REAL LEAP

EL ROI (The Living One Who sees / Who looks after you)

Hagar's story, found in Genesis 16 and 21, carries profound truths about God’s nature and His care for the marginalized. Hagar, an Egyptian servant to Sarah, finds herself caught in a situation not of her making. Sarah, in an attempt to help God fulfill His promise, gives Hagar to Abraham to bear a child. This decision, stemming from a lack of faith, leads to tension and conflict.

When Hagar becomes pregnant, she looks down on Sarah, which causes Sarah to treat her harshly. Feeling oppressed, Hagar flees to the wilderness, a place of isolation and danger. It is here that God reveals Himself to Hagar as El Roi, "the Living One who sees" (Genesis 16:13). This encounter is a powerful reminder that God sees and cares for those who are mistreated and overlooked. He sends Hagar back with a promise that her son, Ishmael, will also have a significant future.

Later, in Genesis 21, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away with only a bottle of water. When the water runs out, Hagar, in despair, places Ishmael under a bush and distances herself, not wanting to watch him die. But God hears the boy’s cries and sends an angel to reassure Hagar, opening her eyes to a well of water. This divine intervention again highlights God’s faithfulness and His attentiveness to those in need.

The story of Hagar is more than just about her, Sarah, and Abraham. It’s about God who sees and intervenes. Despite the circumstances, God’s plan unfolds. Ishmael, though not the child of promise, becomes the father of twelve princes, showing that God’s blessings can emerge even from human failures (Genesis 25:16).

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 4:21-31, contrasts Hagar and Sarah to illustrate living under the law versus living under grace. Hagar represents the old covenant of the law, while Sarah represents the new covenant of grace. This story is ultimately about God and His sovereignty. It’s a reminder that whatever role we play in life’s spectrum—whether like Hagar or someone else—God is at work, and it’s all for His glory.

If you have ever felt like a victim of circumstances, forced into situations beyond your control, Hagar’s story is a message of hope. It tells us that God sees you. You may not see what lies ahead, and your future may seem uncertain, but trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The God who saw Hagar in her distress sees you too. Trust in Him, for He is faithful and His promises are sure. Lift your eyes to Him, find peace in His care, and know that He is working all things for His glory and your good.

I've heard the illustration of refining silver in fire to remove all impurities. It's compared to the pruning work of the Father in His children's lives. But it's only once a piece of silver is refined that the actual work begins. The end product of the Perfect Silversmith is always pristine because His work is perfect. He settles for nothing less than perfection. Getting rid of all the impurities is just the beginning of the process of reaching that point of pristine perfection, which requires a lot of shaping and filing. Remain faithful; He will finish what He has begun.

FAITH is a going out of ourselves to find a resting place in God and His word.
-Andrew Murray

Are you stuck in po*******hy, adultery, lust...? There are numerous sermons and teachings against sexual immorality and adultery. The question is, how can one overcome this sin that grips so tightly and leads to continuous failing?

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!!!

No matter how deep the pit of lust that you think you are stuck in, there is a sure way out of this bo***ge in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Here's the link to enroll for this short and self-paced online course:

https://realleap.gospelpaths.com/course/the-secret-to-sexual-purity

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ALL GLORY TO GOD!

-Vinay Muniswamy

REAL LEAP

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice." Isaiah 42:3

Like a cupping hand around the flickering candle, and gentle fingers around the bent reed, so does God's grace cover His child in the painful and hurting moments. In times like that "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Ps. 34:18). So you better be still and know His nearness (Ps. 46:10) in such times. Why? Because:

(1.) You will make things worse by leaving His grace; and
(2.) when God is for you, none can stand against you (Rom 8:31).

So, be strong in the strength of His might (Eph. 6:10), believing that He will never allow anything in your life that He has not purposed (Jer. 29:11).