Keep Walking...

Greetings, Everyone!

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 Target. But you have to promise not to buy any cleaning stuff or dental floss or toilet paper. You have to treat yourself! So share a story or an insight, bless lots of people, and maybe, just maybe you'll win a little trip to Target.

Now on to my topic...

In my new book (releases this October), I tell a story of an Englishman who was a prisoner in a concentration camp in WWII. One day while reading Psalm 91 (the part about people dying all around you, but death not coming near you), and he cried out to God, "Lord, people are dying all around me. Will I die here too? I am young and still want to serve Your Kingdom while on this earth!" 

At that moment the Lord spoke to his heart and said, "Rely on what you've just heard, and walk to your freedom." The Englishman walked to the first gate. The German soldiers aimed their guns at him and said, "Where do you think you're going?" He looked up at them and said, "I'm under the protection of the Most High." The soldiers instantly straightened up, saluted, and let the man pass through the gate. The Englishman then came to the outer gate and the same thing happened again. The soldiers aimed at him and asked him where he thought he was going. When he explained that he was under the protection of the Most High, they too, straightened up, saluted and let him leave the prison camp. 

That young man traveled the countryside and made his way back to England. He later found out that the soldiers secretly referred to Hitler as 'the most high.' Although, the Englishman was truly under the protection of the Most High God. He was the only prisoner to come out of that camp alive. 

Lately I've been feeling like I'm walking through enemy territory with guns aimed at me by the enemy of my soul. I feel the electricity in the air and yet I hear the Lord telling me, "Just keep walking."

I share that with you in case some of you are going through the same thing. 

Psalm 15:2 says this:

Walk straight. Act right. Tell the truth. 

I love the Message version of this verse because it reminds us to keep our head about us. Instead of being distracted by the sense of harassment all around us, we keep our focus, we behave as ones who belong to God, we remember the truth and walk in the truth, and when we apply God's principals to our lives, we know that will come out the other side with our freedom in tact. 

In the 1800's, George Hodges wrote, "Undertake the duty, and step by step, God will provide the disposition." 

I love that. 

Some seasons of life call for sheer focus and obedience. The 'skip to my loo' moments seem far and few between but we know God is on our side. These are the seasons that form character and forge a deeper faith. These are the times when we reach up and grab hold of the promises of God because they're ours for the taking. In due time, the Lord will provide the joyful disposition of belonging to Him, obeying Him, and simply trusting Him. It's amazing to think about, but we are a sheer delight to His heart. And He is watching us every moment, especially when the enemy presses in and makes his threats. 

If you're walking through a time that feels heavier than it should, wait on the Lord, He will renew your strength. See if this isn't one of those times when to obey is to simply keep walking with your eyes fixed straight ahead, on the One who went before you and made a way for you. God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever!

Have a blessed week!

PS ~ If you haven't signed up for my quarterly E-zine, you might want to. I'm telling you, we had a blast with the Amazing Book Giveaway this time. About nine of my author friends donated free books and there was a flurry of emails from women trying to claim them! Also, I write a devotional thought and offer some great book recommendations. Here's the link if you want to sign up:

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The Gift of Repentance...

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's card comes from Target. So leave a post, share a story or an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a little trip to Target (but no buying toilet paper or nasal spray - buy something FUN)!

I'm posting a little later in the day than what's typical for me. As some of you know, I release a quarterly E-zine and TODAY my April E-zine went out. I'm a member of a couple of great author networks and some of those great friends offer to give away books to my subscribers (first come - first serve). So I just sorted through a whole flurry of emails to award the winners of all of the great books offered in the give away. I need to take a deep breath for a moment....Ahhh. Okay, now I'm ready...And now on to my topic...

I was in a prayer meeting last week with some pretty amazing, godly women. At some point in our prayer time we asked God to give us a heart of repentance. We are such self-centered creatures that oftentimes our focus is on how others affect us and not so much on how we affect the One we serve. And so we prayed, "Lord, give us a heart for repentance! Grant us a heightened conviction for sin and a deep commitment to obedience. Create in us a clean heart, O Lord! And renew a right spirit within us!"

Needless to say this was a powerful time of prayer.

Well, guess what happened in the days that followed? 

I saw myself in a whole new light. The Lord answered my prayer and set the plow a little deeper. I was surprised at my tendencies toward self-preservation and self-protection. I cringed when I said words that impressed rather than blessed. God forgive me! 

I was 'pulling weeds' all week. Over and over again I found myself on my knees asking the Lord for forgiveness and for a new level of conviction and holiness. Instead of coming under all kinds of condemnation, I gained a whole new appreciation for the relentless love of God. That He can clearly see our tendencies for sin and selfishness and yet look at you and me with absolute love and passion - is profoundly wonderful. What love the Father has bestowed on us that while we were YET sinners, He went to the Cross, died a brutal death, and then defeated sin's hold on us!

This morning I spoke with one of my mentors and amazingly, she had the same kind of week I had. But she said this, "Susie, isn't repentance such a gift? Though I was so aware of my need for more of Jesus, I was powerfully purified by keeping such short accounts on my sin (my paraphrase)." I thought more about her words and I strongly agree, repentance is a gift. So let's walk through a little weeding exercise to prepare our soil for a bountiful harvest.

Repentance for Striving...

Take a few moments to think of the ways you've striven instead of rested in the Lord. Can you think of ways that you've taken matters into your own hands? Done more than God has asked you to? Committed to things out of obligation or fear of other's opinions? Precious Lord, forgive me for my tendency to strive when You call me to cease striving and to KNOW that You are God. You are God. Help me to rest in You.

Repentance for Unbelief...

Take a few moments to consider ways God is asking for faith and you've given Him anxiety, doubt, or unbelief. He wants you to open your hands and you've been wrongly clinging to your idea of what you need. Open your hand and pray. Lord, God, You are the Maker of Heaven and earth. Forgive me for thinking for a minute that I know better than You. I know You are trustworthy. Forgive me for not trusting You fully. I choose faith again today. I love You. 

Repentance for Selfishness...

Take a few moments and dare to ask God, "Search me and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts; see if there is an offensive way in me and lead me in Your everlasting way (Psalm 139)." Wait quietly before Him. Then one by one, ask forgiveness for the ways you've chosen to preserve and promote your interests ahead of God's interests. And remember as you do this, God has set His affection upon you. He cherishes you.

Take some time in the days to come and practice repentance. Give room in your life to uproot the unholy weeds and seeds that find themselves in the soil of your heart. Good soil sets the stage for a GREAT harvest.

What a gift God has offered us! We have moment-by-moment access to Him. Fresh mercies for each new day. We are blessed indeed.

Until next week~

PS - If you haven't already subscribed to my quarterly E-zine, you might want to. I'm telling you, these gals have a great time vying for the free books and reading the devotional thoughts. It's great fun! Here's the link if you're interested:

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Will We, Or Won't We?

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 leave a post, share an insight or story, and bless lots of people! Maybe you'll win a treat for you and your friends.

Also, if you've read one of my books and are willing to post a review on Amazon, I have a treat for you. Once the review appears on Amazon, email me and let me know. I'll send you a free copy of one of my books (your choice). Here's my email: info@susielarson.com

Now on to my topic...

I've been thinking a lot about the power of the will; God's will and ours. God's will is a powerful, raging river, full of grace and mercy, strength and provision. Our will is a disjointed, smooth path - easy to walk on, but leads us away from our appointed destiny. 

When God's will crosses your will, what do you do? What's your first response? Do you go your own way and do your own thing, or do you - in spite of your emotions and your feelings - jump in the river? 

God's Word reminds us, "I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me." We can. But so often, we don't.

Read this great excerpt from by John Henry Newman (written in the 1800's - taken from "Joy & Strength):

"Why is it that we in the very Kingdom of grace, surrounded by angels and preceded by saints, nevertheless can do so little, and instead of mounting with wings like eagles, grovel in the dust, and do but sin, and confess alternately? Is it that the 'power' of God is not in us? Is it literally that we are not 'able' to perform God's commandments? God forbid. We are able. We DO have a power within us to do what we are commanded to do. What is it we lack? The power? No, the will. What we lack is the simple, earnest, sincere inclination and aim to use what God has given us, and what we have in us." 

Something I've learned along the way is that obedience to God brings power to my faith. Every time I've forsaken the smooth path of selfishness that I might  jump in the raging, unpredictable river of obedience, I've gained momentum in my walk of faith, I've learned on a new level just how powerful God is, and I've learned to mistrust my selfish inclinations on a whole new level.

Even Jesus submitted His will to His Father in Heaven. He came to earth specifically to do the Father's will (See John 6:38). Likewise, we are here to do the Father's will. 

How is it that we so easily take the freedom He offers us, and use it to go our own way? All around me I see people walking away from their commitments to love and to forgive and to live as Christ-followers. Not that we can do anything on our own, but as we stay closely linked in fellowship with the Father, He will move in us to will and to act according to His beautiful purposes for us (See Phil. 2:13). 

What comes up when God crosses our will with a command to obey? Stubbornness, selfishness, entitlement, pride, excuses, explanations, and the list goes on. 

What does God want us to do when faced with the opportunity to take the easy path or the raging river? He wants us to trust Him and jump in! May we leave our imagined rights on the river bank and trust God to take us to that next place of purity, of promise, of provision. His ways are always best.

And let me tell you, every time I've chosen to obey - even when it cost me dearly - I came out the other side far more grounded and and strengthened to do the next thing God had for me. Though it seems like an oxymoron to lose your footing in the river and gain your footing in faith - it happens, it's true. And those who choose their own way miss out on the blessing of this adventure of faith and unfortunately reap the consequences of their unbelief and disobedience.

We must not take our cue from the masses around us. Many are running down the path of least resistance. But may we have the honor and the humility to trust God more than we trust ourselves; to love Him more than we love our personal comforts; and to submit to His will more than we do our selfish ways. If we say we love Him but don't obey Him, we don't really know Him. If we say we follow Him but we repeatedly walk away from His invitation to jump in the river, we really aren't following Him. Even if we perform miracles in His name and are in the center of one supernatural act after another, but continue to disregard His will and refuse to obey Him, we will not enter the Kingdom (see Math. 7:21). 

We are saved by grace, but we are identified as ones who listen to His voice and who do what He says.

"My sheep listen to My voice: I know them and they follow Me" (John 10:27).

Want His will? Here it is:

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in ALL circumstances, for THIS is God's will for those who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

Obey Him today, even if you don't feel like it. God's will for you is always your best-case-scenario! And on the other side of that obedience waits blessing, power, and provision.

Be blessed!

PS ~ If you've never signed up for my quarterly E-zine, you might want to (next issue comes out mid-April). A number of my author friends and I give away some free books, I write a devotional insight and offer some great book recommendations; I share some great quotes and a prayer to send you on your way. Here's the link to sign up:

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