Magnify Him!

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. 

Every month I give away a $10.00 gift card. Due to popular demand, this month the card is from Starbucks! Leave a post and you may be the one to a couple of cups of java on me!

Now on to my topic...

Yesterday morning I was reading Mary's Magnificat, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior." (Luke 1:46-47)

Let's take this declaration in two parts.

First, what does it mean to 'magnify' the Lord?

As I tossed and turned last night, I battled with fearful thoughts. The enemy of my soul was working over time and I needed to find my place of rest once again.

In the middle of the night it occurred to me that our brains have somewhat of a zoom lens. Whenever we think about something for an extended period of time, we zoom in on that thing and get a closer look. We notice the bumps and the crevices. We see what passersby miss. 

So when we fixate on our problems, we zoom in on them. When we focus on our fears, we get a close-up look at them. When we dwell on the past, we eventually get a distorted view of it because our necks weren't made to constantly accommodate a backwards view. 

Moreover, the Bible tells us that 'as a man thinks in his heart, so he is." If we dwell on our memories of rejection, our current financial crisis, or our fears of the future, we become walking, breathing organisms of defeat.

We were made to magnify the Lord!

Think with me for a minute about the universe. Picture one of those posters of the Solar system. Remember again just what a small planet we live on in the whole scheme of things.

Now zoom in.

Zoom in closer.

Consider the snowflake. Each one is different. Unique. Beautiful. Just like you and me.

Consider the caterpillar. The chrysalis. The butterfly. The process of transformation is absolutely staggering. 

Our process is miraculous. 

Consider the seed. A tiny little grain is buried under a pile of dirt and in a matter weeks and sometimes days, a fresh burst of life sprouts forth.

The idea of seeds and harvest is profound. 

The fruit and harvest growing in you and around you is...exciting.

Consider the Son. He came to die that you and I might live. He took on the forces of hell that we could inherit Heaven. He confronted our bullies that we might be rescued. He set us free so we could work with Him in securing the freedom of others. 

Think about the Lord. Zoom in on all of the good things He has done. Let His promises, not your problems, occupy your thoughts. 

Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. 

Magnify the Lord with me! Let us exalt His name together!

The second part of Mary's declaration calls us to rejoice. To be thankful. 

What are you thankful for? 

Count your blessings today and every day. 

Let your own ears hear your mouth say that God has been good. And He'll be good again. 

The enemy presses in hard, it's true. But God is the strength of our hearts and our portion forever!

Stand strong, my friend.

Look up. Zoom in. Be thankful.

Until next week~ 

Comments

[Aimee]

Thank you for the smile that your post has given me toay. God is good and when we stop to think of all the blessings we receive, it's hard to let other things in life bring us down!

[Rebecca]

Amen! God spoke this same subject to me this morning:) Satan tempts us in order to lose what God has given us. We must find joy in our Father in heaven. I don't serve God because I'm good enough. I serve Him because He's good enough! It's His perfection working through my imperfections. Praise God!The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Faithfully praying for you ~Rebecca

[Helen Martin]

I don't know if a permanent radio gig is even something that you want... but I just have to go on record that you would be a great full time host on Along the Way. You are such a generous host and engaged interviewer. Very discerning and gentle with callers... and you already know how I feel about the sound of your voice.

I just really cannot get enough of you, and your point of view is very trustworthy and fresh.

I really need to be writing this to the station manager, I think.

[Susie Larson]

Aimee,

You are so right. When we stop and thank Him, our perspective begins to change.

Keep smiling, my friend!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rebecca,

I love it! Well put!

Keep looking up!

Bless you, friend~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Helen,

Thanks so much for your vote of confidence. :)

I sure do love that program.

Thanks so much!

[Jessica]

This was great! Thanks for sharing it with us. I am a new mom and can honestly say I tend to "zoom" in on the frustrations of each day. But as you said we need to "Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith."

Jessica

[Kelly F]

Hi Susie!

How the Indwelling Christ w/in you lifts me up!

I have just been spending time in the book of Phillipians, in ch3 Paul encourages us to hold on to the progress we have already made (Phil 3:16). There are those who are enemies of the cross, but we are citizens of heaven where Christ lives. Stay true to the Lord, MAGNIFY HIM, and press on!!~Kelly in OH

[Tami Brown]

My dear sweet friend, Thank you for your blog, it is so true!! We are either speaking (and thinking)life or death to ourselves and to others!! We need to set our minds on things above..."He will keep us in perfect peace if our mind is set on Him"!! What a wonderful promise!! I love you!!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Jessica,

I'm a little behind on my response posts but I wanted to thank you for stopping by! God bless you!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kelly,

You are such a faithful visitor and you always encourage me!Bless you for your wonderfully kind words.Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Tami,

You are such a faithful friend and prayer warrior.

Bless you for stopping by.

Peace!