Ephesians

The Sound

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Have you heard the sound?

 

The thunderous, ear-splitting, mighty

sound?

 

It’s the sound of enormous Jericho walls

tumbling to the dust

 

The sound of heavy prison gates

clashing to the stone floor

 

The sound of mighty Red Sea waters

piling high

 

The sound of two million of God’s people

running through the desert away from Egypt

 

The sound of a giant of a man

crashing down under the blow of one small stone

 

The sound of solid rock tons

rolled away from the deathly tomb

 

It’s the power

the glorious power

of God Almighty!

 

Who longs to bring the thunderous sound

of freedom and power

to you

 

 

Have you heard the sound?

 

The sound of a tear

falling to the earth

as Love gave His life

for you?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

…The Lord sets prisoners free.

– Psalm 146:7 (GW)

 

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

– Ephesians 1:19-21 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Fight!

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

 

What battle are you fighting?

 

There always is one

right?

 

A battle in your mind for purity

A battle in your home for peace

A battle at work for your witness

A battle in your heart for trust

A battle in your family for unity

 

And on and on…

 

And we often forget,

that at the root,

the battle is not with the people

 

The real battle is fought in the spiritual realm

 

 

The weapons we fight with

look like

 

Vigilance of mind

Prayer

Truth-seeking

Readiness

Faith

Steadiness

and

Standing firm

 

And too often

Jesus Followers surrender

 

We give in

when we need to fight!

 

There is an unseen world

swirling all around us

 

The battle is fierce!

 

And we approach it with

niceness

excuses

depression

cowering

apathy

fear

anxiety

defeat

 

The stance is casual and weak

in this intense battle

 

There is a clash of swords unseen

Light and darkness having it out

 

A struggle

between good and evil

 

And in the physical world

it feels like silence,

Deafening silence

 

But KNOW that all is not silent

It is unearthly LOUD

 

Our apathy

our surrender to evil

our cowardice

 

cause us to walk in limbo

or defeat

instead of victory

 

Let us stand up and fight, Warriors!

 

Better yet, let us get down on our knees

and fight

 

Fight for our purity!

Fight for our families!

Fight for our friendships!

Fight for our peace of mind!

Fight for our trust in God!

 

And may we not stand down

in our witness

 

For the battle belongs to the Lord

 

– Susie Stewart

 

He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

– 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NLT)

 

This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.

– Ephesians 6:12 (GW)

 

David answered, “You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—He’s handing you to us on a platter!”

– 1 Samuel 17:46-48 (MSG)

 

It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

– Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)

 

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

– Exodus 14:13,14 (NIV)

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

– Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

A New Day

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

God can give you

a new day

 

in the middle of your moment

in the middle of your day

in the middle of your life

 

He’s all about new

 

He refreshes

He restarts

He renews

He begins

 

What was broken

can be repaired

 

What was torn apart

can be mended

 

What is tired

can be made alive

 

Jesus

can bring anything

to new life

 

After all,

He specializes

in death to life

 

You can count on Him

for a new day

 

But you’ve got to turn to Him

in humility

for all things new

 

 

We can be stuck

and stubborn

and unrelenting

 

preventing new

 

He wants us free

He wants to bring new

 

We need to let Him

 

– Susie Stewart

 

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

– 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

 

Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

– Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

 

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.

– Lamentations 3:22,23 (NLT)

 

…You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you.

– Ephesians 4:20-24 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Fragrance

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Jesus,

the fragrance of You is so sweet

and I desire to spread Your beautiful scent

 

May my life be poured out

at Your feet

 

And may Your Spirit in me

be so evident

 

As perfume fills a room

and a scent permeates the senses

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Yet I am so thankful to God, who always marches us to victory under the banner of the Anointed One; and through us He spreads the beautiful fragrance of His knowledge to every corner of the earth.

– 2 Corinthians 2:14 (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)

 

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

– John 12:3 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Reminder

/ Susie Stewart / 3 Comments

I’m thinking you might need a reminder today

 

A reminder of who you are

 

Because we all tend to believe lies sometimes,

spoken to us

or whispered in our heads

 

Truth is a good reminder,

so soak it in

 

YOU ARE

Loved more than you can even imagine

Redeemed from the worst

Royal, grafted into the family tree

Accepted right now

Child of Almighty God

Saved from eternal death

Friend of Jesus

Heir of treasures and life unimaginable

United with your Creator

Temple to the Holy Spirit

Member of the Body of Christ

Forgiven for everything

Free to walk in freedom

A new creation

Chosen by God

Wise by His guidance

Complete

 

Let truth remind you

and don’t listen to those lies

 

Live a life worthy of your calling

 

And if you went over that list quickly

as you are running through life

stop

and read it again

 

slowly

 

Believe His promises to you

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

– Ephesians4:1 (NLT)

 

How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.

– Ephesians 1:3-6 (MSG)

 

But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.

– John 1:12 (NLT)

 

And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

– Romans 8:17 (NLT)

 

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

– 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)

 

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 Andy Stewart

 

Grieving Him

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

My closest Companion,

I would never want to hurt You

 

My beautiful Encourager,

I don’t want to grieve Your heart

 

And it hurts to think that I could do that

 

And yet I do

 

With my words

 

My words to people

or about people

Unneeded words

Gossip

Slander

Harsh words

Complaining

 

Quick to speak

slow to listen

 

They are all the opposite

of worshipful

 

They do not bring You honor

or glory

or joy

 

Their root is self

and sin

 

And so, my closest Companion,

my precious Holy Spirit,

I seek to worship You

with my words

 

I choose to bless

and not curse

those who have been made in Your image

 

I choose to say no

to gossip

and slander

 

I choose to express gratefulness

and not complaints

 

I choose to say what is helpful

for building others up

 

I choose

to choose

my words carefully

 

For You, Holy Spirit,

dwell in me

 

And the last thing I want to do

is grieve my God,

my Gift

 

– 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.

– Ephesians 4:29, 30 (NIV)

 

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

– Ephesians 4:29,30 (MSG)

 

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? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

– James 3:9, 10 (NIV)  

 

With the gift of words, we bless God and then turn around and curse husbands, children, and others created in God’s image.  This is serious – because when we curse others, we are in effect cursing God and obliterating the previous act of blessing…..When James used the word curse, it meant much more than cursing and swearing.  Unkind words about a neighbor, child, husband, or anyone who is made in the image of God count as curses.

– Linda Dillow

 

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

 

Cover Up

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

You seek to cover

that which is wrong

 

To hide sin

and secrets

and lies

 

As if a thick layer of deception

will do the trick

 

And what is really needed

is a blanket of grace

 

A covering of God

 

Humility, repentance, a turning

from that which you want to cover

 

Rip the blanket off your sin

and accept the robe of righteousness from Him

 

He sees all

and all will be exposed

 

Choose your cover this day

 

– Susie Stewart

 

What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The Lord can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!”

– Isaiah 29:15 (NLT)

 

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible.

– Ephesians 5:10-14 (NLT) 

 

Hidden things will always come out into the open. Secret things will come to light and be exposed.

– Luke 8:17 (VOICE)

 

Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

– John 1:16 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie 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

Unmerited

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Who else

in all the universe

can make you feel completely

unworthy,

and yet also feel completely

loved?

 

God is the only One

 

Utterly unmerited –

so it must be true love

 

– Susie Stewart

 

This is the embodiment of true love: not that we have loved God first, but that He loved us and sent His unique Son on a special mission to become an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

– 1 John 4:10 (NLT)

 

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

– Ephesians 3:18-21 (MSG)

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

Squirrel!

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

On my hike this morning….

 

Lord, I love you!  I see Your beauty in these wildflowers!  You are lovely, God.  You are so great and I love You…

 

(Don’t forget to get trash bags at Walmart, oh and potting soil…)

 

And, God, please watch over Colie at camp and Arik in Denver, keep them safe….

 

(These shoes are so good for hiking.  I’m really glad I got them.  My flip flops are wearing out, though, I think I better get some new ones before the old ones break…)

 

Oh yes, God, thank you for a new morning, and for health and strength and for life!

 

(Man, I really loved my time with my Jericho Girls group last night.  What a precious time of sharing…)

 

Lord, I’m sorry….

 

I have the hardest time staying focused sometimes when I’m praying to You.  I want to

 

(Squirrel!)

 

I want to keep all my focus on You on these hikes, but I’m so distracted.  I’m just sorry….

 

(Ugh, messed up again….)

 

I love you, child.  I made you a multi-tasker.  I see you trying hard to keep focused on Me.  I made you this way and I use you this way.  You are not messing up.    I’m always here.  

 

God….  I just love You so much.  Thank You.  I will keep trying with Your help.

 

I am just like a friend walking along your side that you jump from topic to topic with.  I delight in you.  

 

Friend, do you struggle with focus when praying?  Boy, I sure do.  But I’m so thankful that God sticks right with me anyway.  And I’m thankful that as I grow to know Him more and more that my communication with Him can flow more and more freely throughout the day.  He is always with me and I can talk to Him any time.  What a precious gift from my Abba Father.  Be encouraged!  God knows we can be flighty.  He is patient with His children. 

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

– Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)

 

God can’t stand pious poses, but he delights in genuine prayers.

– Proverbs 15:8 (MSG)

 

Search for the Lord and for His strength;
continually seek Him.

– 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NLT)

 

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope Je has given to those He called—His holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

– Ephesians 1:18 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart