YES! and NO!

 

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

NEW RELEASE!!!

I am very excited to announce the release of my newest book, "Embracing Your Freedom: A Personal Experience in God's Heart for Justice." 

Bless my socks off and pick up a copy today! I believe the message of this book is an important word for women in our day. Follow the Amazon link below to get a look at my book. Please post a review if you've had the chance to read 'Embracing Your Freedom' (thank you so much!):

Embracing Your Freedom on Amazon...

It's time to give away this month's Starbucks gift card. Drum roll please...

Jami Kaeb, congratulations! Thanks for your great posts! Email me at: info@susielarson.com with your mailing address and I'll get the card in the mail to you. Bless you!

Now on to my topic...

Those of you who frequent my blog know that I've devoted the weeks in November to address some uncommon aspects of giving thanks (for our freedom for the unknown road ahead, for the first signs of answered prayer). Today we are going to look at the powerful gifts of our 'YES' and 'NO' when it comes to the spiritual realm. There is power in those words!

Ephesians 6:16 tells us to: take up the shield of faith with which we can extinguish ALL of the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

When we walk in step with the Lord, there is NOTHING the enemy can send our way that we can't defend. We raise our shield and we block his attempts to bring us down, make us doubt, and move us into discouragement. I'm speaking to myself here. I've been in a bit of a funk these past couple of days. But this passage reminds me that the armor I possess in Christ is perfect for times such as these!

Author Rick Renner addressed the 'with which' in the verse above. He wrote that the Greek word for the phrase 'with which' is 'dunamis' which means explosive power. 

When the enemy shoots his arrows at us, we MUST raise our shield in response to his attacks and say 'NO!' When we raise our shield and refuse his taunts, we actually activate and explosive power in the supernatural realm. Our shield isn't a plastic toy, it's a supernatural weapon to combat and overcome supernatural schemes devised against us! And that's something for which to be thankful!

Let's look at another verse:

(Jesus answers a man who said, "If you can...please help us"):

"'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for him who believes.' (See Mark 9:23).

According to author Rick Renner, the word 'possible' in this verse is the Greek word, 'dunata' which comes from the word 'dunatos.' It expresses the idea of ability, power, and one who is able. It shares the same root word as 'dunamis.' 

Rick Renner writes: "You see, faith is the spark that ignites the impossible causes to become possible. When a person's faith is activated, it sets in motion supernatural power that enables that person to do what he normally would never be able to do!" (See Sparkling Gems, pg. 780). 

So you see, when you say NO! to the enemy, you active explosive power against the forces that stand opposed to you. And when you say YES! to God, you active explosive power in the heavenly realms where God has assigned warring angels to assist and help you.

Our 'NO' and 'YES' mean something to God and they mean something to the devil. Let's not minimize the gift of what God had made available to us in this life. We are equipped to be MORE THAN CONQUERORS in Christ Jesus. God has given us authority over ALL of the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19), and ANYTHING is possible for us who walk in faith (Mark 9:23).

Thank you, Lord.

~Until next week.

First a Trickle...

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

NEW RELEASE!!!

I am very excited to announce the release of my newest book, "Embracing Your Freedom: A Personal Experience in God's Heart for Justice." 

Bless my socks off and pick up a copy today! I believe the message of this book is an important word for women in our day. Follow the Amazon link below to get a look at my book. Please post a review if you've had the chance to read 'Embracing Your Freedom' (thank you so much!):

Embracing Your Freedom on Amazon...

Now on to my topic...

If you're new to my blog, I'm dedicating the weeks in November to some uncommon aspects of gratitude. The first week we remembered afresh our gift of freedom and thanked God for it. The call was to pull over to the side of the road and take in the beautiful sunset, because you can. Slow down and enjoy that conversation with your friend, because you can!

Last week we considered the unknown path ahead of us a beautiful thing. Why? Because Jesus is already there. He goes before us and He is behind us. He's even right beside us. And though the ground feels unsteady beneath our feet, Jesus is holds us steady and makes us strong. We as Believers have the glad assurance of God's precious and personal presence and for that, we are grateful.

This week we're going to look at the precious gift of answered prayer. Every one of us is either wearing, living in, or in some other way, enjoying full-fledged answers to past prayers. In fact, we've prayed countless prayers and then forgot about them only to enjoy the answer later with no thought of God's faithfulness. God forgive us. But there's still today. Let's thank Him today for every blessing we enjoy.

So where's the uncommon in all of this? Let's thank Him too for the prayers that remain unanswered - at least as far as our eyes can see. We must know that our God is fully engaged with us on this journey, an ever present help in times of trouble (see Psalm 46:1). 

The Lord wants us to ask and keep asking. Seek and keep seeking. Knock and keep knocking. He loves our tenacity and our faith. He is always moving. Always intervening in response to our prayers. The thing is, many of those answers and life-changes are invisible at first. 

When we bring our requests before God and when we hold on to the promises from His Word, things change. In the spiritual realm first. Just because we cannot see Him work in our kids, our spouses, our workplace, or our own lives, it doesn't mean He isn't working. He is. And He moves in beautiful and divine ways. 

Isaiah 43:18-19 is a great reminder for us:

Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a NEW THING! 

Now it springs up; do you know PERCEIVE it? 

I am MAKING A WAY in the desert and STREAMS in the wasteland.

We pray. We trust. We thank God for His faithfulness. And we continue to walk on in faith, knowing He'll come through for us.

And suddenly one day - sometimes when we least expect it - we notice a stream in the wasteland, a trickle of water finding it's way through the dry and weary places of our lives. 

We get discouraged when we pray because too often, we look for the BIG answer, the finished product, and the final solution, all the while missing the trickle of life making its way into our lives. 

As we acknowledge God's faithfulness in our lives, as we hold on to faith, walk in obedience, and trust in God's Word, that trickle in due time becomes a rushing river. May we never minimize those small beginnings and those little glimpses of change. We can find God in every nook and cranny of our lives.

Lean in and listen to what God has to say to you today. A new thing springs up. Can you perceive it? Do you trust Him enough to thank Him for the answers that are on their way? Answers are on their way you know, just for you.

If you see a trickle of water flow through your dry and weary land, celebrate! If you see a small, fist-sized cloud in the sky, jump up and down and praise Him! (See 1 Kings 18). God is moving in ways we cannot see. And He loves, loves, loves it when we wholeheartedly embrace that truth.

Bless Him today with your faith. Thank Him ahead of time for the ways He is moving on your behalf.

~Until next week.

Fingerprints...

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 share a story or insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.

NEW RELEASE!!!

I am very excited to announce the release of my newest book, "Embracing Your Freedom: A Personal Experience in God's Heart for Justice." 

Make my day and pick up a copy today! I believe the message of this book is an important word for women in our day. Follow the Amazon link below to get a look at my book:

Embracing Your Freedom...

Now on to my post...

Today I want to chat with you about the idea of walking around the traps the enemy sets for us. You know that scene in the movies when an unsuspecting person gets tricked into putting his fingerprints on a weapon? Recently I pondered the idea of how the enemy often does the same thing to us. He baits us to:

• Take the credit


• Take offense


• Grab for ourselves


• Grab hold of anger


• Open the door to gossip


• Open the door to discouragement 


• Open the door to fear, doubt, and worry

He wants us to put our hands on things God never intended us to touch. Picture it. Something happens that knocks you off balance, and the enemy is right there, holding out a weapon of revenge or a choice word of reaction. Do you grab it and start swinging? Or maybe you've recently achieved a few great accomplishments and people are singing your praises. You are grateful that God would use you in such a way. And just when you least expect it, that enemy of yours holds out a license of pride and subtle arrogance. He tempts you to believe that life is good because you are good. Do you step into that trap? Or maybe you've endured one hardship after another and you wonder what else could go wrong. At just the right (or wrong) moment, there's a knock at your soul's door, and you know it's hopelessness. But you're tempted to answer because you feel hopeless. 

Now imagine those same encounters where you step back, put your hands up, and declare, "I'm not touching that thing! You won't find my fingerprints on that bait! I'm not falling for the trap and I won't give in to defeat. I am made for better things!" 

God is always stronger, always makes provision for our victory, and always provides a way out so we can stand in the battle. 

First Corinthians 10:13 promises us that, no temptation has seized us except for what is common to man, and when we are tempted, He will provide a WAY OUT so we can stand up under it. 

We never have to fall for the enemy's traps. 

Isaiah 59:19 reminds us that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord shall raise up a standard against him.

Let's take it a step further. When faced with the temptation to grab hold of fear, may we put our hands on faith instead. When we are baited to take the credit or to think we are something when we're not, may our hands and our faces find the ground as we bow lower still and honor the God who saves us and lifts us up. When we are tempted to retaliate or hang on to un-forgiveness, may we cling to the Cross and remember once again all we've been forgiven. May our God see our fingerprints all over His promises! 

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.  Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah (Psalm 24:1-6).

Until next week~

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The Moment of Provision...

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 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month I'll give away a gift card from Starbucks. So leave a post, share a story, and bless lots of people!

Okay, now on to my topic...

Last week we discussed the turbulent times we're living in and how important it is to be strengthened in the Word and strengthened in God's presence. 

I'd like to address another aspect of our faith in light of the storm clouds gathering overhead. I said this on the air yesterday and it bears repeating: Especially during these trying and uncertain times, we must be more God-aware, than news-aware. 

God's promises are still true. His promise of provision has not let up. Neither has the call to obey Him no matter what. We are still supposed to tithe, to give to those have less than us, and to believe with all our hearts - that we are called to be flow through accounts of God's blessing.

Imagine if most Believers pulled back and stopped giving to their local church because of fear over finances. First of all, their personal finances would only suffer more. Secondly, churches everywhere would start to fold (in fact, churches are closing their doors all around us). To step back and look at the bigger picture here, when a church closes, the community suffers loss. We have a personal responsibility here not to lose our heads in this crazy time.

So, just how do we maintain a mindset of faith in a day of fear?

We prepare for rain.

Think about your various areas of concern, or hopes, or dreams. Name them. Find Scripture to support these things your asking for. Set out your buckets today. Pray through each one - thanking God for hearing your prayer. Picture the raindrops starting to fall. Imagine them plunking into your bucket. Smile, because God is moving on your behalf.

Tomorrow during your prayer time, set out your buckets again. Name them. Bring your needs before the Lord, but not in a begging-pleading sort of way; in a faith-filled, thankful sort of way. Dear Lord, You promised to supply all of my needs according to Your riches, not mine. I thank you with all my heart that I have more than enough to live abundantly today. I'm believing You for great things! And I'll be back tomorrow to talk with you about these things again. I've set out my buckets of expectation and I am ready. Let it rain, Lord.

I've been naming my buckets for about seven years and they're so full, they're almost ready to spill over! Everything I'm asking for is Biblical and my faith is strengthened every time I pray through the promises God has made to me.

So, we've addressed the future concerns. We prepare for rain by setting out our buckets.

But what about today? 

Today we open our hands. In fact, we take our day one moment at a time. This moment is the moment of provision. Right now, God is supply our needs for the hour. Mercy, grace, and faithful promises are available right here, right now. 

I'm speaking to myself here. I'm up to my eyeballs in work right now, and I'm behind schedule in a way that makes me uncomfortable. But this morning as I prayed, I so strongly sensed the Lord saying to me, "Your deadline is not today, it's a few weeks from now. Today is a writing day, so write. Think only about the hour. Open your hands and I will supply what you need." 

Don't think about the future through a worry filter. Plan for the future in light of God's promises.

Prepare for rain and daily, tenaciously, bring God's promises before Him. He loves that. 

Inhale. Exhale. Now smile. God is with you.

Until next week~

PS - I hosted Along the Way yesterday (a two hour talk show). We had a great time. You can listen online or download it to your iPod if you want. Here's the link:

Listen to Susie host Along the Way...

PSS - If you haven't signed up for my quarterly E-zine, you might want to. A number of my author-friends give away some great books, I offer some devotional insights, health and balance tips, book recommendations, great quotes, and a prayer to send you on your way. You'll enjoy it! Here's the link:

Subscribe to Susie's E-zine...

Contrary to Nature...

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 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So stop by, leave a post, share a story, and bless loads of people! 

It's time to award November's winner (and remember, you have to claim your prize by emailing me, I'm not able to chase you down. :) And the winner is...Jami! You posted on November 19th. Email me at: info@susielarson.com and we'll get you your gift card to Starbucks. Congratulations!

Now on to my topic...

We have a family tradition that I love. Every year - on the eve of Christmas Eve - we sit down to a candlelight dinner with our three sons. We turn off all of the lights save the Christmas lights. With a fire glowing in the fireplace and Christmas instrumental music on in the background, we gather around the table with great anticipation.

This is the time we lean in, enjoy our food, take our time, and share about our individual spiritual journey. First we each reflect on what God has taught us over the past year; we each discuss what faith lessons we'll be taking away from the past year's experiences. Then we move into thoughts of the upcoming year. We each share what we would like to learn from the Lord this next year. 

For instance, a number of years ago, Jake said the greatest thing: I want to learn - on a deeper level - just what I possess in Christ - and then I want to appropriate those riches in my life in a greater way.

I love that. I want that too.

Even though I'm surrounded by four strapping men, this dinner always proves to be an intimate and tender time. Of course, I cry through most of it, but that's okay, right? 

We'll this year, we wanted to add a new aspect to our eve-of-eve dinner. On Thanksgiving morning we had a family meeting via conference call. With Jake in Nashville and the other two here at home, we put the phone on speaker and gathered around the ottoman in the living room. We went around and shared about the blessings for which we were thankful. Then we said this to our guys, "You know, the economy is in rough shape right now; things are tough all over; but we live by God's economy; and His promises are as true now as they have ever been. We want to challenge you all to something. For the next 30 days, every day, ask God to bless you, to increase your territory and sphere of influence; ask that His mighty hand of power be at work in you and through you; ask Him to keep you from evil and temptation; ask Him to help you live in a noble, honorable way (this is the prayer of Jabez, as you probably recognize). And trust us in this: you will begin to see something miraculous happen. Like streams in the desert, God will make a way for you to serve Him more, to love Him more, and to be more for Him. We're going to add to our eve-of-eve dinner a time of testimony. We're going to share stories of how God moved in these past thirty days. Are you with us?"

Our guys jumped right on it! They've been praying and texting each other. In their excitement, they've called us to share some of the ways God is moving. 

We live in a struggling world, but we serve a powerful God. He is always on the move. Always working. Always looking to find faith on the earth.

I not only want to relentlessly look for that river in the desert, I want to jump into where the current is the strongest. 

When we engage our faith with God's very clear promises, we will see - before our eyes - a way where there was no way before. Contrary to nature. Different than we expected. Better even.

Read this powerful verse:

 I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King." This is what the Lord says-- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

If you've repented of your past sins, leave them there - in the past. Take with you only the spoils from your battle. Remember the ways God came through for you. Hang on to lessons learned.

And now - look ahead. In what ways do you suppose God wants to work in your circumstances and through you that are contrary to nature?

Imagine a peaceful stream in the middle of a dry and weary desert. That's for you. In your wilderness, He's provided still waters. Slow down and take a drink. 

Imagine a crashing wave of blessing where you've only experienced drought. That's for you too. God wants to pour out more of Himself on you! Take Him at His word. Expect Him to act! Do what He says! And humbly entrust your concerns to Him. 

God is not bound by our current economic downturn. He defies the rules of nature. But He is, though, bound by our unbelief. 

I know I say this often, and that's because it's true: without faith, it's impossible to please God.

Please Him today with your level of obedience, faith, and expectation.

Have a blessed and miracle-filled week!

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