1 Peter

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

 

Live Like It

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Lord Jesus,

May those of us who know You

as the Way

the Truth

and

the Life

 

Live like it

 

May those of us who know Your

freedom

hope

and

unconditional love

 

Live like it

 

May those of us who know Your

peace

joy

and

kindness

 

Live like it

 

The difference You’ve made,

Jesus,

should be detectable

by those we interact with

 

What we believe

should permeate how we live

 

The difference should be

beautifully plain to see

 

The gospel of peace

in its power

spills over

into all our interactions

 

for a life poured out

 

A revolutionary faith

will not be ignored

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, “Oh, thank you, God!” I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

– Philemon 4-7 (MSG)

 

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way…

– 1 Peter 3:14-16 (NLT)

 

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

– 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT)

 

The hallmark of Christians in the first century was not their wealth.  They had none.  It was not their theology either.  Their beliefs were so odd, religious people couldn’t understand them.  What gave them leverage was their inexplicable compassion and generosity.  They had little, but they gave.   They received little compassion, but they were willing to extend what they had to other people.  They were hard to ignore.

– Andy Stanley

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

A Whisper

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Your life is a whisper

 

It is a mist,

a breath

 

Your lungs take in the breath of God

at birth

 

And no matter how much time you are given

 

Your life is still

as fog that quickly dissipates

 

Eternity envelopes

and swallows up

your existence in flesh

 

Your spirit is everlasting,

solid

 

And so many are aimless

and unaware of the brevity

 

of Life

 

So precious

so short

 

But we are reminded

in this moment

 

that loving

on purpose

thriving

on purpose

worshiping

on purpose

serving

on purpose

forgiving

on purpose

 

Is vital

in so little time

 

to really live

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Humans are like a passing breath; their time on earth is like a shadow that passes over us during the day and soon is gone.

– Psalm 144:4 (VOICE)

 

…What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears.

 – James 4:14 (PHILLIPS)

 

As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.”

– 1 Peter 1:24 (NLT)

 

We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.

– 1 Chronicles 29:15 (NLT)

 

He was mindful that they were human, frail and fleeting, like a wind that touches one’s skin for a moment, then vanishes.

– Psalm 78:39 (VOICE)

 

My days go by like a long shadow—stretched thin and disappearing…

– Psalm 102:11 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Gracie Oertli

 

 

Agreement

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Have you ever thought about

how you might have conceded?

 

That you might have agreed

to the lies

that were whispered your way?

 

The enemy of your soul

sought to convince you

 

How inadequate you are

How hopeless you should be

How nothing will ever change

How victory is not possible

and more…

 

And maybe at first

you fought the idea

 

But then you came to agree,

maybe without even thinking about it

 

You bought the lies

and thought it must be true

 

And there you have

Agreement with the enemy

 

But your Holy Spirit pure

wants you to hear Truth

 

About your identity

your hope

your destiny

about forgiveness

 

And you realize that it’s time to confess

your own agreement with the lies

 

Love covers all

when forgiveness is sought

 

Love covers all

 

And how glorious to find

that truth in that area no longer meets a wall in your mind

 

For discovery and confession and turning

have brought freedom

 

To hear and believe

what God says

 

And you know that you now agree

with His Truth for you

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

– 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)

 

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and He wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

– Ephesians 6:10-12 (MSG)

 

…for love covers a multitude of sins.

– 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)

 

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

– 2 Timothy 2:25,26 (NLT)  

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Inside

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Outward

Shell

Exterior

Shallow

Skin-Deep

Temporary

 

Inward

Depth

Core

Heart

Soul-Deep

Forever

 

Watch what you look at,

for beautiful can be deceptive

 

What lies within

is profoundly significant

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

– 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

– Proverbs 31:30 (NLT)

 

…but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.

– 1 Peter 3:4 (AMP)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Despair

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Despair

can tempt you

 

It can entice you

to embrace the complete loss

of hope

 

And you feel yourself slipping

into its clutches

 

But then you remember

 

You know that despair

is not an option

 

for one

deep in hope

 

And you remember

to cast your cares

your anxieties

your pain

your agony

your confusion

 

on Him

for He cares for you

 

And the slippery slope of despair

develops footholds

to climb right out

 

into the wide open space

of hope

 

– Susie Stewart

 

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
He protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

– Psalm 34:17-20 (NIV)

 

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!

– 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (MSG)

 

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

– 1 Peter 5:7 (VOICE)

 

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Romans 15:13 (NLT)

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

I See You

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

“I see you,”

I say lovingly to him

as he works away at his computer

 

And he stops everything

looking me in the eye

with intentionality

 

“I see you” he says back

 

And we both know

what this means

 

It speaks love on purpose

in the midst of busy life

 

It means that we see each other

all the way through

to what’s behind the eyes

 

The deep part

 

And I’m grateful for a man

who knows how important

connection is

 

But even more grateful for my attentive God

 

He sees all

He knows all

 

And He pays attention to every detail

on purpose

 

He cares about every move I make

about every thought

 

About my heart

 

And when I might be tempted to think

no one is noticing my life

 

He reassures me by His Spirit

and through His Word

 

“I see you,” He says

and I believe Him

 

And no one could mean it more

 

So I look up from my computer

as I type this blog

and I say,

 

“I see You God”

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

The Eternal can see all things; His gaze is fixed on both the evil and the good.

– Proverbs 15:3 (VOICE)

 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

– Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

 

For the Lord watches over the righteous, and His ears are attuned to their prayers. But His face is set against His enemies; He will punish evildoers.

– 1 Peter 3:12 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

A Good Shepherd

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

A good shepherd

leads his sheep

 

He protects

guides

and sometimes carries those in his care

 

A good shepherd

corrects

wayward sheep

 

He uses his rod

and his staff

to discipline and guide

 

He knows what’s best

for those less knowing

 

Beautifully, that rod and that staff

comfort confused sheep

bringing security

 

A good shepherd

brings his sheep to places of rest

and nourishment

 

A good shepherd

protects his sheep from dangers

and predators

 

Even going to extremes for the sheep

possibly

 

dying

 

to protect

his flock

 

A good shepherd

knows his sheep

and his sheep know him

 

He stays so close

and is so familiar to them

that he can’t be mistaken

 

A Shepherd

is what we aimless ones need

 

Jesus, You are the only

True

Loving

Strong

Good

Shepherd

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

– John 10:11 (NIV)

 

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.

– John 10:10-13 (MSG)

 

I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,

– John 10:14 (NLT)

 

And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.

– 1 Peter 5:4 (AMP)

 

For there was a time when you were like sheep that wandered from the fold, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your lives.

– 1 Peter 2:25 (VOICE)

 

Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, His heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” He said to His disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”

– Matthew 9:35-37 (MSG)

 

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to His name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for You are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

– Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT)

 

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Posession

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

We act sometimes

like people are our possessions

 

to be controlled

and manipulated

 

We act as if they should do our bidding

and it comes from a selfish heart

 

But God is the only One

who can safely have people as His possessions

 

 

We are His

because He created us

and because we were bought with a price

 

with the precious blood of Christ

 

His goodness flows to us

because of being under His God-sized umbrella of grace

 

How blessed we are to be

so lovingly called out of darkness

 

to be His own

 

– Susie Stewart

 

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)

 

Remember you are people who have been set apart for Him; He has chosen you to be His own possession out of all the peoples on the earth.

– Deuteronomy 14:2 (VOICE)

 

 

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

– 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 (NLT)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

 

Words

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

– Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

 

Did my words

encourage today?

 

Were they chosen carefully?

 

Did they build people up?

 

Did they affirm

and bring glory to God?

 

Were my words

reflective of the faith I profess?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (AMP)

 

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.

– Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)

 

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and He’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

– 1 Peter 4:8-11 (MSG)

 

Don’t say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.

– Ephesians 4:29 (GW)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart