Tenacious Faith...

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.

Before I get into my topic, I have a little business to take care of. As most of you know, each month I give away a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog.

Well, in celebration of my new release, "The Uncommon Woman"

each week in the month of August my posts will be on the uncommon life. And one of you who posts will win a $50.00 VISA gift card! 

Lots of people visit this site and many people will glean from your insights and perspective. I've LOVED reading your posts. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Now on to my topic...

I just love reading about some of the spiritual giants who have gone before us. Recently I read about the life of Charles Finney and it absolutely knocked my socks off. Currently I'm reading about William and Catherine Booth (the founders of The Salvation Army). I'm telling you, I've added them to my list of heroes. Can't wait to meet them in Heaven.

Catherine was frail of health and spent a good portion of her childhood in bed. Lying on her back and holding her Bible before her eyes, she read it cover to cover and then did it again. If I remember right, Catherine read her Bible through, out loud - 8 times - by the time she was 12 years old!

Catherine and William both had a deep love for Jesus, a tenacity of faith, and an abundance of conviction. What they accomplished by sheer obedience and trust, was impossible by the world's standards, but indisputable nonetheless. Millions of people were saved, fed, rescued, and impacted because two simple people decided to take God at His Word. 

I just have to share this excerpt written by William Booth (taken from Roberts Liardon's amazing book "God's Generals"). Now this is tenacity...

"You must pray with all your might...It means fervent, effectual untiring wrestling with God. It means grappling with Omnipotence, clinging to Him, following Him about, so to speak, day and night, as the widow did to the unjust judge...until the answer comes and the end is gained. This kind of prayer, be sure the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame...They will talk about impossibilities and predict failures; but if you mean to succeed, you must shut your ears and eyes to all but what God has said, and hold Him to His own word...You must pray with all your might." (p.420)

Beloved Friend, oh, that we'd all be so earnest in prayer and tenacious in faith!

God's promises are true for us!

Here's an excerpt from my book, "The Uncommon Woman":

"What we do with the promises of God is the tipping point in every area of our lives. Whether or not we decide to believe that we have access to the very power that raised Christ from the dead will determine just how uncommon our lives turn out to be. Though we have trials, His promises are true. Though we may not feel Him at times, He's still there. And though the enemy would love for us to settle for less, God gets absolutely giddy when we reach for more." (p. 166)

No doubt you have some significant needs before you. And if you're in a time of favor, you don't have to look too far to find others who are in desperate need of a miracle. 

Jesus calls us to a vested, active, walk of faith. The Bible says that if we stay in step with Him, and confess the sins He brings to mind, and if we do what He says, and if we live by faith, our lives will be conduits to His Kingdom work on earth. This is the stuff of miracles. 

The Bible says that if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him (1 John 3:21-22). This is a huge responsibility linked with an even bigger promise.

Our world needs the miracle working power God has made available to His people. 

Grab hold of His promises and don't let go!

I'll close with a couple of great quotes...

One from A.W. Tozer,

"God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves!"

And this one from Catherine Booth,

"We are made for larger ends than Earth can encompass. Oh, let us be true to our exalted destiny."

Until next week~

Comments

[Loree Arrington]

Love, love, love Catherine Booth! She's one of my heroes too - proof women do have a place in the 'army' of God - and a vocal one at that! Here's a link to an article she wrote that was published in 1859: http://www.crivoice.org/cbooth.html

[Vonda Skelton]

As usual, you've grabbed me by the heart and pulled me to the foot of the cross! Thank you, Susie.I love you, my friend!Vonda

[Johnny Laird]

Great to read your comments about William & Catherine.

Peace & blessings

J

[Clair]

I just happened across your blog, I think I will have to come back.

[Kathy]

These are such anointed and powerful words for those who are going through a valley. What a friend we have in Jesus!

[Kelly F]

Anxiously awaiting my copy of "The Uncommon Woman" and "Alone in Marriage," Susie.

Thank you for blessing my life, thank our God and may He bless you.

(Like your husband, my son's name is Kevin...LOVE that name!!)

Kelly F in Ohio

[Kathy S]

Susie, you are always challenging me to stretch in faith. I love being reminded that God is always calling us beyond where we are and where we think we can be.Blessings, Kathy

[Rachel Smith]

I loved your quote from Catherine Booth. I'll have to pick up the book you recommended - I'm a sucker for a good biography or memoir. My favorites are "A Man Called Peter" by Catherine Marshall, and "Warriors Don't Cry" by Melba Patillo Beals. Thanks for the encouragement!

I'm also loving your new book, Susie! I was reading a chapter every other day, and I've had to slow down to let the conviction really sit in. I appreciate the honesty and wisdom.

[Debbie Frey]

I have spent this last month, recovering from cancer surgery, holding on to the verse from Isaiah 41:10, "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Thank you, Susie, for reminding us how much God loves us. Debbie

[Susie Larson]

Dear Loree,

Thanks for the link to Catherine Booth's article. I am simply amazed by Catherine and William Booth. What a couple of relentless, courageous, history makers! To quote Sara Grove's amazing song, "When the Saints Go Marching in...I want to be one of them."Amen and amen.

[Susie Larson]

Vonda,

Bless you, my friend.Thanks for stopping by.Peace and rest to you~

[Susie Larson]

Johny,

Thanks for stopping by.Blessings to you as well!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Clair,

Welcome!May your soul be encouraged as you read.Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Kathy,

What a friend we have, indeed!God is our help, our refuge, and our strength; an ever present help in times of trouble.Bless you, dear!

[Susie Larson]

Kelly,I hope you are blessed by both of those books. May God richly bless you as you read (and may He bless your Kevin too. :))

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kathy,

I'm so thankful for the feedback about these posts. I am thrilled that your faith has been challenged and encouraged. May God Himself fill you with hope, courage, and great joy.Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rachel,If you love biographies, you have to pick up Roberts Liardon's "God's Generals." It's excellent.

And regarding my book, I'm SO thankful to hear that you are enjoying it. If you would be so kind, would you mind posting a review on Amazon? That would be a great favor to me!Blessings~

[Rebecca]

I love it! Fix your eyes on Jesus! When trials come my way I want to have Jesus as my firm foundation. I want such a deep relationship with Him that nothing will knock me down; even if the world would tell me otherwise.Here is a powerful verse that has helped me.“Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable” Philippians 4:8.

Your book has been such a wonderful tool in bringing my daughter and me closer. We are praying more and talking about life on a deeper level.

Bless you~ Rebecca

[Susie Larson]

Debbie,

Oh, my goodness. I'm so sorry to hear about your battle with cancer. I know the fear that surrounds that wretched disease. Both my husband and my father battled cancer (and both are still with us!). But you are so wise to cling to the Truth that overrides every fear. May God reveal Himself to you in new and profound ways. Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rebecca,

I'm absolutely thrilled to know that you're doing "The Uncommon Woman" with your daughter. Yay!May God grant your request and may you continually grow into an increasingly bold, beautiful, and courageous woman of God!