Accessing Today's Power...

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...

If you've heard me speak before, you've probably heard this story (if that's you, please forgive me and indulge me this one more time). Quite a few years ago after an especially significant speaking event (God moved in ways that boggled my mind), I curled up in bed and whispered this prayer, "Lord, I don't know what just happened at this event, but I do know this: I want more! More of You! More of Your power and Your presence in my life!"

I fell asleep with those words on my tongue. And I had a very vivid dream.

In the dream people were busy with their daily lives, rushing to and fro - totally unaware of the power that hung overhead, completely within their reach. The 'power' looked like rolling colorful clouds with bolts of lightning shooting through them. Every once in a while, someone had the presence of mind to pause and look up. Then they'd reach up and grab hold of the 'power' and place it on their children or their wallet, or their own heart. But then they'd go along their way and not look up for a long time after that. But in my dream there was one woman who camped in the presence of God. She lived there. She reached up with great regularity and accessed what God made available to her. And the result? Her life glowed with the power made available from on high.

I woke up from my nap absolutely stunned. As I snuggled in my bed for just a while longer, I pondered this vivid dream, and the Lord whispered this across my heart, 'Most of My people only scratch the surface of what I've made available to them.'

I'll be honest. I have a tendency to worry. I battle it. I wrestle it to the ground. And sometimes it knocks me to the ground. Grrrr! I hate that worry battle! But I'm more spiritually skilled now to win the worry battle than I was even a month ago.

One of my favorite heroes of the faith, Corrie Ten Boom, wrote these powerful words: "Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength."

One thing that'll suck the life out of God's gift of daily grace and power, is our tendency to worry about tomorrow. We have power overhead, available to us, TODAY! We have everything we need to ABOUND in every good work!

May we stay present in this moment - God has given us grace and power for this very hour. Let's grab hold of it; access it through faith; and appropriate it in our lives!

Another thing that steals the power from our lives is committing to un-appointed work. Understand this: An un-appointed work will always be an un-annointed work. 

May w be earnest in checking our commitments with the Lord. We must receive our marching orders from Him! And when we do, let's march forward with a humble, faithful attitude! No whining, complaining, or griping. We work and serve HIM (not our boss, our pastor, or anyone else). We live for and serve an audience of ONE. May our lives and our service be a wholehearted offering to Him. 

The Bible says that God has given us His great and precious promises SO THAT we can participate in His Divine Nature and carry on the work He started on earth. 

May there be a focused-purposefulness to our day today! May we be about the Father's business in whatever capacity He has assigned to us. May we see ourselves as ones who have access to the inner Throne Room of the Most High God. We have His ear, we have His promises, and we have His wonderful presence. What more could we possibly ask for?

Live POWERFULLY today!

~Until next week.

Comments

[Rebecca Marshaw]

I have heard that dream, but THANK YOU for reminding me of it! God wanted me to hear it again! I love that quote from Corrie- Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength. So true! I struggle with worrying, about my kids, about what others think of me. I'm going to use this quote next time my mind wanders to worry. I also loved that you said un-appointed work will always be an un-annointed work. Another area I struggle. Probably goes back to the worrying about what others think of me. I cant say no. God help me with this!

Every New Year I ask the Lord to give me a word and a verse to match that word. 2011's word is overflow and the verse is Psalm 23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Praying that you will experience Gods overflowing blessing in 2011!!!

[Kathy S]

I needed that reminder today! Thanks Susie! I don't work for...only for God. Ufda, that is a relief!

[Lorilee]

The last couple days God has been putting His word "in my face" reminding me to just rest in Him and do not worry about tomorrow as He holds each day for us! Thank you for remindng me that He is truely at our fingertips through prayer and His word!!!! I have prayed for a particular job that I believe is just right, and the waiting is hard as I thought I would have heard by today....I just keep turning it back to Him...over and over and over.....this is very hard for me to do. I seek His will and yet my timing..so hard to let that go. A daily reminder seems to be right there.

[Alisha]

Shot out...

http://mealplanningmommies.blogspot.com/2011/01/tapping-into-gods-strength.html

;)

[Vicky]

Amen! We need to do as the song says"Surrender All" Easy said,not so easy to do. I lay in bed the other night repeating those very words,I surrender all ,over and over.I love the fact that God has been in our tomorrows and that Jesus is praying for us. Now I need to really take it in my heart and let go. Thank goodness for a faithful and understanding God!!

[JAR]

So true! I remember lying in bed once and thinking, "Lord, just show me what you want me to do and I'll do it". That simiple prayer led me on the most amazing journey of my life! When we let God go before us and follow Him, He will bring things into our lives that we couldn't even imagine.

[Susie Larson]

Rebecca,

I always enjoy hearing from you! May God continue to clarify (as He has thus far) your very amazing calling! May He protect you, provide for, and establish you in every way!

Blessings, dear sister!

[Susie Larson]

Kathy,

So glad God spoke to you through this post.

Bless you, sister!

[Susie Larson]

Lorilee,

So glad you stopped by! May God continue to strengthen and bless you as you wrestle in prayer and walk in faith. May He continue to clarify His highest and best will for your life. Bless you, Lorilee!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Vicky,

I just read your blog post and I don't know what to say except that I'm completely humbled. I'm so grateful God has worked through me to encourage you. May you continue to be a flow-through vessel for Him to encourage and bless others!

Thanks again for sharing you blog with me!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Vicky,

You are right! And why is it so difficult for us to let go and entrust ourselves to Him? And yet, that's where we'll find our safety, peace, and best selves.

May God help us all walk in a new level of faith and trust this year.

Blessings to you, my sister!

[Susie Larson]

Dear 'JAR',

Please share more! I'd love to hear your testimony! What is God doing in your life? Tell me your story!

Blessings,

Susie

[Amy Kusske]

Hello Susie,I attended one of your woman's conferences two October's ago with my mother-in-law and every since, your testimony and weekly words have helped me understand what God is saying in Scripture everyday to me.I currently attend Bethel University for Christian Ministries and have 5 children. My husband started out very supportive, but at times he seems school is hard on the family.I love school and studying the Bible, it is the most fun I have next to sleeping and snuggling with our children (13 down to 1). I know God is preparing me for His will and it excites me every day, but my family forgets sometimes.I am telling you this because it is hard for me to organize and prioritize with our crazy lives. Your words about un-appointed work compared to un-anointed work along with checking with God first of my commitments is exactly what I needed to hear (I love when He does that). Thank you, all this has been on my heart and you put it beautifully. Now to apply and communicate it with the rest of my family and the world. I cannot wait for the results.Love and Peace in ChristAmy Kusske

[Lydia Smith]

The church we are attending has some wonderful aspects and people are getting saved weekly. However, there are so many programs! Are people doing a lot of un-appointed work? It doesn't seem the Lord would have us to be at the church nearly every day of the week. We were in ministry for many years and a normal workweek now feels like we've been granted a gift of time. We worked for the church for many years--now we want to work for God in the work that He appoints and anoints!

[Nancy Williams]

Great post Susie. The sentence that grabbed me this morning is "an unappointed work is an unannointed work." I'm looking at possibilities before me that, on the surface, look great. Your blog reminds me of my need to slow down before I grab at what "looks good" and be still to fully seek God's direction before I leap in.

[Susie Larson]

Amen, Nancy,

Isn't that the truth for us all? We all need to slow down and give ourselves time to pray and listen, that we might more freely live in response to God. I'm getting there, more and more. But I want to live there! Blessings to you, sister!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Lydia,

Your story speaks for so many people! I think it's almost a foreign idea to slow down long enough to receive our marching orders from the One we serve! Lord, forgive us for living lives of such busyness, that we miss out on intimacy with You. Forgive us for racing around doing so many good things, that we miss out on the best thing. Make our NO and YES holy again. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Amy,

Bless your heart! You have a full plate and a full quiver! May God fill you up with joy and peace and love and may He give you a very clear sense of how to balance it all while staying intimately connected to Him. He loves you! He offers everything you need to abound in every good and appointed work! Blessings to you, my sister!