John

Truth

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Truth

It’s a hard commodity to come by

these days

 

It is cheapened

and disrespected

and soiled

 

And it’s hard to decipher

truth

because of the lack of it

 

Jesus is Truth

He stands for Truth

He brings Truth

 

And He tells us

that if we are willing to listen to Him

He WILL

bring the Truth to us

 

He will speak it

into our lives

into our hearts

into our minds

 

Listen for Truth

and

Be the Truth

in this world

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.”

– John 18:37 (NIV)

 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

– John 14:6 (NIV)

 

Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”

– John 8:31-32 (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

 

Full

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Water

Bread

Light

 

You are all those things, Jesus

 

You are everything we need

 

And you fill us to overflowing

with You

 

We are satisfied

And we are saved

And we see clearly

 

Our hunger

and our thirst are satisfied

in You

 

Your Light

fills every dark corner

 

We are sustained

by the fullness of You

 

– Susie Stewart

 

You have the fountain of life that quenches our thirst. Your light has opened our eyes and awakened our souls.

– Psalm 36:9 (VOICE)

 

How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, To eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You’re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light.

– Psalm 36:7-9 (MSG)

 

Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from His heart.’” 

– Psalm 7:38 (NLT)

 

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now He offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.

– John 6:32-35 (NLT)

 

“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion.
“I am dying of thirst,” said Jill.
“Then drink,” said the Lion.
“May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.
The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl …
The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.
“Will you promise not to—do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.
“I make no promise,” said the Lion …
“Do you eat girls?” she said.
“I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.
“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.
“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.
“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”
“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.
— C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

A Good Shepherd

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

A good shepherd

leads his sheep

 

He protects

guides

and sometimes carries those in his care

 

A good shepherd

corrects

wayward sheep

 

He uses his rod

and his staff

to discipline and guide

 

He knows what’s best

for those less knowing

 

Beautifully, that rod and that staff

comfort confused sheep

bringing security

 

A good shepherd

brings his sheep to places of rest

and nourishment

 

A good shepherd

protects his sheep from dangers

and predators

 

Even going to extremes for the sheep

possibly

 

dying

 

to protect

his flock

 

A good shepherd

knows his sheep

and his sheep know him

 

He stays so close

and is so familiar to them

that he can’t be mistaken

 

A Shepherd

is what we aimless ones need

 

Jesus, You are the only

True

Loving

Strong

Good

Shepherd

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

– John 10:11 (NIV)

 

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.

– John 10:10-13 (MSG)

 

I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,

– John 10:14 (NLT)

 

And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.

– 1 Peter 5:4 (AMP)

 

For there was a time when you were like sheep that wandered from the fold, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your lives.

– 1 Peter 2:25 (VOICE)

 

Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, His heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” He said to His disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!”

– Matthew 9:35-37 (MSG)

 

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to His name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for You are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

– Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT)

 

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Online Photos

Unnecessary Performance

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Don’t you know?

Don’t you remember?

 

You are someone’s child

 

You are God’s child

 

And He created you

to be in relationship with Him

 

But you think you need

to perform for Him

 

To get it right

to impress

 

To stop

messing up

 

But His love is not conditional

on your performance

 

Nestle into that love

and stay there

 

Performance is for an entertainer

not a beloved child

 

I was inspired to write this piece after listening to a interview my cousin, Kathy Gray, did on her new book “Light in Our Darkness”.  In the interview Kathy said, “We were never created to perform.  We were created for relationship.”  Amen.  Thank you, Kathy

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Don’t be mistaken; in and of ourselves we know we have little to offer, but any competence or value we have comes from God. Now God has equipped us to be capable servants of the new covenant, not by authority of the written law which only brings death, but by the Spirit who brings life.

– 2 Corinthians 3:5,6 (VOICE)

 

But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

– John 1:12,13 (NLT)

 

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith…

– Galatians 3:26 (NIV)

 

See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.

– 1 John 3:1,2 (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)

 

Photo by Susie 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

Still

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

So often people stay busy

to keep from feeling alone

 

They don’t slow down

for fear that life will not feel meaningful

 

without activity

 

But I have found

that when I am still

that’s when I realize more than ever

that I’m not alone

 

God is always with me

and being still helps me focus

on His being there

 

Stillness

affirms

His existence

to me

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Be still, and know that I am God

– Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

 

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

– 1 Kings 19:11,12 (KJV)

 

I will ask the Father to send you another Helper, the Spirit of truth, who will remain constantly with you.

– John 14:16 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Worthship

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Lord, I feel as if I’m learning

all the time

what worship of You

looks like

 

It is all-encompassing,

a life poured out and in awe of You

 

A wide awake observation

 

It is my everything

bowed to You

expecting and obedient

 

It is surrender

humility

recognition of You

as God of all

 

It is discipline

heart focus

clarity

Light

 

It is words

and listening

singing

speaking

quiet

 

Worship is open eyes

open heart

open mind

open, redeemed, learning soul

 

Worship is gratefulness and reverential wonder

 

You are the object of my worship

Yours is the grace that brings me here

 

– Susie Stewart

 

It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship Him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.

– John 4:23-24 (MSG)

 

In prayer we are occupied with our needs, in thanksgiving we are occupied with our blessings, but in worship we are totally occupied with God Himself.

– A.P. Gibbs

 

Worship is not a repetitious exercise of rituals and formulas. These create a veil that actually prevents us from enjoying the presence of the Lord. Worship is the heart poured out in gratitude and awe, expressing our appreciation of who He is and what He has done for us by His grace through Jesus Christ.

– Dave Hunt

 

Worship is the path to experiencing the presence of God, the way to face-to-face intimacy.

– Linda Dillow

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

 

 

The Blessing of Obedience

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

There is freedom in obedience

There is joy in obedience

There is peace in obedience

 

What tangles we would avoid

if only we heeded the instruction

 

of the One who is Truth

 

What pain we would prevent

if only we would listen

 

to the One who knows best

 

What heartache we would escape

if only we were humble enough

 

to obey

 

For there is where we find

freedom

joy

peace

 

and show God

how much we love Him

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Anyone who loves Me will listen to My voice and obey. The Father will love him, and We will draw close to him and make a dwelling place within him.

– John 14:23 (VOICE)

 

Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

– Deuteronomy 5:33 (NIV)

 

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

– Proverbs 10:17 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart