From: Rhema Broadcasting Group [mailto:theword@rhema.co.nz]
Invisible Woman (1)
I served you for Rachel...why have you deceived me? - Genesis 29:25 NIV
The Invisible Woman (1)
If a daughter's self-worth is in fact shaped by her father's influence,
Leah was out of luck because her father Laban didn't think that much of
her. After making a deal with Jacob to marry her sister Rachel, Laban
tricked him and he ended up with Leah. If you've ever wrestled with low
self-esteem you can guess how Leah felt. Here she was preparing for her
wedding, knowing she was the "loser's prize." Imagine waiting all your
life to get married only to discover that your dreams will never be
realised because your husband loves somebody else. And it gets worse.
Jacob spent the wedding night with Leah, not even recognising her until
the morning when he complained to Laban, "I served you for Rachel...why
have you deceived me?" Even after discovering he'd been sleeping with
Leah, Jacob still wanted her sister! Leah was intimate with a man who
couldn't appreciate who she really was; a man who took what he wanted
without even looking into her eyes - far less her soul! Today if you're
in a relationship with somebody who doesn't really know you and makes no
effort to find out, you can relate.
But the good news is, while Leah spent years being invisible to Jacob,
she wasn't invisible to God. And neither are you! The enemy may have
pushed you aside, pulled you back and put you down. But God has given you
certain gifts, and when they come forth they'll change your life. So talk
to Him. Let Him show the treasure that's inside you.
Bible-in-a-year Reading: Lev 23:26 -25, Luke 23:13-25, Ps 32, Pr 10:4-5
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Subject: The Word for Today: The Invisible Woman (2)
Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely. - Genesis 29:17 NIV
The Invisible Woman (2)
When Jacob first saw Rachel she took his breath away. Any time a man's willing to work seven years for a woman, he's definitely in love! But the Bible says Rachel's sister Leah, whose name means "gazelle," was lanky and "tender eyed." One translation says, "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely." Now, while others may judge you based on your looks, God never does. He knew Rachel's treasure was on her, while Leah's was in her.
Get this: before the world began, God chose you for a specific purpose.
Although her husband Jacob didn't notice her, Leah already had a great role in God's plan. The Bible says, "Because Leah was unloved, the Lord let her have a child, while Rachel was childless" (Ge 29:31 NLT). God blessed Leah so much that her sons founded six of Israel's 12 tribes! Not bad for a "loser!"
Before Leah was Laban's daughter or Rachel's sister or Jacob's wife, she was God's idea - and He never has a bad one! Before time began her identity was determined by Him. And so was yours. He "knows you by name and you have found favour" with Him (See Ex 33:12). Today God has placed something inside you that He wants to bring to birth. The Bible says everything God makes is "very good" (Ge 1:31), and it's time you started seeing yourself that way too! God knows you, and He wants to change your self-image so others can appreciate your unique gifts and qualities. Are you ready to let Him do that?
Bible-in-a-year Reading: Gen 22:1-18, Luke 23:26-49, Ps 22, Isa 53
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