2026.05.10 Sermon Notes: Seen and Strengthened: A Mother's Day Message For Every Season

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Westside Family Church

Seen and Strengthened: A Mother's Day Message For Every Season

Pastor(s): Jonathan and Lindsey Hansen 


Notes: 

Capable - Strong - Praiseworthy

High School Sweethearts, Atlanta, GA - met @ 17 years old.

So many different stories represented on Mother's Day at Church.

There are principles in God's Word.  

God is with you - sees you and knows you.


The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18


But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

Psalm 3:3

Jesus is here and he is with us!

Billy Graham: "Suffering shouldn't make us bitter people - instead, it should make us better comforters for others."


Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty.

Ruth 1:20-21

Naomi feels like the road ahead is impassable.  Have we come to a season as this? navigating, a job crisis, a loss, a diagnosis. 

In these moments, we often ask the question why.

We blame God for the grief we are experiencing.

Why am I struggling? 

Ruth and Noemi could have stayed in their grief.  They decide to walk forward in Faith.

Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Ruth 1:16


Ruth put her faith in God, in Noemi's God.  Faith is one of the greatest gifts God gave us.

How?  How God are you going to redeem this?

Why to How is massive.  Pain and suffering is like a razor's edge.

Graveyard in Moab

It could cause us to run from God or,

Like Ruth and Noemi, your pain can propel you to God!

Kinsman-Redeemer - the only person one could marry that could restore.

Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer...He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age.

Ruth 4:14-15

Notes:

The great-grandmother and grandmother of King David.

God is a restorer of life!  There is no season no barren that God cannot bring forth a harvest!

God specializes in bring life out of desolate places!

How Do We Actually Walk By Faith?

How do we keep the main thing the main thing

What is in front of me that only I can do?

 Start in the Word: Psalm 119:105 (Wisdom Psalm)

When we are faithful with the small things, God gives us more responsibility, everything else seems to fall in place.


What is in crisis or broken that needs my attention?


Crisis is a green light from God to get to work on something that is not working.

A breakdown in relationship, communication, sin-struggle, a financial crisis.

God used the crisis of Ruth to bring them back to God.

It's usually a hardship, a struggle - they needed God to show up!  Get us back in living in God - only God can bring redemption.

What is eternal?

Trying to get your head above water.  We can't keep all the plates spinning all of the time.

If we neglect our walk with Jesus, it can cause other issues to fall.

Prioritizing people and relationships is important

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last." CT Studd (1860-1931)




Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

A crisis is a green light from God to get to work on something that isn’t working.



Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

You see the disciples worry about EVERYTHING.  God knows and is aware of your needs.  The kingdom must be the priority.  Jesus knows they will encounter stuff.

1. What are the things that are gonna be eternal?

Walk by faith.  Teach them how to pray during hard seasons, trust in the goodness of God. 

Lean into Him, eternal persepective!  When I put my priority on the Kingdom of God, God is a God of order, not chaos!  God will balance everything out!


He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

 We have access to a wonderful counselor (wonder-working counselor) in God.  How do I get through this?  Jesus, is our wonderful counselor, Jesus is our Mighty God, Jesus is our Everlasting Father and Jesus is Prince of Peace!

Put our faith in God - we have access to Him 24/7~!


Notes:

1. Talk to God

2. Surround yourself around Christians! A2 group, community, etc. 


If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22


Expect a victory.

Expect a battle.

But never expect a victory without a battle.


Notes: 

God will stand with us during the battles, during the good times

Next Series: Stand Firm Series

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