It Matters...

Hey 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 an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! 

Now on to my topic...

God confronted me on something today. As soon as He spoke to my heart, I knew He was right. And I, was absolutely wrong. Isn't it amazing how these kinds of conversations with the Lord bring only life?

This morning while on a walk/run with my dog I breathed in God's promises, and breathed out my unbelief and anxious thoughts. Each time I sucked in and filled my lungs with air, I breathed in the Scriptural prayers I often pray: You both precede and follow me; You place Your hand of blessing on my head. Surely goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You make all grace abound to me so that I, having sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work. I will live out the number of my days in health and declare the works of the Lord!

There is such power in praying and declaring Scripture over our lives!

Right in the middle of my breathe-in, breathe-out exercise, the Lord whispered to my heart, "You were wrong to say what you did the other day." And instantly I knew which day and which moment He meant. It's too personal for me to share the details here but suffice to say, in reaction to feeling despair over someone's spiritual condition, I said to myself, "Maybe it doesn't matter that I've prayed, sowed, believed, and spoken consistent words of faith to this person. It doesn't seem to have mattered one single bit. The pull of the world is just too strong."

Even as I write these words, I'm reminded again how untrue they are. Even so, there I was this morning, enjoying some brisk exercise, breathing in deeply the promises of God when He lovingly confronted me about words spoken the other day. He said, "You were wrong to say what you did the other day. I want you to renounce those words; repent of them; confess them as sin and then accept My forgiveness so you'll be cleared and cleansed of all unrighteousness."

I pounded the pavement with my feet. My dog ran loose-leashed right next to me. I took in another deep breath and then renounced those faithless words and sincerely asked forgiveness. I was instantly wrapped up in peace and grace. What a treasure are His daily mercies. I reveled in them when the Lord whispered to me once more, "Now declare what's true. You know the truth, now speak it out loud."

I really didn't care who heard me or if people driving by in their cars wondered who I was talking to, I boldly declared: Lord, I thank you that it matters what I say, what I pray, and if I plant seeds. It matters that I speak life where there is no life. It matters that I believe You for things I cannot see. Your Word always accomplishes a purpose and never returns empty. You are Lord, Your promises are true, and You work mightily through Your people. It matters what voice I listen to. It matters that I respond to You! It matters whether or not I plant many seeds or only a few. I will live by faith and not by sight because it all matters, very, very much. Amen."

I ask of you, friend, if you've forgotten how much your faith matters, may you remember again today. Speak out some of these statements and you'll feel your own faith rise up within you. My soul was significantly strengthened after that little exercise. No pun intended. :)

So be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the Lord! ~ Psalm 31:24 

~Until next week

Comments

[Katherine Keeler]

Thank you Susie. I have been so busy I really miss your blogs. I need to remember that it does matter. Sometimes I sink into the feeling that we are on the losing team-much worse than what you said the other day. I know that we are NOT on the losing team but as I engage into prayer for so many evils that are happening in the world, persecution, Sudan, etc., I sink into feeling so helpless and wondering if my prayers matter.

Thank you for this wonderful reminder and sharing your personal experience!

[Kristie Timmons]

Thanks Susie for the reminder that we do matter! As humans we rely so much on our senses. It's often hard to continue in our faith because we don't see the physical results of our prayers and we may never see them. But our prayers do matter to the Lord and he loves us for our efforts! He is remembers every prayer we offer up for others and we will reap his blessings for them someday in Heaven! So keep on, keeping on and remain strong in our faith!

[Hannah Baldwin]

Thanks for sharing your heart, Susie! I needed that reminder myself! It does matter that I take to heart God's word & spend time memorizing it...even if it takes me a week to memorize one verse, its worth the effort & I will only grow if I keep pursing to hide His word in my heart. How easy it is to believe the lie that my efforts are fruitless & a waste of my time. Well, not today! I speak against falsehood & embrace David's proclamation: I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

[Beth Johnson]

I had tuned into your program this afternoon and was just about to run downstairs to grab something. Then I heard you say that you had something someone might need to hear today. So I stopped to listen because I thought, "It might be for me". And it was! This very morning I was having negative thoughts that seeds I had been planting in a certain area were useless and would have very little impact for the Lord. Now, instead of backing off, I will press on. Thank you, Susie!

[Susie Larson]

Katherine,

Thank you for your post! I've been so busy I haven't been able to reply to posts in weeks. So I'm glad we both can meet here once again. I know what you mean about feeling buried under the weight of the world's need. God has helped me find a suitable yoke in that regard. I can only carry what He has assigned to me; and when I start to lose perspective and joy, I know I've taken on more than He has assigned to me. It's hard to look at the world's suffering and not be crushed ourselves, but isn't it amazing that He only asks us to carry a portion of His burden and He will do the rest? It's an honor to engage with Him to address issues that are so close to His heart. Anyway, bless you, sister! Thanks for stopping by.

[Susie Larson]

Kristie,

Thanks so much for sharing your insights! We do rely far too often on what we see and feel and not enough on what God's Word promises us. I know for myself, I gain all kinds of ground when I reign in my thoughts and stand strong on the things I know He has promised me. We just need to keep reminding each other of these truths we so often forget! Bless you for stopping by!

[Susie Larson]

Hannah,

You are so right! The time it takes to own a scripture is worth it and then some. When we have a handle on God's Word, we learn how to wield a mighty Sword! I loved this line from your post: "How easy it is to believe the lie that my efforts are fruitless & a waste of my time. Well, not today! I speak against falsehood & embrace David's proclamation: I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You."

Beautiful. Thanks for posting!

[Susie Larson]

Beth,

I'm so grateful that you posted today! And I'm thrilled God used the post to encourage you. I love it when God works in such divine yet ordinary ways. I love how you wrote, '...now instead of backing off, I'm pressing on.'

Way to go! Press on in His Name.

Bless you!