Unearthing Stones, Believing for More...

Greetings, Friends! Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! Typically, I post every Wednesday but for some reason I couldn't get my blog to load yesterday. :) 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 insight, bless lots of folks, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and friend.

Now on to my topic...

Now that I’ve finished my speaking season and finished writing my next book, I’ve slowed down a bit. And guess what’s happened? Things are surfacing in my life that I can’t ignore. I hear God’s invitation to pause my forward moving progress so that together we can set the plow deeper and prepare the soil for more abundant growth.

I hear the Lord whispering across my heart, Now’s the time to dig up a few stones in your soil, to name them, release them, and be done with them. Now is a time to replace those old lies with life-giving truth. As we go through this process of unearthing these stones, you’ll have some forgiving to do, some repenting to do, but all for the sake of healing and wholeness; all for the sake of preparing for new growth. Now is the time to give Me time and space to heal and restore your soul. Now is the time to pull back from all you ‘do’, to just ‘be’ and to find your delight in Me.’

I still work full days at the station, but I most definitely sense God’s invitation to leverage every other free moment to sit with Him, listen to Him, and respond to the things He’s showing me.

Tuesday on the show, we talked about the call to live the promised life; to take God’s promises as they stand, to persevere in faith as we walk forward; and to understand that when we dare to believe God for more, He asks more of us, not in any deal-making sort of way, but so we’re more suited to carry the things we’re asking for from God.

After the show I got thinking about why so many Christians live outside of God’s absolute best for them. I believe there are two big reasons why so many live out their ‘faith’ lives with a low level of misery or discontentment:

• ·      An unwillingness to deal with their stuff (sins that entangle, and the things that hinder our forward moving progress)
• ·      A refusal to believe God for the ‘more’ of Himself that He so lovingly wants to impart to them

Read what scripture says about the unbelief of the Israelites:

The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the Lord (Psalm 106:24-26).

They refused to believe God’s promise over their lives, so they plopped their rear ends down in the gravel, grumbled and griped because their lives had no promise, and they refused to obey the Lord. And I’m sure they blamed God for their misery! How often do we do the same thing?

Jesus loves us with an everlasting love. He leads us on a journey of grace, refinement, and transformation. He allows for seasons of healing, fruitfulness, and breakthrough. And, He allows for seasons of digging up stones, of setting the plow deeper on a root that chokes out life.

Such seasons are messy, somewhat painful, but oh, so necessary if we really want to go from strength to strength, glory to glory, shining ever brighter until the full light of day.

So I’m setting aside a significant amount of time this weekend and with notebook in hand, I’ll write out every soul ache, angst, and every painful memory that still has a pulse. Once I’ve unearthed the lie, forgiven the pain, repented of the sin, I’m going to have a bonfire and burn up the pages of my notebook. Then, I’ll have communion as a reminder that I have a place at the Table of Grace, always and forever because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

I’m typically quick to repent of sin the moment I realize I’ve sinned; I tend to go after any shred of un-forgiveness in my soul when I sense it’s there. But even so, I’ve learned that we can go a long time without fully resolving issues that stand in the way of abundant growth without even realizing it. That's why it's so important to have seasons where we slow down long enough for God to do a transforming work in us.

Sometimes we’re only ready to unearth a portion of a stone and that’s all God asks of us for the moment. But, eventually, when the time is right, the Lord hands us a shovel, and together we pull up the weeds and unearth the stones so we can believe Him for a fresh and abundant harvest.

Maybe you’re in a season where discontentment, frustration, and angst plague your soul. Do you know that we so often sin out of these places? We sin out of our pain, our pride, our fears, and our unresolved issues.

God wants to heal you, and deliver you from the things that keep you from the best of what He has for you. This is what God longs for you to have: an intimate walk with Him; a life healed and whole, full of faith, and full of fruit! A life marked by His Spirit which produces love, joy, peace...

I pray you can find some time to be still and to respond to His work in your life, that you may better know the riches of His love toward you.

Whatever we’ve experienced of God, I promise you, my friend, there’s more. Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus!

~Until next week.

*PS - Will you do me a favor and let me know if posting a weekly devotional blog like this is helpful to you? Or is it too long? I'm taking a look at all of my committments and assessing where the best of my time should go. Thank you and God bless you.

God Moments & The Patient Process...

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

Now on to my topic...

This morning during my prayer time, this little passage jumped out at me: When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped (Exodus 4:31).

Guess who that verse is talking about? I'm sure the reference from Exodus gives it away. In Exodus four we read about the time when God called the self-aware and unqualified Moses to do a mighty impossible task: to appear before the Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to freedom. And when the Israelites heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

The bummer part of that story is that it didn't take long for the Israelites to accuse, take up an offense, stomp their feet, shake their fists, and betray the one who stuck his neck out for them.

Truly though, when they heard of God's concern for them, it was a God-moment, sacred enough to bring them to their knees.

We must never discount those God moments when He speaks to us, makes promises to us, and gives us His divine assurance that He'll be with us no matter what. Because the thing is, those God moments often precede a battle where everything God has promised is threatened or seems up for grabs.

Every time God makes a promise, the devil makes a plan. And when the enemy presses in, we can be tempted to grab for ourselves, gripe at God, and grind our gears in our own strength.

As I've said many times before, Lord, help us to remember in the darkness what You told us in the light! 

It takes time to lay hold of the things God has promised us, not because God needs time, but because we do. He is fully committed to the idea of giving us a free will to make our own choices. He moves at our pace because He loves us and wants to keep us moving True North - in the direction of His ultimate plan for our lives. 

We must be patient in the process. Far too often, it's God who is waiting on us! The Israelites took 40 years to complete a trek that should have only taken a couple of weeks or so. Even so, God makes all things beautiful in their time. 

On the other hand, we can be completely submitted to His purposes in our lives and still feel like we are in the 'waiting season' forever and a day. God, at times, seems completely content to leave us in a desert season for far too long. Especially in the desert places, we must remember those God-moments when He showed up, spoke to us, and promised us His provision.

Don't let the enemy sidetrack you with questions like, 'Did God really say...?" or "Do you really think He cares about this puny desire in your heart?" 

God loves us deeply. He puts dreams in our hearts. He speaks to His people. And the Bible says that His promises are backed by all of the honor of His name.

Read this beautiful verse: Psalm 138:2 ~ I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

Trust in the Name of the Lord. He will not fail you! Cherish those God-moments, they are loving gifts from an intimate Father. Hang on in faith; don't let go. In due time, the season will change and you will lay hold of what God's best will for you.

~Until next week.

God Moments & The Patient Process...

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

Now on to my topic...

This morning during my prayer time, this little passage jumped out at me: When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped (Exodus 4:31).

Guess who that verse is talking about? I'm sure the reference from Exodus gives it away. In Exodus four we read about the time when God called the self-aware and unqualified Moses to do a mighty impossible task: to appear before the Pharaoh and lead the Israelites to freedom. And when the Israelites heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

The bummer part of that story is that it didn't take long for the Israelites to accuse, take up an offense, stomp their feet, shake their fists, and betray the one who stuck his neck out for them.

Truly though, when they heard of God's concern for them, it was a God-moment, sacred enough to bring them to their knees.

We must never discount those God moments when He speaks to us, makes promises to us, and gives us His divine assurance that He'll be with us no matter what. Because the thing is, those God moments often precede a battle where everything God has promised is threatened or seems up for grabs.

Every time God makes a promise, the devil makes a plan. And when the enemy presses in, we can be tempted to grab for ourselves, gripe at God, and grind our gears in our own strength.

As I've said many times before, Lord, help us to remember in the darkness what You told us in the light! 

It takes time to lay hold of the things God has promised us, not because God needs time, but because we do. He is fully committed to the idea of giving us a free will to make our own choices. He moves at our pace because He loves us and wants to keep us moving True North - in the direction of His ultimate plan for our lives. 

We must be patient in the process. Far too often, it's God who is waiting on us! The Israelites took 40 years to complete a trek that should have only taken a couple of weeks or so. Even so, God makes all things beautiful in their time. 

On the other hand, we can be completely submitted to His purposes in our lives and still feel like we are in the 'waiting season' forever and a day. God, at times, seems completely content to leave us in a desert season for far too long. Especially in the desert places, we must remember those God-moments when He showed up, spoke to us, and promised us His provision.

Don't let the enemy sidetrack you with questions like, 'Did God really say...?" or "Do you really think He cares about this puny desire in your heart?" 

God loves us deeply. He puts dreams in our hearts. He speaks to His people. And the Bible says that His promises are backed by all of the honor of His name.

Read this beautiful verse: Psalm 138:2 ~ I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

Trust in the Name of the Lord. He will not fail you! Cherish those God-moments, they are loving gifts from an intimate Father. Hang on in faith; don't let go. In due time, the season will change and you will lay hold of what God's best will for you.

~Until next week.

No More Pretending - Find Your Strength in Him...

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! 

Now, on to my topic...

A while ago, our pastor asked us to read Revelations 2 and 3 and to ask ourselves, "What is the Spirit saying to our church?" I loved this assignment and I think it's a wise thing to do.

Something struck me during my devotional time. I read about the Church in Sardis. They had a reputation for being alive, but they were dead. 

Reputation: A widespread belief or perception

How many churches, ministries, and people have a look of being successful but at their core (to borrow a phrase from 'The Princess Bride') they are mostly dead?

What a scary thought!

Verse 2 reads: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

My NIV Study Notes offered this insight: Outwardly the (Church of Sardis) appeared spiritually alive and active and had a reputation of success. But Jesus saw the absence of the inner reality of Himself in the hearts of the people; he saw religion, not spiritual life.

What a wake up call for us! 

Is there any area in your spiritual life that you've allowed to go on autopilot or that has become a rote practice, void of life? 

The passage above advises us to strengthen what remains, to remember what we have received, to obey what God has asked us to do, and to repent of our sins.

How easy it is to go through the motions, to look good, but to bear little fruit! And yet, there's an answer for us. We are to strengthen ourselves in the Lord that we might know true peace, experience profound healing, and make a significant impact in our world. That we might bear real fruit. No more pretending. No more going through the motions. No more fake fruit.

When the Psalmist David was in one of the battles of his life, the Bible says that he 'strengthened himself in the Lord.' (See 1 Samuel 30:6) 

I believe David simply reminded himself of God's greatness, His faithfulness, His promises, and His presence. I think David probably nourished his soul by telling himself that he was not alone and that he mattered to God. 

While we still have today, may we abide in the Vine and receive the fresh life flowing from Him! May we refuse to live a 'religious' life; one that is absent of a fresh, thriving, and fruitful life. May everything we do be motivated by our love for God and be in response to His love.

When God looks upon His people, when He looks upon you and me, what does He find? 

Does He find us striving in our strength? Pretending we’re something we’re not? Does He find us going through the spiritual motions and yet deeply motivated by our own selfish whims?

Or does He find our delight in Him? Does His heart swell with joy because we have put our trust in Him? Because we humbly wait for His direction in our lives? 

May everything we do, be in response to His love. 

Author John Ortburg's mentor once said to him, "The devil drives. The Shepherd leads."

It doesn’t matter how the world perceives you, whether you seem successfully huge or obscurely small. Jesus sees. Jesus knows. Whether in a hidden place or in a public one, may your faith-life thrive and grow because Jesus lives in and through you.

Let Him lead, and humbly follow. You'll find your strength in Him.

Until next week~

Eventually Breakthrough Comes...

Have you been praying a long time for a desire of your heart, holding tightly to God’s promise to you?

 

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! 

It's time to announce the Starbucks gift card winner for May. Drum roll please...Beck Gambil, congratulations! (Beck, email me your mailing address at: info@susielarson.com)

Now on to my topic...

Recently I've noticed that many sincere-sold-out Christians are going through significant fires of affliction. They’re fighting the battle of their lives; fighting for their homes, their marriages, and their sense of security. Godly people are learning to suffer well, and yet feel desperate for a breakthrough.

I feel their burdens in my skin and in my bones. Daily I ask God to move in and break through on their behalf. And though I'm not presently in the fire like some of my friends are, I've got a number of heavy burdens that I carry close to my heart; things for which I've waited long and prayed hard.

I’ve seen some evidence that my prayers are making a difference, but not a lot, not yet, anyway. But every time I'm tempted to view my prayers as inconsequential, or to pull back from my stubborn stance of faith, I remind myself of this truth (and I say it out loud so that my own ears can hear it):

The earnest prayer of a righteous man or woman accomplishes great and powerful things! (See James 5:16).

The other day while biking the trails and praying about the things that weigh heavily upon me, God brought a wonderful revelation to my heart. I saw a picture in my mind of a brick wall. I was on one side with all of the forces of heaven standing with me, agreeing with me and with the Light of God's truth shining on me, showing me how to pray. On the other side of the wall were people walking in darkness; blinded to the ways the enemy has dulled their senses. There were situations and circumstances that could not be remedied without God’s mighty intervention.

Though these people and circumstances were on one side of what seemed like an impenetrable wall, and I on the other, all at once I began to see the impact of my prayers. Every prayer I prayed was like a wrecking ball to that thick brick wall, chipping away at the enemy's shrewdly constructed fortress. Eventually, the bricks crumbled and broke. And the light broke through. 

The Bible says that when you pray God's will, you can KNOW that you have what you've asked for. Pray His Word, pray His will, and you will see the Kingdom of God advance through your prayers.

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15 nlt).

God desires that we walk in fullness and freedom with Him. He desires that we know and love Him for who He is (not for who the world has made Him out to be). He desires that those who walk in darkness would come into the light. He desires to comfort the suffering, refresh the weary, restore the broken, and provide for those in need. He is a breakthrough God!

He is good, and powerful, and true. And He’s always motivated by love.

Jesus is on a rescue mission. And He has determined to work through our prayers! 

Pray earnestly, with GREAT faith, my friend! Every prayer is like a wrecking ball to the enemy's plans. You may not see it, but God is at work in your midst. He moves on the prayers of His people.

Most of our prayers - at first - initiate invisible changes. But suddenly - oh how I love that word! - yes, suddenly, the light will break through and things will start to change.

Do not look down. Do not give up. Look up. Stand strong. Know the power of His Word!

Blessings to you this week~

Susie