Matthew

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/ 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

 

 

Slow It Down

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Slow it down

 

Slow down your prayer

 

Think carefully about what you are saying

 

Slow

 

Down

 

Memorized phrases

and empty words of habit

 

Don’t form deeper connection

 

Choose your words deliberately

and let them be

 

Love expressed

Worship embodied

Confession deep

Adoration clear

 

Words of meaning

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But when you talk to God, go into your room and shut the door. Then talk to your Father in secret. Your Father sees secret things and He will reward you.

And when you talk to God, do not say words that mean nothing, over and over again. People who do not believe in God do that. They think their god will hear them because they say many words.

Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

– Matthew 6:6-8 (WE)

 

Never stop praying.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

 

Eternal One: Call to Me, and I will answer you. I will tell you of great things, things beyond what you can imagine, things you could never have known.

– Jeremiah 33:3 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Possible

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

 

Impossible

is not a word

God acknowledges

 

For He is God!

And there is not a thing

that isn’t possible for Him

 

 

Believe it

 

 

With people,

we don’t dare to ask

for what doesn’t make sense

 

With God,

He is glorified

in the asking

in the belief

and in the trust

 

For the impossible

 

– Susie Stewart

 

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

– Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

 

Everything is possible for one who believes.

– Mark 9:23 (NIV)

 

Is anything too hard for the Lord?…

– Genesis 18:14 (NIV)

 

Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.

– Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Evidence

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

So you say you need evidence…

 

that He is who He says He is

 

God’s Son

 

You are in prison

looking out

 

Can it be?

 

Jesus says to you from outside your prison walls,

 

“The blind see

The lame walk

Those with leprosy are cured

The deaf hear

The DEAD are raised to life

The Good News is being preached to the poor”

 

Grasping your bars

you want to believe

 

People can be so disappointing…

 

But you choose to come out

of sin-prison

 

Into light

 

And sure enough

 

Your blind eyes see

with wisdom new

 

Your lame legs walk

where you never thought you would go

 

Your leprous spots of sin

are cleansed snow white

 

Your deaf ears hear

your beautiful Shepherd’s voice

 

And GLORY!

 

Your dead self

is alive with His Spirit!

 

Your poverty of soul

is filled with the richness of His grace

 

Evidence

 

– Susie Stewart

 

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

– Matthew 11:2-5 (NLT)

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

Signs

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

If you were a sign

what would you say?

 

Really.

Indulge me here

 

What is the loudest thing about you?

 

What does your life shout?

 

If you were a sign

where would you point?

 

What do your words

and your actions

direct people to?

 

Is your life sign solid?

Clear?

Or is it falling apart and undecipherable?

 

Let your sign be clear

Let your life be loud

 

Point to Jesus,

worthy is He

 

the perfect destination

 

– Susie Stewart

 

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I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ Himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with His rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.

– 2 Timothy 4:1-3 (MSG)

 

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My brothers and sisters, I pray constantly to God for the salvation of my people; it is the deep desire of my heart.

– Romans 10:1 (VOICE)  

 

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Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.

– John 14:6 (NLT)

 

We get to be God’s plan for the whole world by pointing people toward Him.

– Bob Goff

 

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

– Matthew 5:15-17 (MSG)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thy Will Be Done

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

 

“In all things,

our family says,

‘Thy will be done'”

 

I looked up at her on her porch

from my trailside fence position

 

My friend Becky

had just gone to see her brother

 

Stage 4 cancer

and things looking bleak

 

I told her I was sorry

and she gave a small smile

with the reply,

 

“In all things our family says,

‘Thy will be done'”

 

It wasn’t a typical response

to looming death

 

It wasn’t what I expected to hear

from grieving sister

 

And it impacted me

right down to the dirt I was standing on

 

It made me think

about You, Jesus,

 

Bowing Your will

to the plan of Your Father

 

Bowing Your fears

Bowing Your wants

 

In the face of pain

and death

 

“Not my will, but Yours be done”

 

May that be the simple sentence

that permeates my life

 

For there are times

when Your will

does not match mine

 

But I bow

everything

to You

 

Thy will be done

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.”

– Matthew 22:42 (NIV)

 

…Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

– Matthew 6:10 (NIV)

 

Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes.

– Psalm 115:3 (NIV)

 

Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood—
may He equip you with all you need
for doing His will.
May He produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to Him.
All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.

– Hebrews 13:20,21 (NLT)

 

Photo by Arik Stewart

 

What They Need

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

You desire to give of yourself

to the people in your life

 

You want to make sure you provide

what they need

 

You want to be everything you can

for them

 

But what they need more than anything

is for you

to spend time

with Jesus

 

Nothing will enable you to be

what they need

more

than being with Him

 

So guard your time with Jesus

talking to Him

listening to Him

learning from Him

repenting before Him

soaking in His love

being open with Him

processing the Word with Him

Worshiping Him

 

Being

with

Him

 

Then the radiance of Jesus

will be evident to all those people

who need you

 

And they will have

what they need –

 

Jesus

 

– Susie Stewart

 

* I was inspired to write this after hearing my friend Nicole Rowell speak on this subject.  Thank you, Nicole!  I am blessed by your time with Jesus.

 

Moses told God —  If it is true that You look favorably on me, let me know Your ways so I may understand You more fully and continue to enjoy Your favor.

– Exodus 33:13 (NLT)

 

…the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

– Exodus 33:11 (NLT)

 

When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord.

– Exodus 34:29 (NLT)

 

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

– Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

 

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 6:33 (MSG)

 

Photo by Gracie Oertli

 

 

 

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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Forgive

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

If you are waiting for the offender

to be worthy of your forgiveness,

that time will never come

 

just like it never came for you,

before your righteous God

 

Unworthy, we came to our Savior

and humbly accepted His beautiful gift

of forgiveness

 

And we turn around

and we forgive people

 

Always

 

because we can’t receive forgiveness

and then not give it back out

 

This is not an option

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

– Matthew 6:14,15 (NLT)

 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

– 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

 

But You, O Lord our God, still show us compassion and forgiveness even though we have openly rebelled against You.

– Daniel 9:9 (VOICE)

 

You see, God takes all our crimes—our seemingly inexhaustible sins—and removes them. As far as east is from the west, He removes them from us.

– Psalm 103:12 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Come

/ Susie Stewart / 3 Comments

The Son is rising

Do you sense it?

 

His return is near

and our enemy knows

his days are numbered

 

The earth and its inhabitants

are groaning

from the spiritual clash

 

The bold in Christ are getting bolder,

and the evil more heinous

 

And I say Come, Lord Jesus!

 

We know you are rising

to take us Home

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us,
who blood-washed our sins from our lives,
Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father,
forever—and yes, He’s on His way!
Riding the clouds, He’ll be seen by every eye,
those who mocked and killed Him will see Him,
People from all nations and all times
will tear their clothes in lament.
Oh, Yes.

– Revelation 1:5-7 (MSG)

 

With a loud trumpet call, He will send out battalions of heavenly messengers; and they will gather His beloved faithful elect from the four corners of creation, from one end of heaven to the other.

Now think of the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and greenish, as soon as it begins to sprout leaves, you know to expect summer. In the same way, when you see the wars and the suffering and the false liberators and the desolations, you will know the Son of Man is near—right at the door.

– Matthew 24:31-33 (VOCE)

 

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

– Revelation 22:12-13 (NLT)

 

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

– Revelation 22:20 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart