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Immeasurably More

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

God,

I know You can do

immeasurably more

than my brain can contain

 

more than I can think

to ask for

 

more than I can imagine

in all my ponderings

 

So I ask You,

to expand my understanding

Enlarge my belief

 

that I might not miss You’re power

at work within me

 

So that I might believe

for more

 

Go overboard

in me

and around me

today

 

I’ll be watching expectantly

and doing my best

to not underestimate

 

You

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

– Ephesians 3:20,21 (NIV)

 

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

– Ephesians 3:20,21 (AMP)

 

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

– Ephesians 3:20,21 (MSG)

Photo by Susie Stewart

Grace Flow

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Today, my friend

I pray for you to know

 

really know

 

the grace that is yours

 

I pray that in the midst

of all the Have Tos

and Suppose Tos

and Got Tos

 

that you find the rhythms

of God’s grace flowing in you

 

That you enjoy

just being loved

 

And that you don’t forget to breathe in grace

and exhale praise

 

strengthened by God

knowing He is not burdensome

 

I pray this for you today

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].

– Romans 11:6 (AMP)

 

For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].

– John 1:16 (AMP)

 

So you, my son, be strong [constantly strengthened] and empowered in the grace that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus.

– 2 Timothy 2:1 (AMP)

 

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

– Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

 

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

– 2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Who’s In Charge Here?

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Lord, You’ve been convicting me

and I’ve only had one ear open

 

But You’ve got my attention

this morning

 

What You require is hard

for me

 

In this relationship You and I have

I seem to knowingly

and unknowingly

try to take the lead

 

It can be so subtle

or it can be blatant

 

I say that I’m following YOU

and yet I seem to find myself

making the rules

 

You taking the lead

means bowing my will

my time

my desires

my selfishness

 

It means that I actually seek You first,

not my own lists

 

Oh, the never ending to-do lists…

 

It means pursuing my God,

my Love,

with determination

 

to see what You are saying

where You are leading

 

When to be silent

when to speak

 

When to act

when to stay still

 

Bowing my will

 

YOU are my perfect leader

in this relationship we have

 

A lot of the time I know when I’m following

and when I’m trying to lead

 

My control of Almighty God is a facade

 

Forgive me, God

 

Lead on

 

– Susie Stewart

 

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.

– Proverbs 19:21 (MSG)

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that.

– Jeremiah 29:11 (VOICE)

 

I know, God, that mere mortals
    can’t run their own lives,
That men and women
    don’t have what it takes to take charge of life.
So correct us, God, as You see best.

– Jeremiah 10:23,24 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

I have a Complaint About Complaining

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Complaining

is worthless

 

Words reeking of self

and ungratefulness

 

Of no benefit

to those who hear

 

Complaints

come out

and hang in the air stagnant

 

Perspective

Gratitude

Selflessness

Patience

Graciousness

 

– they are needed when tempted

by dissatisfaction

 

Complaining

is an outward expression

of a heart in need of joy

 

And joy is found in Jesus,

the One who should have had the most

to complain about

 

but didn’t

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them.

– Ephesians 4:29 (VOICE)

 

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

– Philippians 2:14-16 (NLT)

 

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.

– Philippians 2:14-16 (MSG)

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

– James 1:2-4 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Find Me True

/ Susie Stewart / 5 Comments

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him….

– 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)

 

Every day we make

Choices

 

Too many to count

choices

 

about how we spend our time

how we treat people

what we will eat

 

how we will respond,

or react

 

where we will go

what we will think about

 

Who or what we worship

 

And, Lord,

my deepest desire

 

is for You to find me faithful,

for You to see me

seeking You

 

and that the choices I make

are directed by You

 

Your eyes roam the earth

to find the faithful

the committed

the wise

 

and that’s who I want to be

 

one of the few

who seeks You wholeheartedly

 

and makes choices

in Your strength

and with Your wisdom

 

eyes on You

as You find me true

 

– Susie Stewart

 

God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

– Psalm 53:2 (NIV)

 

God has looked down from heaven upon the children of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God [who requires Him, who longs for Him as essential to life].

– Psalm 53:2 (AMP) 

 

God sticks His head out of heaven. He looks around. He’s looking for someone not stupid— one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman.

– Psalm 53:2 (MSG)

 

From heaven the True God examines the earth to see if any understand the big picture, if any seek to know the True God.

– Psalm 53:2 (VOICE)

 

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

A Free Prisoner

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

I am

Your prisoner, Lord

 

and what a freedom I have found

in this captivity!

 

Captivated by Your Love

and surrendered to Your will

 

I am free

when I bow myself

to You

 

Fully

and completely

 

My heart

My life

My marriage

My posessions

My family

My future

 

Everything

 

I am Your prisoner, Lord

 

 

Willingly,

I am Yours

 

– Susie Stewart

 

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles…

– Ephesians 3:1 (NIV)

 

This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom.

– 2 Corinthians 3:17 (GW)

 

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

– 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (MSG)

 

He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. “Abba, Father,” He cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.”

– Mark 14:35-36 (NLT)

 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

– Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

 

Story

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

What’s your story

of His grace

in your life?

 

Because

I’d love to hear it

 

What’s your story

of His love?

 

What’s your story

of His mercy toward you?

 

What’s your story

of His hope?

 

I would love to hear it all

 

And I want to encourage you,

my brother,

my sister,

 

to share that story

 

For you are called

to speak as a WITNESS

for your Savior

 

Your TESTIMONY

is what people need to hear

 

You are not asked

to bear witness

to complicated theological facts

 

but to the difference

our great

and gracious God

has made in your life

 

And people are dying to hear it….

 

So let it flow

 

just as you would speak with joy

about the people you love

 

For there has been no greater LOVE

than the story of the One

who laid down His life

for you

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Here’s the knowledge you need: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be My witnesses, first here in Jerusalem, then beyond to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the farthest places on earth.

– Acts 1:8 (VOICE)

 

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim Your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim Your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about Your righteousness.

– Psalm 145:407 (NLT)

 

I will tell everyone about Your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim Your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words.

– Psalm 71:15 (NLT)

 

Photo by Amy O’Neil

 

Heart <3

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

Into your heart

you accepted your God

 

and with your heart

you hear His voice

 

His words are digested

with your heart

 

and He asks that you love Him

with all of your heart

 

You love people as He does

with your heart

 

and you walk in step with Him

with your heart

 

Religosity walks only

by intellect

 

But God calls us close

 

He searches intently

to see if your heart

 

is lit up

with Him

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

– Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.

– Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV)

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

 

 

His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

 

I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing Your song, High God.

– Psalm 9:1,2 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

I Don’t Want To Miss It

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Lord,

Let me not miss

Your heart

for my day

 

Quicken my spirit

to Your Spirit

 

 

Let me not

be distracted

from Your purposes

 

from adoration of You

 

Let me see people

the way You see them

 

and let me not

put distractions

over love

 

Let me not

miss Your heart

for today

 

– Susie Stewart

 

And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love.

– Romans 5:5 (VOICE)

 

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

– Ephesians 5:1,2 (NIV)

 

Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.

– Ephesians 5:15-17 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

So Boring

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

If you think

church stuff

is boring

 

If you think

answering to God

is stifling

 

If you think

Jesus-following

is all about rules

 

Wake Up!

 

Because you are asleep

 

Open your eyes

to a full and abundant life!

 

Realize true hope

and unexplainable peace

and overflowing joy!

 

See

Hear

Taste

Experience

 

your creative

inspiring

mind-blowing

God!

 

Dive in to the deep

of His

swallow-you-up Love!

 

Know the calming serenity

of wrongs paid for unmerited

 

Find your DEEP

in Jesus!

 

It’s available

to EVERYONE

 

Why would you not choose

 

Abundant?!

 

– Susie Stewart

 

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)

 

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.

– Jeremiah 29:11 (GW)

 

I pray that God, the source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Romans 15:13 (VOICE)

 

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.

– Isaiah 58:11 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart