Ephesians

Flexibility

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

We who have Light

dwelling in us

 

of all people

 

we should be the most flexible

 

Pliable

bendable

unhardened

 

toward God

and people

 

For when we follow our Savior

He takes us places

 

where stiff cannot dwell

 

The free-flowing Spirit of God

needs to breathe through us

 

And this requires flexibility

 

to things unknown

to changes in schedule

to people unreached

 

Flexibility is a Spirit of God walk

in an uncertain world

 

It is love

when unexpected

 

It is Yes

when No is probable

 

It is the joy of the Lord

encompassing

all relationships

and circumstances

 

Live unbreakably pliable

 

– Susie Stewart

 

And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”

– James 4:13-15 (MSG)

 

As a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you: Live a life that is worthy of the calling He has graciously extended to you. Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love. Make every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit has already created, with peace binding you together.

– Ephesians 4:1-3 (VOICE)

 

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.

– Mark 1:16-18 (NLT)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

 

 

Haven

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

I desire, Lord,
for our home
to be a haven

For Your sweet love
humor
peace
grace
joy
and forgiveness
to fill its walls

I stand in defiance
with You, Lord,
against enemies
who would seek to destroy
to corrupt
to sever

And I know this is Your desire, God,
for it is Your Spirit
that bonds
the lives within these walls
together

Imperfect humans
clinging to our perfect King

serving
one another
in love

Our home haven
is also
a battleground
and worth fighting for
these precious ones
and
these sacred loves

on my knees

– Susie Stewart

 

And the Spirit makes it possible to submit humbly to one another out of respect for the Anointed.
– Ephesians 5:21 (VOICE)

 

If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters].
– 1 Timothy 5:8 (AMP)

 

“And I will be for you as a father, and you will be for Me as sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Almighty!
– 2 Corinthians 16:8 (VOICE)

 

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 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.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.
– Colossians 3:12-16 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Swift

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Your forgiveness

Lord

is swift

 

You take no time

to debate in your mind

whether we are worthy

 

You offer open hands

and warm embrace

without reservation

 

And I think about

how we often

are not quick to forgive

 

 

We make a choice

 

to mull over offenses

and severity

and deservedness

 

And sometimes

we never get to the forgiving part….

 

And the longer we wait

the more hardened we become

 

Instead of swift

we are feet dragging in dirt

 

getting scuffed up

in the process

 

What if

our forgiveness

was swift

 

like Yours God?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

– Mark 11:25 (NLT)

 

Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

– Ephesians 4:32 (AMP)

 

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

– 1 John 1:9 (AMP)

 

Love….keeps no record of wrongs.

– 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

I Wonder

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

I wonder….

 

If people really believed

to their very core

 

that our struggle is not

with flesh and blood

 

but with dark forces

unseen

 

Would they run

to make amends

with people they once loved?

 

And I wonder….

 

If people realized

that they are being played

like puppets

 

by the one who wants to destroy

relationship

 

Would they do everything possible

to bring back unity

and peace?

 

For if we are divided

as Believers,

it ought not be so

 

For God is a God

of unity

 

And our enemy,

well,

he is the opposite

 

And I long

for people to know this

 

and to think about WHY

there is division

 

And run back

to love

 

– Susie Stewart

 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

– Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

 

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)

 

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

– Ephesians 4:4-6 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Harsh

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

The words are meant to cut

this morning

 

The harsh is meant to hurt

this morning

 

And as I quiet myself

before You, King Jesus,

 

all of that disappears

and I hear grace

 

with my spirit

 

Grace sounds so sweet

and gentle wins my day

 

I prefer to stay here

with You

 

But I’m called out

and in

 

I know that Your gentle

and Your grace

and Your love

still lingers on me

 

May I be the fragrance of You

on this angry words day

 

Whispering

gentleness

 

In a shouting world

 

Don’t you know, friends,

that the Lamb conquers?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

-Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

 

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

– Proverbs 15:2 (NIV)

 

The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

– Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)

 

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the hearts of fools are not upright.

– Proverbs 15:7 (NIV)

 

The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

– Proverbs 15:14 (NIV)

 

Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.

– Proverbs 21:23 (MSG)

 

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

– Ephesians 4:29 (AMP)

Clothed with Light

/ Susie Stewart / 7 Comments

You have His spirit inside,

but is He on the outside of you?

 

Can people tell by your

words

your actions

your attitudes

that Christ dwells within?

 

Scripture says to

CLOTHE yourself with Jesus

 

And we know that abiding in Christ

naturally causes us to show Him more

 

but are you intentionally

putting the old man to death

by putting on Christ?

 

Are you keeping your flesh in check?

 

Clothe yourself with God,

He is your robe of righteousness

 

Imagine the light

of the Light

as a holy garb

 

The taking off

and

the putting on

are all a gift from God

 

Is your Jesus showing?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ…

– Romans 13:14 (NIV)

 

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,  for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

– Galatians 3:26,27 (NIV)

 

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

– Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)

 

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him…

– Colossians 3:9, 10 (NKJV)

 

Every believer has put on Christ by virtue of trusting in who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Yet we are also called to put on the character qualities and virtues that reflect our identity as children of God. We pursue this lofty goal in anticipation of the day when we will take off our mortal bodies and put on resurrected bodies that fully reflect Christ’s own resurrection body.

– Matthew Harmon

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Worthy

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

You have a calling,

a purpose

 

And is the way you are living your life,

worthy of that calling?

 

The choices you make,

the way you spend your time

 

Is it worthy?

Or is it a waste?

 

What is your purpose?

What is your calling?

 

What has eternal value here,

and what does not?

 

Our lives should reflect the Gospel

 

The Gospel of life

and unity

and grace

and peace

and giving

 

If we spend our lives

serving the unworthy

while keeping our eyes on the only One

who is

 

There we will be living

a Gospel life

 

If we realize that we are not entitled,

but are unworthy

 

Then He can use us

to point people to Jesus,

to He who is worthy

 

– Susie Stewart

 

As a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you: Live a life that is worthy of the calling He has graciously extended to you.

– Ephesians 4:1 (VOICE)

 

You see, they go on and on telling us the story of how you welcomed us when we were introduced to you; how you turned toward God and realigned your life to serve the one true living God—leaving your idols to crumble in the dust—

– 1 Thessalonians 1:9 (VOICE)

 

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

– Philippians 1:27 (NLT)

 

…and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

– Isaiah 58:10, 11 (NIV)

 

Then in my vision I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, the living creatures and the elders. There were myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, crying in a great voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing!”

– Revelation 5:11-13 (PHILLIPS)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

 

 

Confident

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Do you feel timid when you pray?

 

Do your sins glare before you

and get in the way of your relationship with God?

 

Do you skip it altogether

because you are altogether imperfect

 

to come before a perfect God?

 

Well, I can relate

 

But God has shown me

that something amazing happened

 

when Jesus became my Savior

 

He became my bridge

to God

 

His perfection

sacrificed for me

 

and His righteousness

imparted to me

 

and His white robe of sinlessness

put on me

 

Caused me to be able to approach

that great throne

 

with confidence

and freedom

and boldness

 

And it’s not because I had a sinless day

but because my sins have been washed away

 

And I look my Abba in the eyes

and I talk to Him

 

We are close

and I don’t need to be timid

 

because of Jesus

 

I confess to Him

what is not right

 

But I don’t feel the weight

of condemnation

 

Because I’m not condemned

 

I am free

 

– Susie Stewart

 

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

– Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

 

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

– Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

 

It is also very comforting to us to observe that the God who hears prayer is enthroned and glorified. The God of grace sits upon the throne of grace and so grace reigns supreme at the place where God meets with us in prayer! The hands of grace are full of blessings through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ—and those hands are happily employed in dispensing royal largess among the poverty stricken sons and daughters of men! Come here, then, all you who feel your need of grace! Be not afraid to approach the throne of grace. Since Jesus Christ has taken upon Himself our nature and suffered in our place, the throne to which the sinner is bid to draw near is a throne of superlative, unlimited, reigning grace—grace that pardons; grace that regenerates; grace that adopts; grace that preserves; grace that sanctifies; grace that perfects and makes meet for glory!

– C.H. Spurgeon

 

…or He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]…

– 2 Timothy 1:9 (AMP)

 

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

– Romans 8:1,2 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Live Today

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Life is a choice

for you today

 

Blessings are a choice

for you today

 

For you can choose a death day

or a life day

 

And I think you know what I mean

 

For truly living

is a choice

 

Blessings toward others

are a choice

 

 

“Come follow Me,”

Jesus says

 

And following Him today

will open your eyes

 

to His goodness

His blessings

His love

His plans for you

 

this day

 

Choose to follow

and choose to LIVE

 

For a daily death is a slow

and sad

way to exist

 

Choose to Live

 

And look Up

 

to find the beauty

and the reason to truly live

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to Him, firmly embracing Him. Oh yes, He is life itself, a long life settled on the soil that God, your God, promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

– Deuteronomy 30:19 (MSG)

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy.

– Philippians 4:8 (VOICE)

 

…choose today whom you will serve.

– Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

 

As a prisoner of the Lord, I urge you: Live a life that is worthy of the calling He has graciously extended to you.

– Ephesians 4:1 (VOICE)

 

…I came to give life with joy and abundance.

– John 10:10 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Do Not Grieve Him

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

It hurts my heart,

Spirit of God,

that I would ever grieve You

 

And those times

throughout my life

that my words have cut

 

and were not of You

 

I long to breathe them

back in

 

Angry words

Gossip words

Rage words

Bitter words

Malice words

Slander words

 

And I know I’m not alone

in this

 

But what it comes down to, Holy Spirit,

is You and me

and no one else

 

We are in relationship,

You dwelling within me

 

And there is no one closer

than You

 

No one

 

So You are the last One

I would want to grieve

 

Especially since You speak

such goodness

affirmation

and light

into me

 

Thank you for changing me,

Spirit,

over these years

 

You are at work in my heart

 

And showing me

how to put a check

on my words

 

Sometimes I fail You

 

and yet

 

You are so loving

that You keep showing me

how not to grieve You

 

And You always love

 

I want to be like You

who dwells inside of me,

always loving

and watching my words

my attitude

my walk

 

with You

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

– Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

 

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

– James 3:9-11 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart