The Right Way...

Greetings, Dear Friends!

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

Susie Larson here...

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

Each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share a story, and let's do this journey together!

Now on to my topic...

These are turbulent times, no?

Every which way we turn, we hear more bad news, bad numbers, and speculations about how much worse things might get.

Just how do we keep our peace and our focus amidst such trying times? 

My sister and I spent some time on the phone this morning. We discussed the over abundance of information out there, and how easy it is to get bogged down by it. 

It's important to be educated on what's happening in our world.

It's even more important to take a stand on issues of faith, morality, and integrity. It's essential that we walk closely with Jesus. 

We need His power to invade every nook and cranny of our lives!

God's power, not our ability to debate the issues, is what will change hearts, leaders, and ultimately nations. 

Read this great excerpt from a book I love, "God's Generals" by Roberts Liardon,

"...It seems that evangelicalism today has shifted from a spiritual to a political emphasis. While we still largely focus on the work of evangelism, we have laid aside the power of God for the more easily controlled power of a conservative voting block. We seem to have forgotten that it was revivalism that changed nations and righted social injustices during the past three centuries - not the power of democracy or the right to vote alone. it seems that evangelical Christianity has lost much of its relevance to societies because it tends to focus more on changing laws than changing hearts...I believe God is ready to anoint new revivalists. He only needs those who are willing to pick up the torch of these Generals (Finney, Wesleys, Booths, Graham, etc.) and pay the same price for the power of God that they did. His ways and blessings have not changed - Jesus Christ is still the 'same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)." (p. 483-5)

I understand the angst in many Believers today. I too am sickened by the number of babies aborted every year. Every day. I too think the Church needs to do more for the poor and the oppressed in our world. 

But, as my sister and I discussed, you can stand for what's right with a wrong heart. You can put your foot down on behalf of all that is right and good, but do so with anger, frustration, impatience and irritation, only discredits yourself and your message. 

If you read what I write or have heard me speak with any regularity, you've heard this story before, but it works here:

I always tell my sons that the Christian life is like a winding country road, with deep ditches on each side. One ditch represents your outright rebellion, the other ditch, your response to someone else's sin. The devil could care less which ditch he gets you into, he just wants you off the road.

If I stand for all that's right but with a wrong heart, my words sound like noise in the ears of a world in need. 

So what's our answer?

Well, I may sound like a broken record but it's Jesus. Time with Him. Walking with Him. Listening to Him. Doing what He says.

Guy King wrote this, "His love wants the best for us; His wisdom knows the best for us; and His power gets the best for us." 

Lately I've been praying a powerful passage from Scripture: Phillippians 1:9-10 (here's my paraphrased prayer from that passage)...

Dear Lord, 

Help me to abound in love more and more...

That I may increase in all knowledge and depth of insight...

That I may easily discern what's right and best in every situation...

That I may walk blamelessly and purely before You...

That my life will be filled with an abundance of the fruit of righteousness. 

Amen.

Is that not amazing when you think about it? 

I've been praying this prayer many times a day lately. I love it. :)

As the days grow evil, may your love grow stronger.

With an abundance of information at your fingertips, may you focus in on the Word of God and listen to the direction of the Holy Spirit within you.

With the call to be set apart, may you stand for what's right with a humble heart of love, that people may be won over more by what you do, than by what you say.

Have a blessed week~

PS - Please pray for me next week. I'll be in Guatemala. I return home late Thursday night and have a large speaking event the following night. I need divine protection, direction, and provision!

Peace to you all~

Comments

[Denise]

My husband was let go last week. It is very difficult to keep one's heart in the right spot. I think we are going to reach a new level of faith & understanding of God's love as we go through this season of our life.

[Susie Larson]

Oh, Dear Denise,

I'm so sorry!

I'm a good 300 emails behind and I'm working on show prep right now, but I just had to stop and reply to your post. Please let me pray for you right now,"Precious Lord, I bring Denise and her husband before you. I pray, in the Mighty Name of Jesus for your protection and provision to be huge and tangible to them. I pray for peace that goes way beyond knowing or seeing. I pray for a divine instinct about what the next step should be. I pray for faith to grow and for joy to be real. May this just be a short trial and not a long one. And may they come through it with a great faith story to tell. In Jesus' Name, I pray, amen!"

[Kathy]

Hi Susie, your message really hit home with me today. You're always in our prayers. Thank you.

[Aimee]

Susie - You truely are Magnificent! It was great to see you face to face this weekend at Hearts at Home. I now know why I come back every week! I love to read what's on your blog, because it ALWAYS makes me think and reevaluate, but honestly it is your heart that brings me back. I loved what you had to say about God's power not our debating abilities - especially as we end this election season, but what I loved even more was your willingness to stop what you were doing to pray for someone in need. Thanks for being such a wonderful example. My prayers are also with you as you travel next week.

[Helen Martin]

I'm praying for angel escorts, great health, no fear, healthy food and bottled water, uneventful travel, and a blessed time serving your King.

Love you tons!

Helen

[Rachel Smith]

Amen sister!

Thanks for the amazing message at Hearts at Home last weekend. Your words were so sweet and honest - I was so blessed. Thank you for your obedience to Him! What an amazing disciple you are. :)

[Kathy S]

Amen, Susie. I find daily there are things that need divine wisdom, and careful attention to my actions and reactions. Only by grace!

God bless your trip, and may you ride His wings upon your return!Kathy

[Melanie Dorsey]

Can't wait to read THE UNCOMMON WOMAN.Sounds great!

[Jean]

Dear Susie,I plan to join you and pray Phillippians 1:9-10. I recently made reservations to attend the women's retreat in Mt. Bethel, Pa.I am bringing a co-worker who is so open, and excited to attend. Pray for her, that the Lord will prepare her heart to hear God's word through you!jean

[Tina]

Susie, during these times I try to focus on what I call my "Think Ye" verse (Philippians 4:8) that I might try to stay encouraged and encourage others. It is so easy to become so distracted by all that we see, hear, and read that we allow a foothold for the enemy, failing to give God credit for the fact that He is always in control.

Praying for travel mercies and movement of His Spirit over your work in the days ahead.

[Karen]

Susie,

I loved hearing that you are prying that verse. We just used that verse last week as our group of Moms prayed for our children. We put the entire class list of names in the verse one at a time. that verse has so much in it. Why didn't I think to pray it for myself??thanks for sharing that. I have been struggling with discerning lately and instead of asking for discernment I wallow in my confusion! thanks.

[Jami]

Hi Susie! I'm so excited to have found your blog. I am reading "The Uncommon Woman" and am just loving it! I feel inspired and challenged by this book. I so want to be uncomman. Thank you.

Also I'm very excited to hear you're heading over to Guatemala. Last year we adopted our son from there and that wonderful country will forever be on our hearts. I will be praying. God bless you!!

[Renee Swope]

Hey Susie,

I've been thinking about you so much lately. God brings your sweet smile to mind all the time, and so I pray! I'll be praying for your trip to Guatemala and your event when you return. I just started reading "Uncommon Woman" and love it!!

One reason I wanted to stop by today is because I'm doing a big give-away series in for moms/women in Jan through P31 and on my blog and would love to feature you and your book. I know you are swamped. If Kevin or someone can let me know if you'd like to be part of it, that would be great. I can send more details after Thanksgiving via email. My email is Renee@Proverbs31.org

Love you sweet friend.Renee

[Rebecca]

Hi Susie, I have not stopped praying for you. I'm excited to hear how God moved in your trip.Romans 16:19For the report of your obedience has reached to all

Bless you~ Rebecca

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kathy,

Nice to hear from you! I've been thinking about you lately.Hope all is well.Blessings!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Aimee,

How wonderful it was to meet you face to face at the Hearts conference!Thanks so much for taking the time to come to my table.Have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Helen,

First of all, thank you for your prayers. And secondly, all of them were answered! God SO took care of us!He provided, safe travel, bottled water, angel escorts, healthy food, uneventful travel, and a GREAT insight into God's work in Guatemala. Blessings and thank you!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rachel,

I'm so thankful you had a good time at the Hearts conference. It really was a great event!I'm glad God met you there.Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kathy,

Thank you for the 'blessing' regarding our trip to Guatemala. God blessed us indeed.I'm pretty sure my post this week will involve some of what we learned there.Peace to you!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Melanie,

I'm glad you'll be reading 'The Uncommon Woman.' Please let me know what you think.Blessings to you!

Susie

[Susie Larson]

Dear Jean,

What a neat post! Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure to come back and update us as God begins to move in ways deep and wide in your life!I look forward to meeting you and your friend in the spring.Blessings to you!

[Susie Larson]

Tina,

Excellent post! Our focus determines our peace. :)Thanks too for the prayers for traveling mercies.We definitely had them.Thank you!

[Susie Larson]

Karen,

I have to say, that's sort of sweet that you didn't think to pray the passage for yourself. But now I'm glad that you will be reaching up for those same promises for yourself. May God answer your prayers in overwhelming, miraculous ways!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Jami,

I'm so thankful to read that you're reading "The Uncommon Woman." I do have to say, I love that book. If you wouldn't mind, it'd be a great favor to me if you would post a review on Amazon. But either way, I pray that God continues to speak through the message of that book.

Regarding our trip to Guatemala, it was amazing. God overwhelmed us! I love that you adopted a child from that beautiful place. Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Renee,

How fun to hear from you! Kevin and I so enjoyed getting to know you at the Hearts conference years ago. I'm glad you're enjoying my new book. I'll email you regarding your blog promotion.Bless you, cutie pie. :)