Power

Bold

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Whisper not

the name of God

Speak it boldly

for He is all

Hide not

your inner Light

for it is exactly

what they need

Tame not

your worship of the King

for your audience

is Him alone

Hide not

your story of saving grace

for it is precious

and important

Stand confidently

worshipper and witness

in the strength and power and goodness

of your great God

– Susie Stewart

I have seen You in Your sanctuary
    and gazed upon Your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
    how I praise You!
I will praise You as long as I live,
    lifting up my hands to You in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
    I will praise You with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of You,
    meditating on You through the night.
Because You are my helper,
    I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
I cling to You;
    Your strong right hand holds me securely.

– Psalm 63:2-8 (NLT)

It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives.”

– Romans 1:16-17 (MSG)

Paul lived for two years in his rented house. He welcomed everyone who came to visit. He urgently presented all matters of the kingdom of God. He explained everything about Jesus Christ. His door was always open.

– Acts 28:30, 31 (MSG)

Photo by Susie Stewart

Bully

/ 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 power that 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

The Sound

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Have you heard the sound?

 

The thunderous, ear-splitting, mighty

sound?

 

It’s the sound of enormous Jericho walls

tumbling to the dust

 

The sound of heavy prison gates

clashing to the stone floor

 

The sound of mighty Red Sea waters

piling high

 

The sound of two million of God’s people

running through the desert away from Egypt

 

The sound of a giant of a man

crashing down under the blow of one small stone

 

The sound of solid rock tons

rolled away from the deathly tomb

 

It’s the power

the glorious power

of God Almighty!

 

Who longs to bring the thunderous sound

of freedom and power

to you

 

 

Have you heard the sound?

 

The sound of a tear

falling to the earth

as Love gave His life

for you?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

…The Lord sets prisoners free.

– Psalm 146:7 (GW)

 

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

– Ephesians 1:19-21 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart