God

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

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

Kingdom

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Show me, God,

how it looks

to seek first

the Kingdom of God

 

Show me

how to lay aside

anything that distracts

 

Show me

how to live here

and seek You there

 

Show me

how to be about

what You are about

 

Show me

how to be disciplined

and to be free

in this pursuit

 

Show me

how to keep my gaze

on YOU

above all else

 

Show me, God,

Your Kingdom here on earth

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

– Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

 

So don’t worry and don’t keep saying, “What shall we eat, what shall we drink or what shall we wear?!” That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart on the kingdom and His goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.

– Matthew 6:32-34 (AMP)

 

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

– Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

 

What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what He wants you to do. Then He will give you all these other things you need.

– Matthew 6:33 (ERV)

 

But first, be concerned about His kingdom and what has His approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.

– Matthew 6:33 (GW)

 

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.Matthew 6:32-34 (MSG)

 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

– Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Control

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

That

out

of

control

feeling you have

 

It’s not meant

to send you into a panic

 

It is meant

to drive you to God

 

Stand still

before Him

in your spirit

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you….

That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, “Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.”

– Isaiah 41:10, 13  (MSG)

 

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

– Philippians 4:6 (AMP)

 

Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God.

– Psalm 46:10 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Content

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

So,

if you got

that bigger house

that nicer car

that thinner body

those better roommates

that more compatible spouse

 

that thing that you really hope for

 

Then would you be content?

 

Or would you, like me,

find another reason to be discontent

once you got it?

 

Honestly, it would never be enough

 

So what do we do with our discontent hearts,

our longing for more

of what we don’t have?

 

We take our discontent thoughts captive

putting them in check

 

We develop more gratitude

 

And we live in the moment,

in the mess (sometimes)

 

and we tell ourselves

“This is enough”

 

And we find that it is enough

because

Christ is our enough

 

He fulfills our need

 

Everything else

will fade

pass away

fall apart

 

But God’s Word STANDS

when all else falls away

 

And His Word says,

the secret to being content

is

 

I can do ALL THINGS through Christ

who strengthens me

 

And that means

 

that I can live in the here and now

with all it’s annoyances and problems

 

And I can BE content

in Christ

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

 

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

– Hebrews 13:5,6 (MSG)

 

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

– 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Gratitude Attitude

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

 

This morning when I woke up

I had a choice

 

Either to be grateful

or not

 

And sadly, I chose not

 

You see, I was bothered

by this

and that

 

And this person

and that person

 

And this hurt

and that was sore

 

and

and

and

 

Until I got to the point

where I realized

 

that the joy was just gone

out of my day

 

My prideful

ungrateful

entitled

attitude

 

was not at all

what I wanted

or what God wanted

 

And one would think

that I was really

stuck

 

right there in myself

 

But with God

you never have to be stuck

 

What a beautiful thing

 

And I set my mind

on things to be grateful for

 

I thanked God

for this

and for that

 

and more

 

And my self-pity

dissipated

 

God’s Spirit

could communicate with me

 

For I was no longer road-blocking

Spirit whispers

 

with a hand up

shutting out joy

 

A heart of gratitude

and a heart of hope

 

is always stronger

than the heart

that tries to protect itself

 

An open heart of joy

is strengthened by Almighty God

 

to weather this world

and to stand in contentment

 

Gratitude

effects

fortitude

effects

courage

effects

hope

 

– Susie Stewart

 

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.

– Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

 

The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right.

– Author Unknown

 

He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment….

– Ecclesiastes 6:6 (NLT)

 

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Neighbor

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

I found writing

all man-scribbled

on the white board

 

And it took me a moment

to figure it out

 

Husband had jotted

the names of our neighbors

 

Those on one side of our house

and the other side

and across the street

 

And it made me smile

 

A deliberate action

to know people

 

To honor his neighbors

and remember their names

 

And it is further evidence

to me

of a man after God’s own heart

 

Loving the Lord

and loving people

 

And I am thankful

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

– Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

 

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

– Leviticus 19:18 (MSG)

 

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

– Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)

 

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

– Romans 15:2 (NIV)

 

I’ve searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He’s a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.

– Acts 13:22 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Comfort Overflowing

/ Susie Stewart / 3 Comments

Comfort

envelops

with tender love

 

It encourages

and speaks softly

 

when bodies

and hearts

are broken

 

And You, God,

are the God of all comfort

 

It all originates

in Your heart

 

And once I knew Your comfort

for myself

 

I brought Your heart of comfort, Lord,

to another one hurting

 

And I am fulfilled

 

and overflowing

 

Because You are the Father with

ALL the

Comfort

 

And I am Your child

 

– Susie Stewart

 

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (MSG)

 

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

– Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

 

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

– Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Guest Blog – “Abundance” by Nicole Stewart

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

My daughter Nicole Stewart is a wise woman.  She is, and always has been, an observer of life and people.  She seeks God’s heart.  Yesterday when I was talking to her on the phone, she spoke with such wisdom beyond her 20 years.  I asked her to try and write down what she was telling me.  “Just write how you speak.  Don’t get caught up in edits.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you.”  I’m so pleased she was willing to do that.  I believe she has much to offer all of us.  Here you have the heart of Nicole, the heart of God.  

 

It saddens me when I realize that we limit God. There is so much more to live and breathe and adventure and experience, but we choose to live differently. We choose to live mundane and ordinary. We choose to put our God in a contained area where we believe He is only capable of working within our constraints. This is wrong. And this saddens God’s heart.

God created us to be a part of His ultimate story. We have all been bombarded by the many stories, fictional and non, that demonstrate strength, triumph, bravery, selflessness. While movies are unrealistic and frustratingly irrelevant at times, our lives are meant for something even that much more exciting. Our lives were meant to proclaim the good news that the Creator who breathed breath into our lungs longs to pound our hearts full of love and grace. We were meant to wake up each morning and ask the Lord what He would have us do. In the midst of ordinary, there is so much beauty and deep need. There are conversations to be had, hearts to be connected, and authenticity of the human soul revealed. Why can we not grasp that this life is nothing without the living testimony of Jesus Christ?  Why can we not comprehend that we will always be left feeling empty and purposeless if we do not pursue a life of supplication and service? This is what life is about. This is what our beings were made for. To live a life with Jesus.

He is our healer, perfecter, lover, fighter, and fortress. Why do we not ask Him for abundant healing and miraculous workings in the deepest crevices of the brokenness within? Why do we not ask for Him to speak to us and reveal more of His character? Even if we do ask these things and He does not respond in the way we hoped, He is still good and our faith ought to be strengthened. He has called us to live in this time and place, surrounded by our specific families, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances, because He views us as worthy to be in such a position. We may feel blessed or we may feel poor, but He is still on His throne and He is still worthy of absolutely, utterly breathtaking praise. This is the life we were called to live. Never be limited by the ways of this world. Our God came, conquered, and is coming again. The story is not over yet.

 

 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

– Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

 

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)

 

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.

– Luke 6:38 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

 

 

Penetrating Darkness

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

This is my heart this morning.  It is heavy with the state of relationships, of our nation and of our world.  Jesus, You are my always hope.

 

We are desperate for You

and for Your light, Lord

 

This world feels dark

and heavy

and cold

 

Everyone believes themselves

to be right

and entitled

and stubborn

 

We so need Your graciousness

in our hearts, God

 

We long for Light

 

If we could

thirst

for Light,

we would

 

For darkness

threatens to overtake

 

But there You are

in the stillness leading

us to the banks of calm

and peace

 

To the waters of Your sweet love

 

Such a sweet Love

 

And the darkness that threatens

to overtake us

 

Is washed with the water

of Light

 

And eyes are awake once again

to goodness

and blessings

and most of all

 

to You

 

The Light in the darkness

 

The hope of all nations

 

The hope for each individual

that thirsts for Light

 

I love Your Light, my precious Jesus,

I love Your Light

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

– John 8:12 (AMP)

 

A light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched.

– John 1:5 (VOICE)

 

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

– Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)

 

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

– Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

 

The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light; Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).

– Psalm 119:130 (AMP)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart