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Thrive!

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Friend

we are not meant

to just get through it

 

to suck it up until it’s over

 

We are not called to

grit our teeth

and just endure until it’s done

 

No

 

We are meant to THRIVE

to thrive!

 

And believe it or not

this means

 

whatever the circumstances

 

Because no matter what’s going on

on the outside

 

Your spirit can truly thrive

and grow

and burst light!

 

When you came to know Jesus

you were placed positionally

next to Him on His throne in heaven

 

Your inheritance was made secure

your spirit set free

 

And there are many things earthly

that want to weigh your free spirit down

 

But because of your position on high

you don’t have to be weighted

 

You can soar!

 

You can THRIVE

because of whose you are

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Even though you intended to harm me, God intended it only for good, and through me, He preserved the lives of countless people, as He is still doing today.

 – Genesis 50:20 (VOICE)

 

But God, with the unfathomable richness of His love and mercy focused on us, united us with the Anointed One and infused our lifeless souls with life—even though we were buried under mountains of sin—and saved us by His grace. He raised us up with Him and seated us in the heavenly realms with our beloved Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King.

– Ephesians 2:4-6 (VOICE)

 

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

– Romans 8:28 (VOICE)

 

…in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP)

 

So we have no reason to despair. Despite the fact that our outer humanity is falling apart and decaying, our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day.

– 1 Corinthians 4:16 (VOICE)

 

But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength.
They will soar on wings as eagles.
They will run—never winded, never weary.
They will walk—never tired, never faint.

– Isaiah 40:31 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Gratitude Attitude

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

 

This morning when I woke up

I had a choice

 

Either to be grateful

or not

 

And sadly, I chose not

 

You see, I was bothered

by this

and that

 

And this person

and that person

 

And this hurt

and that was sore

 

and

and

and

 

Until I got to the point

where I realized

 

that the joy was just gone

out of my day

 

My prideful

ungrateful

entitled

attitude

 

was not at all

what I wanted

or what God wanted

 

And one would think

that I was really

stuck

 

right there in myself

 

But with God

you never have to be stuck

 

What a beautiful thing

 

And I set my mind

on things to be grateful for

 

I thanked God

for this

and for that

 

and more

 

And my self-pity

dissipated

 

God’s Spirit

could communicate with me

 

For I was no longer road-blocking

Spirit whispers

 

with a hand up

shutting out joy

 

A heart of gratitude

and a heart of hope

 

is always stronger

than the heart

that tries to protect itself

 

An open heart of joy

is strengthened by Almighty God

 

to weather this world

and to stand in contentment

 

Gratitude

effects

fortitude

effects

courage

effects

hope

 

– Susie Stewart

 

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

– Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

 

The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right.

– Author Unknown

 

He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment….

– Ecclesiastes 6:6 (NLT)

 

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Neighbor

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

I found writing

all man-scribbled

on the white board

 

And it took me a moment

to figure it out

 

Husband had jotted

the names of our neighbors

 

Those on one side of our house

and the other side

and across the street

 

And it made me smile

 

A deliberate action

to know people

 

To honor his neighbors

and remember their names

 

And it is further evidence

to me

of a man after God’s own heart

 

Loving the Lord

and loving people

 

And I am thankful

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

– Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

 

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

– Leviticus 19:18 (MSG)

 

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

– Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)

 

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

– Romans 15:2 (NIV)

 

I’ve searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He’s a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.

– Acts 13:22 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Comfort Overflowing

/ Susie Stewart / 3 Comments

Comfort

envelops

with tender love

 

It encourages

and speaks softly

 

when bodies

and hearts

are broken

 

And You, God,

are the God of all comfort

 

It all originates

in Your heart

 

And once I knew Your comfort

for myself

 

I brought Your heart of comfort, Lord,

to another one hurting

 

And I am fulfilled

 

and overflowing

 

Because You are the Father with

ALL the

Comfort

 

And I am Your child

 

– Susie Stewart

 

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (MSG)

 

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

– Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

 

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

– Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Guest Blog – “Abundance” by Nicole Stewart

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

My daughter Nicole Stewart is a wise woman.  She is, and always has been, an observer of life and people.  She seeks God’s heart.  Yesterday when I was talking to her on the phone, she spoke with such wisdom beyond her 20 years.  I asked her to try and write down what she was telling me.  “Just write how you speak.  Don’t get caught up in edits.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you.”  I’m so pleased she was willing to do that.  I believe she has much to offer all of us.  Here you have the heart of Nicole, the heart of God.  

 

It saddens me when I realize that we limit God. There is so much more to live and breathe and adventure and experience, but we choose to live differently. We choose to live mundane and ordinary. We choose to put our God in a contained area where we believe He is only capable of working within our constraints. This is wrong. And this saddens God’s heart.

God created us to be a part of His ultimate story. We have all been bombarded by the many stories, fictional and non, that demonstrate strength, triumph, bravery, selflessness. While movies are unrealistic and frustratingly irrelevant at times, our lives are meant for something even that much more exciting. Our lives were meant to proclaim the good news that the Creator who breathed breath into our lungs longs to pound our hearts full of love and grace. We were meant to wake up each morning and ask the Lord what He would have us do. In the midst of ordinary, there is so much beauty and deep need. There are conversations to be had, hearts to be connected, and authenticity of the human soul revealed. Why can we not grasp that this life is nothing without the living testimony of Jesus Christ?  Why can we not comprehend that we will always be left feeling empty and purposeless if we do not pursue a life of supplication and service? This is what life is about. This is what our beings were made for. To live a life with Jesus.

He is our healer, perfecter, lover, fighter, and fortress. Why do we not ask Him for abundant healing and miraculous workings in the deepest crevices of the brokenness within? Why do we not ask for Him to speak to us and reveal more of His character? Even if we do ask these things and He does not respond in the way we hoped, He is still good and our faith ought to be strengthened. He has called us to live in this time and place, surrounded by our specific families, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances, because He views us as worthy to be in such a position. We may feel blessed or we may feel poor, but He is still on His throne and He is still worthy of absolutely, utterly breathtaking praise. This is the life we were called to live. Never be limited by the ways of this world. Our God came, conquered, and is coming again. The story is not over yet.

 

 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

– Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

 

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

– John 10:10 (AMP)

 

The Eternal One will never leave you; He will lead you in the way that you should go. When you feel dried up and worthless, God will nourish you and give you strength. And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; you will be like a spring whose water never runs out.

– Luke 6:38 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

 

 

Penetrating Darkness

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

This is my heart this morning.  It is heavy with the state of relationships, of our nation and of our world.  Jesus, You are my always hope.

 

We are desperate for You

and for Your light, Lord

 

This world feels dark

and heavy

and cold

 

Everyone believes themselves

to be right

and entitled

and stubborn

 

We so need Your graciousness

in our hearts, God

 

We long for Light

 

If we could

thirst

for Light,

we would

 

For darkness

threatens to overtake

 

But there You are

in the stillness leading

us to the banks of calm

and peace

 

To the waters of Your sweet love

 

Such a sweet Love

 

And the darkness that threatens

to overtake us

 

Is washed with the water

of Light

 

And eyes are awake once again

to goodness

and blessings

and most of all

 

to You

 

The Light in the darkness

 

The hope of all nations

 

The hope for each individual

that thirsts for Light

 

I love Your Light, my precious Jesus,

I love Your Light

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

– John 8:12 (AMP)

 

A light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched.

– John 1:5 (VOICE)

 

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)

 

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

– Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

 

The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light; Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).

– Psalm 119:130 (AMP)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

First One

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

We have people

that we go to first

 

with heartache

and anger

and excitement

 

They are the close ones

who listen to our hearts

 

And what if

we sought God first

 

with heartache

and anger

and excitement

 

That He would be the One

to remind us who we are

 

when we forget

and listen to lies

 

That He would be the One

to laugh with us

 

when all is hilarious

 

That He would be the One

to mourn with us

 

when our hearts are broken

 

That He would be the One

to calm us

 

when unfairness plagues us

 

That He would be the One

to be still

 

with us….

 

God with us

 

He is the first

and the best friend

 

we will ever have

 

And we will hear

the most perfect response

from Him alone

 

– Susie Stewart

 

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

– Colossians 3:1-4 (MSG)

 

So don’t be afraid. I am here, with you; don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, help you. I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up.

–  Isaiah 41:10 (VOICE)

 

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

– Zephaniah 3;17 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Fear

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
– Proverbs 9:10 (NLT)

 

A life of worship

is a life of fear

 

And it sounds strange

to say so

 

For fear

brings thoughts of scary

and terror

and angst

 

But Abba calls us to fear Him

with awe

and reverence

and joy

 

He calls us to see Him

in everything

 

He tells us not to fear people

or circumstances

or spiritual darkness

 

But to stand bold

in His Spirit

 

and this leaves us

with only the fear of HIM

 

But it couldn’t be further from the word we know

 

For this fear

dances in His presence

 

And brims over with joy

 

And seeks Him passionately

 

This fear is amazed at

and respecting

all-knowing

all-seeing

all-important

God

 

It is the beauty

of Father and child

 

It is

Fear

and fear not

 

– Susie Stewart

 

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

– 1 John 4:18 (NIV)

 

Fearing God has been a term I’ve wrestled with and longed to better understand. I know it means to have a deep level of reverence for God. But I love what a friend of mine who studies language root words to better understand biblical terms recently shared with me. After much study, she now defines a person who fears God as ‘one who sees the hand of God in everything.’ There are several Hebrew words for the word ‘fear’, but let’s look at two of these closely. One is ‘pachad’, which means terror. That’s not the one used in this passage about the fear of the Lord. The word used is ‘yirah’, which means being in awe of God. That deep sense of reverence where we truly desire to look for the hand of God in everything.
– Lysa Terkeurst

 

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him.

– Psalm 33:8 (NIV)

 

Let all people stand in awe of the Eternal; let every man, woman, and child live in wonder of Him.

– Psalm 33:8 (VOICE)

 

The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water so you won’t go off drinking from poisoned well.

– Proverbs 14:27 (MSG)

 

 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

– 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

 

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

– Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Heart Trust

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

 

Has a person

broken your heart?

 

Crushed you

deeply?

 

And as a result

have you determined

 

that you can’t possibly

trust your heart

to God?

 

Secretly

you guard your heart

 

for fear

that He will disappoint

 

just like people have

 

But He calls out to you

as a faithful lover would

 

A faithful lover

 

He pursues you

consistently

 

And you gently learn

that your circumstances

 

don’t determine

His love for you

 

And that God,

your faithful One,

will hold you

 

in those circumstances

 

That He does not leave

nor forsake

 

And you find

that in trusting Him

with your heart

 

 

that He is the One

who wraps you

in His sheltering arms

 

When people

can’t be trusted

with your heart

 

– Susie Stewart

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.

– Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

 

Our hearts erupt with joy in Him because we trust His holy name.

– Psalm 33:21 (VOICE)

 

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give Him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under His loving correction.
It’s the child He loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this.

– Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)

 

Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; He won’t leave you.

– Deuteronomy 31:6 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Testify

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

My mouth

and my life

testify

to Love

 

Not just any love

 

But Unconditional Love

 

Love Perfect

given to imperfect

 

And I would testify to this Love

in any court

 

And some will doubt

and some will scoff

and some will turn away

 

But that does not change

my testimony of Him

 

And the evidence is not just in me

It is worldwide

 

The Fruit is the evidence

 

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Gentleness

Faithfulness

Self Control

 

And lives changed

 

Growing

and not stagnant

 

Softening

and yet strengthening

 

Kinder

and yet bolder

 

Love testified

through life

and words

 

And evidence

 

That we are truly saved

from so much more than sin

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

– Galatians 5:22 (NLT)

 

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

– John 13:35 (NLT)

 

“No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

– Luke 8:39 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart