Conscience

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

 

A conscience clear

is sign of hope

 

in the One

 

who makes all things new

and can keep us from willful sin

 

A clear conscience shows

that life renewed

and actions redeemed

 

are all the heart of a Savior

 

Who provides new

and do-overs

and mercy

 

We make amends

and we mend brokenness

 

because of hope

 

We ask for forgiveness

and we offer it

 

because of hope

 

We keep short accounts

on account

of hope

 

And we choose right over wrong

because we have every reason to

 

God is our reason

 

His reverence

love for Him

respect for Him

 

And if there were no Divine reason

for a clear conscience

 

all would be hopeless

 

We would do our worst

and sink deep

 

All would weigh heavy

and overwhelming

 

So, keep your slate clean

and clear things up where needed

 

and do it because of hope

 

and for the love of your Savior

 

You know the Truth

Now walk in it

 

conscience clear

and hopeful

 

unencumbered

and free

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Because of this hope, I always do my best to live with a clear conscience toward God and all people.

– Acts 24:16 (VOICE)

 

“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of Him will keep you from sinning!”

– Exodus 20:20 (NLT)

 

Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

– Romans 5:5 (AMP)

 

And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words].

– 1 Peter 3:16 (AMP)

 

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

– 1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Taken For Granted

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Sometimes we need

a wake up call

 

to what we have in Jesus

 

Blessed are we who

treasure

the Word of God

 

who long to learn

and hear

and see

and understand

 

His words to us

 

So many from history

and even the present-day persecuted

 

would have given anything

to have the Bible lying open before them

 

and to read

and absorb

freely

 

the Feast of Divine communication

 

We can take this for granted

 

We forget

that life is found in these words

 

Busyness is an excuse

for letting it collect dust

 

Supposed-tos

rob us of the joy of a heart connect

 

Procrastination steals

each day of refreshment and Truth

 

And we go without

 

life-giving words

reviving

and bringing understanding

and revealing

 

who YOU are God

 

May we long for You

with genuine hearts

 

May we desire

spiritual sustenance

 

May we bask

in Your words

 

which are

our privilege

to read

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Jesus said —

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

– Matthew 13:17 (NIV)

 

But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance.

– Matthew 13:17 (MSG)

 

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. That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see.
They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

“When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let Me heal them.”

But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 

– Matthew 13:12-16 (NLT)

 

The amount of desire for God’s Words

is in direct proportion

to how deeply we know of their power.

– Susie Stewart

 

There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

– 2 Timothy 3:16,17 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Wandering Sheep

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

The sheep

sometimes wander

 

and instead of following

the Shepherd’s leading

 

they follow nothing

in particular

 

wandering here

and wandering there

 

The sheep know the Shepherd,

they’re within the flock

 

but with choices poor

they meander aimlessly

 

And it may be so subtle

that the sheep doesn’t even realize

 

but then finds himself

in unfamiliar territory

 

lost

and alone

 

But the Shepherd knows

 

and searches for this

lost one

 

enfolding brokenness

with love

 

carrying

and caring

 

back close

to His heart

 

You know Jesus, friend,

and you have been acting

like you don’t

 

He sees you

and wants to bring you back

 

Find safety

in His will for you

 

find security

in Truth and boundaries

 

Stay close

to your Shepherd

 

You are forever His

 

– Susie Stewart

 

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.

– Ezekiel 34:11 (NIV)

 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

– Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)

 

…should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I’ll recognize the sound of Your voice.

– Psalm 119:176 (MSG)

 

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me.

– John 10:27,28 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Critical

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

If you have a critical spirit

your joy will be swept away

 

plain

and simple

 

You will spend your time thinking

about the flaws of another

 

instead of on the sweetness

and beauty

and loveliness

of life

 

and of God

 

If you find yourself

criticizing

this person

and that person

 

outwardly

or in your thoughts

 

Stop

 

Just stop

 

And send your thoughts

into the realm of joy

 

Your world is small

if all you do is think critical thoughts

of people

 

Expand your heart

to joy

and thankfulness

 

And watch those words

 

Build others up

 

You know that you don’t appreciate

someone being critical

of you

 

Find joy

in focused attention

on goodness

and Light

 

and always be

thankful

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, “Let me wash your face for you,” when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

– Matthew 7:2-5 (MSG)

 

For to him who has shown no mercy the judgment [will be] merciless, but mercy [full of glad confidence] exults victoriously over judgment.

– James 2:13 (AMP)

 

Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive His approval.

– Romans 14:4 (NLT)

 

Do you judge others? Is it easy for you to find fault with those around you? Then beware: Your spiritual life is in danger.

A critical attitude can hinder your walk with God and distract you from God’s purposes for your life.

We judge because of our own selfish interests. For example, we sometimes become critical when comparing ourselves to those around us. We try to find fault in others to prove that we are smarter, better looking, happier or wealthier. But these are selfish reasons. We simply want to feel better about ourselves. We also get critical when others fail to do what we ask, or do not do what we think is right. Often, it is a family member, friend or co-worker who fails to meet our expectations. Our expectations lead to a judgmental attitude.

Even our own frustrations can lead to a critical attitude. If life is not turning out the way we desire, we hide our own frustrations by finding fault with others…

Remember, it’s easy to be critical. The faults of others are often very obvious to us. During these times we need to make sure we give grace instead. Thank God for those people and ask the Lord to bless them and reveal His will to them.

It’s really quite simple: God has granted you mercy. He has paid the debt for your sins. Now, the only debt you owe is to offer His love and mercy to others, for “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13; NASB).

– CBN.com

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Tears

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

I had a good cry this morning

 

Because of fatigue

and chronic pain

and sadness over small stuff

 

And after all the tears

and pouring out my heart

to husband listening

 

I felt better

 

Not wonderful,

but better

 

And then I read a post

from my friend Sandy

about tears

 

And it got me to thinking….

 

About emotion

and expression

and pain in this life

 

And I think

that tears are a gift

 

They cleanse

and show depth

and express

 

the heart

 

And I also thought

of how we not only cry

when sad or in pain

 

but with joy

 

How closely related

pain and joy

really are

 

How water flows

out of the windows

to the soul

 

and that is how

we deeply show

the pains and the joys

of life here

 

But when we arrive

in heaven

all those tears will be gone

 

The pain will be gone

death will be gone

sadness will be gone

 

And even our tears of joy

will be gone

 

For all will be contentment

all of the time

 

No need for moments

of sheer joy

 

ALL will be joy

 

But for now

tears are a gift

 

A show

of what is

heart-deep

 

A river

of pain and joy

 

– Susie Stewart

 

On the subject of tears: God gave us the ability to cry for a reason — so if you feel sad and feel like crying — do so and do so as long as you can —- let every last tear fall – don’t repress them —- tears are the way God heals our hearts —- and afterwards you feel very refreshed — kind of like a good rain after a long dry spell. Oh, and never ever tell someone not to cry — so damaging to the spirit!  And don’t say “I am sorry you are sad” —- sadness is a natural human emotion and nothing to feel shame about!
I had a good cry on Thursday and I felt so good and joyful afterward. I will be missing my Drew coming down from Boulder this Thanksgiving —- He can not come down from heaven but I can go up — and what a glorious day that will be!
Psalm 126:8 Those who sow in tears will reap songs of joy —– and that is exactly what happened!

– Sandy Marthaler 

 

Thank you, Sandy, for your beautiful post!  ❤

 

Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth had disappeared and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride dressed in beauty for her husband. Then I heard a great voice from the throne crying, “See! The home of God is with men, and He will live among them. They shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more, and never again shall there be sorrow or crying or pain. For all those former things are past and gone.”

– Revelation 21:3-5 (PHILLIPS)

 

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.

– Psalm 126:5 (NLT)

 

Jesus burst into tears.

– John 11:35 (ISV)

 

David got up from his hiding place beside the boulder, then fell on his face to the ground—three times prostrating himself! And then they kissed one another and wept, friend over friend, David weeping especially hard.

Jonathan said, “Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God’s name, saying, ‘God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!’”

– 1 Samuel 20:41,42 (MSG)

 

See the Glory

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

You’re glory

is everywhere, God!

 

in the midst of a sin-tainted world

 

light in darkness

beauty in ugliness

revelation in confusion

 

And some remain asleep

to that glory

 

and look to shallow

and frivolous

and breakable

 

ascribing worth

to worthless

 

I glorify You, God!

 

I recognize

and see

and hear

YOU God

 

here

 

Everywhere

 

I make much of You!

 

For You

are ALL

 

and worthy

worthy

worthy

 

of my attention

and adoration

and love

 

Glory

glory

glory

 

to my God!

 

Always sufficient

Always perfect

Always just

Always loving

 

Always deserving of glory

 

I look in Your eyes,

Jesus

 

I believe

and I see Your glory!

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

John 11:40 (MSG)

 

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell Him what to do? Anyone who has done Him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from Him; Everything happens through Him; Everything ends up in Him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.

– Romans 11:35-36 (MSG)

 

Then Moses said, “Please, show me Your glory!”

– Exodus 33:18 (AMP)

 

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of His divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.

– Romans 1:19-23 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

I Am Yours

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Whomever You have created,

God,

has had a choice

 

To Follow You

or to turn away from You

 

Even the angels

 

For Lucifer

a beautiful angel in Your courts

 

Chose to despise You

instead of love You

 

And he took with him

others of beauty who made the choice

 

And all is death

and downhill

without You

 

I, God,

choose You

 

I will forever

be Yours

 

Your created

loves her Creator

 

and I’m so glad

for the choice

 

I

choose

You

 

I am Yours

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Today I have given you a choice between life and death, success and disaster.

– Deuteronomy 30:15 (ERV)

 

But maybe you don’t want to serve the Lord. You must choose for yourselves today. Today you must decide who you will serve. Will you serve the gods that your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River? Or will you serve the gods of the Amorites who lived in this land? You must choose for yourselves. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

-Joshua 24:15 (ERV)

 

I have decided to take the path of faith; I have focused my eyes on Your regulations.

– Psalm 119:30 (VOICE)

 

 

I love those who love Me, and those who look for Me will find Me.

-Proverbs 8:17 (ERV)

 

Photo by Kitty Keefer

 

Messengers

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Those of us

who have been resurrected

from our old way of life

 

are awakened by Good News!

 

And we are messengers

with a message

 

entrusted to us

by God Himself

 

It is our responsibility

and our joy

 

to make sure people get

God’s message

 

And what kind of messengers

would we be

 

if we didn’t deliver

that message?

 

Especially

GOOD

God

News!

 

May we be the messengers

we were meant to be

 

– Susie Stewart

 

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)

 

If anyone asks about Titus, he’s my partner and coworker in this ministry to you. If there’s any question about who the other brothers and sisters are, they are emissaries of the churches, traveling to bring glory to the Anointed One, our Liberating King.

– 2 Corinthians 8:23 (VOICE)

 

He said to them, “Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone.

– Mark 16:15 (ERV)

 

Now, brothers and sisters, I want you to remember the Good News I told you. You received that Good News message, and you continue to base your life on it. That Good News, the message you heard from me, is God’s way to save you. But you must continue believing it. If you don’t, you believed for nothing.

I gave you the message that I received. I told you the most important truths: that Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say; that He was buried and was raised to life on the third day, as the Scriptures say; and that He appeared to Peter and then to the twelve apostles. After that Christ appeared to more than 500 other believers at the same time. Most of them are still living today, but some have died. Then He appeared to James and later to all the apostles. Last of all, He appeared to me. I was different, like a baby born before the normal time.

All the other apostles are greater than I am. I say this because I persecuted the church of God. That is why I am not even good enough to be called an apostle. But, because of God’s grace, that is what I am. And His grace that He gave me was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other apostles. (But I was not really the one working. It was God’s grace that was with me.) So then it is not important if I told you God’s message or if it was the other apostles who told you—we all tell people the same message, and this is what you believed.

– 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (ERV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Far Beyond Tolerance

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

If we were called

to just tolerate one another

 

would it not be

so much easier?

 

Bearing with each personality

different from our own

 

with a stiff upper lip

and a grit of our teeth?

 

Tolerating…

Enduring….

People?

 

But we are called

to more

 

to Love

 

And it would seem

impossible

 

if not for the example

set before us

 

Christ would not

have rescued us from ourselves

 

if He only tolerated us

 

No, He loved us

with everlasting love

 

The Trinity

sacrificed much

 

for Love

 

We are not consumed

by fires’ wrath

 

because of love

 

And because He made the first move

we are called to the same

 

And it would be impossible

if not for righteousness imparted to us

 

God’s Spirit loves

the unlovable through us

 

Can we not see

that is what we can be  — unlovable?

 

Nonetheless

we are eternally cherished

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.

– Lamentations 3:22,23 (NIV)

 

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

– Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

 

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

– John 13:34 (NLT)

 

We love because He first loved us.

– 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

He Knows

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Has no one noticed your sorrow,

Friend?

 

Does your anguish

fall on deaf ears?

 

Feeling unseen

and unheard

causes an ache deep

 

But I want you to know

that nothing escapes

the watchful eye of God

 

He hears the thunderous drop

of your silent tears

 

He is wide awake aware

of your pain

 

And you can have unique joy

right in the middle of your sorrow

 

for Perfection

loves you

right in this place

 

And you don’t need to feel

unseen and unheard

 

because there is not a single person

on this earth

 

whose attention on you

 

matters more

than the attention of Eternal God

 

He knows

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
for You have seen my troubles,
and You care about the anguish of my soul.

– Psalm 31:7 (NIV)

 

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.

– Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

 

Lord, my longings are sitting in plain sight, my groans an old story to You. My heart’s about to break; I’m a burned-out case. Cataracts blind me to God and good; old friends avoid me like the plague. My cousins never visit, my neighbors stab me in the back. My competitors blacken my name, devoutly they pray for my ruin. But I’m deaf and mute to it all, ears shut, mouth shut. I don’t hear a word they say, don’t speak a word in response. What I do, God, is wait for You, wait for my Lord, my God—You will answer! I wait and pray so they won’t laugh me off, won’t smugly strut off when I stumble.

– Psalm 38:8-10 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart