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