Close to the Source...

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 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight or story, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend. Next week I'll announce the winner for September.

Now on to my topic:

One day, many years ago, my son Luke came home from school and spouted, "This really mean boy called me a really mean name!" I paused what I was doing and turned around to look at Luke's face. "What did he call you?" I asked. Luke put his hands on his hips, wrinkled his brow and said, "He called me Luke warm water!" 

I chuckled under my breath and said, "I'm sorry he hurt your feelings, honey, but if that's the worst thing he can come up with to insult you, you're doing pretty well!" That obviously wasn't the right thing to say because Luke came right back with, "Mom! Who likes luke-warm water? Nobody! What's it good for? Nothing!" 

We had a good follow up conversation that day. And Luke made a very good point. Luke-warm water isn't good for much. 

Recently I pondered the following verses from Revelations:

 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth! (Revelations 3:15-16)

Such strong words to the church in Laodicea! They begged me to dig a little deeper. I learned that in Laodicea, there was a marvelous cold spring that drew crowds from other cities. Imagine, fresh water, invigorating for one and all! 

Likewise, in the city of Colosse, there was a hot spring, which, also drew visitors from surrounding cities. An innovative group of engineers decided to build a system that could send the hot water from the city of Colosse to Laodicea. You can imagine the time and resources that went into such a project. Unfortunately, by the time the water reached Laodicea, it was luke-warm and tasted terrible. Project failed.  Hmmm.

If you wanted to enjoy the hot springs, you had to go to the source. 

When we live far away from the fiery hot passion of God's love and heart for the world, our passions and convictions wane. 

The Greek word for 'lukewarm' in the verse from Revelations is, "Chliaros" which is a metaphorical condition of the soul: A fluctuation between laziness, inertia etc., and earnest zeal and love. The lukewarm 'Believer', depending on the season, will either be 'all in' and passionate when it comes to following Christ, or they will step out of the race and put their passions into other things.

Makes me think of this passage from the New Testament:

For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes (1 Peter 1:16).

Jesus calls us to a close, moment-by-moment, vested relationship with Him. He is the Source of life and of living water.  We must not be content with second hand information or loose associations with Christianity. My pastor once said that the sheep that wandered to the outer edges of the flock were always the ones picked off by the wolves first. 

Here I am referring back to Hebrews chapter 12 again (as I have the past couple of weeks), but may we heed this wise advice:

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let's RUN the race marked out before us! Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him (US), endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Jesus is the oxygen of life; He's the living water for our thirst; He's our true north; He's the rock beneath our feet; He's the shelter that covers us; and He's the one who SAVES. There's no other name, no other source, no other passion, no hobby, and no accomplishment that can compete with Him! 

While we still have today, let's run the race to win.

Have a blessed week~

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Turning the Tables...

Greetings, Friends! Happy Wednesday!

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 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. This month's card comes from Starbucks. Share an insight or a story, bless lots of people, and just maybe, you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

Now on to my topic...

As you can probably tell from last week's post, I've been spending some time in Hebrews 12 recently. To me, it's such a picture of who we are in light of who God is. 

Today I want to focus on three simple words in verse 2, which reminds me once again that no power, no insight, no scheme can prevail against the living God! (See Proverbs 21:30).

Here are the three words: scorning its shame...

For clarification purposes, here is the full verse:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. 

Jesus endured horrific suffering, assault, accusation, pain and despair for the JOY set before Him. We were that joy. The very idea of you and me compelled Christ to endure unimaginable pain because for Him, the prize of us, was worth the price He paid. Amazing.

Crucifixion was meant to be horrific and humiliating. The criminal's death on the cross was meant to be a public display of his shame and his deserved suffering. It was the worst kind of death in ways too many to count. 

Jesus went there for us. 

He submitted himself to the worst kind of suffering, public humiliation, and death. He let people think that He was deserving of such a death. And in that very place, He triumphed. 

He blew the doors off of death, He had a face-off with our enemy, grabbed back the keys to the chains that had legal right to hold us captive, He defeated death, took away its sting, and when He finished His work, He sat down next to His Father in Heaven. 

He took the shame of the cross and scorned it! He made a public spectacle of the very thing that was supposed to make a public spectacle of Him! 

How is the enemy coming against you right now? In what ways do you feel vulnerable, exposed, ashamed, or self-aware?

You can triumph there because Jesus triumphed on the cross. 

Everywhere we go and every circumstance we endure, we can do so with victory, with assurance, and with holy confidence. We can know that we will triumph amidst our circumstances and rule in the midst of our enemies because Jesus has secured the victory for us. 

In whatever way the devil has come against you, do know that God has made provision to turn those tables and bring victory there. Where once there was confusion, He wants to bring clarity. Where once there was vulnerability, He wants to bring protection and assurance. Where once there was insecurity, He wants to bring identity, boldness, and holy confidence. 

Picture it. Imagine those tables turning and rise up in faith! Get your marching orders from the Lord. Stay close to His heart. Do what He says. Humble yourself before and let Him deal with your sin and missteps (because He disciplines those He loves). But know in the midst of it all, you will not be defeated, final victory is secured, because you belong to HIM! 

His victory is YOUR victory.

Have a blessed week!

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Silent Worship...

Hello, Everyone! Happy Wednesday!

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's card comes from Starbucks! So share an insight or story, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.

I always respond to your posts. Sometimes it just takes me a little while to get to them. But I will!

Now on to my topic...

I don't know about you, but I'm a bit over-saturated with the noise of the news these days. Not that we shouldn't be abreast of current affairs, but the back and forth bickering is enough to give you an earache. Now is definitely the time to be praying. Now is the time to hold fast to your convictions. 

But now is also the time for something even more important. Now is the time to slow down, to pause, to look up, and to worship God. Now is the time to thank Him for the beautiful sunrise or sunset. Now is the time to drop to our knees and praise Him for the smiles on our children's faces. Now is the time to place our hand on our full stomachs and thank Him for His provision. God is so good.

Certain days call for loud praises and lots of hoopla. But other days call for a quiet reverence and a certain understanding that God is on His holy throne. He is the Maker of the Universe and no one can withstand His power. No scheme. No enemy. No plan can succeed against the Lord. 

He is mighty to save and He is infinitely good. 

Try this throughout the day, in the silence of your heart, worship Him like you never have before. Thank Him profusely and passionately for the blessings you enjoy. From the bottom of your gut, or even the tips of your toes tell Him how MUCH you appreciate His involvement in your life. Worship Him for all your worth. Because all of your worth comes from Him. 

Here's a fabulous piece from Gerald K. Hibbert:

"Silent worship is healing; it is uniting; it cleanses; challenges; stimulates.

It helps us to get down to those deeper currents of the soul that are so often neglected in life's hurry and bustle; it enables us to center down into fellowship with the Eternal and to hear the still small voice of God."  (Quote taken from: The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer)

Amidst this noisy season in life, practice silent worship. It'll do wonders for your soul.

Have a blessed, peace-filled week!

PS ~ I'll be guest hosting on Along the Way today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday). Listen in if you get the chance (From 12:00-2:00 CST on AM 900 for the Twin Cities). You can listen online too. Here's the link (look for the 'listen' link):

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PSS~ If you haven't already signed up for my FREE Quarterly E-zine, you might want to! Four times a year I send out an E-magazine with free book giveaways from my author friends, a devotional, great book recommendations, great quotes, and a prayer to send you on your way. Here's the link:

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ONE with Him...

Greetings, Everyone! Happy Wednesday!

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. I'll announce July's winner next week. This month's gift card comes from Starbucks. So share an insight or a story, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

Hey, and guess what? I'm finally on Facebook! Look me up. I'd love to connect with you! 

Now on to my topic...

I just love the following passage:

Declare (the Lord's) glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among the people. For GREAT is the Lord and MOST WORTHY of praise. He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols but THE LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; STRENGTH AND GLORY are in His Sanctuary. -- Psalm 96:3-6

God is great - and greatly to be praised! He made the heavens and the earth and there's no greater power than His! 

Another one of my favorite verses is this one:

You give me your shield of victory; Your right hand sustains me. You stoop down to make me great. -- Psalm 18:35

He gives us victory. He sustains and protects us. And He actually stoops down, lifts us up, and lets us partner with Him in mind-boggling ways. When we say YES to Jesus, we become one with Him. He draws us into the depths of who He is; He opens us the riches of His storehouses; and He give us day and night access to His presence and promises. 

Have you pondered lately what it means to be linked in fellowship with such an amazing, wonderful God?

Let me share one more passage if I may:

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms – all because we are ONE WITH CHRIST JESUS. -- Ephesians 2:6

Think about it. We are SEATED with Christ! We are ONE WITH HIM! We are dead to sin and alive to God! And the power that raised Christ from the dead is moving and flowing and available to us today! 

Why is this important?

Because the enemy consistently tries to single us out and make us feel separated from Christ. But the Bible says that nothing can separate us from His love. 

The enemy regularly hurls insults and threats our way, making us feel alone, vulnerable, and like the weaklings we are (apart from Christ). But our strength is in Christ alone!

When the enemy tries to single us out and pick us apart, we must stay in rank with the multitude of Believers and with the Heavenly host and shout this war cry: Greater is He that is IN ME than he that is in the world! When you come against ME, you come against the ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD! 

We must not let the devil single us out and pick us apart. Stay in rank and stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of us. 

And when we are tempted to put ourselves above others and think more highly of ourselves than we ought...we must stay in rank and humbly declare: A thousand others could take my place and do what I do if I choose pride. I'm one of many followers of Christ and I WILL WALK HUMBLY WITH MY GOD!

And when we forget how cherished and important we are to God, we must remember that we stand before Him alone. He knows us by name and He created us for His good pleasure. Even in our choices and life investments, we will stand alone before Him. People can say what they want about how we passionately pursue Christ, because on judgment day, we will stand before Him alone with those choices (therefore, choose to run after Him earnestly and without apology). 

Though we are one of many in the army of God, we are ONE to Him. He thinks about us night and day; He knows our name; and He loves us in very specific and profound ways. Think about how important you are to God today. Think about what you possess. And when the enemy tries to single you out, stay in rank and stand strong.

O Sovereign God, I'm one of many, but I'm ONE to you. 

Have a great week!

PS ~ If you haven't signed up for my FREE quarterly E-zine, you may want to! A number of my author friends donate some free books, I write a devotional and offer some great book recommendations; I share a few great quotes, ministry updates, and a prayer to send you on your way. Sign up by clicking the link below:

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Faith For Today...

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 (and though I'm a bit behind right now, I do eventually reply to every post). :) This month's gift card is from Starbucks. So share a comment, story, or 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...

If you read this blog with any regularity, you know I'm a visual person. I often think in pictures, make a point with word pictures, and I understand things best when a picture illustrates the point for me. So, indulge me for a moment as I share a picture that evolved during my prayer time the other day.

God wants to mobilize each one of us in such a way that we are free to live, and move, and have our paid-for freedom, TODAY.

Picture yourself on a big island, sitting on the shore, staring out to sea. Jesus is calling you out to sea, out to a place of faith and adventure and freedom. But you are chained to your past mistakes and hurts. So as you sit there on the shore, bogged down by past sins the enemy repeatedly parades before you, Jesus walks up to you and sits down beside you (sweet thought, isn't it?). 

You turn a deaf ear to the enemy and you look into Jesus' eyes. He sweetly says to you, "You already asked me for forgiveness for those sins, right?" You nod, "Yes, that's right." Jesus continues, "So the enemy has no right to harass you with them today. Are you ready to leave your past behind you, once and for all?" You sit up a little straighter, your heart beats a little faster, and you reply, "Absolutely! I want my past to be a thing of the past!"

Suddenly you feel the ground quake beneath you, all the while, Jesus is smiling at you. A small portion of land breaks free from the island and before you know what's happening, you and Jesus are floating out to sea. You look back at the old island (which represents your past), and you watch as it sinks to the bottom of the sea where it belongs. 

You look ahead at the open horizon and your heart races with possibility. But then your thoughts wander and it suddenly feels like your little island is losing steam. 

You look over at Jesus as if to ask, "What's happening?" 

He nods behind you and you notice an old pile of garbage attached to your land by a big rusty hook. "What's this?" you ask. Jesus turns towards you and mentions a name or two. You swallow hard because you know you're harboring un-forgiveness and judgement towards these people. 

Jesus gently grabs your chin so you are looking straight into His eyes and He says, "I love you. I have plans for you, but you will never get to those promised places on time if you refuse to forgive and relinquish judgement as I have done for you. It's time to give up your 'right' to see them pay. Time to let them off the hook and trust me to deal with them." 

You crawl over to that old rusty hook and you pull it out of the ground; you unhook yourself from the offense and you watch it sink to the bottom of the sea. Suddenly your load feels lighter and your perspective brighter. 

You look ahead with hope and you embrace today with faith because Jesus is right beside you. 

I don't know what you think of that picture but I love it. It reminds me of the fresh daily-manna God provided for the Israelites. If they tried to carry yesterday's stuff over today, it would go painfully bad. We don't have grace for yesterday. What we do have for yesterday is goodness and mercy - from the Father's heart. We have grace to carry today's burdens with ease. Yesterday's problems are covered by the mercy and the goodness of our living God.

Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6 NIV).

Our past is meant to be covered in His mercy in grace (not to be dug up and analyzed again and again). Our future is in the Lord's hands and entrusted to His care. Our present is filled with power, promise, and provision. 

We have today. He is with us every step of the way. 

Picture the old land of your past breaking away and falling into the sea. Purposely unhook the old debts and judgements you have against other people. Cherish the call on your life enough to be free from past sins (both yours and others).

God is doing a new thing! 

Embrace today~

Until next week...

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