Lay Hold of Your Inheritance!

Happy Wednesday, Friends! Susie Larson here…

I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. I pray your soul finds encouragement here…

On Monday I had John Ortberg on the show to talk about his amazing new book, Who Is This Man? We had a powerful time talking about Jesus and His impact throughout history. Here's the podcast link in case you're interested: http://www.faithradionet.com/2012/who-is-this-man/

Now on to my topic...

When my sons were young, I noticed certain weaknesses in them that would deeply impact their adult years if not addressed. One particular son, though he was generous, gentle, meek, and mild, had a tendency to shrug his shoulders and take the path of least resistance in almost any situation. One day I spoke these words to him, "Honey, you know the story of how Esau, because of his immediate hunger and shortsightedness, traded his birthright for a bowl of soup? Well, in certain ways, you do the same thing every time you choose the comfortable path over the courageous one. If you're so short-sighted that you only think about comfort and self-preservation in the immediate moment, you'll miss the bigness of God's call on your life."

We all surrender a portion of our priceless inheritance for a measly bowl of soup at different times in various situations. When we choose the path of least resistance because we don’t feel like doing the hard thing, the right thing, we give up something God has offered us.

The Bible tells us that when we are in Christ, everything He has is ours. We are now joint heirs with Christ. We are rich in every way so we can be generous on every occasion, blessed to be a blessing. And though our identity and salvation are free gifts through faith, the abundant life and treasures we're called to appropriate here on earth don't come without a fight. We have to contend with a very real enemy who seeks to steal kill and destroy everything good in our lives (see John 10:10).

It's easier to worry than it is to have faith. It's easier to detach from a friend than it is to confront her (I've learned this the hard way). It's easier to stay stuck in a life situation that you hate than it is to seek God for a fresh vision for your life. It's easier to hold a grudge than to extend a hand of grace. It's easier to watch four hours of TV than it is to pray and worship and read for two.

It's easier to react to life than it is to respond to God. It's easier to spend money on ourselves than it is to give it to someone who has less than us. It's easier to complain than it is to offer praise. It's easier to notice what you lack than to dance with joy over what you possess. 

You get the point.

Every time we step back from the moment and lift our eyes to the God’s promised horizon, we get a glimpse of the bigger picture of who we are and what we possess by faith. And when we choose the faith road instead of the easy road, God's Kingdom increases in and through us. Jesus said, "I've come that you might have life and life abundantly." But that beautiful life doesn't come without a God-breathed vision and some feisty faith. 

May the Lord Himself breathe fresh life into our faith; may He fill us up with renewed joy; may He strengthen our resolve to do the hard thing, the right thing, the thing moves His Kingdom forward in and through us. And may He bring clarity to our vision and perspective so we see ourselves for the rich ambassadors we are.

We love You, Lord. Lead us onward. 

~Until Next Week 

Offerings & Outcomes...

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. I so appreciate your comments and insights as well. Hope today’s post blesses and encourages you.

Now on to my topic…

Isn’t it something how we may think we understand a certain truth or concept and then God drives it deeper into our souls? He is profoundly wise in the way that He teaches us the secrets of the Kingdom. He unveils truth to the degree that we’re ready to receive it, believe it, and walk in it.

I’ve recently begun to understand—on a deeper level—that though God cares about my choices, He does not owe me the outcome that I expect to result from my choices. Plain and simple, He is my master. He decides how my life will go. My efforts (in every area of life) are an offering to the Lord. They’re not a factor in an equation that guarantees a certain outcome.

Whatever we do, we must do it as unto God, trusting Him to take our offering and multiply it according to the need of the moment and according to His perfect will in His perfect time. Outcomes are in His hands.

People (including our children, spouses, friends, bosses, etc.), have a free will to choose as they will. And God, in His sovereignty works all things together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28).

Once the offering (of raising our kids, loving our spouses, serving our bosses, etc.)  leaves our hands, we must remember that we cannot control the outcome. But we can rest and trust knowing that God treasures every seed we sow, every offering we bring, and every prayer that we pray.

When we even begin to think that our efforts guarantee a certain outcome in the lives of others, we put ourselves above God, for even He does not exert His will in another’s life without their invitation.

If we view our efforts as a foolproof method or formula, we may become impossibly prideful and even judgmental. For example, if we apply certain parenting principles while raising our children, and none of them go off the deep end, we’ll tend to attribute their success to our investment. We’ll wonder why others don’t just do the formula. The truth is, even our most sincere efforts fall painfully short without the Holy Spirit’s involvement in our lives.

Our whole lives are an offering. Our choices do matter. And it’s true that what we sow, we grow. But we must not discount another’s free will or even the mystery and sovereignty of God. We love our kids, for the glory of God. We bless our husbands, for the glory of God. We respect our bosses for the glory of God. We tithe to our church, for the glory of God (not so we'll have a say on the color of the choir robes).

If we attach an expectation to our efforts, we begin to see God as a means to an end. When in truth, He owes us nothing. But He’s offered us everything.

Please hear me clearly: it matters that we apply godly principles to raising our children. It matters that we honor the authority in our lives and that we love and respect our spouses. But if we tie a string from our efforts to the outcome we expect, we’ll become manipulative, we'll experience disappointment, or we’ll take the credit for something God deserves the glory for.

I’m convinced that if we view our whole lives as an offering to God, and we trust Him to do what only He can do, we’ll actually be surprised by His divine involvement in our lives. With a humble heart and open hands, we’ll lift our arms in praise, knowing and proclaiming that every good gift comes from above.

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession (James 1:16-18).

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

And More Will Be Given...

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!

Now on to my topic...

Well, this morning as I prayed about today's blog post, the words, "And more will be given" kept running through my mind. And I think it's a great topic for today. 

May we give God our listening ear, our hopes and passions, our gifts and talents, and even our weak and feeble attempts to serve Him. God is the Divine Multiplier! He takes our puny little offering and He makes something of it. And, He deposits Heaven's resources into our lives because He is after a return on His investment in us.

Let's look at a couple of verses that speak to the 'more' that He wants to give to us:

Matthew 13:12

To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

What's exciting to me is that God calls us to LISTEN, why? Because He has some things He wants to say to us! God wants to speak to us!  In fact, the Bible also says that God - the Creator of Heaven and Earth - confides in those who fear Him. He leans in and whispers profound secrets of wisdom and truth to those who honor and esteem His Name. Isn't that just amazing? But since that's true, may we remember that He is God and thus, be ever listening for His still, small voice.

How many times throughout the Bible do we read these words, "Listen!"? In the New Testament, God speaks out these words, "This is My Beloved Son. Listen to Him." 

To whom much is given, much is required. Since God has given us His Son that we might have access to His presence and promises, He expects that we will listen and respond to His direction and leading in our lives. And it's not because He is a micro manager. He is LOVE. He is GOOD. He knows BEST. And loves us MOST. He has our best interest at heart and is very protective of our lives and our dreams. He knows that we can't go this alone. 

For those who heed the gentle voice and who do what He says, more clarity will be given. More insight and inspiration will be entrusted to them. Imagine, God's voice becoming clearer to you; more distinctive; more profound. What a priceless gift He has offered us here.

But there's a downside to this promise. Those who get so busy with life that they miss what He says, will lose their sense of spiritual receptivity. Those who coddle their fears more than they cling to the promises of God, will not hear God's voice when He calls them to a more spacious and free place. Can you think of a more devastating loss than to lose the sense of God's voice in your ear? 

It matters if we listen or if we don't. 

Here is another verse to consider:

Matthew 25:29

To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

Here again we are called to steward well what we've been given. If we take for granted the gifts of God, they will, in due time, slip through our fingertips. 

What have you been given? If you've received any encouragement from others, give some away. If you have food in your cupboards, give some away. If you've been offered a forgiveness you don't deserve (which, you have) offer forgiveness to someone who doesn't deserve it. 

And how about the gifts and talents God has given you? Whether you work in the ministry or in the corporate world, whether you're raising children or caring for your elderly parents; all of these are sacred when done with Jesus in mind. Bloom where you're planted. Use the gifts God has given you for His glory. Live with passion, conviction, courage, and compassion. Sow seeds of faith. Embrace hope. Walk in love.

Let everything you do, be done with Him in mind. And as you pour out your life to a world in need, more - much more - will be given to you.

You are SO precious to God. May you live like you believe it.

~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!

Thanks to those of you who guest-posted for me last week. I'll be contacting several of you for interviews in the coming days.

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.

Be My Guest?

Hey Friends,

I'm taking the next two weeks off from blogging and would LOVE to have you post in my stead. I know that lots of my visitors not only read my blog posts but also your comments. So, will you be my guest? Share what God has been teaching you these days. Maybe a passage of scripture has been really speaking to you, or maybe you've recently learned a valuable faith lesson. We'd love to hear about it! Just post in the 'comment' section for all to see!

When I return on Wednesday, July 18th, I'll pick a couple of the posts and send you a book, a CD, a DVD, or a gift card, whichever you prefer and, I may do a short interview with you for the show.

Share your thoughts and bless lots of friends! On your mark, get set, GO!

Blessings in Christ to you all~

Susie