Not Seeing Results?

Happy Wednesday, 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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! 

One more thing...Four times a year I send out a (FREE) E-zine with lots of great stuff in it! I write an extended devotional, we give away a good stack of books from various authors, and share several ministry updates. My next issue releases this Saturday, October 15th. You can sign up at my website: www.susielarson.com 

Now on to my topic...

Do you ever get weary in doing good? Ever wonder when you'll see the fruit of your labor? Or maybe you wonder if all of your effort made any difference at all.

I've had a number of conversations recently with people who are weary in the waiting and I've wrestled with these thoughts in my own life. I knew that if I didn't open my hands and look up, I'd find myself tangled up in my thoughts and tripped up by a wrong perspective. After putting it all on the table and giving God room to speak to me, He led me back to a faith that stands even when my eyes cannot see. 

Scripture calls us to pray and keep praying, to believe and keep believing, to speak life, and keep speaking life, but eventually we want to see the results of our efforts, right? There's a little something in all of us that after we've exerted a certain amount of effort, we start to believe that God owes us something. Maybe we don't dare say that out loud, but if we're honest, there's a little card in our back pocket that we pull out when we've had enough. We hold it up to God and in so many words say, "But what about all I've done? What about all I've tried to do? Would it hurt You to come through for me? Can you give me something?" 

Even Job got there eventually. He was an amazing, righteous, godly man. But when he was pushed far enough, he pulled out the card. He listed his acts of righteousness. Who can blame him? He was a righteous man. But then the Lord spoke and Job covered his mouth. He declared, "Surely I spoke of things too wonderful for me."

Here's the thing. We are made righteous by God alone. Every good thing comes from Him. Apart from Him, we don't have a leg to stand on. And even as we grow in Him, we must find our secure footing on Him alone. How easy it is to shift our weight to our efforts, our recent righteousness, or our consistent faithfulness, but we must not. We live faithfully, because He is faithful in us.

In due time we will reap a harvest of righteousness, a breakthrough to our prayers, and blessings for our obedience, if we do not give up. His promises are true and so those principles are true. But those breakthroughs are determined by God's wisdom and timing. If we shift our weight onto our efforts and begin to expect something before its time, or feel entitled to something that God hasn't given us yet, we'll step onto a rug that the enemy can pull out from under us.

We are bondservants of the Most High God. He is overwhelmingly good to us. Still, we serve Him on His terms, His timing, and according to His highest and best will for us.

I've learned not to 'do the math' so to speak when I find myself in a weary place. When I consider all I've invested in a certain person or situation, and see no fruit from my faithfulness, I can so easily despair; and when I let myself go there, I get weak. At such times it's especially important to step back, to put a flag in the ground, and to declare the faithfulness of Almighty God no matter how barren the field might appear. 

The results belong to God. Diving timing belongs to God. Breakthroughs, increase, and seasons belong to God. Mine is to obey, His is to do everything else. 

If you're not seeing results, it's because you're not ready for them. Obedience in this place is first to submit to God. Then, resist the enemy's taunts to engage in despair, discouragement, self-pity, or entitlement. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (See James 4:7).

God gave us everything when He gave us His Son. He owes us nothing. He deserves our highest praise and our absolute trust. The faithful soul will put a flag in the ground and declare, "Though I can't see Him, I know He's with me. Though the barns are empty, I will praise Him. I know He'll one day fill them. Though my loved one's heart seems far away, I trust God will one day draw her near. I'm not moving from this place of faith. God will bring the breakthrough when He'll get the most glory and when I'm most ready for it."

Psalm 126:5-6 says this ~ Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Galatians 6:9 says this ~ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

May we press on, in His Name!

~Until next week...

When God Moves, May I Respond...

Greetings, Dear Friends! Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose it 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 post, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! 

It's time to announce the winner for September: Darcee Zehm, congratulations! Just email me your mailing address and we'll get your gift card in the mail within the next week. You can email me at: info@susielarson.com - Congrats and thanks for posting on my blog!

A quick note: Four times a year I email out my Quarterly Ezine; next issue comes out on October 15th. It's free! If you haven't signed up, you can do so at my website. Lots of fun stuff in that Ezine. 

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. Yikes. 

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

God Sees, God Responds...

Happy Wednesday, 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 post, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! Thanks and bless you!

Now on to my topic...

Some time ago, I had a conversation with a friend about her journey through the wilderness. It's been a slow and sometimes agonizing passage for her. The thing is, if she didn't love and fear God, she could take a few steps to the right and land herself on the fast highway that leads to a counterfeit version of her desires. But truth be told, that would be her way, not God's way. And above all, she wants God's highest and best will for her.

As she shared about the weariness in her steps, I leaned in, grabbed her arm, and said, "Listen to me, friend. Your sacrifice of praise and your sacrificial obedience have not gone unnoticed by God. There is NO sacrifice you could make to Him that will not met with a totally disproportionate response of His great love, and grace and provision! Any gift you give, any offering you make, and initiative you take to obey Him when it costs you, will be responded to in ways you cannot imagine. He is a disproportionate God! Understand your wealth in Him. Though you feel the pain of this sacrifice now, get a vision for the response He is preparing for you!"

I felt especially inspired to share that with you today as well. 

Some of you are making huge sacrifices for His Name's sake. Some of you could easily grab for yourself a counterfeit version of something He has promised you, but ultimately, you want to wait for God's best for you. Do it, my friend. Wait for God's best and see if He won't absolutely blow your mind with His goodness, His grace, and His attention to detail. 

If at all possible, get your eyes off of what it's costing you right now, and lift your eyes to the Heavens, your unlimited supply. If you're lacking in strength or perspective, get alone with God. Spend extended time camping in His presence. Open your hands to receive more of what He so lovingly wants to give. Remind yourself of His Word and His promise to you. Strengthen yourself in Him by reminding yourself who you are TO HIM! 

There is no gift you can give, no prayer you can pray, no act of obedience that you can initiate that will not be met by overwhelming love, provision, goodness, grace, and power. You may not see its evidence right away, but it is there, affecting change, making a difference, and moving mountains. One day your eyes will see it. So know it now. Stand on the faithfulness of God now. Today. Believe Him for big things. Entrust your cares, your sacrifices, and your gifts to Him.

There is no better, no safer place than with Jesus. And, you'll not receive a better return on your investment of trust, time, and talents. God is in the business of exponential, over and above, beyond our wildest dreams, kinds of answers. Your everything is safe with Him.

Open your arms wide. Look up. Trust Him. He is good and He is crazy in love with you!

~Until next week.

3 Perspectives That Stir Up Fear...

Happy Wednesday, 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 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a post, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

We've had a couple of great shows already this week. On Monday we talked about spiritual warfare with Leighann McCoy and on Tuesday we talked about living purposefully with Priscilla Shirer. Both were excellent interviews. Check 'em out if you need a spiritual boost! You won't be sorry. 

Now on to my topic...

I've recently come through a pretty tough battle. I won't say that I'm all the way to the other side, but I definitely have my feet under me once again. Praise God.

I've brushed myself off, straightened my shirt, and combed down my jacked hair. Now that I have my wits about me again, I can clearly identify three perspectives that gave the enemy permission and access to stir up my fears to the point where they eclipsed my faith. Perhaps they'll resonate with you as well.

Perspective #1 - Remembering Our Fears: The enemy knows all about our past fears. He knows what parts of those memories still serve as triggers for us today. All he has to do is to get us stirred up with a present reality that connects us to a past fear and he can spin us around so we won't know which way is up. 

The answer? 

Remembering God's Faithfulness: We remember and recall the many ways God has already come through for us. We pause to reflect on the countless times we worried for nothing because God held us close. We declare that God has been faithful and He'll be faithful again! 

Psalm 143:5 ~ I remember the days long ago. I think about all You have done. I think about the work of Your hands.

Perspective #2 - Seeing Our Circumstances: The enemy wants us to fixate on our earthly circumstances to the point that we lose sight of our heavenly Father. He wants us so situation-aware that we forget that we have access to heaven. Of course we need to acknowledge our circumstances. But when we lock down our gaze on the things that worry us and stir up our fears, and we do so without considering the power and the promise of God to save and intervene, we give the enemy paved access to overtake our perspective. His goal is to convince us that we are at the mercy of our circumstances. Thank the Lord, we are not. 

The answer?

Seeing God AMIDST Our Circumstances: If we look for Him, He will be found by us! May the eyes of our heart open up so we can know the depths of His love, the riches of our inheritance, and the power available to us right here and right now. No circumstance can diminish who we are and what we possess. No scenario is beyond God's ability to redeem. May we see calvary mounting on our behalf. May we see that God in our midst is mighty to save! 

Psalm 27:13-14 ~ I remain confident of this: I will SEE the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Perspective #3 - Envisioning Our Worst Case Scenario: This is exactly where we'll land if we embrace the first two perspectives. When we mull over past fears and stare long at present circumstances, the natural outcome will be to envision our worst case scenarios. What then? We step into the enemy's trap and get turned upside down. Too much blood goes to our head and our emotions rule the day. And, we lose sight of God and miss a perfectly good opportunity to please Him with our feisty faith.

The answer?

Envisioning Our Future With Hope: Scripture tells us that God causes all things to work together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). His plan is not to harm us but to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God is able to do above and beyond all we could ever dare to ask or hope or dream (Ephesians 3:20)! So we must at least dare to ask and hope and dream, don't you think? 

1 Peter 5:10 ~ So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

So there you have it, three perspectives that stir up fear, and three perspectives that stir up faith. On what will you fix your gaze? On Whom will you put your trust? May we all look up and declare, If God is for us, who can stand against us?

You're right. No one. Nothing. Not a thing. 

We possess all in Christ. Thank you, Jesus.

~Until next week.

Certainty in Uncertain Times...

Hey Friends, Susie Larson here! 

And to those visiting, I say welcome! 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 post, share an 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...

How are things going in your life? Does your life feel planned out, provided for, steady-Eddie, no problems you can think of right now? I didn't think so.

You'd have to be a rich person living in a mountain cabin with no access to media or people, and no sense of God's burden for the world to be out of touch with the uncertainty of the times. I've been here before, this place where all appears up in the air, undecided, not-sure-which-way-the-wind-will blow. And each time, God used fleeting circumstances to strengthen my frame, my roots, and my sense of purpose despite the ever-changing world all around me.

Whenever I walk through such a season, I grab my 'helmet of Salvation' and pull it on just a little tighter. I ask God, "Give me an eternal perspective, here, Lord. What are You doing in my midst and how should I think about it? May the helmet on my head affect my thinking here on earth. The earth is Yours and so there's always more going on than meets the eye. Nothing escapes Your attention. I'm standing with You; help me to think like You." 

The amazing thing is, every time I ask for a higher perspective, I get one. And every time I'm faced with uncertainty, I eventually come upon a deeper peace, an inner strength, and a profound trust that God is who He says He is. I shall not be moved.

Let's look at several passages from Scripture that support this idea:

James 1:1-8 ~ Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance his fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.  

Count it all joy - in every trial - consider it an opportunity to be strengthened and prepared to stand for the days ahead! So let it grow. In due time, even in sparse times, you'll have all that you need. You'll lack nothing because your resources are the unlimited resources of Heaven.

If you need wisdom for your current situation, ask for it. God will not breathe a heavy sigh or roll His eyes because you feel in over your head. He is a generous God and He will gently and lovingly guide you through all of life's trials. In fact, He loves it when we ask for wisdom! It's a wise thing to do!

But we must make sure that our loyalties are not divided, that we are not double-minded, and that we not live with one foot of affection on worldly pursuits and one foot of affection on Kingdom living. If we attempt such a balancing act, we'll be miserable and we must not expect to receive the wisdom God offers for our current need. Why? Because even if He is speaking wisdom to us, it wont get through to us. When our footing is unstable and shaky, the first place our eyes go is downward. When our footsteps are firm, we can look up and listen.

Hebrews 10:23 ~ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for God who promised, is faithful.

Romans 8:38 ~I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Death can't. Life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, or worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

So you see, we can either run to and fro and grab quick, band-aid solutions to our problems (which are no solutions at all), or we can call on the Name of the Lord, knowing full well, He is the One who can keep us from falling. He is the One who supplies all our needs! (Phil. 4:19). He is the One who loves us dearly. And He is the One who hears us when we call out to Him.

Refuse to give way to a stressed out, uncertain mindset. That's for un-believers. Do you believe God is true to His Word? Then stand on it! Do not waver! Ask for wisdom! Get rid of the garbage in your life that messes you up and slows you down. Get serious about your walk of faith because the times call for it. 

Nothing is more powerful than a woman or man in step with the Living God. When others see peace and certainty reflected in your countenance, they will be drawn to the Jesus in you. And that was His plan all along.

Have a blessed week.