly with her and saved her out of her dire situation.

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seenthe One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13, NIV). Hagar was changed forever by this God-encounter, and so are we as we seek God in every situation.

Most of All…
“May you experience the love of Christ…Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT)

I invite you to join me on the journey of becoming fully alive, the way God intended us to live in the first place!

 

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Christmas is Over, Now What?

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Have you ever planned a huge event that you were so excited about and wanted to get just right? Like a birthday or anniversary party? Or a wedding? As the big day approaches you are full of joyful anticipation and even though you’re busy with all the details you try to enjoy as much of it as you can, relishing the moments, taking it all in. Then the wonderful event takes place and you rejoice in the euphoria of it. But the days after can feel like a bit of a let down.

I mean, you planned, prepped, worked toward, looked forward to it for so long that now life feels a little bit emptier when all the fun and busyness is over. So you slowly make your way back into the daily grind and give yourself over to the mundane duties of the day.

The Christmas season can feel that way…can’t it?

Perhaps to a lesser extent than say, your wedding, but nonetheless there can often be the let down after all the joy, shopping and parties. Vacation ends. Work and school start back. You try to follow through on those new resolutions.

But here’s the thing…

The hope, love, joy and peace that were a part of the the Advent season, the lead-up to Christmas day, can be with us all year when Jesus is our focus. And really, these four traits are all related to each other as we remain in Jesus.

So, take heart in these reminders.

Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:3, ESV)

+Without hope our heart can feel dead. Connecting with the God of Hope fills us with hope when we are depleted.

Joy
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7, ESV)

+God brings a greater abundance of true joy than any amount of material wealth.

Peace
Jesus says, “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT)

+I have learned that peace truly is a choice. No matter what happens in our day, we can choose to hold onto the peace God offers.

But Most of All…

Love
“May you experience the love of Christ…Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT)

+When we experience the God of Love, we are transformed. Made new. And then we are able to extend that love to others.

As the new year approaches and the holiday season winds down remember that you can experience hope, joy, peace and love daily as you remain in Jesus.

Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…” (John 15:5, NIV) 

 

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A Single Cup of Water

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People often say about the many crises of the world, “What can I do? I’m just one person?” Well, it’s true that one person can’t do it all but if each person does what they can do in the name of Love—and God is love–then we will all be far better off on the journey than when we began. Won’t we?

In Matthew 25:31-40 Jesus talked about caring for people and not forgetting them. The kindness we show to others is like showing that kindness to God. He said even giving a single cup of water to one of His disciples who is thirsty is a beautiful act. You may be inclined to think, A single cup of water, what good is that?

Well…have you ever been really, really thirsty? When you are, a single cup of water is a much needed and much appreciated gift.

Last Friday I was feeling quite unwell. Rundown, tired, sick, coming off of a few extra busy weeks. We needed groceries so even though my strength was waning I pushed myself through grocery shopping. As I drove home I remembered one more thing I needed from another store. I really wanted to have it for the weekend so even though I was concerned about going on another errand feeing the way I felt, I decided to go. It would be quick.

The sun had almost set, it was beginning to rain, I was barely making it and as I walked up to the store I saw a man out front who was representing a well-known ministry, asking for donations. I tried to grab a cart but they were all stuck together. As I tried to pull the carts apart with the little strength I had they wouldn’t budge. I was stuck. The item I was planning to buy was too heavy for me to carry through the store. Seeing my predicament, and without being asked, the ministry man walked over and helped pull a cart out for me. I thanked him and went inside.

Helping someone with a cart isn’t really a big deal, is it? I mean, it took 3 seconds and then I was on my way. Who would remember that? 

But I have been thinking about it for days.

And I still feel thankful that he voluntarily stepped in to help. In that moment, it was such an act of kindness to me. It was like a cold glass of water on a sweltering day. He didn’t know how awful I felt, how much I just wanted to be home, how I was using my last bit of strength to get through this errand. But his smallest act of kindness was enormous to me in that moment.

“If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.” Mark 9:41, NLT

One commentator writes about that verse, “…hence we learn that the humblest acts of Christians – the lowest service that is rendered – will be graciously noticed by Jesus and rewarded…The feeblest service will be accepted, and acts of love that may be forgotten by man, will be remembered by Him, and rewarded in heaven.”

Each day, and especially as the holiday season is upon us, I encourage you to look for even the smallest way to reach out and help someone. Acts of service, words of encouragement, even a smile can deeply affect someone. Often you don’t know the amount of pain the person you come in contact with has suffered. In a lifetime we each endure much, some more than others, so let’s be kind.

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Letting Go of Regret

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We all have regrets. Situations where we’d like a do-over. Maybe it’s a failed relationship, a career path you didn’t pursue, words that shouldn’t have been spoken….or words you wish you’d said. One of my biggest regrets came about 10 years ago.

Her name was Tessa.

She was my favorite professor in college and I took a number of her world religion classes. She was intelligent, stylish, seemed dismissive toward Christianity and loved to talk about her specialized topic of study…Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka. She must have respected me as a student because right after mentioning that she no longer took students on overseas trips, she invited me to attend a conference with her in India where she would be presenting a paper, with the Dalai Lama in attendance. Unfortunately I never followed through. The semester ended and that was that.

Many months later I was praying one day and felt this overwhelming sense that I should contact Tessa. That’s all I knew…just get back in touch. I assumed at the time that God was nudging me to invite her to attend a large Christian event that was coming up in the city—which I thought she would hate—so I decided I just wasn’t going to contact her.

Not long after that, I found out that Tessa had died of cancer and had been in the hospital during the period of time I felt that urgency to contact her.

In retrospect I doubt God was trying to get me to invite her to that event. More likely He probably wanted me to contact her because He knew what she was facing and that it would be meaningful to me to see her before she died, and perhaps vice versa. Maybe He wanted to use me to communicate hope and love to her.

Does my regret sound similar to yours? Or do you have others?

Use Regret as a Catalyst
As I read through the Bible I find that even God expressed regret (see Genesis 6 & 1 Samuel 15). If God, who created us, is “allowed” to feel regret, so are we. But here’s the key…instead of wallowing in regret in the present or allowing it to paralyze our future, we can use our regrets as a catalyst to something better. How do we do that? By choosing to move forward with our life.

Paul talks of this moving forward when he says, “Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” (Philippians 3:13) When we are looking ahead to the goal, to the good things to come, and when we are actively working toward that good, there isn’t much time left over to dwell on “should haves”.

Practical Suggestions For Dealing with Regret
If you find yourself dwelling on your regrets here are a few suggestions to help you move forward. Surrender your regret to God and ask Him to transform it into something good. If your regret is a result of a specific sin, turn from that sin and receive God’s forgiveness and grace. If it involves something you have done against another person, make amends as you are able. And then…just keep going. As you keep your eye on the end goal, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34)

So…
Where are you in your life right now? And what regrets have you been holding onto? Even if you are on your death bed you can choose to let go of regret and look with hope toward Jesus. I used to think often about my regret of not contacting Tessa. But one day I decided to just hand it over to God. While I would do things differently if I could go back, today I am no longer weighed down or depressed over that regret. I have moved on.

I encourage you to set aside some time this week to take inventory and make a decision to let go of the regrets that are weighing you down. Make some new goals that make your heart sing and then move forward. Life is now.

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