Jesus

CircumSTANCE

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

What is your stance

on your circumstance?

 

Do you only feel God is good

when life is trouble-free?

 

Do you only draw near to Him

when you think He is making things easier?

 

Or do you cling to

His faithfulness

His constant love

His unchanging nature

 

His holiness

 

in this imperfect life?

 

You see, He has warned all of us

that life here will not be easy

 

and that trials will pile up

upon trials

 

He

warned

us

 

And then

He made a promise

 

“I will never leave you.”

 

And He doesn’t

 

So when you are tempted to take the

“I’m mad at God” stance

in your circumstance

 

Remember

 

that He is the One you need most

at

all

times

 

especially in those trials

 

and that His love

does not shoot arrows

to make your life miserable

 

He is the One

who holds your tears

and provides

just when you need it

 

Your stance

in your circumstance

should be

 

I am confident in His perfection and goodness and love

in the brokenness of earthly life

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

– John 16:33 (AMP)

 

…God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.”

– Hebrews 13:5 (GW)

 

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    He’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give Him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under His loving correction.
It’s the child He loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

– Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG)

 

My help and glory are in God
    —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust Him absolutely, people;
    lay your lives on the line for Him.
    God is a safe place to be.

– Psalm 62:7-8 (MSG)

 

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in people.

– Psalm 118:8 (NLT)

 

For the Eternal will be a shelter for those who know misery, a refuge during troubling times.

– Psalm 9:9 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart taken in the deserts of Israel

 

 

 

 

 

Morning

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

As the pink-orange sun

slices through the morning haze

 

I bow my day to You, Lord

 

I gaze at Your beauty

with new morning eyes

 

I take in Your love

and I breathe it back

 

And quiet peace

grounds me to You

 

The colors of morning

draw me to Your side

 

and I enjoy You,

my beautiful

beautiful

God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.

– Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

 

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

– Romans 1:20 (NLT)

 

Then God surveyed everything He had made, savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness. Evening gave way to morning.

– Genesis 1:31 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Spirit Walk

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Holy Spirit

guide my mind and heart

this day

 

May I not heed

pop culture’s grasp

emotion’s wave

accolade’s hold

comfort’s woo

distraction’s tug

 

 

the wisdom of this world

or the lies of the enemy

 

May I follow You

wherever that leads me

 

confident in my trustworthy God

who sees the big picture

from eternity’s standpoint

 

Holy Spirit

lead on

into my unknown day

 

known by You

alone

 

– Susie Stewart

 

So now, where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the skilled debater, the best of your time? Step up, if you dare. Hasn’t God made fools out of those who count on the wisdom of this rebellious, broken world?

– 1 Corinthians 1:20 (VOICE)

 

When Jesus returned from the Jordan River, He was full of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit led Him away from the cities and towns and out into the desert.

– Luke 4:1 (VOICE)

 

If the Spirit of God is leading you, then take comfort in knowing you are His children.

– Romans 8:14 (VOICE)

 

Now since we have chosen to walk with the Spirit, let’s keep each step in perfect sync with God’s Spirit.

– Galatians 5:25 (VOICE)

 

But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

– Mark 13:11 (VOICE)

 

The Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth. He will not speak His own words to you; He will speak what He hears, revealing to you the things to come and bringing glory to Me. The Spirit has unlimited access to Me, to all that I possess and know, just as everything the Father has is Mine. That is the reason I am confident He will care for My own and reveal the path to you.

– John 16:13 (VOICE)

 

But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I’m completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won’t be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.

– Acts 20:22-24 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

So Much

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

 

It is heavy

and overwhelming

and takes your breath away

 

It is the weight

of God’s glory

 

It is unending

and all-encompassing

and relentless

 

It is God’s grace

toward you

 

It is stubborn

and pushy

and raw

 

It is love,

God’s incredible love for you

 

All for you

 

All of it

weighs you down

and overwhelms

and chases you

 

until you relent

under His beautiful

pressure

 

and therein

find your peace

security

and hope

 

– Susie Stewart

 

All the loneliness, angers, hatreds, envies and itchings that [this world] contains, if rolled into one single experience and put into the scale against the least moment of the joy that is felt in Heaven, would have no weight that could be registered at all.

– C.S. Lewis

 

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

– John 1:14 (NLT)

 

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display His craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make Him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world.

– Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT)

 

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

– John 15;13 (NLT)

 

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!

– Psalm 139:1-7 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

Content

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

The more

time and energy

we invest

in discontentment

with people

and circumstances,

 

the less

time and energy

we have

for contentment

in God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

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)

 

…godliness, along with contentment, does put us ahead but not in the ways some imagine.  You see we came into this world with nothing, and nothing is going with us on the way out!  So as long as we are clothed and fed, we should be happy.

– 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (VOICE)

 

I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of the Anointed because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong.

– 2 Corinthians 12:10 (VOICE)

 

…let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way].

– 1 Corinthians 7:17 (AMP)

 

You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You.

– Isaiah 26:3 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Creation Speaks

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

The morning sings joy

and mercy

 

Do you hear it?

 

The noonday sun radiates righteousness

and truth

 

Do you see it?

 

The moon and stars whisper peace

and wisdom

 

Do you perceive it?

 

The whole earth

and all of creation

speak of Divinity

 

Listen well

and walk

in the morning joy,

the noonday truth,

and the nighttime peace

 

with your Creator

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    You call forth songs of joy.

– Psalm 65:8 (NIV)

 

He will spread out righteousness for you as a sunrise spreads radiance over the land; He will deliver justice for you into the light of the high sun.

– Psalm 37:6 (VOICE)

 

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
    which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

– Proverbs 4:18 (NLT)

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles.

His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.

the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.

and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.

– Psalm 136:1-9 (NLT)

 

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 (NIV)

 

At every time and in every place— from the moment the sun rises to the moment the sun sets— may the name of the Eternal be high in the hearts of His people.

– Psalm 113:3 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

HIM

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

The way you treat people –

It’s all about HIM

 

The wisdom you instill in your children –

It’s all about HIM

 

The honest effort you put into your job –

It’s all about HIM

 

The person you are with your spouse –

It’s all about HIM

 

The faithfulness you display in friendship –

It’s all about HIM

 

EVERYTHING –

all that you are

and all that matters in this life

 

must stem from your relationship

with Jesus

 

the most vital relationship you have

 

You are

and you do

and you exist

because of God

 

Any other effort

will fall short

 

It

has

got

to be

 

all about HIM

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to His will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making Him proud of you as you work hard in His orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us.

God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son He loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

– Colossians 1:9-14 (MSG)

 

The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for Him, as if He couldn’t take care of Himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make Him. Starting from scratch, He made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find Him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; He’s near. We live and move in Him, can’t get away from Him! One of your poets said it well: “We’re the God-created.” Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

– Acts 17:26-29 (MSG)

 

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead…

– Philippians 3:10 (NLT)

 

I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

– Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

Senses

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

You hear….

the whisper

 

And you know

it is unlimited power

brought quietly

 

You see…

the Artist’s brushstrokes

 

And you know

it is the Creator’s beautiful work

lovingly enveloping you

 

You taste…

the Bread & the Water

 

And you know

it is Jesus Himself

given to fill and sustain

 

You feel….

the uncompromising love

 

And you know

it could only come

from He who IS Love

 

Your senses tell you

daily

that He is God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

After the fire died out, there was nothing but the sound of a calm breeze. And through this breeze a gentle, quiet voice entered into Elijah’s ears…

– 1 Kings 19:12 (VOICE)

 

 However, call on the animals to teach you;
        the birds that sail through the air are not afraid to tell you the truth.
 Engage the earth in conversation; it’s happy to share what it knows.
        Even the fish of the sea are wise enough to explain it to you.
In fact, which part of creation isn’t aware,
        which doesn’t know the Eternal’s hand has done this?
His hand cradles the life of every creature on the face of the earth;
        His breath fills the nostrils of humans everywhere.

– Job 12:7-10 (VOICE)

 

 I am the bread that gives life. If you come to My table and eat, you will never go hungry. Believe in Me, and you will never go thirsty.

– John 6:35 (VOICE)

 

…God is love.

– 1 John 4:8 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

His

/ Susie Stewart / 7 Comments

His was the kiss on your cheek

kind and sweet

 

His was the pat on your back

encouraging

 

His was the embrace

warm and sincere

 

His was were the eyes

truly seeing

 

His was the laughter

enjoying your joy

 

His were the tears of empathy

when you suffered

 

His is the heart

who understands you

 

His was the life, pure and beautiful

ungrudgingly given for you

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

We love because He first loved us.

– 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

 

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in You.

– Psalm 33:22 (NIV)

 

But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

– Psalm 86:15 (NIV)

 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us…

– 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

 

 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

– John 11:33 (NIV)

 

Photo by Randy Malsam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willing To Risk

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

David walked right out

to meet the giant man

 

Paul faced persecution head on

in each town he entered

 

Mary bowed her will

and bravely carried God’s Son

 

Noah stepped into the unknown

in the face of ridicule and stares

 

and

 

My Jesus resolutely chose to die

for this world of people we live in

 

So,

will I be a person

willing to risk it all

when God speaks?

 

Will I bow my will to His?

 

Will I live my life differently

because of my life in Him?

 

I will,

by His power

 

And I am able to step out in faith

because I serve a faithful

God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands… and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

– 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)

 

The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

– Acts 23:10 (NIV)

 

The angel said to her, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat. He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.”

Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen? I have never had a man.” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you. The power of the Most High will cover you. The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God.

“See, your cousin Elizabeth, as old as she is, is going to give birth to a child. She was not able to have children before, but now she is in her sixth month. For God can do all things.” Then Mary said, “I am willing to be used of the Lord. Let it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel went away from her.

– Luke 1:30-38 (NIV)

 

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

– Genesis 6:22 (NIV)

 

 Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

Going a little farther, He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

– Matthew 26:36-39 (NIV)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart in the Garden of Gethsemane