Responding to God...

Happy Wednesday, Friends!  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 leave a comment, share an insight, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

Also, I want to encourage you to check out my Faith Radio Blog. I post there more often than I'm able to here (several times each week). The posts are shorter and connect to our show themes, but people are enjoying them! And you can share the blog or a show with a click of a button. Every month we give away books from our Faith Radio shelf along with a Starbucks gift card to someone who posts there as well! Check it out: Susie's Faith Radio Page...

Now on to my topic...

Recently I read through the book of Acts and noticed something kind of profound, something that's still happening today. 

In chapter 14 we read about Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, preaching at the Jewish synagogue. Paul and Barnabas spoke with power and influence and the Lord our God was with them. Clearly, they loved God more than their personal safety. There was nothing self-serving about their ministry. Christ in them, was their hope of glory.

And as a result, Christ could trust them with His glory. 

God moved powerfully in and through Paul and Barnabas. And what was the result?

• Humble, reverent earnest-God-seekers, responded to this movement of God in their midst. These sincere seekers were healed, encouraged, and saved. 


• Rigid, pharisaical leaders stiffened up, got territorial and jealous, and viewed things from an earthbound perspective. These prideful unbelieving people stirred up trouble and tried to find fault with their supposed opponents. In fact, they wanted Paul and Barnabas dead. Ouch. 

Read this passage from Acts 14: 1-3

As Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against their brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. 

Even now, within the Kingdom of God, we have plenty of people building their own kingdoms. Maybe it's a kingdom of comfort, or association, or reputation. Maybe it's a kingdom of celebrity, or mega-status, or political correctness. 

But the Kingdom of God is always about Christ's saving work in our lives - moving and advancing to reach others with that same saving message.

The fact is, the Kingdom of God is ever moving, always flowing, and He is not interested in our fossilized methods, especially if they serve as obstacles to His presence. He wants us. He wants a living-breathing, freely-flowing relationship with us. He wants to move in us and through us and He reserves the right to disrupt our plans, our methods, and even our ideals in order to accomplish His other-worldly plans upon this earth.

Jesus didn't have a one-method way of doing things either! He healed people in a whole plethora of ways. He is not at all bound by the 'way we've always done it.' 

If Christ wants to move in our church or in our business or in our family in a new and fresh way, may we be the first to get out of the way and let Him have His way!

And what happens when we do such a thing? Fruit happens! Life happens! Power happens!

And how will people respond?

The sincere-earnest-Christ followers and seekers will be drawn to the fresh stream flowing from our lives, churches, and businesses. They will be nourished, healed, saved, and encouraged. Yes, Lord.

And the rigid-unbending pharisee? Well, they'll hate everything about it. They'll stiffen up; they'll find fault; they'll become territorial, and they'll turn into the sin police and watch for the slightest deviation from what they know to be right and true.

Now granted, we never want to deviate from the TRUTH. But in following Christ - who is the truth - we must know that He will lead us in ways we have not known before. He loves to do that and invites us to willingly trust Him, even if it disrupts our affection for appearing civilized and packaged at all times.

When God moves, may we move with Him. May we resist the urge to control our zone and to manage our methods. Let's put it all on the table and give God room to work.

Move powerfully in and through us, Lord!

~ Until next week

Embrace Small Beginnings...

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 now airs 6 days a week! Join us every weekday from 2:30-3:00 CST, and on Saturdays from noon to one, KTIS AM 900, on the Faith Radio Network, or listen online at: www.faith900.com We've had some amazing guests and some powerful dialogue. Hope you can join us!

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...

I've been thinking today - especially in light of all of the commercials for the next-best-thing - about  our insatiable desire for more - More - MORE. In fact, we rush through stages and process because we're anxious to get to the next - BEST place. 

Now hear me correctly, I say it all of the time, I do believe God has a next place of promise for all of us. But there's something to be said about embracing the small places, the small beginnings, when you're only able to bring a small offering. Those are sweet and sacred places. The Bible says that godliness with contentment is great gain.

I've known a number of people who bit off more than they could chew by stepping into a too-big-for-them business venture that was beyond their ability to carry.  And, in no time, the walls came crumbling down. I've known young people who didn't want to wait for the American dream of a house, two cars, a dog, and a cat, so they put it all on credit and lived the illusion for a short time, until the walls came crashing down.

The Bible calls us not to despise our small beginnings but rather to embrace them. God is a God of process and wisdom and pays a great amount of attention to detail. If we don't have the bigger thing, or if we're not walking in our full-sized dream just yet, it's because it wouldn't be good for us at this moment. God is always good, always looking out for us, and always ready to bless us at just the right time. 

God designed the wonder of life in a seed, and when that seed is planted in the ground, life springs forth. We don't always want to wait for the process, we want the full grown plant. But the process is what makes us ready; it's what matures us and makes us better able to carry and sustain the desire of our heart. It's not just about getting what we want, it's about our ability to steward, carry, and sustain that gift with grace, honor, and humility.

Are you waiting for something bigger, something better, something different?

Embrace your small place and trust God. Give Him an offering of thanksgiving even if it costs you. This is true: how we handle these small beginnings determines how we fare when the blessing comes.

Hope you're having a blessed and beautiful holiday season!

~Until next week...

The Path of Life...

 

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 new radio show, Live the Promise with Susie Larson. The program airs every Saturday morning from noon to 1:00 CST. And guess what? We are going live on weekdays too, starting Monday, September 20th (from 2:30-3:00 CST). Tell your friends and listen in! I'll be doing giveaways on the air every week. 

And, a quick note about this week's show! My guest this week has a lot to say about the effectiveness of our Christianity and impact of our spiritual influence in America. He says that much of the Western church is sleeping. This show will serve as a wake up call to many. My guest was author and social critic Os Guiness. We talked about his new book, "The Last Christian on Earth: Uncovering the Enemy's Plot to Undermine the Church." This was a powerful show. Be sure to listen in on KTIS AM 900, or listen online at: www.faith900.com 

Now on to my topic...

Recently I wrestled with some uncharitable feelings towards someone who had hurt me on several occasions. I didn't gossip about this person. I didn't wish harm to him. He just bothered me and it bothered me so that I was bothered by him. 

I was tempted to stroll down memory lane and replay some the reasons for my frustration, but God interrupted my thoughts and whispered this across my heart, "Pray for his blessing and his success. Pray that he might be protected in his weakness, and covered when he feels exposed. Pray that My love surrounds him in such a way that he feels totally safe, totally loved, and totally cared for."

So thankful for the redirection of my thoughts, I began to pray, and pray I did. As I poured out my heart to God, my heart was filled with compassion and understanding towards someone who tends to rub me the wrong way. As I prayed my heart felt instantly lighter. Then another whisper crossed my heart. The Lord whispered to me "This, is the path of life." 

Right away I remembered Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence the fullness of joy is found. At Your right hand are pleasures forever more.

Ultimately, the path of life, is the path of Calvary and the victory won there. First and foremost, our lives are saved through Christ's obedient walk to the Cross to defeat death and the punishment for sin on our behalves. 

But then there's the day-to-day walk of faith. Do we choose to bless or curse? To speak life or speak death? To contribute to our surroundings or to drain it of its resources? The Bible says that there are ways that seem right, but in the end they lead to death. 

I've heard stories of people feeling so justified in tearing down their pastor for his style of preaching that they ran him out of their church and drove him right into depression and disillusionment. Where's the life in that? I've said this many times before, but if we have to let go of love to defend our cause, we have lost our way.

The path of life is the place where God's power is most present. It's the place where our lives are most submitted to Hs will, and where our hearts are most pure. It's not necessarily about abstaining from this or that; it's much more active than that. It's about stepping into God's highest and best purposes for us, and, on behalf of those around us - each and every day. 

Do you want to know where the high road is in your life, in your day, in your hour? If you really want to know, He will show you. Read the first part of Psalm 16:11 again, "You will show me the path of life." 

Do you want your life to be so full of the life of God that you spill it out to everyone you meet? Stay hidden in Christ. Choose life. Look at the second part of that passage: In Your presence the fullness of joy is found. At Your right hand are pleasures forever more.

We don't find 'the fullness of joy' from getting our way or from proving we're right or from nursing a grudge. We find it in His presence where life abounds, forgiveness is given, and death is swallowed up in victory. 

The path of life is before you, every day, every hour. Just be still and quiet your heart and you'll hear Him say, "This is the way; walk ye in it." 

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way;walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

~Until next week

Sin, Faith, and Duty...

 

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 new radio show, Live the Promise with Susie Larson. The program airs every Saturday morning from noon to 1:00 CST. And guess what? We may be going live-daily in the fall! I have a special prayer request for you: Will you stand with me in believing God for a sponsor for the show? I'll keep you posted. Thank you so much!

Last week my guest was syndicated radio host and author Jim Burns. We discussed his great book, "Closer: Devotions to Draw Couples Together." We had an excellent interview and Jim offered lots of great wisdom for couples.

Check out the podcast from that show. 

And, I am excited about this week's show! Listen in as I interview co-authors of the great book, "Wisdom Walks." Dan Britton and Jimmy Page serve at an executive level for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They were hilariously funny and wonderfully wise. You'll enjoy this interview. Listen in on KTIS AM 900, or listen online at: www.faith900.com  

Now on to my topic...

One of my favorite things to do is to meditate on certain passages of Scripture for several days in a row; to think through and ponder the truth and how it applies to my life and to the culture in which we live. 

This past week I kept coming back to a certain passage from the Gospel of Luke. I'll share it in just a moment. But first, I want to ask you a question (borrowed from AA's 12-Step Program): How often do you take a fearless, searching moral inventory of your life? 

Though I'm not much of a gardner, I know that true gardeners are on top of the weeds that threaten the seeds they've planted. They regularly survey their land and quickly uproot that which would choke out life so that life in the garden might prevail. 

Let's take a look at three areas in our own lives that may need a little attention. 

Sin:

First, let's read from Luke 17:1, 3

Jesus said to His disciples, "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come...So watch yourselves."

Let's pray: 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; point out anything in me that offends You (Ps. 39). Show me any area in my life that causes others to stumble. I know I have blind spots that everybody sees but me. By Your grace and mercy, help me to humbly receive Your help in my place of need. I do not want to make others stumble. I want to be a wellspring of Life because Your power is mightily at work in and through me! Raise up a new standard in my life, Lord. Amen.

Faith:

(Jesus said): If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea', and it will obey you." (Luke 17:6)

Let's pray:

Father, increase my faith! When I take inventory of my life, I want to see tangible increases in faith steps, faith results, and faith endeavors. I don't want to live a self-protected, small life! Forgive me for the countless ways I play it safe when You are calling me to a great adventure! You call me to speak to my mountains and speak to my obstacles (not to wish, whine, and complain about them). Help me to become a mighty woman of faith - filled with the power of the Holy Spirit - moved by Your heart for the world! You are looking over the earth, searching for faith; may You find it in me.

Duty:

(Jesus said): Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the feild, 'Come along now and sit down to eat?' Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink?' Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants, we have only done our duty.'" (Luke 17:7-10).

Let's pray:

Precious Lord, this passage convicts me deeply. How many times have I complained about the cost or expected others to notice and understand my sacrifice? Father, forgive me for selfish serving! Forgive me for expecting a thank you when, really, I was only doing my duty! It's an honor to be linked in fellowship with You! It's an honor to serve You. Help me to live in this self-entitled culture with an honorable, servant's heart. May I serve and live for an audience of One. My hope is in you, my purpose is found in You, and You get all of the glory for transforming me from an orphan to an heir. Blessed be Your Name. Amen.

May we walk in such close fellowship with the Savior that our very lives on earth nourish and bless others (and never cause another to stumble). May we be ever-increasing in faith and may our lives bear tangible evidence of this fact. And may we serve not to get the credit or a thank you or to be noticed, but may we humbly do our duty as unto the Lord - just because He's worth our absolute best. We could be stuck in a tyrannical system, but we're not. We serve a loving-living God who cares deeply for us. He deserves the best we can give Him.

~Until next week

Recipe for Greatness...

 

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 new radio show, Live the Promise with Susie Larson. The program airs every Saturday morning from noon to 1:00 CST. And guess what? We may be going live-daily in the fall! I have a special prayer request for you: Will you stand with me in believing God for a sponsor for the show? I'll keep you posted. Thank you so much!

Last week my guest was Chrissy Toledo (daughter of author and Pastor Jim Cymbala - Brooklyn Tabernacle and Carol Cymbala, director of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir). She shared about her prodigal journey away from God's heart, and how she found her way home again. This was a powerful show! 

Check out the podcast from that show. 

And, I am REALLY excited about this week's show! Listen in as my guest is syndicated radio host and author Jim Burns. We'll discuss his great book, "Closer: Devotions to Draw Couples Together." We had an excellent interview and Jim offered lots of great wisdom for couples. Listen in on KTIS AM 900, or listen online at: www.faith900.com 

Now on to my topic...

Lately I've been reading through the book of 2 Chronicles and am once again both intrigued and grieved by the ripple effect of a King's choice of whether or not to follow and honor God.

When a King humbled himself and trusted the Lord, God gave him victory and granted his efforts success. When a king exalted himself and trusted his own efforts and acted on his own whims, many people paid with their lives. Kingdoms fell, God's people were enslaved, and idolatry flourished.

Just today I read about how King Uzziah started out by seeking after God and God blessed him as a result. But then we read this in chapter 26:16

But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.

Why are we so quick to idolize our own efforts?

Though a king's choices have far more reaching effects than our choices, we must embrace the fact that our choices matter, and that people are deeply affected by whether or not we honor God and live a life of greatness. 

Here are a few things I observed about greatness by reading about some of the Kings in the Bible.

Embrace Your Identity - Obey Him Fully: Do you remember the story in 1 Samuel 15 when Saul did not follow through with obeying the Lord? This is what Samuel said to him, "Although you may think little of yourself, are you not leader of the tribes of Israel?" Saul had a job to do but he minimized the importance of his identity and his choices. We do the same thing.

We cower, we run, and we hide from the GREAT things God wants to do in us and through us. We justify our partial obedience and we dance around the things God has asked of us. We put off taking our next step into the unknown zone because the comfort zone feels better to us. And this is what the Lord says: You may have forgotten how important you are to Me, but remember today! You may not understand your important place in history, but embrace it today! Are you not My beloved? Have I not promised to take you to high places? Do you not have access to all of the riches of Heaven? Remember who you are today. Obey me fully. No more hiding.

Humble Yourself - Trust His Timing: Do you remember the story of when David was in the cave with (a raging, jealous) Saul (see 1 Samuel 24)? Clearly the Lord had delivered Saul into his hands, right? David was a God-fearing man and even though deliverance seemed to be at his fingertips, he would not take it until the Lord gave it.

I can think of a number of times when my 'dream' was at my fingertips, there for the taking. But I knew deep inside it wasn't my time yet. I would have had to drop the ball on something else to grab hold of what I believed God had promised me. It was so close, but not close enough to be mine yet. But when my time finally came, it was like plucking a ripe piece of fruit from a tree. 

Are you there? This is what the Lord would say to you: My beloved one, I have you! That dream in your heart? I put it there! Trust me in this, and see if I won't establish you beyond your wildest dreams. I love to work mightily through my people, but first I must do a mighty work in them. Humble yourself before me; refuse jealousy or a competitive spirit; embrace Me, embrace My timing, and I will establish you. I promise.

Tune Out the Enemy - Face Down Your Fears: Remember when a young David faced down Goliath? By all appearances, David had no physical chance of winning a fight against this beast of a man. And Goliath knew it. He spewed all kinds of insults David's way. But David didn't acknowledge Goliath's taunts. He refused to allow himself to be singled out. instead he spewed back, "Who is this Philistine that dares to defy the army of the Living God?" If David would have spoken to Goliath, he would have said something like this: 'When you come against me, you come against the host of heaven, so don't try to bully me with your insults. I am not alone in this battle and you are going down!" (okay, my paraphrase). :)

If the enemy's voice rings loud in your ear, tune him out, and listen to what the Lord has to say to you: My brave and precious one, you are not alone! Not by a long shot! Even if what the enemy says feels true to you, remember that I AM TRUE and I will establish you! This is not about your ability, it is about Mine. You have a choice of whether to be brave or to cower in fear. Be strong and courageous! I am with you! I will not forsake you! And you cannot please me without faith! Put those fears under your feet and follow Me to the high places I have for you! We have a great adventure ahead. Remember, never allow yourself to be singled out. As My child, you are a part of something greater than you can imagine; and far greater are those who are for you than those who stand against you! Listen to My voice alone!"

Dear Friend,

Though it's important to cultivate skills and always be learning, it's even more important to identify yourself as someone God loves and whom God has called. Hone your craft, practice your skills; be a great steward of the gifts God has entrusted to you.

But remember this: To truly walk in places that are far beyond your qualifications, to make an impact that is bigger than you are, you need God. You need to remember that it's in HIS hands to make great. And He really wants to do great things through you.

Embrace Your Identity. Obey Him Fully. Humble Yourself before Him. Trust His Timing. Tune out the enemy. And face down your fears. That's a recipe for greatness.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us (Ephesians 3:20 MSG). 

Until next week~