Month: January 2017

Around Me

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

It’s good for me

to reflect on what it’s like

to be with me

 

I think so much

about what people do and say

and how they affect my life

 

But what about

how I affect them?

 

Does being with me

drain you

or

refresh you?

 

When I am around

are you affirmed

or torn down?

 

Do I make you

feel loved

or rejected?

 

And most importantly,

do people see Jesus

or self-focus?

 

All  people

 

It’s good to reflect…

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

…whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

– Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

 

God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with Him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (MSG)

 

So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].

– Romans 14:19 (AMP)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

 

Dark Pit

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

How dark is your pit?

How deep your valley?

 

How far down have you gone?

 

Into sin

Into grief

Into regret

 

That hole of darkness,

is it so all-encompassing

 

that you think

you’ll never see the light of day

again?

 

Even there

God will come for you

 

As long as you are alive

here on planet earth

 

you  will never be so low

that Jesus’ light cannot penetrate your darkness

 

This darkness,

it blinds

 

Wake up

to White Light

 

And He will bring you out

of that pit

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in Me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.

– John 12:46 (MSG)

 

Everything was created through Him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without Him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.

– John 1:3-5 (MSG)

 

I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in Me.

– Acts 26:17, 18 (MSG)

 

Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God’s Sunrise will break in upon us, Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace.

– Luke 1:79 (MSG)

 

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

Steady in the Flow

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

 

You, Lord,

are unpredictable

in many things

 

But Your love

is sure

 

Even when we don’t understand

Your ways,

We rest in who You are

 

Variable in how You answer

wise in Your sovereignty

steadfast in Your compassion

 

All-knowing

ever mindful

of all circumstances

 

The definition of Love

acting

 

Ebb and flow life

Solid God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

To say that God is faithful or consistent is not to imply, however, that He is predictable. Much bitterness toward God results from a misconception of this. Too often we speculate and try to guess the actions of God and, therefore, develop expectations. Through our limited and often perverted reasoning, we determine the “best” for our lives and then consider God’s only reasonable response to be one of quick and complete fulfillment.

– Bob LaForge

 

…God is love.

– 1 John 4:8 (NIV)

 

God keeps His word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same:

“Your words stand fast and true;
Rejection doesn’t faze You.”

– Romans 3:4 (MSG)

 

Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give Him advice or teach Him?

– Isaiah 40:13 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

The Real Love

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Love

gets exhausted

when it is always expecting something in return

 

Love

gets amnesia

when it remembers only wrongs

 

Love

gets disappointed

when it always keeps score

 

Love

is meant

to give

 

with giving in mind

 

Love

freely

 

Love

unconditionally

 

Love

like Jesus

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (MSG)

 

We have experienced and we have entrusted our lives to the love of God in us. God is love. Anyone who lives faithfully in love also lives faithfully in God, and God lives in Him.

– 1 John 4:16 (VOICE)

 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

– Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Minority

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Do not be surprised,

dear ones,

that you are in the minority

 

Do not be discouraged

that the masses

are going in a different direction

 

Do not be overwhelmed

by the ugliness

all around you

 

Remember

that you are a lighthouse above the sea

 

You are a city on a hill

distinct from the rest

 

Sanctified

Set apart

 

Your one small flame

penetrates darkness

 

and the darkness

cannot overcome it

 

You are walking

the narrow road

 

while most are running

down the broad highway

 

Have compassion on them,

dear ones

 

Do not despise those

who are blinded by darkness

 

Make your light shine

in their world

 

And hold firm

to your hope

 

– Susie Stewart

 

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

– Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

 

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

– Matthew 7:13, 14 (NLT)

 

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

– Matthew 9:36 (NLT)

 

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

– John 1:5 (NLT)

 

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

– 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

 

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

– Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)

 

The Depth of You

/ Susie Stewart / 3 Comments

I’m standing next to you

as you talk to our friend

 

listening to your sweet voice

watching your expressions

 

gazing at your lovely profile

 

and I feel depth

and hear a Bible verse in my mind

at the same time

 

“You knit me together

in my mother’s womb…”

 

And in the standing

and the socializing

and the regular life

 

I gasp inside

anew

at the miracle that is you

 

You

were knit together by God

inside of me

 

You

this lovely young woman

were designed purposefully

 

lovingly

 

and I was the vessel

gratefully used to bring you here

 

You have no idea

I’m thinking any of these thoughts

 

that I am reflecting in wonder

at who you are

 

profoundly impacted

by truth once again

 

that you

are a part of me

 

and we are created

by Him

 

– Susie Stewart

 

For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are Your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with You.

– Psalm 139:13-18 (NIV)

 

Photo by Gracie Oertli

For Sure

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

In uncertain times

I am grateful to You, my Abba,

for making my footsteps sure

 

You have planted me

in the sure earth

of Your inheritance for me

 

You have established

Your good plans

for my good

 

You have lead me,

never forsaking Your promises,

and I have followed

 

The surety of You

is all I need

in the uncertain

 

For I am Yours

and You are God

for sure

 

– Susie Stewart

 

You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.

– Exodus 15:17 (NIV)

 

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.

– Psalm 37:23,24 (NLT)

 

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

– Psalm 16:8 (NLT)

 

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!

– Psalm 16:7-10 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

The Most Important Blog You Will Ever Read

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

As your friend

I must tell you something

 

And maybe it’s kind of familiar

but read it carefully

 

for everything depends on it

 

Everything.

 

So here it is…

 

You will either confess Jesus

as your Lord and Savior here on earth

 

which will bring you salvation

 

Or you will confess Jesus

as the Lord and Savior before His judgment throne

 

which will bring you condemnation

 

forever

 

Either way

you WILL confess Jesus

 

Take the opportunity NOW

to turn to grace, life and love

 

for once your life on earth

is over

 

your confession

will only bring you death

 

And if you read this blog

and you disregard its truth

 

you can be sure

that you will think of my words

 

when you stand before God

ALONE

 

without an excuse

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

So God raised Him up to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all.
So when His name is called,
every knee will bow,
in heaven, on earth, and below.
And every tongue will confess
“Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,”
to the glory of God our Father!

– Philippians 2:9-11 (VOICE)

 

For it is written, “As I live, so I promise,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow down to Me. Every tongue will confess to God.”

– Romans 14:11 (VOICE)

 

I have bound myself with an oath. A word has gone out from my righteous mouth that will not be recalled, “Every knee will bow to me and every tongue will swear allegiance.”

– Isaiah 45:23 (GW)

 

…He has planted eternity in the human heart…

– Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

 

…each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…

– Hebrews 9:27 (NLT)

 

I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire.

– Revelation 20:11-15 (MSG)

 

…when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power.

– 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Stretch

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Do you feel

S   T    R    E    T    C    H     E     D

by God?

 

Has He placed you

in a spot

you’re not certain about?

 

Feeling a bit inadequate

for the task at hand?

 

He’s placed you there

nonetheless

 

It’s not meant to be

a painful stretch

 

but an expanding stretch

like breathing in more air

 

And when you breathe in

the very breath

and expanding of God

 

you realize

that this place of challenge

and different

and harder

 

Is for your good

and for His glory

 

You surrender to Him

in the midst of it

 

and find

that you are growing

in the best possible way

 

You see all the more

what God can do through you

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

 

…you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to Him, both now and forever! Amen.

– 2 Peter 3:18 (NLT)

 

…And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image.

– 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Large Burden, Small Child

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Why are we…

 

….scratch that

 

Why am I

so slow to cast my cares

on You, Lord?

 

Why do I take time

to mull them over and over

in my mind?

 

As if I’m a small child

trying to shoulder a large load

hiking next to my strong Dad

 

When He is clearly saying to me,

“Give it to me, Child.  I will carry it.”

 

But No!  I’ve got this!

 

I really need to think about this

a lot

and I need to go over scenario 1

scenario 2

3, 4, 5 and 6….

 

And I struggle

and I  stumble

and I think I know best

 

when wise Father

is right there

 

and I imagine a loving

head shake from Him

with a questioning “Why?”

 

And it is then that I remember

 

Limitless Divine strength

and that this burden is not mine

to carry

 

And I cast it off

as the distressing hardship that it is

 

My Abba leans down

and I lay the burden on Him

 

and how small that burden now seems

on strong shoulders

 

Such a small thing

 

“Why take so long?”

I ask myself

 

And I see something else ahead on the trail

that looks like it needs to be picked up

 

I look at my Father

and wise eyes speak volumes

 

I decide not to pick it up

 

at all

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

– Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

 

Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries.

– 1 Peter 5:7 (VOICE)

 

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.”

– Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart