Fingerprints...

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. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share a story or insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.

NEW RELEASE!!!

I am very excited to announce the release of my newest book, "Embracing Your Freedom: A Personal Experience in God's Heart for Justice." 

Make my day and pick up a copy today! I believe the message of this book is an important word for women in our day. Follow the Amazon link below to get a look at my book:

Embracing Your Freedom...

Now on to my post...

Today I want to chat with you about the idea of walking around the traps the enemy sets for us. You know that scene in the movies when an unsuspecting person gets tricked into putting his fingerprints on a weapon? Recently I pondered the idea of how the enemy often does the same thing to us. He baits us to:

• Take the credit


• Take offense


• Grab for ourselves


• Grab hold of anger


• Open the door to gossip


• Open the door to discouragement 


• Open the door to fear, doubt, and worry

He wants us to put our hands on things God never intended us to touch. Picture it. Something happens that knocks you off balance, and the enemy is right there, holding out a weapon of revenge or a choice word of reaction. Do you grab it and start swinging? Or maybe you've recently achieved a few great accomplishments and people are singing your praises. You are grateful that God would use you in such a way. And just when you least expect it, that enemy of yours holds out a license of pride and subtle arrogance. He tempts you to believe that life is good because you are good. Do you step into that trap? Or maybe you've endured one hardship after another and you wonder what else could go wrong. At just the right (or wrong) moment, there's a knock at your soul's door, and you know it's hopelessness. But you're tempted to answer because you feel hopeless. 

Now imagine those same encounters where you step back, put your hands up, and declare, "I'm not touching that thing! You won't find my fingerprints on that bait! I'm not falling for the trap and I won't give in to defeat. I am made for better things!" 

God is always stronger, always makes provision for our victory, and always provides a way out so we can stand in the battle. 

First Corinthians 10:13 promises us that, no temptation has seized us except for what is common to man, and when we are tempted, He will provide a WAY OUT so we can stand up under it. 

We never have to fall for the enemy's traps. 

Isaiah 59:19 reminds us that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord shall raise up a standard against him.

Let's take it a step further. When faced with the temptation to grab hold of fear, may we put our hands on faith instead. When we are baited to take the credit or to think we are something when we're not, may our hands and our faces find the ground as we bow lower still and honor the God who saves us and lifts us up. When we are tempted to retaliate or hang on to un-forgiveness, may we cling to the Cross and remember once again all we've been forgiven. May our God see our fingerprints all over His promises! 

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.  Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah (Psalm 24:1-6).

Until next week~

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Comments

[Christy]

If we could see the enemy in the spirit world in the same way that Elijah prayed for his servant to see the Armies of God surrounding them when they were in Dothan; all of us would act differently.

So, by faith we have to understand that the enemy is trying to use natural things to pull us aside, and out of the will of God.

By faith, we have to be "wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove" in our pursuits.

How much time and energy do we use up getting involved in petty issues that we could be using to benefit the Kingdom of God?

This blog is a good reminder to be wise in our thoughts, or words and our actions.

Thanks Susie!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Christy,

Great post. Thanks so much! These are definitely times to be alert, wise, and in touch with the Father's voice. He is speaking. May we hear Him. Bless you!

[Stacy]

Thanks Susie great post and soo true and so what just happened in my own life, I got saved march 25th of this year so have not been christian very long yet God saved me from the streets and drugs and worse and I had been spending hours a day in the word and off and on all day in prayer many people were telling me regularly they saw Jesus in me and I glowed with God and God blessed my sister her kids and I with a new house we had been here a week mabey a little longer and I picked back up the cigarettes and was very agitated and such in true turmoil onside and confused as to what was going on well one day my sister came to me and said you were absolutely glowing with God until you moved in with me what did I do to you? I find it kinda funny that I didnt even realize this on my own but I prayed that night before bed and my answer came....I had not so much as opened my bible since we moved in nor had I prayed I had been so busy with the move that somehow I totally neglected God well I still went to church but thats not all what we need ya know...so something else I got in my answer I totally should have realized but didnt is that not only did I deny myself the presence of God in my own life but I deprived my sister of seeing God through me...

Before I picked up that cig I kept saying I feel so bombared so attacked, well what I know now is truly satan knew without a doubt what I did not realize I was seperated from God and week I walked away from the bigger temptations and instead of going to God with it as I should have I went straight to the old habbit of smoking....go figure

God bless and thanks again

[kimberlee]

I finally got around to reading this. I wish I had read this sooner. I wish I had read this A LONG TIME AGO. I look at spiritual matters so differently after I read something you've written. You are a threat to Satan! Thank you so much for sharing these words with us every week.

Our church finally sang that song this past Sunday based on the Psalm you quoted. It's one of my husband's and my fave praise song.

[Kathy S]

I love that this reminded me of the "older" song. The Battle Belongs to the Lord...when the enemy presses in hard do not fear, the battle belongs to the Lord, take courage my friend, your redemption is near...the battle belongs to the Lord...

Truly those things mentioned are things we continually have to put to death as we walk with the Lord...it is good to remember the power we have in surrender & obedience to the Spirit..."Walk in the Spirit and you will not satisfy the desires of the sinful nature..."

It is so good to be reminded of the nature of the battle! Thanks Susie!

[Clella Camp]

Susie,On my morning walk,I walk by a woods that I do not own. The owner has posted a No Trespassing sign around the perimeter. These signs are for my protection as the paths are not always safe.However, I have been in the woods before,and I am often quite tempted to turn and walk into the shady, cool environment. It is so inviting and I know (because of prior visits) that I enjoy walking there even though it is dangerous at times.My daily walk with God is much the same. Areas of the world I have walked in before still invite me, but God has placed No Trespassing signs for my own protection. Still I am tempted ,but I can walk on past these paths of temptation because "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" and I believe that "my God will supply all your (my) needs." Philippians 4:13/19. I continue to use these verses as my staff of protection against those dark tempting paths .Thanks for this post. I found it very meaningful.Clella Camp

[Susie Larson]

Stacy,

Thanks for sharing your story! I love how God gently shows us our need and leads us back to fellowship with Him. We can do nothing apart from Him!Bless you, sister!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kimberlee,

Thanks so much for your encouraging words! I'm so thankful for the way God is speaking to you and leading you. It was nice to meet you yesterday at the Midday Connection gathering. Blessings to you!

[Susie Larson]

Kathy,

Excellent point: 'there's power in surrender and obedience.' Indeed. She who dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High God will REST in His shadow. Love it. Bless you!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Clella,

Thanks so much for the wonderful visual. Your word picture reminds me of how Boaz suggested that Ruth stay in his fields that she might be cared for and safe. Jesus always has our best interest at heart. Don't you just love Him for it? Bless you!