Luke

In the Highest

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Jesus,

You who always were

in the highest

 

and always were

the Highest

 

humbled Yourself

lowly

for me

 

And I am in awe

of the sacrifice

 

of majesty

and Sonship

and royalty

 

Because the highest place

and the highest position

and the highest praise

 

are what You deserve

 

A wooden animal trough

made by a carpenter’s hands

is where you came to be

 

And I will forever thank You

and I will forever bless You

and I will forever praise You

 

for You are the Highest

bent low

for me

 

– Susie Stewart

 

And in a flash there appeared with the angel a vast host of the armies of Heaven, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest Heaven! Peace upon earth among men of goodwill!”

– Luke 2:13,14 (PHILLIPS)

 

For the Lord Most High is to be feared [and worshiped with awe-inspired reverence and obedience]; He is a great King over all the earth.

– Psalm 47:2 (NLT)

 

Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo!
Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!
God Most High is stunning,
astride land and ocean.
He crushes hostile people,
puts nations at our feet.
He set us at the head of the line,
prize-winning Jacob, his favorite.
Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain,
a ram’s horn blast at the summit.
Sing songs to God, sing out!
Sing to our King, sing praise!
He’s Lord over earth,
so sing your best songs to God.
God is Lord of godless nations—
sovereign, He’s King of the mountain.
Princes from all over are gathered,
people of Abraham’s God.
The powers of earth are God’s—
He soars over all.

– Psalm 47:1-9 (MSG)

 

 

I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me.

– Psalm 57:2 (NLT)

 

Lord Most High, Your voice
thundered from the heavens.

– 2 Samuel 22:14 (CEV)

 

I will thank the Lord because He is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

– Psalm 7:17

 

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”

– Matthew 21:9 (NLT)

 

Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: Blessed is He who comes, the king in God’s name! All’s well in heaven! Glory in the high places!

– Luke 19:37,38 (MSG)

 

 

But God

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

I looked at her text

and it gave me pause

 

“Interesting times here, but God…”

 

But GOD

with three tiny dots

 

And it got me to thinking

 

about how God is always present

and supremely sovereign

 

And no matter what…

 

BUT GOD

 

So I went on a search

through the Scriptures

 

and found His hand

working in our circumstances

in the middle of our humanness

 

in the pain

in the joys

 

in the midst…

 

But God…

was in

and about

and through

and all over

 

He is here

and He is aware

and He is at work

 

in our present circumstances

 

And no matter what,

our sentence can end

with “but God…”

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.

– Geness 8:1 (NIV)

 

But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night…

– Genesis 20:3 (NIV)

 

He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me.

– Genesis 31:5 (NIV)

 

…But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands…

– Genesis 31:42 (NIV)

 

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

– Genesis 41:16 (NIV)

 

But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

– Genesis 45:7 (NIV)

 

“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

– Genesis 45:8 (NIV)

 

Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you…”

– Genesis 48:21

 

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

– Genesis 50:20

 

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid…”

– Genesis 50:24

 

 

…But God did not answer him that day.

– 1 Samuel 14:37

 

David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

– 1 Samuel 23:14

 

But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.

– 1 Kings 5:4

 

…For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

– 2 Chronicles 20:15

 

With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.

– 2 Chronicles 32:8

 

 

But the eye of their God was watching…

– Ezra 5:5

 

“But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.

– Ezra 9:8

 

…But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…

– Nehemiah 9:17

 

But in Your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

– Nehemiah 9:31

 

But God drags away the mighty by His power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life.

– Job 24:22

 

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

– Psalm 9:18

 

But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.

– Psalm 10:14

 

 

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself.

– Psalm 49:15

 

…but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

– Psalm 66:19

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

– Psalm 73:26

 

But God is my King from long ago; He brings salvation on the earth.

– Psalm 74:12

 

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

– Psalm 86:15

 

But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

– Psalm 94:22

 

But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by His righteous acts.

– Isaiah 5:16

 

But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King.

– Jeremiah 10:10

 

But God made the earth by His power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.

– Jeremiah 10:12

 

…but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.

– Daniel 2:28

 

…But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.

– Jonah 2:6

 

 

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

– Matthew 19:26

 

…but God knows your hearts….

– Luke 16:15

 

But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

– Acts 2:24

 

You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

– Acts 3:15

 

But God was with him…

– Acts 7:9

 

…but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen.

– Acts 10:40

 

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.

– Acts 26:22

 

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

– Romans 5:8

 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

– 1 Corinthians 1:27

 

But God has put the body together…

– 1 Corinthians 12:24

 

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us…

– 2 Corinthians 7:6

 

…I do not know, but God knows—

– 2 Corinthians 12:3

 

 

Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.

– Philippians 2:27

 

 

…but God is the builder of everything.

– Hebrews 3:4

 

…but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness.

– Hebrews 12:10

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

 

Beautiful Child

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Tender

and vulnerable

beautiful Child

 

Poor

and seemingly common

beautiful Child

 

Unassuming

and humble

beautiful Child

 

Highest of all

brought low

for us

 

You are the Answer

 

I love you

beautiful Child

my Savior

 

Willingly given

lovingly cherished

 

God’s beautiful Child

Our beautiful Child

 

Big God

so small

 

Our Prince

of Peace

 

– Susie Stewart

 

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”HAt once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

– Luke 2:8-20 (MSG)

 

For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on His shoulders.
And He will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

– Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

 

Today

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Show me, God, how to

deny myself,

take up my cross,

and follow You

 

TODAY

 

not just in the hazy future

where intentions evaporate,

but Today

 

for, Lord, sometimes I forget

that what matters

is TODAY

 

The enemy wants me distracted

and to keep my mind

on what I might do tomorrow

and the next day

and the next

 

or on the past

 

But TODAY is important

and it is the day

I choose Who to follow

and I choose who to love

 

I choose

You, God,

 

TODAY

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”

– Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

 

If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.

– Joshua 24:15 (MSG)

 

You should therefore be most careful, my brothers, that there should not be in any of you that wickedness of heart which refuses to trust, and deserts the cause of the living God. Help each other to stand firm in the faith every day, while it is still called “today”, and beware that none of you becomes deaf and blind to God through the delusive glamour of sin. For we continue to share in all that Christ has for us so long as we steadily maintain until the end the trust with which we began. These words are still being said for our ears to hear: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion’.

– Hebrews 3:12-14 (PHILLIPS)

 

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”

– Luke 22:61 (NIV)

 

Photo by Gracie Oertli

Yourself

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

I have told you, my children,

since you were young

 

that you are responsible

for yourself

 

Many people will do what is wrong

in the sight of God

 

But you remain true to Him

no matter what

 

And don’t get caught up

and offended

and angry

at whatever they do

 

You be responsible for yourself

 

It is your own life

that God will hold you accountable for

 

You will not change others

Change yourself when God reveals truth to you

 

Just go about your Father’s business

and leave Him to handle others

 

And if God opens a door

for you to speak truth into another

 

invited

 

Do so humbly and boldly

 

You, my dear children,

are responsible for you

 

before man

and before God

 

– Susie Stewart

 

…choose today whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

– Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

 

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

– 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)

 

Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!

– Luke 6:31 (MSG)

 

Jesus didn’t try to change the minds of those who firmly believed they were right.  His entire focus was to go about the Father’s business.

– Suzanne Eller

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Drifting

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

 

Drifting away,

aimless and directionless

 

It’s where you will be

unless you actively seek Christ

 

And on the waves of this life,

the ups and downs

 

We don’t want to be drifters

 

We ought to be active in those waves

 

Seeking Truth on purpose

Loving God on purpose

Caring for people on purpose

Walking in integrity on purpose

Sharing Christ on purpose

Avoiding sin on purpose

Living out our faith on purpose

 

Intentional

 

It’s a word that God

keeps bringing me back to lately

 

As if maybe He’s doing it

on purpose?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.

– Luke 10:27 (NIV)

 

That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.

– Luke 10:27 (MSG)

 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

– Romans 12:2 (NIV)

 

…pray continually…

– 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (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

 

 

More

/ Susie Stewart / 6 Comments

When my life

was threatened

 

I learned

 

that I truly love You, God,

more than my life

 

When I gave up meals

to fast and pray

 

I learned

 

that I truly want You, God,

more than food

 

When I denied myself

and I wanted to be first

 

I learned

 

that I wanted You above all, God,

more than myself

 

And when I surrendered my will

bowing low

 

I learned

 

that I long for Your plan, God,

more than mine

 

And the longer I walk with You, God,

the more I want to be near You

 

The more I know of You, God,

the more I want to know

 

The more I see of You, God,

the more I want to be wide awake

 

to You

 

– Susie Stewart

 

In the same way, if you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. Don’t underestimate that cost!

– Luke 14:33 (VOICE)

 

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

– Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

 

…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

– Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)

 

Then Jesus went to work on His disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

– Matthew 16:23-25 (MSG)

 

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

– Matthew 13:44-46 (NLT)

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

 

 

Testify

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

My mouth

and my life

testify

to Love

 

Not just any love

 

But Unconditional Love

 

Love Perfect

given to imperfect

 

And I would testify to this Love

in any court

 

And some will doubt

and some will scoff

and some will turn away

 

But that does not change

my testimony of Him

 

And the evidence is not just in me

It is worldwide

 

The Fruit is the evidence

 

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Gentleness

Faithfulness

Self Control

 

And lives changed

 

Growing

and not stagnant

 

Softening

and yet strengthening

 

Kinder

and yet bolder

 

Love testified

through life

and words

 

And evidence

 

That we are truly saved

from so much more than sin

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

– Galatians 5:22 (NLT)

 

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

– John 13:35 (NLT)

 

“No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

– Luke 8:39 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Before & After Christ

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

I was love-starved

and now I am beloved

 

I was existing

and now I am thriving

 

I was invisible

and now I am seen

 

I was aimless

and now I have purpose

 

I was a mess

and now I am His messenger

 

I was lost

and now I am  aligned with God

 

I was confused

and now I see clearly

 

I was hopeless

and now I am hopelessly in love

 

I was directionless

and now I am Holy Spirit directed

 

I was confined in my sin

and now I am confidant in my redemption

 

I was empty

and now I am full of Him

 

I was drowning

and now I am saved

 

I was dead

and now I am alive!

 

Life before Jesus

 

and after Jesus

 

The Divine Difference

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!

– Luke 15:32 (NLT)  

 

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

– Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT)

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

– 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

 

It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put Me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.

– John 5:24 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart