Rise Up and Stand Strong!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 8:00AM 
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 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!
Two quick announcements:
In celebration of my newest release, Growing Grateful Kids, I'm giving away a 4G-I-pod Shuffle to someone who posts a book review on Amazon (only one month left on this promotion!). Go to my Facebook page, click on the Free I-pod! tab for more information.
My new radio show, Live the Promise with Susie Larson launches this Saturday (Noon to 1:00 CST)! My guest is national recording artist, Sara Groves. We'll be talking about what it means to be so in tune with Jesus, that He uses us to be the answer to someone's prayers. For more information, go to: www.Faith900.com
Now, on to my topic...
I don't know about you, but everywhere I turn, I see people enduring incredibly difficult times. And yet, amidst those difficult times, God is doing some amazing things. Even in our own family, we've had some significant crises.
Recently, my brother in law and nephew were anchored in a bay fishing when they were hit by a speeding boat. The boat actually hit my brother in law as he was trying to jump out of his boat. He has a long road of recovery ahead of him. My mom was rushed to the hospital with chest pains and ended up needing a couple of stints to open up the vessels around her heart. My youngest son, who was miraculously healed two years ago from a serious back injury, woke up yesterday morning and could barely walk. He did nothing to injure his back. And yet, the doc says he has a new herniated disc. Crazy times. And yet, God is on the move all around us. Every where I turn, I see glimpses of His glory, evidences of His love.
A fellow author friend, Leslie Vernick, says that in life, we often experience those 'yea' moments right alongside the 'ugh' moments. How true.
As I have prayed earnestly for friends and family members who are fighting some intense battles, I get the feeling that this is how it is going to be in the days to come, and yet with an even greater intensity. We will experience increasingly powerful yea moments right alongside the gut-wrenching ugh moments.
The Bible says that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord raises up a standard against him! No attack launched by the enemy will go unanswered. We are in a war and our battle is not against flesh and blood, or even the people who seem to have it out for us. Read what the Scriptures say:
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities in the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
There is a very real spiritual war going on, and if our earthly pursuit is for a comfortable, pain-free life, we will be sorely disappointed, and even worse yet, taken by surprise.
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting, you'll still be on your feet (Ephesians 6:13).
I believe that we are entering times where we will see God do some amazing things! People you never thought would surrender to Christ, will bend their knee to Him and surrender their lives. Circumstances in which you never thought you'd see break through, will suddenly break through. Children you never thought would come home to their faith, will come running. I believe it!
But, at the same time, the devil fights dirty. He will not give up his stolen territory without a fight. So, we have a choice here. We can sit and feel sorry for ourselves, and allow ourselves to become totally disillusioned by the arrows that zing past our head, or we can raise up our shield and sword, stand on the Word of truth, and see ourselves as the over-comers we are!
In Christ, we HAVE the victory! Overwhelming victory is ours. We are more than conquerors because Jesus has made it so.
Read this great quote:
If a person allows it, he can find something at every turn of the road that will rob him of his victory and his peace of mind. Satan is far from retiring from his work of attempting to deceive and destroy God's children...(BUT)...faith can change any situation, no matter how dark or difficult. Lifting your heart to God in a moment of genuine faith in Him can quickly alter your circumstances. God is still on His throne, and He can turn defeat into victory in a split second, if we will only trust Him. --Marshal Ferdinand Foch
It's all about our focus and perspective. If we dwell on the TRUTH and fix our eyes on Jesus, the final victory is sure.
Rise up and stand strong. All of heaven is on your side!
Blessings to you this week.
~Until next week.
Reader Comments (20)
Thanks for stopping by. Blessings and strength to you!
I say this every week, I think, but you are such a brave and beautiful soul. Be strong and courageous; do NOT fear or be dismayed; for the Lord YOUR GOD is WITH YOU, wherever, whenever, whatever you go through. Bless you, my sister!
Thank YOU for your sweet words. And just so you know, I post every week, which still isn't that much. Someday I'll be able to swing more posts per week. Just not yet. :) Blessings!
Thanks for your note. I loved the quote as well. Great words. Blessings to you!
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I'm so grateful God spoke to you a word in 'due season.' May you continue to function from that wonderful place of richness in Christ Jesus. You have everything you need in Him. Blessings to you~
SO glad God used this post as nourishment for you. God IS on our side, and so, every battle we face is a winnable one. :)Blessings to you!
I'd LOVE to know more about that prayer from John Eldridge. Can you share an excerpt?
Thanks for your note. God's great blessings of health and strength to you!
So nice to hear from you! May God fill you up to overflowing this day! Blessings to you~
I know I owe you an email. :) It's buried in there with the other 354 emails; but I'll get to it. I always love hearing from you. Love your passion and love for the Lord. Love it. :) Bless you.
Thanks so much for your prayers. My son is almost back to normal! Crazy, crazy thing. Blessings to you.