Strengthened by His Word...

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 the gift card comes from Starbucks. So stop by, share your insights, bless lots of people, and maybe you'll win a fresh cup of java for your and your friend. 

Now on to my topic...

In light of the turbulent times, how is your perspective? Are you feeling anxious, worried, and fearful? If you are, you're normal. I believe we have truly stepped into the beginning of the end. For those who mock Christ and make light of the God of our salvation, well, they should be worried, because for them, the news is not good. And of course, we need to pray for them and freely share the love of God with them.

But for those of us who are saved, we stand on the Provision of God, we walk in the Presence of God, and we cling to the Promises of God!

During the day, I am able to keep a sound perspective and for the most part, I'm able to consider the day in light of eternity. But recently I realized that I veer way off track at night, just before I go to bed. Since I work at home all day (writing and speaking prep), I never have the TV on. Nighttime, is my chance to catch up on the day's news. My husband and I put the timer on the TV and fall asleep listening to the news. My goodness, whose great idea was that?

I don't know about you, but I am NOT a night person. My ability to see clearly and reason through things diminishes incredibly. So to use that vulnerable time to try and process the reports of economic doom and gloom, well, that's just downright idiotic. 

Often times I go from peace and faith during the day, to anxious worry in the middle of the night. It's time for me to make a few adjustments. I'll catch the news while I'm of sound mind, and I'll feed my soul before I go to bed.

I want to share with you a Psalm that I believe is a Word for our times. My husband and I read it together every single day. God wants us to be confident and fearless. He wants us to be full of faith and standing on His Word. Now is the time to display the best of who God is. When everyone else is grabbing for themselves, may we be generous and lend freely. When everyone else runs to and fro in desperation, may God be the strength of our hearts and our portion forever. 

Read this powerful Psalm (112):

Praise the LORD! Happy are those who fear the LORD. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten. When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.

Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.  They give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will never be forgotten. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will be infuriated when they see this. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

Let's read this Psalm every day until it gets into our soul, our perspective, and our core belief system. 

Praise the Lord!

BE JOYFUL.

Declare the blessing of God over your children!

BE GENEROUS 

Do not fear bad news!

BE CONFIDENT AND FEARLESS!

Declare influence and honor over your life!

STAND STRONG AGAINST THE THREATS OF THE ENEMY!

The times call for Believers to hope in the Lord and to stand on His strength. Be at peace once more, my friend. For the Lord has been good to you, and He'll be good to you again.

Have a fruitful and powerful week!

PS ~ If you haven't signed up for my quarterly Ezine, please do! I give away great books from my author friends, challenge you with a devotional thought, offer great book recommendations, and leave you with a couple of great quotes and a prayer. Sign up today! Here is the link:

Subscribe to Susie's Ezine...

Put Your Emotions Under Your Feet!

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. For the month of January, I will give away a $10.00 gift card from Barnes & Noble. So leave a comment, share a story, and inspire many others who visit this blog each day!

Now on to my topic.... 

I didn't sleep at all last night. I made the mistake of going to bed with my task list still on my mind. I know better than to take a last look at email before I go to bed, but I did it anyway. Silly me. 

Throughout the night I tossed and turned and got tangled up in my blankets. Throughout the night my mind battled against the 'what ifs' all around me. "What if" questions are useless during the day; and they're absolutely tormenting at night, wouldn't you say? 

But I know I'm not the only one who has to work to stay in a place of consistent peace and a God-centered mindset. It's especially difficult to keep perspective when you're tired; or when you're sick, or broke, or broken, or wounded, or threatened, or just plain afraid. As I posted last week, these are uncertain times, requiring that we be more certain than ever of who we are and what we possess. 

Graham Cooke made a powerful observation regarding our perspective. I wrote about it in my newest book, "The Uncommon Woman." 

He suggests that we remember the difference between our state and our standing. I'll paraphrase his thoughts: Our state speaks of how we feel about our current circumstances (which changes with the ebb and flow of life). Our standing speaks of our position in Christ (which never changes).

We can acknowledge our current 'state', and not be in denial about it. We acknowledge how things are by admitting, "Yes, this is a difficult season and it's hard not knowing what's up ahead." But we can do so, without it shaking us; we can do so that is, if we get our perspective from our 'standing.' We acknowledge our state, but we view life from our standing.

According to my wonderful MAC Dictionary, "Emotions" are described as follows:

A natural, instinctive state of mind derived from one's circumstances, mood, or relationship with others. 

So you can see, emotions rise up out of us as an instinctive reaction to how we feel about our 'state' and from what we tell ourselves about our circumstances.

In Matthew 14 we read about the time when the disciples were in the boat and they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them. At first they thought He was a ghost. But when they heard His voice, Peter had the courage to ask to be invited to participate in a miracle. And he was.

Peter stepped out onto the water and actually walked on water. Imagine!

As with any step of faith we take, Peter began to feel resistance. In this case, resistance came in the form of the wind. He saw the wind's effect on the mighty waters and he felt the wind on his face. His instinctive reaction (as mine would have been) was to give more weight to the wind than to the glory of the One who stood before him.

Read this wonderful excerpt from my Believer's Commentary:

(Relating our experiences to Peter's): We are often storm-tossed, perplexed, in despair. The Savior seems far away. But all the time He is praying for us. When the night seems darkest, He is near at hand. We often mistake Him even then and push the panic button. Then we hear His comforting voice and remember that the waves that caused us to fear are under His feet." (p. 1262).

I love that...the waves that caused us to fear are under His feet!

And since we stand with Christ, those same waves are under our feet! Peter's example is for us!

So let this be a lesson for us today. Regardless of how we feel, God's promises to us are real; they are powerful, and He is true. 

Martin Luther wrote this: Feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving; our warrant is the Word of God, naught else is worth believing.

Be strong and be courageous! Do not fear or be dismayed! For the Lord IS with you, wherever you go! You have things to do in this life. Don't react to your fears, respond to God's promise of provision over your life. He will come through for you and me. We were made to be conduits of Christ's Kingdom work; of His mighty miracles; of His powerful passion for a world in need.

Have a bold and blessed week!

PS ~ If you haven't signed up for my quarterly Ezine, be sure you do! It's full of great things: book giveaways, devotional thoughts, great book recommendations, cool quotes, ministry updates, and a prayer to send you on your way.

Here's the link to subscribe:

Susie's Ezine...

Refresh!

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. Most of you know this already, but for our new visitors, I want you to know that each month I giveaway a gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month someone will win a $25.00 gift card to Starbucks! So leave a post, share a story, and maybe you'll win a treat for you and your friends.

Now on to my topic.

Every Wednesday morning my husband and I spend an hour praying together before he heads off to work. This morning during our prayer time God gave me a fresh perspective on an insight He'd given me long ago.

If you've heard me speak before you've probably heard me talk about the 'snapshot' sin. We all do it. We've all been subject to it. Someone from your past knew you back when you were in a less-than-favorable season of life. Maybe you said things you wish you wouldn't have. Maybe your choices left a wake of disappointment behind you. Or maybe you were simply misjudged. There was only a kernel of truth in the gossip that was directed at you but you had no way of defending yourself. No matter. But you know in your heart that you've changed. God's done an amazing, forgiving, and renewing work in your heart, and you're forever grateful.

But still, someone holds a snapshot of you from 'back when' and they are judging you based on the old picture and not on the present reality. They've summed you up; they've come to conclusions about you and no matter what you say or do, they won't let you off the hook. It's quite painful, no?

I just love how Jesus refuted the snapshot sin. He walked right up to people who were known sinners, or of a hated race, or were considered the outcasts of society. He walked right up to those in need and ministered to them. He saw these precious people as ones who were created in God's image before the sin and stain of the world got to them. He regarded them from a Heavenly point of view. That's how I want to be regarded, don't you?

Even if someone has a snapshot of you, it has no power over you unless you surrender some of the value assigned to you by God. 

This concept is something I teach on quite often. But let me share the fresh insight God gave me this morning. 

How often do you hit the "refresh" button on your computer? What happens if you don't? You have an 'old' screen. We refresh our screen in order to have the most current page, updated changes, and most recent stats before us. We want the most accurate information available. Things change. The refresh button brings us up to date.

Well this morning during our prayer time I was quite challenged by the Lord. As I looked back over my shoulder at the year behind me, I see how God moved. I also see how I picked up certain opinions or assessments or assumptions along the way. The 2008 path has been one of highs and lows; good times and difficult times; peace in relationships and sometimes pain. God's challenge to me was this: "Are you taking any old information with you into this new year? Do you need to push the 'refresh' button with regards to your marriage, family, church, ministry, country, even Me? Have you made snap judgements or let go of the wonder that I am always moving, always working? Pause here for a moment, and take inventory. Seek My face with regards to every area of your life. Make sure you have My perspective and My heart, and not your own. Make sure you view every area of your life from a hopeful, redemptive perspective because that's how I see things."

Wow. What an assignment. And what a cleansing one it was.

I challenge you to do the same.

Take some time this week to be alone with God. Take inventory of the various areas of your life. Have you drawn conclusions about people, places, and certain experiences? Remember, we only know in part. God sees the whole picture. What for you might have seemed like a big mishap might have been from God's perspective, a divine appointment. Seek God's heart concerning these. Ask Him to bring a fresh revelation to your reality. Refuse to walk into the new year with old snapshots. 

"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 (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Take inventory. Refresh your perspective. Repack your bags. And look ahead to the new thing that God is doing in you and all around you.

Be blessed, my friend.

PS - If you haven't signed up for my quarterly E-zine yet, you might want to. My next issue comes out on January 15th and I have a stack of fun books to give away! Here's the link:

Susie's Ezine..

Comfort and Joy...

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 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. In honor of our Savior's birth - and of your sweet friendship, this month I'm giving away a $25.00 gift card to Starbucks!

So leave a post, share a story, and maybe you'll win a nice treat for you and your friends!

Now on to my topic...

How is your holiday season going thus far? Are you running the rat race? Are you overwhelmed by your 'to-do' list? Or maybe you're so burdened by real life issues that you're having a difficult time entering into the festivities this year.

My prayer is that you'll find encouragement and comfort as you read today's post. 

Here's what the Word says:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil; for Your rod and staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4)

You will increase my honor, and comfort me once again (Psalm 71:21).

In this world we have trials and tribulations, it's true. But the Christ-child who came to earth, who lived to die, who defeated death, well, He blessed us with the Holy Spirit - our Divine Comforter, to lead us, guide us, minister to us, and strengthen us.

We struggle, but we're not without comfort. We strain, but it doesn't mean we don't have access to peace. The Prince of Peace has an open door policy. We can approach Him anytime, anywhere. What a glorious gift He's given us, simply by allowing continual and constant access to Him. 

Furthermore, when we press through our pain to find peace and perspective; when we hang on to faith and find comfort in the Holy One, we then become comforters ourselves. That rigorous process of pushing past an earthly perspective to a Heavenly one, strengthens and refines us; it prepares us for service. 

Our trials are measured and though the Lord doesn't send us trials, He certainly uses them. He wastes nothing. Our divine training is very intentional on God's part.

When Jesus stepped away from His Heavenly throne, and wrapped Himself in skin and tendon and bone, and then handed Himself over to a world that would torture and execute Him - He came to earth, right in the midst of the struggles of mankind. That's why He came. We needed Him. The people in His day needed Him. 

Bypassing comfort (to say the least), He died, to save us, that we might be comforted. 

And then there's joy!

Here's what the Word says:

In Your presence, the fullness of joy is found (Psalm 16:11).

The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life (Psalm 19:8).

The joy of the Lord is my strength and yours!

To possess joy is to know a sense of triumph - that ultimate victory is YOURS. It's to embrace gladness of heart because of a right perspective. It's to refuse to allow your emotions to dictate your day, your direction, or your current state of mind. It's to KNOW and RELY on the Love God has for you. 

Joy has its deep roots in the soil of God's love and faithfulness. To the extent that we're convinced of these, will we know joy.

Jesus came - as you know - to bridge the gap, to save our souls, to comfort our spirits, and to make us whole. 

STOP...right now, and ponder afresh what the Almighty has done for you. Ponder what He offers you today. Don't give His gifts a passing glance. Pause. Ponder. Prepare room in your heart for Him. Prepare room in your day for Him. Make room in your home for Him.

You'll be richer for it.

Comfort and joy - what precious, priceless gifts. Ours for taking.

Blessings to you all~

The intimacy of Justice...

Greetings, my 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 this blog. So leave a comment, share a story, and just maybe you'll win a treat!

Now on to my topic...

First of all, thank you to so many of you who offered to pray for us while we were in Guatemala last week.

Let me tell you, it was a life-changing event. And I felt your prayers more than I can even explain.

Though there were countless opportunities for danger to present itself, God kept us hidden in the shadow of His wing. And yet, at the same time, He exposed us to the vast needs of humanity. We were with a team of donors and the IJM staff in Guatemala and we received an inside look at this heroic organization.  

Wet met with government officials and saw firsthand the mutual respect and cooperation between the Guatemalan government and the folks at IJM. Because of the tireless, consistent, heroic, and excellent work of investigators, lawyers, social workers, and interns, children have been rescued, families have been set on the path of recovery, and the societal structure has been strengthened as a result. In that meeting with high ranking officials, we saw the power of IJM's influence.

The next day we visited an incredible children's home which was tucked in the mountains where approximately 40 young girls live because they've been rescued from horrific situations. We watched as two of the IJM staffers put on a skit that included ten of the girls. The other 30 sat on the concrete ground and giggled and whispered to each other, much like you'd see on a playground at recess time. The IJM investigator joined us on our 'field trip.' This man risks his life on a regular basis. He is savvy in the habits of bullies and oppressors. And he is also a gentle man of God who loves his family. I watched him hand out Cinderella gift bags to this group of orphaned girls and smile at every one them. He understood there might be trust issues so he was notably careful, but abundantly kind. Watching this man, knowing how he puts his life on the line day after day, and then seeing him with these children, brought tears to my eyes. I just know that's what Jesus was like. That's what He is like. Tough against the ones who abuse their power, and tender with those who need an advocate.

Our day at the children's home connected us in a very deep way to the tender heart of God.We brought treats, played games, kissed the tops of their heads, and ran around with them. It was a glorious time. As we rode away on our little bus, my husband whispered to me, "Yesterday we saw IJM's influence at a very high level. Today we got to see their impact in a very tangible way." 

On our final day, we had breakfast at a client's house. The little girl who lived there had received justice through the work of IJM. Her perpetrator was sent to prison and her little family was beginning to heal. This was a poor family and we were so honored to be in her home. Through a translator, and through her tears, the mother thanked us profoundly for securing justice for her daughter because now she feels safe again. 

Forgive the alliteration please, but leaving this incredible home Kevin and I determined that we had just experienced the intimacy of justice. Though this family owned little, there was peace in the home. You could see the trust and the genuine affection between this family and the IJM social workers. Spending time in this tiny little home, playing with the children, praying for the family, witnessing the tears and gratitude, showed me once again, the incredible heart of God.

He reigns and works in the hearts of great leaders and governments. 

And He resides in the nooks and crannies of life. He knows where the poor live and He loves them. 

As Gary Haugen wrote in his book, Just Courage: 

"We have a God of moral clarity. God does not respond to injustice or abuse with mild interest." 

And Deitrich Boenhoeffer wrote this:

The Church is her true self only when she exists for humanity.

Just as the human body was made to engage in strenuous exercise to be made stronger and more efficient, the Believer is called to engage in work that calls her beyond the borders of what she naturally cares about, to tend to those who'd be much easier to ignore. 

It's easy not to exercise. Not very many people love the idea of getting in the car, getting to the health club, and pushing the heart rate up to the point of gasping for breath (okay, that means your heart rate is too high, but you get the point). Most people don't want to lift weights that make them strain and sweat and feel sore the next day. But millions engage their bodies in this way because they know they were made for it. And the fruit of the workout pays them back in dividends: higher energy, better outlook, stronger frame, less extra weight.

Well, as easy as it is to neglect our body's God-given assignment to engage itself in movement, it's easier still, in this abundantly wealthy country, not to engage in nor pay attention to the suffering world around us. But we must.

We have to make ourselves 'go there.' We have to carry a portion of God's burden in this world. Not the whole thing. That would crush us. But part of it. 

And this is not an 'ought to' or a 'should do', it's a 'get to.'

This past week I interviewed Sara Groves and Susan Andringa on Along the Way (a two hour talk radio show). Sara said something amazing, "Part of maturing is knowing the difference between guilt (which is not from God), and conviction. My journey is going to be different from yours. I'm just following the bread crumbs God gives me into this world of advocacy. You have to ask yourself, 'What is God asking me to do? And then do that. We must act on our own conviction." (*That's my paraphrase of what she said. If you'd like to listen to the interview, go to the following podcast link:)

 Along the Way, November 24th, Susan Andringa, Sara Groves

This may seem like an odd post for the day before Thanksgiving. I know things are crazy in our world right now, but God is still very much on His throne and He calls us to join Him in His work. We have our own needs, yes. But when we seek first, His Kingdom, He'll have our backs. He provide for our needs. And we'll have the honor and privilege of engaging in life - of being the hands and feet of Christ - and of seeing the fruit and a close up look at God's heart for justice. Now that's living.

A side note: Recently, IJM received a 'match' offer on any donations made before the first week of December; those monies will be doubled. More funds equals more rescues.

No pressure though. Give what God has determined in your heart that you should give. (follow IJM link above if interested).

Thanks again for praying and for asking about this trip. I hope you enjoyed the update. :)

Have a blessed and thank-filled Thanksgiving holiday!

Peace to you all~