Redefine Your Circumstances...

Happy Wednesday, Friends!

And to those visiting, I say welcome! Susie Larson here...

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...

Many of you know that my dad passed away last week. We're still reeling from the suddenness of it all, but we know he's with Jesus and for that, we're eternally grateful. My dad dealt with numerous health issues and rarely felt well, but that's not what all of his grandkids will remember about him. When they think of their grandpa they'll remember how funny and snarky he was, how much he loved them, and how important they were to him. When the grandkids were around, my dad focused on them, not on his suffering, which to me, was incredibly heroic of him.

When Jesus suffered on the cross, His thoughts were on those He came to save. Because of the joy set before Him (you and me), He endured the cross and scorned it's shame (see Hebrews 12). He could have complained about His immense, unfathomable pain, He could have shouted, "To hell with you all! You're not worth it!" But He did the exact opposite. He embraced our worth. He cherished the thought of us in Heaven with Him. The whole idea of eternity with us kept Him going. Thank you, Jesus.

Jesus came to save us, and in the process, He redefined the cross. Crucifixion was a horrific, public, painful humilation. It was the worst way to die, in pain, shame, and dishonor.

Jesus, our perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb, brought honor and dignity to the cross. He offered salvation to a lost and dying world, through the worst it had to offer, death on the cross. He triumphed over death on the cross that we might live free and powerful lives.

Even the way He lived redefined "religion" and challenged the religious legalist. They didn't know what to make of Him. Jesus just would not be bound by traditions and laws that boxed in His love and concern for those who needed Him. 

When Jesus freely shared a meal with those the world despised, the scribes hated Him for it. Because Jesus lived and breathed love, honor, and dignity, He redefined every circumstance in His midst. Read what William MacDonald wrote regarding Jesus' meal with the tax collectors:

"The scribes thought they would ruin the Lord's reputation by calling Him a friend of sinners. But their intended insult has become an endearing tribute. All the redeemed gladly acknowledge Him as the friend of sinners, and will love Him eternally for it."  (Believer's Commentary)

If you have surrendered your life to Christ and have accepted His sacrifice on the cross for your sins, you now live with the power and influence of Almighty God at work in and through you! You can bring dignity and honor to every situation. No person, no circumstance, so accusation can diminish your worth. No loss, no rejection, no misstep can separate you from God's love.

If you're walking through an especially difficult time right now, look up. Your circumstances do not define you. God does and has and you're worth everything to Him. Bring dignity and honor to your struggle with finances; bring holiness and humble confidence to your battle with health issues; bring power and influence to the pain of your broken relationships. Redefine your circumstances. You can because Jesus turned the tables on the enemy and won. The same power alive in Him is now alive in you. Overwhelming victory is yours! Walk forward with holy confidence.

~Until next week.

Live Ready...

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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of folks, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.

Now on to my topic...

If you connect with me on Facebook, you already know that I lost my dad the day before last. On December 22nd, he went into the hospital with difficulty breathing. On December 23rd they diagnosed him with stage four lung cancer. And on January 2nd, he went home to be with the Lord. We're all stunned at how quickly his health declined. I'm so grateful that he is now pain free, but my grief overwhelms me at times.

As many of you know, I've felt especially drawn to study the end times lately. No matter where you stand on the topic, Jesus' return is closer than it's ever been. The other day, Andrew Hess Tweeted the following statement: Don't let your anticipation for 2012 overshadow the return of the King.

Amen and amen!

Jesus is coming soon. Though we can't and shouldn't try to determine the exact date of Christ's return, we must discern the times and the seasons just as He told us to. Based on fulfilled prophecies and the turbulence in our midst, I believe Jesus could come at any time. With all my heart I believe that a generation that walks the earth today will live to see the rapture. But even if I'm wrong, Jesus still calls us to live ready, alert, prayerful, and watchful. 

Furthermore, none of us knows how many days we have left on this earth. Life can change in the blink of an eye. May we refuse to take our days for granted and instead, wrap our arms around faith, hope, and love, and live in a manner worthy of His Name!

So how do we live ready? 

We open our eyes to the ways God is moving in our midst ~ Those who seek Him, will find Him (See Matthew 7:7-8).

We throw off sin, compromise, and petty thoughts associated with an earthbound life ~ Those who believe they have better things to do than grovel in the dirt, will do better things (See Hebrews 12:1). 

We engage our faith ~ Those who expect great thing from God will accomplish great things for God (See Ephesians 3:20).

We pray passionately ~ Those who approach God will holy confidence and humble dependence will see miraculous answers to prayer (See 1 John 3:21-22).

We give generously ~ Those who sow generously will reap generously. It's impossible to outgive God (See 2 Corinthians 9:6)

We make every moment count for eternity ~ Those who live now with eternity in mind will have a greater capacity to enjoy heaven  when they get there (See Ecclesiastes 3:11).

We are not made for this place! We're just passing through. May we refuse the curse of a hurried, disengaged life. May we instead awaken to the power, provision, and promise written over us. May we access and appropriate all God offers us that we might live up to our high privilege in Him.

May 2012 be a breakthrough year for you. May you live ready for Christ's return, making the moments count for eternity.

God bless you.

~Until next week.

Live With Expectancy!

Greetings, 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 giftcard to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of folks, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend. 

I had a powerful conversation with author/speaker Mike Guzzardo last week. We talked about what it means to live 'All In' for Jesus. If you need a spiritual shot in the arm, be sure to catch the podcast from last week's show. I'm pretty sure you'll love that interview!

Now on to my topic...

I've been thinking a lot lately about the end times and about Jesus' return. No matter where you stand on end times theology (pre-trib, mid-trib, or post trib), most agree, Jesus is coming soon! 

Scripture says that just as in the days of Noah, people in the latter days will be caught up in daily life, eating, drinking, and partying - with no thought of the coming flood - and that is how it will be when the Son of Man returns (See Matthew 24:37-39). 

First Peter, verses thirteen and fourteen say this: So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

Think clearly: Remember what's important. Consider that if you are in Christ, you are not your own; you've been bought with a price. You have a divine call on your life! Refuse to get caught up in petty insecurities and shallow self-awareness. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! You possess all in Him. You lack no good thing. Walk in a manner worthy of your calling. Live up to your high privilege in Christ Jesus. Put your hand only to the things He calls you to. May you understand the times and know what to do.

Exercise self control: Don't throw your time away like it doesn't matter because all of your life matters! Don't give in to the indulgences common to man; practice restraint and moderation so you can be clear thinking, alert, and ready for action. Enjoy an occasaional treat here and there, but don't let over indulgence mark your life. Consider this not as a legalistic order but a challenge to be well trained and alert!

Look forward: For the Christ-follower, this life on earth is as bad as it gets! We have everything to look forward to. For the one who rejects Christ, this life is as good as it gets. Live with expectancy! Trust that God's promises are true. Expect Him to come through for you and to keep His word. In the coming days, look for answers to your persistent prayers. Scripture says that hope does not disappoint. As Mike Guzzardo said (in the interview I referred to above), "It's literally impossible for Christ to fail me." Live with the expectancy that God is actively involved in your life. He loves you, He is for you, and He is with you. 

Even amidst the hustle-bustle of this holiday season, live as one who is spoken for. We celebrate Jesus, the long-expected Savior. He came as a humble babe in the manger. Soon He'll return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

May we live with our eyes open, our chin lifted, and our hearts set fully on Him. When He returns, will He find faith on the earth? 

May He find faith in us.

~Until next week.

You Now Stand!

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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of folks, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.

Now on to my topic...

On Tuesday I had Tullian Tchividjian (Billy Graham's grandson) on the show. He wrote a book titled, "Jesus + Nothing = Everything." It was a great interview; you'll love what he had to say. If you're interested here's the link to the podcast: Live the Promise interview with Tullian Tchividjian

Tullian passionately shared how being on the receiving end of gossip, fault-finding, and assigned motives "broke his legs" and taught him to fully depend on the Lord. He now walks in a whole new level of freedom and power! God showed him how very much he depended on man's approval for his peace of mind. Don't we all fall easily into that trap? 

And yet, when we put our hope in anything but Christ, even the noblest of causes or the best of people, those things become idols. Our hope is in the living, loving God who promises never to leave us or forsake us. 

Colossians 1:14 explains that through Christ’s victory on the cross, God has rescued US from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His Son in whom we find redemption and the forgiveness of sin.

Redemption = clearing, absolution, debt honored, return

God has plucked us out of the enemy stronghold and placed us into His Kingdom where we are loved, cherished, cleansed, called, cared for, protected, equipped, and armed to stand.

We now stand in the Kingdom of His marvelous light! Read this powerful verse:

However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). 

Even when we encounter conflict, rejection, misunderstanding, we still remain in the Kingdom with firm footing there. Remember, we have a secure standing because of what Jesus has done, not a hit-and-miss standing because of what we do.

Even though conflict and misunderstanding is painful, we must not give it so much power that we begin to doubt our firm standing of love, acceptance, qualification, and calling in the Kingdom of God’s Son.

Too often we see ourselves as standing on a little bitty spot of conditional acceptance. And we think we lose that ground when we misstep, misspeak, or mess up. But the ground is wide beneath our feet. Because of God’s precious grace there’s room for us to fall, trip, and get it wrong on occasion.

Not that we consider grace as a license to sin. May it never be!

But may we neither live in the other extreme where conditional love leaves us feeling constantly unsettled about who we are and what we possess.

If you’ve received Christ sacrifice for your sins, then His victory is your victory! You are now a joint heir with Christ! What He possesses is yours!

Nobody can separate you from God’s love (See Romans 8:38). No misstep can yank you out of the Kingdom of God’s Son. And everything you do from this day on is intended to be in response to what He’s already done.

He loves you. He’s rescued you. He’s forgiven you. He’s cleansed you. He’s renewed you. He’s restored you. He’s equipped you. And He sends you out, already complete in Him. Live now in response to what Christ has done for you. It’s a settled deal. Isn’t that wonderful?

Don’t make an idol out of the opinions of others. Live free. Live whole. And Love well.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:1-2).

~Until next week. 

Do You Pray For Yourself?

 

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 airs 6 days a week. Join us every weekday from 3:00-4:00 CST, and on Saturdays from 1:00-2:00, KTIS AM 900, on the Faith Radio Network, or listen online at: www.faith900.com - Wow! We've had some powerful shows lately!

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...

A while back I had the privilege of interviewing author and pastor Dr. Will Davis, Jr., and let me tell you, he was a great guest! We discussed his book, "Faith Set Free: Pray for Yourself With Reckless Abandon."

Our call screen lit up right away with callers wanting to discuss the whole issue of praying for yourself, not to mention, praying for yourself with reckless abandon (and only one caller got through for some odd reason). :(

I posted a question on Facebook asking whether or not people felt comfortable praying BIG for themselves. A number of women admitted that at least initially, it was difficult to dare to pray such a bold prayer. 

Many people feel a sense of guilt about praying for themselves, though Jesus calls us to ask, seek, and knock. Many feel it's selfish to pray for yourself, and it can be, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't still pray about everything on our hearts. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. As we close the gap between us and God, we become more like Him, more aware of His presence, and more passionate about His concerns for us.

We can pray for others and do great exploits in that regard (and part of our prayer life should always involve the needs of others), but, we will never realize our fullest potential until God is given access to work in and through us. He has gifted us, He has written a destiny over our lives that only WE can live out; and He has put desires in our hearts that are straight from HIM. 

Imagine how it must make Him feel when He breathes life into one of our hidden desires and we are so sure that the inner nudge is our selfishness talking, that we turn a deaf ear to God and instead scold ourselves for thinking such a ridiculous thought. 

We cannot please God without faith. He delights in every detail of our lives. He is crazy in love with us. He has written our name on His hand. He has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us. He ordained and appointed us for good works long before we were born. And, when we delight in Him, He establishes us, in our desires, in our giftedness, and in ways that we never thought possible. 

Some of our desires are simply selfish. But tucking them away and pretending they don't exist, is not the answer. Some of our desires seem selfish but are really linked to our God-sized call, and we'll have a ball when we dare dream with God and walk out those desires. How can we know the difference? We determine not to be so self aware. We run boldly into our Father's presence and ask Him to listen to every one of our concerns. We determine not to edit ourselves before we reach His throne (would you ask your child to tone down his dreams before he dares share them with you?). 

The Father, in His love, will shape our desires to fit His will. He'll change our hearts and renew our minds. And the cool thing is, our dreams are often too small. As we dare to admit our heart's desires, we will find a loving God right there to stir up our faith and lead us in the way that we should go. And remember, our God-sized call will always further His Kingdom and make life better for others.

Pray BIG for yourself today. And tomorrow. And the next day. See what God will do.

If you want to listen to the podcast of my interview with Will Davis, click here.

Now to HIM who is ABLE to do immeasurably MORE than ALL we can ASK or IMAGINE, ACCORDING to His power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

~Until next week.