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...

For the first week of 2011, we dedicated all of our shows to different spiritual disciplines that help us to live more full and free lives. And, we dedicated all of last week's shows to different aspects of FAITH (we had some phenomenal guests - check 'em out if you need a spiritual shot in the arm!). 

At the beginning of one of those shows (can't remember which one), I started the show by talking about two important attitudes that precede powerful praying, and here they are: Humility & Boldness.

Some people come boldly before God, but lack the humility, and the result? A misplaced sense of entitlement. Others come before God with a 'worm-like' humility that reveals a misunderstanding of our NEW identity in Christ. They are so focused on their lack, they totally miss God's promise of supply. Because of His Victory on the Cross, we've been made heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Absolutely mind boggling when you think about it.

Let's look at a few examples from the Word of God of how humble boldness moved the heart of God. The combination of these two attitudes are essential to mountain-moving faith!

Matthew 8 - A Roman soldier approached Jesus with a desperate need. His servant was sick in bed, desperately in pain. He appealed to Jesus and Jesus agreed to go to the officer's home and touch the boy. Here we see the soldier embrace humility. He - as a man of status- recognized that Jesus was a man of even greater status and said to Him, "I'm not worthy to have you in my home..." And the officer was also bold. He continued (my paraphrase), "I understand authority because I have authority and am under authority. You can speak into my situation right here, right now, Jesus, and I know Your words will change everything." Jesus recognized this man's humility mixed with boldness as great faith and his servant was healed that hour. Imagine having such faith that Jesus Himself stops in His tracks and takes notice. That's the kind of faith we're called to every single day. 

Then there's the Gentile woman we read about in Matthew 15. Her daughter was possessed by a demon and she desperately wanted her healed. Jesus ignored her initial request. She was a Gentile woman approaching a Jewish man. A bold move, indeed. Jesus ignored her initial request (I think, to test His disciples). She appealed again and this time He answered by explaining His mission. She appealed again to which Jesus gave this harsh answer (again, I believe this was to test her faith and the hearts of His disciples), "It isn't right to take food from children and throw it to the dogs." She came right back with a brilliant answer, 'That's true, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall from the table." Jesus responded with great affection, admiration and an answer to her prayers, "Dear woman, your faith is great and your request is granted."

Humility and Boldness. A powerful combination. 

Please allow me to give you one more example from God's Word, though there are many from which to choose: 

In Luke 8 we read about the woman with the issue of blood. This poor woman suffered in unimaginable ways. She had the inferior stigma of being a woman and the negative stigma of her issue of blood (which, like leprosy, forced her to isolate from people; she was considered unclean). She had to live with the horrible body odor caused from bleeding, the wretched and chronic fatigue; the lonliness of isolation, and the pain of being unloved and misunderstood. This woman was supposed to live separate from the people - and I'm sure she did until she couldn't stand it another moment. And so, one day she pressed in and pressed through for a breakthrough. This bold woman pressed through the crowd and grabbed the hem of Jesus' garment. And instantly: She. Was. Healed. Her bleeding stopped. Her body restored. Her energy returned. Can you imagine what that was like?

At that moment, Jesus turned around and asked who touched Him because He felt the power go through Him. This bold woman did not run away in fear (but how tempting it would have been in attempt to hang on to her healing!), she bowed before Jesus and admitted that she was the one who touched Him. I believe Jesus engaged her in this way so He could convey, "You didn't take healing from Me. I gladly gave it to you. Be healed and restored!"

I just love Jesus. Don't you?

Come humbly and boldly before Him! He wants to do more for you, in you, and through you, than you can even conjure up in your wildest thoughts! 

Sorry this post was so long, but I hope it encouraged your faith today!

~Until next week.