Guard the Flame...

 

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

Now on to my topic...

The other day I was out to lunch with a few girlfriends and our conversation went from discussing the urgency of times, to the-sometimes-powerlessness within the church, and then we ended up talking mostly about the presence of the Living God. My friend Sandy referenced one of Tozer's books and said, "It's all about the flame. We're nothing - we've got nothing if we don't have the presence of God in our midst." 

Then just this morning during my weekly prayer watch for our church, I called my mentor to hand the baton to her, and she and I ended up talking about the flame - the presence of the Living God - and then we spent time together in prayer, asking God to move in our midst. While we were praying I had this picture in my mind of a few of us leaders hovering around this little flame. We protected the flame from the winds of distraction; we fanned the flame with the breath of faith; we invited more people into our circle and slowly backed up as the flame burned brighter. 

I shared my word-picture with my mentor and we discussed the importance of guarding the flame within us. We need to steward God's presence in our lives. When He moves, we need to move with Him. When He speaks, we need to listen. When our choices cause Him to step back, we need to notice it right away, and get right with Him in a moment's notice. 

Please know that I'm not speaking of His omnipresence; He IS ever present - all around us. But Scripture clearly says that He draws near to the humble; He draws near to those who press in and draw near to Him. He steps back from the proud, and He won't have any part of our self-serving, self ambitious ways.  Do you notice it when your way upstages His way? What do you do when the spirit of worry quenches the awareness of God's presence in your life? 

What in your life quenches that flame within you?

I know for me, un-appointed busyness throws a wet blanket on my flame. Fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety are like tornadoes in my life. Wandering thoughts weaken me, and before I know it, I'm missing that strong sense of God's presence in my life. But I'm much quicker to catch it these days.

If you know me, you know that my life verse is Psalm 116:9 ~ And so I walk in His presence as I live here on earth. 

My life's aim, especially in light of the times, is to nurture and protect the flame within me, that I might burn brightly for a world in need. 

Read the following excerpt from Franicis Frangipane's excellent book, "And I will be Found by You":

"The church needs more people who have, like Moses, climbed closer to the Almighty, people who have stood in the sacred fire of God's presence. Instead, we exhaust ourselves arguing over peripheral doctrines or styles of music in our song services. Perhaps there are benefits to constantly debating the nuances of our doctrines, but are we not more truly thirsting for the reality of God? What happens when we seek God? The Bible says at the very moment we are drawing near to Him, the living presence of God Himself draws near to us (James 4:8). 

Guard the flame. It's in His presence that the fullness of joy is found (see Ps. 16:11).

Until next week~

First a Test, Then Some Rest...

 

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

Also, this Friday (January 15th), my Quarterly E-zine releases. This is a real treat for my subscribers. A number of my author friends give away free copies of their books, I write a timely devotional, offer great book recommendations, give ministry updates, share quotes that move me, and offer you a prayer to send you on your way. Lots of takeaway for you! If you're not on my mailing list, be sure to go to my website and subscribe so you can receive this FREE publication.

Now on to my topic...

We just returned from a 2000 mile road trip (we moved my youngest son across the country for college). I had lots of time in the car to read, pray, and reflect. And believe me, I needed it. I know I've mentioned this one or two times but this past year has been a refining one for me. I know it has been for many of you as well. 

Be encouraged today, my friend. God never intends for us to live in the valley of suffering or in a season of refinement. This too shall pass. Jesus is intent on seeing His reflection in us and He'll do whatever it takes to remove the dross that dims us. For the Christ follower, there are possibilities in every ounce of pain, there are treasures in every single trial, and God won't leave us in the fire one moment longer than is necessary. We are precious to Him and He is making something beautiful in us. 

Let's look at a couple of scenarios where God ministered restoration after the test:

Joseph (of the Old Testament): He was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned. But he honored and trusted God through it all. After the trial, Joseph triumphed: "Until the time came to fulfill His word, the Lord tested Joseph's character. THEN, Pharaoh sent for him and set him free. The ruler of the nation opened his prison door. Joseph was put in charge of all the King's household, he became ruler over all the King's possessions (Psalm 105: 19-21). 

Job was a good man. He was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. Satan asked permission to sift Job and 'prove' that he wasn't as upright as he seemed. Job endured unimaginable crisis, one after the other. Amazingly, Job honored God through his first phase of testing. But when his 'friends' seemed too much for him, Job tried to defend himself. God knew, that underneath all of Job's wonderful qualities, was a core belief - albeit understandable - that he had a leg to stand on before God. Once God spoke, Job humbled himself and said, "Surely I spoke of things too wonderful to me." God never stopped loving Job, in fact He honored Job by confronting Job's 'friends' on Job's behalf. He lifted Job out of the ashes and restored him to a better state than he was before: "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10).

If you are walking through a time of refining or testing, don't lose heart. Do your best not to complain, gripe, gossip, or lose hope. Don't camp here, don't make big decisions here; and don't make empty promises here. You won't do it all perfectly and God doesn't expect you to. His mercies cover our imperfections. Even so, to triumph amidst is our trials is to humble ourselves like Job did; honor God like Joseph did; and speak the Word like Jesus did in the wilderness! In due time, He WILL lift us up and bless us before a watching world. How we handle this test will determine how we fare once this season has passed. Trust in the Lord, He is with you and He will restore you!

He brought me out into a spacious place. He rescued me because He delighted in me (Psalm 18:19).

~ Until next week

Hitting Your Stride...

 

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

Now on to my topic...

Today I had another much-needed workout at the YMCA. After cycle class, a few of us hit the treadmills for a short run. I especially love the treadmill that faces the window. I love to look outside, focus on the sky while listening to music that inspires me, and I like to settle in to a steady pace for the duration of my workout. 

With a new year before us (not to mention a new decade) we have a life to live, some God-appointed tasks to fulfill, some relationships to build, and some growing to do. How tempting it is to run haphazardly through each day, this way, then that way, never really hitting our stride and moving into the best of what God has for us!

I remember a time when I first started running. It wasn't pretty. After running a couple of miles, I stumbled onto my block with my mouth hanging open, my pony tail in disarray, my steps scattered to the right and the left, and from the distance, looking like I had just escaped from a prison in the desert. One of my neighbors poked her head out the door and asked, "You okay?" I looked up and smiled and said, "Yes. Why do you ask?"

Later, I learned a better more efficient way to run, one that wastes less energy. For starters, I learned to run in a straight line (as opposed to sloppy, side to side steps when I was tired). I learned to look ahead and focus. I learned not to run too fast at the outset. And I learned to pace myself. 

Let's take some of these lessons for running our spiritual race this year. If we're intentional about it, we'll get farther, accomplish more, feel better, and waste less energy on superficial things. After all, the Bible calls us to 'run the race to win!'

Eliminate the energy drainers ~ What in your life is draining the life right out of you? Are you filling a slot out of obligation and not because God asked you to? Have you committed to something so that others won't be disappointed or so they'll have a favorable opinion of you? Or maybe you've developed a wasteful habit and you know it's taking up too much of your time. Ask the Lord for wisdom and take the steps to straighten out the path ahead of you. Put your energy into the highest and best things God has for you!

Keep your focus ~ As you go through each day, where do the majority of your thoughts land? Are you thinking about your never-ending task list? Are you consumed with your fears, doubts and worries? Maybe your eyes are on your selfish ambitions and not on your God-sized call; this will surely take you off track. To hit your true stride, you have to focus on your Coach, and listen to His cues. He will say to you, "This is the way, walk in it." As we block out the distractions that threaten to pull us off track, we will more instinctively run the race marked out before us. Keep your eyes on Jesus and your ears attentive to Him. 

Keep your pace ~ Some have a tendency to move too slow; to need a thousand confirmations before committing to something; they tend to drag their feet when it comes to blazing new trails. Others move too fast. They jump ahead without a clear plan; they get ahead of God's plan; they burn themselves out on the first leg of the race. We want to last long and finish strong. As we eliminate the energy drainers and as we keep our eyes on Jesus, our true priorities will come into view. God may be calling you to new places, and new races. Don't be afraid to step out! God may be calling you to hunker down and hang in there with your current race. Dig deep and keep moving. He will tell you when it's time to speed up, and when it's time to pull back and save yourself for the hill ahead. Run at the pace HE tells you to!

Your pace will look different than everyone else's because life has its seasons. But that won't bother you too much, nor will you notice it much if you keep your eyes fixed straight ahead - on Jesus. Listen to His cues and put your heart into the race He has set before you. That's how you run to win. You run for Him.

Be intentional this year about where you put your time, thoughts, energy, and talents. The world needs your influence and God has appointed a special race just for you.

Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running - and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God (Hebrews 12:1-2 MSG).

Until next week~

A Word for 2010...

 

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

Time to announce the winner for December...Melissa @ Breath of Life, congratulations! Contact me through my website (link above) and leave an address where you would like the gift card sent. You must claim your gift card before I announce next month's winner. Bless you, and enjoy!

Now on to my topic...

If you're like me, you've been pressing in, seeking God, and asking Him for a word to take with you into the coming year. And though He has spoken a number of things to me personally, I want to share a word that I think applies to us corporately. 

In my book, "Embracing Your Freedom" I wrote a chapter titled, 'Refusing to Blend In' in which I described the scene in Lot's household prior to his town's complete destruction. Because of Abraham's prayers for his nephew, Lot was given a chance to escape certain doom. The Lord sent angels to warn Lot and his family. In a day when hospitality was akin to honor and respect, how did the townspeople respond to Lot's guests? They pounded on the door and demanded to have relations with the visitors (a sanitized way for describing gang violation)!

Lot was mortified, and what was his response to the crazed crowd? He offered to throw his two virgin daughters out to the mob. Imagine. This kind of moral collapse doesn't happen overnight. 

Lot finally heeded the warning of his visitors and told his family they needed to escape before the town's impending destruction. And how did his future sons-in-law respond? They thought he was only joking. Lot had blended so long with a godless people that he had lost his influence when it really mattered.

Our country is on a speedy moral and spiritual decline. If we sounded the alarm, would anybody listen?

But here's something that about knocked me upside the head while studying this story. Read the following verse:

Sodom's sins were PRIDE, LAZINESS, and GLUTTONY, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door (Ezekiel 16:49).

Though Sodom was known for its moral depravity, the Bible records these three things, no four, as the sins that contributed to its destruction. 

Read it again:

Sodom's sins were PRIDE, LAZINESS, and GLUTTONY, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door (Ezekiel 16:49).

Sound familiar? Are we there yet? 

These are sobering times but there's still room for God's mercy. We still have time to repent and recommit ourselves to a God-fearing-walk-of-faith. 

Let's look at these 'sins' one at a time:

Pride: Any time we exalt ourselves, our will, or our ideas above God's, that's pride. Any time we put aside love to grab for ourselves, that's pride. Any time we refuse to forgive, to receive godly correction, or to be teachable, that's pride. Lord, God, forgive us for thinking too highly of ourselves. Forgive us for exalting our will above Your own. Forgive us for stiffening up when You are asking us to bow down. We humble ourselves before You now, and say once again, that You are God. We are not.

Laziness: To be lazy is to be spiritless, lethargic, and apathetic. I want to make a more spiritual application. To be lazy is to let go of the Promised Life. It's a refusal to go after the God-sized call on our lives because unbelief is easier. Laziness breeds more laziness, which attracts more of its kind. It's time to wake up, step up, and to actively walk in faith; it's time to engage our spiritual muscles, vigorously oppose the works of the enemy, and to run the race to win. Lord, forgive us for our love of comfort and ease. Forgive us for putting so much effort into not having to exert any effort. We are a self-preserving people who, if left to ourselves, will preserve ourselves to death. Wake us up, Lord! Ignite our passions and our faith! Help us to grow into our God-sized call!

Gluttony: To be a glutton is to be an over-indulger, impossible to satisfy, one who consumes more than he or she needs. Lord, forgive us! As we enter this new year, let's make a commitment to practice restraint. More often than not, let's stop eating before we get full. Let's say no to ourselves on occasion, and make ourselves deal with it. Let's practice fasting on a regular basis. We can fast from media, desserts, certain meals, our favorite latte, etc. Buffet your body and make it your slave to that after preaching to others, you won't be disqualified (see 1 Cor. 9:27). Lord, God, forgive us for being such perpetual consumers! Forgive us for accommodating our endless appetites! We know that every good gift comes from above and that You will always provide for our needs. Help us to live more simply, Lord. 

Ignoring the Needy: You can imagine how it makes God feel when we consume way past our need and turn a blind eye to the hungry and the hurting all around us. Look through the Bible with fresh eyes this year. Notice how often the poor and needy are mentioned. God's heart burns for the widow, the orphan, the hungry, and the voiceless. In no uncertain terms, their plight has much to do with our calling. Though our earthly economy is in shambles, God's Economy is still strong! And when we give to the poor, we lend to the Lord and He will repay us (see Prov. 19:17)!  Father,  forgive us for ignoring the desperate needs all around us! Break our hearts with what breaks Yours! Help us love what You love and hate what You hate. Give us the courage and conviction to stand in the gap for the hungry, the hurting, and the poor. May we share their burden the way You have shared ours. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

As we venture into the coming year, may we live differently than those who do not acknowledge God. May we walk in love and embrace the freedom we have in Christ. May we humble ourselves before Him and honor Him with our lives. May we refuse to be gluttonous-consumers and be Kingdom Movers instead. And instead of pulling back from our giving, may we step up and give more, knowing full well our investment is a sound one. 

May this be a year that we prepare the way for the Lord - for Him to be big in our lives, for Him to have mercy on this land, and for Him to bring His Kingdom to earth through us.

Until next year~

Love Came Down...

 

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

This month, in light of our Savior's birth, we've spent the past few weeks exploring different ideas around giving and receiving gifts in light of eternity. 

Now on to my topic...

In just a few days, we'll celebrate the greatest event this world has ever known: the day when Love came to earth. 

Try to get your mind around such a sacrifice. Jesus left a perfect place for us. He entered an unstable, unsafe atmosphere, for us. He gave Himself over to sinful men, for us. He came to die, for us. As Sara Groves so eloquently said at her Christmas concert the other night, "Jesus came to earth and entered into our suffering because of WE were the joy set before Him."

He came to us. He didn't leave us in our sin or abandon us in our need. He came to meet us in the midst of it all. He made a way for our rescue where there was no other way.

Even so, Jesus knew that His in-the-flesh appearance on earth wouldn't be enough to convince everyone of His purpose, His power, His provision, and most of all His love. He lived and died amidst the rejection and misunderstanding of many. And He knew it would be that way. 

And so it goes today. This afternoon, while running a few last minute errands, I came face to face with the painful reminder of the state of things in our day. After paying for my items, I gathered up my bag, hoisted my purse onto my shoulder and wished the cashier a Merry Christmas. Without thinking about it, she replied, "Merry Christmas to you too." Which was great, but what she said next totally surprised me. She leaned in and whispered, "Oops. I'm not supposed to say that." 

"Say what?" I asked. 

"Merry Christmas," she said, "I got in trouble the last time I said that to a customer."

My goodness. Lord, have mercy on us! 

I couldn't help myself. I smiled and said to her, "Well, as far as I know, we still live in a free country, so I am happy to wish you a Merry Christmas. Bless you." She smiled and whispered to me, "You too." 

Emmanuel. God with us. Jesus came to earth to show us love, forgive our sin, set us free, and make us new. And yet we live in a day that materializes the idea of the holiday while completely extracting from it the depth and meaning of it all. Jesus saw this coming, and yet, He came to us anyway.

If people refuse to acknowledge God's love, does it make His love not so? No. He loved us first.

This is real love. It's not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins (1 John 4:10). 

If we go through times of desperation and discouragement, does it diminish His presence and power in our lives? No. He's always with us.

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

If it's difficult for you to comprehend your value, does it make you less valuable? No. His love defines you and makes you whole.

May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. THEN you will be filled with the fullness of LIFE and POWER that comes from God (Ephesians 3:18-19)

All too often we rate our holiday based on the number of presents under the tree and the number of things that are going are way. But that's an earthbound perspective. 

Every Christmas deserves our embrace and our most joyous celebration. Every Christmas matters because God is with us! Jesus came to us! Love came down and kissed our lives and now we get to live super-naturally. We have heavenly assistance, divine presence, and powerful promises available to us. God IS with us!

Jesus left Heaven and came to earth so that one day, we will leave earth and meet Him in heaven. He is with us and one day, we will be with Him. Face to face.

Wonderful, wonderful Christmas. We celebrate our Savior's birth!

God bless you all~