Training Time for Reigning Time!*

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 leave a comment, share a story or insight, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! 

As most of you know, I have a radio show,Live the Promise with Susie Larson The program now airs 6 days a week! Join us every weekday from 2:30-3:00 CST, and on Saturdays from noon to one, KTIS AM 900, on the Faith Radio Network, or listen online at: www.faith900.com We've had some amazing guests and some powerful dialogue. Hope you can join us!

Also, I want you to have the inside scoop. Be sure to check my Facebook page for a heads up on my weekly giveaways (that way you'll know when to call for a book you may want). I'll also post daily questions and may read your comments on the air.  

Now on to my topic...

Are you walking through a season that is calling more out of you than you're comfortable giving? Are you carrying more than you're used to and are you feeling the strain on your shoulders? Me too. In fact, I know lots of people who are walking through such a season. 

But I know for myself at least, that I am exactly where God wants me to be. In fact recently I had the revelation that God is conditioning me to prepare me for our next place of promise. He's stretching me that I might be more flexible; He's put more on my shoulders that my spiritual legs might be strengthened. Understanding that fact has helped me to stop whining and to start believing that even in my weakness, I am strong in Him.

I think for many of us, this season is training time for reigning time!

God is preparing us, strengthening us, and equipping us to be used by Him on a grander scale. My pastor always used to say, 'The depth of the dealing corresponds with the height of His calling.' 

In fitness, we increase muscle strength by increasing either the demand or the resistance. At first the muscle fibers break down, but once they heal, they come back stronger. 

Here are several truths I'm hanging on to (perhaps they'll encourage you as well):

• Cease striving (be still, rest in My care) and know that I am God - Ps. 46:10


• The sin of comparison bears only rotten fruit (pride or despair)


• It's not the size of my field that matters, but the quality of fruit that comes from it (much of what looks like success from the world's perspective will pass away and come to nothing)


• I am my Beloved's and He is mine. His banner over me is LOVE!


• I don't producer more by doing more, but by BEING MORE with Jesus (Abide in the Vine and you'll bear much fruit. Abide=to be held, wrapped up, embraced, found in)


• The best fruit comes from a heart of Holy Confidence, Humble Dependence, Kingdom Passion, and Calvary Love


• I am mighty in God and He is mighty in me!


• I will not borrow tomorrow's trouble on today's strength (an insight from Corrie Ten Boom)


• I will walk in His authority and rest in His care


• Every day I'm in His presence and all that He has is mine! I have more than enough to live abundantly today! (something I say to myself every morning). 

If you are in a time of stretching and you're straining under the weight of it all, you might be in a time of training (or, you may have taken on more that He asked of you, in which case, you might want to get alone with Him and ask Him what you need to release).

When Jesus said, 'My yoke is easy and My burden is light' - He was speaking of the difference between living by the law (an unbearable weight) and living by the Spirit of life in Him (which sets us free from the law of sin and death). What a glorious truth!

But for those of us who are willing to go the distance with Him and who desire to be used mightily by Him, we will go through times of training and refining that are like boot camp for the soul. We must not despair! God is up to something good!

If that's you, be encouraged. God is with you, He is for you, and He is up to something great in and around you!

Trust in Him to finish the work He started in you!

BELIEVE! 

~Until next week

*The 'Training Time for Reigning Time' phrase belongs to William MacDonald (Believer's Bible Commentary) 

Comments

[talitha]

This was a great encouragement to me and said at just the right time. I am going to copy and past your truths so I can keep them nearby as a reminder. Thanks for the sharing and encouragement.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Talitha,

So glad this post encouraged you! May God give you faith and great hope that He is up to something wonderfully good in your life! Blessings to you, sister!

[Lorilee]

Sometimes it is so very hard to just sit back and let God reign while we are in pain. Growing through the tough times has been a huge part in my life...I learned not to pray for patience...God uses many things to teach and they can be VERY painful! Making tough decisions is made eaiser by knowing that God is in it with me!

[Tom Stuart]

"Training time for Reigning time" - I like that. It has a regal sound to it and certainly encourages us to endure. It is good to be reminded of a fact we so often forget - that the ways of God always require His work before our work. It's that "work" before the work that is so painful, yet so necessary. That inner work or boot camp of the soul as you call it, recently caught me off guard. In May this year I was cruising along doing my work for Him when suddenly I found myself tumbling into a deep dark pit. While there, God stoked the fires of His inner work in my soul, purifying me and preparing me for my next chapter. Now, six months later, I can testify to what you are writing about, and say in full assurance of faith, I serve the best of Masters! He knows what He is doing,

[Susie Larson]

Lorilee,

First of all, please forgive me! I'm woefully behind on responding to blog posts. Second of all, the important thing is that you are in the game! You're engaging in the fight of faith even though the enemy is trying to take you out. Press on and press in. God is faithful and He is with you.

[Susie Larson]

Hi Tom,

You have been through the fire but you've come through without smelling like smoke, as they say. It's a true testament to your pure heart and of God's faithfulness to you. I so appreciate your example to me over the years. May God bring a fresh new excitement about the days ahead. He has great plans for you! Blessings, dear Pastor Tom!