What's Written About You?

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Published: Friday, 17 August 2018 06:11

Written by Bethany Looyenga

Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.

Exodus 4:10

Moses felt pretty incompetent on the inside, the verse above is how he described himself.  He did not feel that he was capable of the job God was calling him to. Yet, in Acts 7:20-22 a different picture is portrayed: At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family. When he was placed outide, Pharoah's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptian and was powerful in speech and action.

Moses was not able to see how God viewed him. Instead he defined himself by the fears and the failures he experienced.  His view was inaccurate.

God, on the otherhand, had an eternal view of Moses.  He did not define him by the external or internal circumstances. 

What about you?  What is the eternal view of who you are? How does God describe you, and how do you describe yourself?  Which description do you believe most often?

This is something I've processed with God for a long time. It is a long process as I've discovered that what I believe and what God believes about who I am does not always match up so well. And, I've discovered that my belief of what God says needs to be a heart belief.  I can know it, but that doesn't necessarily mean I believe it until it's rooted in my heart.

The Word of God reveals to each of us who we are. Sons and daughters, salt of the earth, light of the world, etc.  When we press into those identities and begin to ask Holy Spirit for a more detailed identity of who God sees, a beautiful adventure of identity begins. 

When God looks at just you, who does He see?  How does He identify you personally?

Someone recently told me that God sings "You are my Sunshine" over me.  It warmed my heart.

What song is He singing over you today?

To Praise

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Published: Friday, 10 August 2018 19:47

Written by Bethany Looyenga

I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. 

Psalms 34:1

This week has been a week of praise.  It has been amazing to be with so many people that raise their arms to God in devoted, loving praise.  Intimacy with God and others can be developed through the act of worship.  David is known for his ability to worship God with all his heart. He poured his soul and heart out to God and through that act, he was changed. When he was full of joy, he praised God. When he was distraught, he praised God.  When he sinned, he still came to God and he praised Him!

On the first day of this conference, someone came up to me and said that I had a David annointing, there was fire in my blood.  I like that, and it has given me a few things to think about and ask myself key questions. When I am full of joy, do I give God the praise?  When life presents me with trials and pain, do I still raise my hands to Him and praise Him?  Does He have my praise on the days that are hum-drum?  What about you? Is your praise to God consistent through life, or does it change depending on how life is going? What moves you to praise His name? When you do praise Him, does it change your heart?

I have a lot to think about after a week of praise. 

Reality Is....

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Published: Thursday, 02 August 2018 06:32

Written by Bethany Looyenga

.....the reality, however, is found in Christ. 

Colossians 2:17

One of my favorite books is the Velveteen Rabbit. I've read it numerous times, and read it to my children. I've related to the rabbit's question, "Am I real?" I use to ask myself that question all the time, and I truly wondered if the very essence of myself was real.  Then, I came upon this line in the Bible, "the reality, however, is found in Christ."  It was with that one statement that I began the quest to know Christ, believing that if I could know Him, I would know me.  My persistant question of being real would be answered.

Last night, my daughter and I were listening to music, and one of the songs was titled "Im just trying to be real." The song was heartfelt and emotional, but didn't mention the connection with Jesus.  It did, however, bring me to a place of review.  The artists singing this song were dealing with an onslaught of feelings and memories and through that they were trying to be real. I recognized that everyday, as I encounter Jesus, being real has become my reality too.  As I embrace the reality of Who He is, I embrace the reality of who I am.  Just like the rabbit, as he embraced himself, the worn ragged self, and surrendered to that reality, he became real.

I am broken and imperfect, yet so whole through the reality of who Jesus is. 

Is your reality embracing the person of Jesus?  Are you deeping the essence of who you are through the reality of who He is?  

Do you have a deepening reality in your heart, mind, and soul today that lines up with the reality of Christ?

Reality is Christ!

Pray for Redding

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Published: Friday, 27 July 2018 06:37

Written by Bethany Looyenga

Redding CA is in great danger right now as wild fires are burning.  Redding is a city of 90,000 people, and a huge evacuation is in process. 

May the Hand of God protect the citizens of Redding, and our friends. 

Pray for His mighty hand to stop the fires and for rain to pour from the heavens. Pray for safety and protection.

Pray for God's mercy to be with each citizen and for the abundance of life.

Keep praying with authority, strength, and love.