Condemn Me Not (with Video by Susie)

January 25, 2018January 25, 2018 / Susie Stewart / 6 Comments

Condemnation

heavy

burden

pain

ache

weight

It is what you used to be under

but because of the weight of the cross

and the pain He endured

you no longer have to be

Condemned

And if you feel as if you are,

even though Jesus saved you

resist it!

Open your eyes to freedom

from condemnation

The enemy is a tyrant

and he will heartlessly

try to convince you

that your actions will earn you

a sneer from God

and a turning of His back,

leaving you alone

BUT

remember Truth!

Truth tells us

the love of the Lord for YOU is eternal

and there is absolutely no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus

So don’t tolerate the weight of it

any longer

Confess

and turn

For every rule God put before you

is there for your good

not to harm

or stifle you

Walk in the absolutely

no strings attached

lavish grace

of the One who chose

to set you free of condemnation

– Susie Stewart

…there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

– Romans 8:1,2 (NIV)

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)

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
    and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near.
    Who then will bring charges against me?
    Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
    Who will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
    the moths will eat them up.

– Isaiah 50:7-9 (NIV)

The Lord will rescue His servants;
no one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.

– Psalm 34:22 (NIV)

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

– James 4:7 (NLT)

This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in Him, and He in us: He’s given us life from His life, from His very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent His Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

– 1 John 4:15-18 (MSG)

Photo by Susie Stewart

Grown Children

December 29, 2017December 30, 2017 / Susie Stewart / 3 Comments

I sit across from her

at the coffee shop

and I see a woman

but also a child

And my heart is torn,

for I want to gather her into my arms

and I want her to run away

full speed into life

And maybe you can relate

to my ponderings…

full of my three loves,

my children

For when they become adults

we want them healthy and unattached

But we can’t forget…

painful birth

infant soft

adoption waiting

final decree

first words

wobbly walking

I love yous

living room forts

training wheels

pumpkin carving

zoo trips

TV cuddles

hand-holding

Daddy’s home glee

star gazing

chaotic road trips

sweet kisses

first haircuts

messy picnics

nighttime prayers

voices small and sweet

baking cookies

sandbox buckets

swingset giggles….

and they are treasures

for the heart

I reflect for awhile

but I do not dwell too long

for NOW is my place

and the relationship is precious

at this stage as well

My eyes and my heart

gaze at the beauty before me

in that coffee shop

A place in time

to treasure with my heart

and bring out later

as I reflect on my gifts

my treasures

– Susie Stewart

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For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure.

– Deuteronomy 7:6 (NLT)

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

– Isaiah 45:3 (NIV)

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

– Luke 2:16-19 (NIV)

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart.And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

– Luke 2:50-52 (NIV)

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

– James 1:17 (NLT)

Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from Him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

– Pslam 127:3-5 (NLT)

Photos by Susie Stewart

Trial Perspective

October 23, 2017 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

You are right in the middle of it,

and it is painful

It hurts

and it pulls downward

Your trial threatens

your heart

your mind

your faith

But friend

look UP

Recognize what is happening

This time

this moment

this circumstance

God wants to use it!

Please don’t miss that

Your growth

your strengthening

your unexplainable peace

is yours for the taking

Don’t turn your back

on the One who blessed you

with easier times

He is close

And His Spirit-help is there

for those who turn their eyes to Him

is your strength

is your peace

is your joy

IS the One who feels the deepest

about your situation

He is kind, you see

Walk with HIM

when you need Him most

and KNOW

God-strength

in the middle of it all

– Susie Stewart

In his kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.

– 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT)

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

– Proverbs 24:10 (NIV)

Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.

– James 1:2-5 (VOICE)

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

– Romans 8:28 (VOICE)

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You,
        for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You.
    So trust in the Eternal One forever,
        for He is like a great Rock—strong, stable, trustworthy, and lasting.

– Isaiah 26:3,4 (VOICE)

Photo by Susie Stewart

For Them

October 13, 2017October 13, 2017 / Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

They cannot speak for themselves,

and so you speak

They cannot do for themselves,

and so you do for them

They cannot pay,

you give

They cannot fight,

you march

They are destitute

victims

marginalized

poor

young

mute

alone

and passed by

But you

with your indwelling Hope

YOU are the hands

and the feet

and the voice

and the justice

for each one

knowing that YOU

were the one in need

when your Savior

left heaven to save you

He spoke for you

He fought for you

He did what you could not do

when he died to save you

And He paid

when you could not pay….

His heart for those in desperate need

replaced your heart of stone

and so you march

and you speak

and you pay

and you do

for the least

and the mute crying

– Susie Stewart

**Inspired by my daughter’s prayer march against human trafficking today. We each need to take a look at ourselves and ask what we are doing for someone who cannot do or speak for themselves.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

– Proverbs 31:8 (NLT)

Learn to do good; commit yourselves to seeking justice. Make right for the world’s most vulnerable – the oppressed, the orphaned, the widow.

– Isaiah 1:17 (VOICE)

Stand up of the poor and the orphan; advocate for the rights of the afflicted and those in need.

– Psalm 82:3 (VOICE)

Real, true religion from God the Father’s perspective is about caring for the orphans and widows who suffer needlessly and resisting the evil influence of the world.

– James1:27 (VOICE)

Jesus said – The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

– Luke 4:18, 19 (NLT)

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)

Then these righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see You hungry and feed You? Or thirsty and give You something to drink? Or a stranger and who You hospitality? Or naked and give You clothing? When did we ever see You sick or in prison and visit You?”

And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sister, you were doing it to Me!”

– Matthew 25:37-40 (NLT)

Photo by John Butler

Tough & Tender

October 11, 2017 / Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

The heart

is a curious

and beautiful

and complex

thing

With our hearts we feel the depths

and the heights

and all that is between

It is the core,

and it is to be guarded

But how do we guard it

without becoming calloused?

And how do we sense

without becoming overly-sensitive?

How is it that we can be strong of heart,

and at the same time

tender-hearted?

All in christ

always

All in Christ

And it all begins

with a heart

surrendered

to Jesus

Only He can bring strength

and tenderness

to co-exist within us

Allowing His Words to penetrate

any hardness of heart

we let Him soften

the callouses

As we become tender to His Spirit

our softness and sensitivity toward people

will grow deep

and beautiful

and sincere

Forgiveness and grace

will flow

and heal

and bless

Then there is His strength

welling up

We allow His Words

and His presence

to strengthen

our weakness

We believe HIM

and take our thoughts captive to His Spirit

We are strong in Him!

We KNOW that He is God!

Strength of heart develops

when our focus is on HIS strength

in us

not our own

And we let His peace

RULE in our hearts

Let it rule

Which means surrender to His will

and trusting Him

with everything

Strength

and tenderness

can live in the same heart

through Christ,

the strongest

and most tender

Loving with quiet goodness,

fighting for us

with all passion

and strength

~ 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)

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)

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

– Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

– Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

– James 4:7-9 (MSG)

They won’t be afraid of bad news; their hearts are steady because they trust the Lord.

– Psalm 112:7 (NCV)

I have pursued You with my whole heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.

– Psalm 119:10 (VOICE)

Don’t put on a show just because they are looking (as if you were a people pleaser); but as a slave of the Anointed, do the will of God from your heart.

– Ephesians 6:6 (VOICE)

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

– Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

– Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

– Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.

– Proverbs 14:30 (AMPC)

Photo by Susie Stewart

Bully

May 28, 2017 / Susie Stewart / 5 Comments

There’s this bird,

I call him Eustace

And he spends a lot of time

in our backyard

When he’s here

he consistently plays the part of the bully

He chases away all other birds

with rude squawks and aggression

But the strangest thing about Eustace

is this

He bullies our cat Rodney

Little Eustace taunts Big Rodney

as if roles were reversed

We’ve seen Rodney running from Eustace across the yard

as if his life depended on it

And when Rodney perches atop the platform on our porch

Eustace flies at him, squawking protests loudly

But the truth is, this is Rodney’s territory,

he belongs here

Eustace is an outsider

And all of this got me to thinking

about Christ Followers

We are often bullied

by our spiritual enemy

He loves to make us think

he is larger than he really is

The reality though

is that God is infinitely bigger and more powerful

than the devil

So, friend, know your identity

as a child of God!

When the enemy squawks and bullys

stand firm, resist and tell him how powerful your Protector is

And let him know

this is not his territory

Don’t cower before this snake

KNOW the power that resides in you

Get lost, Eustace

– Susie Stewart

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 (NLT)

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty powerthat raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

– Ephesians 1:19,20 (NLT)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

– Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

Photo by Susie Stewart

I have a Complaint About Complaining

April 24, 2017 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Complaining

is worthless

Words reeking of self

and ungratefulness

Of no benefit

to those who hear

Complaints

come out

and hang in the air stagnant

Perspective

Gratitude

Selflessness

Patience

Graciousness

– they are needed when tempted

by dissatisfaction

Complaining

is an outward expression

of a heart in need of joy

And joy is found in Jesus,

the One who should have had the most

to complain about

but didn’t

– Susie Stewart

Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them.

– Ephesians 4:29 (VOICE)

Do everything without complaining and arguing,so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

– Philippians 2:14-16 (NLT)

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.

– Philippians 2:14-16 (MSG)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

– James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Photo by Susie Stewart

No Other Option

April 2, 2017 / Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Is God

just one of your options

as you scramble to find solutions?

Do you pray to Him

and then leave your options open?

Do you forget

His sovereign hand

in your life?

He is not meant to be

an option

Plan A

Plan B

or D

He is meant to be

THE Plan

May we put away the

just-in-case-He-doesn’t-answer

mentality

He is the Final Word

the Sure Foundation

the Answer

the LORD

all falls beneath

His title

His hand

His authority

His Love

So next time you pray to Him,

resist formulating Plan B in your head

as if He may not

come through

Trust

Wait

Praise

Worship

Your all-knowing God

Faith says

there is no Plan B

– Susie Stewart

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

– James 1:5-8 (MSG)

Abraham was first named “father” and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said He would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God Himself said to him, “You’re going to have a big family, Abraham!”

– Romans 4:18 (MSG)

Photo by Susie Stewart

More Vs. Enough

March 18, 2017 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Jesus, teach me more

about enough

about content

and satisfied

Settle the desire

for more

and more

Tame disatisfaction

and expose greed

Because more

will never be enough

YOU

must be

my Enough

– Susie Stewart

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

– 1 John 2:15-17 (MSG)

Then He said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed; for not even when one has an overflowing abundance does his life consist of nor is it derived from his possessions.”

– Luke 12:15 (AMP)

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

– James 1:14,15 (NLT)

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 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. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

– 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NLT)

Photo by Susie Stewart

Pained Sister

March 1, 2017 / Susie Stewart / 6 Comments

Sister,

you have known much pain

You have been doubled-over

in life

for such a long time

And yet,

you have faithfully come

to worship

You have begged for healing

from your low-perspective infirmity

And yet it continues

and continues

Faithful sister,

your God has seen your pain

Your God has seen

your circumstances

He has seen your faithful heart

Continuing to trust

continuing to come

to Him

And just when you think

it has been too long

to be noticed

He speaks your name

and sets you free!

And your bowed position of humility

and pain

has produced in you

a strength and an inheritance

for eternity

You are loosed

from the weight

of the world

Sister, I see your faithfulness

and your love for the Master

You praised Him bent over

and you praise Him standing tall

Always trusting

bringing glory to Him

– Susie Stewart

One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, He saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then He touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

– Luke 13:10-13 (NLT)

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them,
snatching them from the door of death.
Let them praise the Lord for His great love
and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and sing joyfully about His glorious acts.

– Psalm 107:18-22 (NLT)

So own up to your sins to one another and pray for one another. In the end, you may be healed. Your prayers are powerful when they are rooted in a righteous life.

– James 5:16 (VOICE)

For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!

– 2 Corinthians 4:17 (AMP)