Embrace Your Worth!

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.

Also, if you're a parent, you need to listen to the podcast from yesterday's show. My guest was Catherine Hickem (family therapist, counselor, parenting expert, and speaker) and we talked about 'Regret Free Parenting'. We had a GREAT conversation. Check it out if you need some encouragement and insight: Tuesday's Show

Now on to my topic...

This morning I posted these words on my Facebook page: 

Joy Stealer: Looking for man's approval when you already have God's abounding love and acceptance.

You'd think I would know by now not to allow myself any deep introspection on Mondays. Let me explain. During the fall and spring seasons I do a lot of speaking on the weekends. And really, I've learned - for the most part - not to look inward too much on Mondays. As I rule, I typically guard my thoughts, refuse to look over my shoulder, or obsess over what I could have done or said differently. And really, for the most part, that's just what I do. I look ahead. I work out. I catch up on things around the house and on my computer. And I thank God by faith for how He moved at the event. Then I go on to pray for the women I just spoke to. All of these things keep me focused forward on the things God has given me to do for that day.

But...every once in a while, someone says something that gets in or takes me by surprise, and like a little rat that wiggles its way through the smallest crack in the door, fear and self-awareness finds its way in where faith and God-awareness reigned. I hate it when that happens!

Thankfully, though, it doesn't take me as long to get myself back to the place of peace and assurance. Even so, that door should never be open. You know the door I'm talking about: the one that leads to your value and acceptance as someone who belongs to God. Yes, people will reject and betray us, but they still don't have the power to diminish or decide our value. Right?

Read this excerpt from my book, "The Uncommon Woman"

Giving people easy access to dethrone our identity and devastate us is not healthy. Deep in our souls there must be an inner chamber where only Jesus resides. It's  in that place where Jesus sits on the throne of our lives. By His very presence there, we are made, and continually made whole. He has already decided our worth, so it must never be up for grabs again. Since we belong to God, we can rule in the midst of our enemies (See Psalm 110:2). Some people are just plain mean; and others, misguided. We can be kind to these people but we don't have to let them (or their words) in. Others might be on to something when they point out our flaws, but if they possess no fear of God, we must confidently leave their presence and bring ourselves before the Lord. In that safe and holy place we confess our sin, admit our need for more of Him, and then throw ourselves on the mercy of heaven's court." (p. 111)

God knows our frame. He doesn't forget that we are human. But He loves us still. And His Son paid an exorbitant price to save us. Our worth is a settled issue.

It's just true. We all need to be reminded of this from time to time. We all have days when the cold winds blow that door open and leave us vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. But every day, may we identify ourselves with the Lord, as His very own. Every day, may we embrace His love as the defining factor of our lives. And every day, may we turn and love others in the way that He has loved us, because we can.

Until next week~

Offering Forgiveness & Grace to Those Who Have Hurt You...

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 and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

It's time to announce April's Starbucks gift card winner! Rachel Beran, congratulations! Email me at: info@susielarson.com to claim your prize. And thanks for posting on my blog!

Now on to my topic...

We had one of THE most powerful shows yesterday! My guest was Dr. David Anderson and we talked about his book, 'I For-Grace You: Doing Good to Those Who Have Hurt You.'

During the show a woman named Marti called in. She was a new listener and didn't know Christ. David so sweetly encouraged her and then as (super) natural as can be, he led her in a prayer to receive Christ. I was beside myself. You have to listen if you get the chance: Live the Promise (For-Graceness)

During the show we talked about what Christ has forgiven in us, and the implications of not forgiving others. I know how difficult it is to forgive someone hurt deeply, but you and I know that it's our only path to freedom and peace!

Read this powerful passage:

Mark 11:24-26~ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Do you see the POWER in this verse? Prayer that changes things is linked with a heart that releases things. Oh, that we could learn the importance of running to Jesus the moment we have a spec of offense within our hearts. 

Catherine Marshall - a prolific writer and follower of Christ, practiced nightly prayers of forgiveness with her husband. Together they'd sit down and search their hearts in prayer. If they could sense even the slightest edge or attitude towards another, they would bow their heads, pray for their offender, and entrust the offense to the Lord. All the way down to being ticked about the little boy that pushed her daughter on the playground (me paraphrasing here), she bathed it in prayer. She attributed this daily practice as significant in keeping her heart and mind at peace.

Dr. David Anderson, my guest from yesterday's show, suggests that as Christ-followers, there's even a next step we can and must take whenever possible. He says it's not enough to release our offender of the debt they owe us. To follow Christ is to bless those who hurt us. And of course, that looks different in every situation, and requires divine wisdom each and every time.

Maybe the 'doing good' is simply to talk kindly to the one who hurt you when you'd rather be rude. Maybe it's earnest prayer on their behalf. Maybe it is washing their feet, or buying them groceries. Maybe you extend grace by asking them how they're doing that particular day.

Now of course, we need to keep distance from some of our offenders, but we can still pray for them. We need to keep boundaries with perpetual offenders, but we can still pray for them.

However, every once in a while, the Lord gives us an opportunity to actually and literally bless those who persecute us or hurt us in some way. That's what I'm talking about.

May the Lord Himself give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to do His will. Remember, Jesus asked the Father to forgive His executioners while they gambled for His clothes below - before they ever realized the gravity of their sin. 

We can't even comprehend the depths of forgiveness offered us by Christ because we don't really know the depths of our sin. But one day, in Heaven, we will. Oh, the depths of God's love! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

May we likewise forgive and (whenever possible) bless those who also don't deserve it. 

God Brings the Increase (at just the right time)...

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 a thought or an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for a friend!

Now on to my topic...(this one is a little longer than usual, but I think it's an important word for some):

Lately I've been in awe of God's divine intervention and attention to detail. In years past, there have been a number of specific desires in my heart that I longed to see come to pass; things that only God and my husband knew about, and, well maybe a few close friends. But as with anything worth having, readiness and preparedness take time. God can do anything in an instant, but we are the ones - with our free will and all - that need time to be ready, strengthened and prepared. 

We need time for our faith to grow. When we plant seeds, we can't repeatedly dig them up and pull them out of the ground to see if they are growing. We have to leave them in the ground. Those planted seeds (that we can no longer see) need to be watered by our faith. During the process we must learn to be content with seeing nothing while knowing that God holds everything in His hands, and that He moves on every act prompted by our faith, as the Scripture says.

The truth is, things just take time. Even 'suddenly-moments' take a while to spring forth. But one thing I learned about waiting on God is that He is always good. He always has our highest and best interests at heart. And when we trust Him enough to give Him room to work, He does His best work on our behalf. Truly, His loving attention to detail will woo any heart that loves Him!

Right now, today, I am walking in some of the most detail-specific answers to prayers of faith, prayed back then - years ago - when such things seemed non-existent and impossible. As I am sure is the case with you, the journey to this particular place of promise had its battles of refinement and pain. While I was stationed to the sidelines for a season, I watched as others ran full boar into their divine calling. And I felt jealous; which was why I was on the sidelines. God was intent on extracting from my soul the very things the enemy intended on using against me. God, in His infinite love, knew why I needed time. He is an ever-protective Father, no?

The amazing thing is, at their core, these desires of my heart were not selfish prayers, they were Kingdom motivated. And yet, our flesh is all too quick to lay hold of that which only belongs to God. He shares His glory with no one, and that's the way it is. The very fact that we get to be used by Him is mind-boggling, wouldn't you say? It's a glorious thing to lay hold of God's promises and toparticipate in the Divine Nature of Christ. Nothing on earth compares. 

Our hope is not in people; not in our bosses, or even in the next elected politician. Our hope is in the Living God who daily establishes His purposes for us! The Bible says that it's in His hands to make great, in fact, He stoops down to do so (see Psalm 18:35). He sets some on high for a season, while He sets another aside for a season; but, He makes all things beautiful in His time.

A.W. Tozer penned these wonderful words:

"What God in His sovereignty may yet do on a world-scale I do not claim to know. But what He will do for the plain man or woman who seeks His face I believe I do know and can tell others. Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hoped for in his leaner and weaker days." 

Trust Him with your dreams and your heart's desires. Refuse to manipulate your circumstances or to posture yourself with certain people. Your hope is in God. He is the one who will lift you up and establish you at the most divine time and in the most divine way.

Blessings to you this day!

~Until Next Week~

God is Present...

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. Every 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 you might win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

Last week I had the privilege of interviewing Matthew Barnett on my show (founder of The Dream Center). Let me tell you, if that interview doesn't stoke your fire, your wood might be wet! :) I was so motivated, so inspired after that show, I'm pretty sure you will be too. Listen in if you get the chance: Matthew Barnett Interview

Now on to my topic...

Recently I've been acutely aware of how God is deeply interested in His people and how He sweetly shows up in the small places of life. Last Saturday morning we met with our home group in a friend's basement. Just us and four other couples. Our friend Al strummed a guitar and led us in a very simple time of worship. We didn't sound great, but we all love Jesus and it was an especially sacred time. I looked around the room at the faithful saints in my midst. Each of them had a tattered Bible open in their lap. Each of them has a long history of following Christ wholeheartedly. 

These men and women fear God and walk humbly with Him. They've offered Him their lives and as a result, there's a ripple effect of Redemption in the lives of those around them.

Though the rest of the world did not know we gathered together last Saturday, God did. Scripture says that God is present in the company of the righteous (Psalm 14:5).

God is in the nooks and crannies of life, ministering through His saints in small places, one at a time, two at a time, one small group at a time, one mission team at a time, one youth group at a time. 

And from a distance, these people and teams seem inconsequential in the whole scheme of things. It’s easy to wonder, “Does it really matter if I take a team to minister to a people no one knows about?” "Does it matter if I stop to help someone with a flat tire?" "Does it matter if I pick up the phone and pray with a friend?"

It does matter and God engages with us as we engage with others. The Kingdom of God has come and is coming – one seed a time, one trip at a time, one team at a time. He is present in the company of the righteous. He’s at our meetings, on our trips, weaving Himself in to the fabric of our lives, our faith, and our memories.  Think about it: our memories of God's involvement in our lives strengthens our sense of identity in Him. 

I pray you'll never underestimate the power of one life lived for God - your life. Singing songs in the car with your children, smiling at your husband when you'd rather not, caring for a stranger who needs your help - all of these random acts of kindness are noted by God and He is right there with you. He is present with us because He cares so deeply about the people He has made in His image. 

To quote lyrics from my friend Sara Groves, "It's a little stone, it's a little mortar, it's a little seed, it's a little water in the hearts of the sons and daughters, this Kingdom's coming." (Kingdom Comes from her 'Add to the Beauty' album)

Press on in His Name. May His Kingdom advance in and through you! 

Bless you this week!

When 'Quitting' is God's Will for You...

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! 

Typically I work very hard to reply to every post, but I must tell you, I am about 20 replies behind right now! Forgive me. I'm buried.  Please pray for me if you think of me. I'll get to those post replies as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience...

Now on to my topic:

Monday on Live the Promise my guest was Geri Scazzero and we talked about her book, 'I Quit! Stop Pretending Everything is Fine and Change Your Life". Listen to the interview here...

Geri is a pastor's wife who had 'served' dutifully for years to the point of utter and absolute burnout. Then one day - when she couldn't take another moment - she declared to her husband (my paraphrase), "I quit! This church may be growing, but I'm dying inside. I'm leaving this church and going somewhere else!'

Well, you can imagine how that landed on her husband. Long story short, though it turned things upside down for a while, her choice exposed a system within her marriage and her church that wasn't conducive to intimacy with God, intimacy with her husband, and a life that involved rest. The church culture was so fast paced, there was no time for replenishment. Now, Geri has the marriage of her dreams and their church culture is one that fosters life and balance. 

Years ago I hit that same wall of, 'I can't do it anymore!' and had to step away from a significant commitment. I had been trying to send up warning flares that my soul was depleted but everyone was busy with their own work and no one understood how desperate I was becoming. So, one day, I had to lay it down and say, "I'm done." And, that was the beginning of healing for me. It took a while for me to burn out, and it took a while for me to recover. But out of that season I learned a very valuable lesson. A couple lessons, actually. 

Nobody knows my limits like I do (and God, of course). It's up to me to establish personal boundaries so that I'll not only survive, but thrive in life. A second lesson I learned is that ideally, you don't want to get to such a crisis point that you have to blow up and quit in a moment's notice. Which brings me back to my first point: it's SO important that you pay attention to how your commitments are affecting you! Make some changes NOW if you need to so you can last long and finish strong! Ask God to show you how to honorably adjust your schedule and commitments so you can make room for life, and breath, and joy, and replenishment. Life must have its ebb and flow - not just flow! 

You might be at a breaking point right now. Here are four indicators to help you discern if you need to make some serious changes in your life immediately  (taken from Geri's book, "I Quit!):

• You violate your own integrity (how you're living speaks differently than what you truly believe and value)


• What or whom you love is at stake


• Your present situation pain is so great, you have to make a change


• The fear of things staying the SAME is actually worse than the fear of things changing

If you are in a desperate place right now, may you steal away for some time with the Lord. May you look up and listen for His voice. He will show you the way you should go. He WANTS you to be replenished, rested, and refueled. It's not impossible! You're not stuck, though you may feel otherwise!

Jesus reigns over your circumstances and He can and will deliver you if you trust Him.

Have a blessed week~

Susie