Wednesday
Dec032008
Contrary to Nature...
Posted on 
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 2:41AM
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 2:41AM 
Greetings, Dear Friends!
And to those visiting, I say welcome!
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 stop by, leave a post, share a story, and bless loads of people!
It's time to award November's winner (and remember, you have to claim your prize by emailing me, I'm not able to chase you down. :) And the winner is...Jami! You posted on November 19th. Email me at: info@susielarson.com and we'll get you your gift card to Starbucks. Congratulations!
Now on to my topic...
We have a family tradition that I love. Every year - on the eve of Christmas Eve - we sit down to a candlelight dinner with our three sons. We turn off all of the lights save the Christmas lights. With a fire glowing in the fireplace and Christmas instrumental music on in the background, we gather around the table with great anticipation.
This is the time we lean in, enjoy our food, take our time, and share about our individual spiritual journey. First we each reflect on what God has taught us over the past year; we each discuss what faith lessons we'll be taking away from the past year's experiences. Then we move into thoughts of the upcoming year. We each share what we would like to learn from the Lord this next year.
For instance, a number of years ago, Jake said the greatest thing: I want to learn - on a deeper level - just what I possess in Christ - and then I want to appropriate those riches in my life in a greater way.
I love that. I want that too.
Even though I'm surrounded by four strapping men, this dinner always proves to be an intimate and tender time. Of course, I cry through most of it, but that's okay, right?
We'll this year, we wanted to add a new aspect to our eve-of-eve dinner. On Thanksgiving morning we had a family meeting via conference call. With Jake in Nashville and the other two here at home, we put the phone on speaker and gathered around the ottoman in the living room. We went around and shared about the blessings for which we were thankful. Then we said this to our guys, "You know, the economy is in rough shape right now; things are tough all over; but we live by God's economy; and His promises are as true now as they have ever been. We want to challenge you all to something. For the next 30 days, every day, ask God to bless you, to increase your territory and sphere of influence; ask that His mighty hand of power be at work in you and through you; ask Him to keep you from evil and temptation; ask Him to help you live in a noble, honorable way (this is the prayer of Jabez, as you probably recognize). And trust us in this: you will begin to see something miraculous happen. Like streams in the desert, God will make a way for you to serve Him more, to love Him more, and to be more for Him. We're going to add to our eve-of-eve dinner a time of testimony. We're going to share stories of how God moved in these past thirty days. Are you with us?"
Our guys jumped right on it! They've been praying and texting each other. In their excitement, they've called us to share some of the ways God is moving.
We live in a struggling world, but we serve a powerful God. He is always on the move. Always working. Always looking to find faith on the earth.
I not only want to relentlessly look for that river in the desert, I want to jump into where the current is the strongest.
When we engage our faith with God's very clear promises, we will see - before our eyes - a way where there was no way before. Contrary to nature. Different than we expected. Better even.
Read this powerful verse:
I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." This is what the Lord says-- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
If you've repented of your past sins, leave them there - in the past. Take with you only the spoils from your battle. Remember the ways God came through for you. Hang on to lessons learned.
And now - look ahead. In what ways do you suppose God wants to work in your circumstances and through you that are contrary to nature?
Imagine a peaceful stream in the middle of a dry and weary desert. That's for you. In your wilderness, He's provided still waters. Slow down and take a drink.
Imagine a crashing wave of blessing where you've only experienced drought. That's for you too. God wants to pour out more of Himself on you! Take Him at His word. Expect Him to act! Do what He says! And humbly entrust your concerns to Him.
God is not bound by our current economic downturn. He defies the rules of nature. But He is, though, bound by our unbelief.
I know I say this often, and that's because it's true: without faith, it's impossible to please God.
Please Him today with your level of obedience, faith, and expectation.
Have a blessed and miracle-filled week!
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Reader Comments (8)
God is so good to us!!Thank you for sharing your family tradition. It is so encouraging to see what the Lord is doing around us.
Peace ~Rebecca
God is so good to us!!Also, thank you for sharing your family tradition. It's so encouraging to see what the Lord is doing around us.
Peace ~Rebecca
Susie,Enjoyed looking over your website and find many articles which are just what I need. Also, recently was given your latest book, "The Uncommon Woman" that I am just now beginning to read. I really believe that your book will really give me some food for thought, prayer, and walking in faith. Book was given to me by a fiend at the chuch I attend. It will be encouraging to read and apply the principles in my life. Also, this is how I found your website. Thank you for the inspiration. God Bless,
Linda
But seriously, I am praying that prayer at least once a day... I don't think I'll want to stop after 30 days.
HEY, if you would like to, YOU can enter a GiveAway of MINE for a change—pop over to my blog for a contest that, oh, I don't know, it just might touch your heart...
Merry Christmas, Friend!
Thank you Lord for the gift given to this woman of God to encourage and exhort others to keep pressing on! God is good and He continues to do good. Let us bask in His promises that are yes and amen! We will not walk in fear but faith that keeps us in His ever constant grip!
Blessings ~ Dawn
Thanks for stopping by. You're such a faithful encourager!Bless you!
So nice to meet you! Thanks so much for stopping by. I do hope your soul is nourished and strengthened as you read, "The Uncommon Woman." That book is very close to my heart.Bless you~
Yay! You're in on the challenge! Be sure to report back to us some of the great things God does between now and then.Bless you!