 Written by Georgetta Head Photo by Sai-de-Silva (unsplash) Fighting for approval and love can leave one hurt and disappointed time and time again. And, that is what happened to Leah, she was fighting for acceptance and love from her husband Jacob. Leah was the oldest daughter of Laban and sister to Rachel, and as we just read she was married to Jacob.
The Bible tells us, in Genesis 29:16-32, that Rachel was beautiful to look upon and well favored, and Leah was tender eyed. Jacob fell in love with Rachel and requested her in marriage, saying to Laban, her father, he would work for him seven years to marry Rachel. On the wedding night, Laban tricked Jacob and had Leah wear a wedding veil to cover her face, and sent her into Jacob pretending she was Rachel. The next morning when Jacob discovered the trickery, he was horrified. He had to work another seven years for Rachel. The Bible tells us that Leah was hated (v. 31). From what we read in scripture Leah and Rachel had constant tension and disagreements over who would have Jacob’s attention. And, as you probably guessed, Rachel was the beloved and received Jacob’s acceptance and love. Can you imagine being in a relationship without love and never having the validation of acceptance? Are you looking for someone to love you? Well, that was Leah’s life. Void of love and acceptance! In Verses 31 & 32 we read “And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. 32And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.” God looked upon Leah’s affliction and blessed Leah with a family - four sons eventually. But, Rachel remained childless. God saw how unloved and unaccepted she was, so He comforted her. Leah accepts God’s love as a positive force in her life and so can we. God wants to heal the brokenhearted and those with a downcast spirit. If you are looking for love and acceptance, stop looking for man’s approval and acceptance, receive the unconditional love God has to offer. He tells us in Psalm 27:10 “when my mother and father forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Through God’s constant and eternal love we can find the strength to survive our lowest moments. Too often we look for love in people and things or bad habits, but people and things or bad habits can never satisfy our longing for happiness. Our happiness can never be found in others—our true happiness comes from Father God only! Through Leah, Father God wants us to know that His love never dies for us and when we reach out to him, He will never forsake us. He will comfort us and give us the love, assurance, and comfort we need. Embrace Him today, allow Him to fill the longing in your soul. Allow Him to comfort you with His presence, joy and peace. “Sing Praises Unto The King” Join our YouTube Channel Join our Facebook Group
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 Photo by: Artem Beliaikn Written by: Georgetta Head "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)
Does God love me is a question many ponder in their hearts. I too pondered this question in my heart years ago. I was saved for 11 years before I believed and trusted in my heart that God loved me. Because of this question there are many who will not make the decision to be saved. Plus, there many in the Body of Christ struggling in their relationship with Father God, not understanding God's love for them. "Does God love me!" YES! God loves everyone, whether saved or unsaved. This is a good question, because the person asking it, really wants God's love. The reason most have problems believing God loves them is due to sin in their lives and they are walking in condemnation. Or, something tragic happened in their life and they blame God for their pain. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is a "love story" of God’s love for mankind. But unfortunately, there is a demonic enemy, named Satan, who walks among us. He is very good at causing evil in our lives so that we blame God, which causes us to doubt God's love. John 3:16-17 is the greatest example and demonstration of God's love for mankind. The question we need to ask is "why did God have to sacrifice His only Son for the world?" The answer: The Fall: sin entered the world by one man - Adam. He sinned by disobeying God's commandment to not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam's sin brought death and separation from God. God not taken by surprise, announced His plan in Genesis 3:15 to redeem mankind back to Him. His plan - to send His only begotten Son to die for the sins of mankind. God's Rescue Plan: From Genesis chapter 12 to 25 we read beautiful stories of God unveiling His plan of redemption through a man named Abraham. This is love! God established a covenant with Himself to make Abraham a father of many nations, Jews and Gentiles. This is love! God through, the nation of Israel, setup a sacrificial system revealing a picturesque view and symbolic demonstration of the coming Savior who would shed His blood for the world (John 3:16). This is love! By sending His only begotten Son to die for the world, this was a great demonstrate of love to a lost and dying world held in bondage by satan Does God love us! Yes! We Were Chosen: Ephesians 1:4-5 says "we were chosen by God and adopted as His children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." This means God knew before we were formed in our mother's womb the condition of our hearts, and that we would believe John 3:16-17 and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our Father: Romans 7:15 and Galatians 4:6 reads that we are God's children and we are to call Him Father. As our Father, God reveals to us that He has committed to perform the "Father role" in our lives through provision, protection, love and relationship. Relationship: in a relationship we want to know everything about that person. Father God knows each of us personally. Psalm 139 reads that Father God knew us before we were formed. The very hairs of our head are numbered and written in a book. He watched over us in our mother's womb. He is present in our lives wherever we go. Unconditional Love: God's love is everlasting. There is no sin God will not forgive. God tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us. Our names are written on the palms of God's hands. Now that's love! Friends, God is not a distance, mean angry God with His children! Yes, there are consequences for our wrongful actions, but they are designed to help us to mature in our walk with the LORD. God is not a man that He would lie, when He forgives our sins, they are separated from Him as far as the east is from the west and buried into the depths of the sea. If God doesn't remember our sins, why are you. Only satan brings our past sins to remembrance because he wants us to doubt God's grace of forgiveness. Friends, God laid down His life for us (Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren 1 John 3:16 KJV). Friends, Jesus didn't come to earth to condemn the world. No! He came to make a way for mankind to be set free from the bondage satan had on mankind. If God had wanted to punish people He would have immediately killed Adam and Eve, whereby none of us would be here today. Instead, His LOVE for us compelled Him to rescue us through His death on the Cross. Jesus' death and resurrection offers all that accept Him into their heart eternal life. Today I encourage you to rebuke the lying spirit of satan and chose to believe TRUTH - you are LOVED. Eternal lie is far better than eternal damnation. S.N.A.C.K. on the Word Join our YouTube Channel Join our Facebook Group Visit our Website |
Charles S. Head
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