Blessed, Beloved, and Beautiful...

Happy Wednesday, 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 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...

Recently I interviewed Sheila Walsh on my show and we talked about God's profound love and commitment to us. He is our Defender and Deliverer. He is our Shelter in the storm. Every minute of this interview was packed with power. If you missed the show and want to catch the podcast, click here.

I'm not sure what kind of day you had today. Mine was mostly good. But tonight I took a one-two punch to the gut. Not literally, but emotionally and spiritually. One punch connected with my sense of security and provision, and the other, my sense of belonging and acceptance. I didn't get the 'wind' knocked out of me; I didn't even cry, but I definitely felt it in my gut. 

Have you noticed how when the enemy attacks us, he mostly goes for three specific areas? He tries to make us question God's provision, protection, and promised purpose. Think about it, he attempted to do the same thing to Jesus, but to no avail. 

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter four, verse three, the devil tempts Jesus to prove His relationship with God by turning stones to bread. Jesus was hungry. And vulnerable. Yet, He refused to grab for Himself in reaction to His need. When the enemy presses in hard in attempt to stir up our fears, we must remember that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus! May we follow His lead and say 'NO!' to our fears and to the enemy's taunts and declare with our heart and our words this truth from Ephesians 1:3 ~ 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 

Next the enemy tempted Jesus to take an un-appointed risk to see if God really would come to His aid. But Jesus refused to put God to the test. At times we'll feel vulnerable and the ground will shake beneath our feet. At such times it's tempting to take things into our own hands and then ask God to bless the mess after the fact. But we are beloved of God - which means we are under His charge (called to obey) and under His care (called to trust). To trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus , than to trust and obey (old hymn). 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and He will make your paths straight. 

You are Beloved of God. He's got you.

After the enemy tempted Jesus to wonder about God's provision and protection, he took a few jabs at Jesus' destiny, tempted Him to take a short cut, around the cross, willing Him to accept a less-than-kingdom. The devil was after Jesus' destiny because if he could get to Him, he could get to us. Yet Jesus had His eye on the prize: us. We were the joy set before Him. We were why He endured the taunts of the devil, endured the cross, and triumphed over sin and death. We are His cherished and precious treasure. That makes us beautiful. 

So the next time the enemy tries to topple you with threats about your security, your identity, and your worth, put him under your feet. Take the authority given you by Jesus and follow His example. Just say, "Get out of here, enemy! You tried this with Jesus and you didn't succeed! And because He was victorious, I am victorious. I am blessed. I am beloved of God. And that makes me beautiful."

Stand strong, my friend. We posses all in Him.

~Until next week. 

Comments

[Lorna]

I'm so glad that God doesn't do this: If you love me, you'll do this - in that childish person-to-person love affair.

But He does do this: If you love me, you'll do this: Follow Me, Love Me, Obey My Commandments.

Loved this post.

[Karen]

Susie, you are such a blessing. Thank you for all you do.

[Renee]

Thank you! I needed this today.

[Liesl]

Great post...packed with truth, and perfect timing.

[Maria Foty]

I couldn't thank you enough for this post! It is a tremendous blessing for my soul right now, I so much needed this! God really uses you in a beautiful and powerful way =)

[Pam Carlson]

As I read your comments about Christ suffering temptations as we do, I realized how much I have really have a hard time believing that. When anyone says that Jesus suffered the same temptations, struggling as everybody else does, I think. "no, I seriously doubt that. He is GOD."He does not need anything, all his needs were taken care of, he was not tempted by anything or conflicted about anything. I see that he was presented with temptations, but I don't read that he was actually tempted. Does that make sense? So it is difficult for me to believe he struggled with anything.Perhaps that is my excuse for my lack of self restraint. Sure it was easy for GOD, but I am just me- so don't expect much.Not sure if there are any verses in the Bible that talk about Jesus actually struggling with choices, thoughts, irritations or troubles. I am not talking about his sacrifice on the cross, I got that part, but his day to day did not seem too present him with too many emotional struggles. Again, the temptations may have been parading before him, but he wasnt tempted .

[Pam Carlson]

I hope my comments came off as questioning, and not (rudely) confrontational. I was writing from a questioning perspective,and giving my honest input. I love your column, and I am interested in any comments back that come. Thank you, Pam

[Susie Larson]

Hi Pam,Great question! Here are a couple other passages of scripture, both from Hebrews. The first one speaks of why Jesus became a man that He might understand what we endure. He understands because He suffered, felt weak and tired, and was tempted. The second passage speaks of how deeply He sympathizes with us because of what He Himself endured. Therefore, we can come boldly and confidently into His presence! What a gift. Let me know if you have any other questions. :) Hebrews 2:17-18 ~For this reason he had to be made like them,[a] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. And this from Hebrews 4:15-16 ~ 5 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

[Joy Ballard]

Thanks so much Susie! I needed to hear that...it's good to recognize what's being attacked in our life and not just mope around wondering what's our problem! So thanks for this encouragement.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Joy,

Thanks for your post! And you are so right; it's all too easy to simply endure spiritual harassment without taking a stand against it. We possess all in Christ! Isn't that great news? Luke 10:19 says, "For I have give you authority over all the power of the enemy; you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them and nothing will injure you." Powerful stuff. Bless you, Joy!

[Susie Larson]

Hi Maria,

Thanks so much for your post! I'm grateful God used it to speak to you and nourish your soul. Exactly what I was hoping for! May you continue on in the strength of the Lord! Bless you, sister!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Sweet Liesl,

So blessed you stopped by! I think of you so often! May God continue to establish and strengthen you; and may He fulfill your heart's desire (because I know He's the One who put it there). Love you, so.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Renee,

Thanks for your post! I'm grateful God used it to speak to you. May the Lord fill you up and make you strong! May His release fresh joy and perspective over your life. Bless you!

[Susie Larson]

Karen,

Thanks so much for your post! Thank you for your encouraging words. May God continue to make Himself known in our midst! May He open our eyes and stir up our faith. These are such important days to walk this earth. I know He has a great purpose for all of us. Bless you, sister!

[Susie Larson]

Lorna,

Your words were a perfect ending to my post. I wish I would have tacked those words on to what I wrote! He knows what's best for us and that's why He calls us to trust and obey Him. Oh, to know Him more. Bless you!

[Melissa B.]

Susie, Recently I had 2 occasions. We are new to the area we are at and God placed on me to share my testimony. My insecurity lies in being stalked early on. 2 days before giving my testimony some strange things happened to have me scared enough to not share. I gave that trust to God and did and hadn't heard anything else. Then first night of a conference, I knew I needed to be at I got a call from my kids, power went out. Again, my doubts started and I felt horrible for not being home and focus was off where it needed to be.

[Nancy]

Hi Susie ~ I am fighting a cancer diagnosis, waiting on some pretty significant results that I should have heard 3 days ago...now going into the weekend. I have been here before, waiting over the weekend and it almost my "undoing". I hate to wait for path results!! Waiting on a weekend robs me of peace. This post was exactly what I needed to get through this weekend. Thanks for being His instrument to strangers like me....helping me through tough times.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Nancy,

Oh, my goodness, I am SO sorry to read that you're battling cancer. And that waiting for results thing is so difficult. We've been there. Dear Lord, I pray that you will comfort Nancy and surround her with Your peace! We pray for a good report. We ask for life and healing to permeate Nancy's whole body! We speak to every cell and command it to support life and health in Jesus' Name. Though we don't understand Your healing ways, we er on the side of faith and ask for a miracle once again. You are God, You are Great, and You do wonders for those You love. Do a mighty work on Nancy's behalf, I pray. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Melissa,

May God bring clarity to you as you follow Him! May He strengthen you to walk out His purposes for you. I know He will because that's His will. :) Bless you.