Romans

Clothed with Light

/ Susie Stewart / 7 Comments

You have His spirit inside,

but is He on the outside of you?

 

Can people tell by your

words

your actions

your attitudes

that Christ dwells within?

 

Scripture says to

CLOTHE yourself with Jesus

 

And we know that abiding in Christ

naturally causes us to show Him more

 

but are you intentionally

putting the old man to death

by putting on Christ?

 

Are you keeping your flesh in check?

 

Clothe yourself with God,

He is your robe of righteousness

 

Imagine the light

of the Light

as a holy garb

 

The taking off

and

the putting on

are all a gift from God

 

Is your Jesus showing?

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ…

– Romans 13:14 (NIV)

 

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,  for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

– Galatians 3:26,27 (NIV)

 

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

– Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT)

 

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him…

– Colossians 3:9, 10 (NKJV)

 

Every believer has put on Christ by virtue of trusting in who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Yet we are also called to put on the character qualities and virtues that reflect our identity as children of God. We pursue this lofty goal in anticipation of the day when we will take off our mortal bodies and put on resurrected bodies that fully reflect Christ’s own resurrection body.

– Matthew Harmon

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Confident

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Do you feel timid when you pray?

 

Do your sins glare before you

and get in the way of your relationship with God?

 

Do you skip it altogether

because you are altogether imperfect

 

to come before a perfect God?

 

Well, I can relate

 

But God has shown me

that something amazing happened

 

when Jesus became my Savior

 

He became my bridge

to God

 

His perfection

sacrificed for me

 

and His righteousness

imparted to me

 

and His white robe of sinlessness

put on me

 

Caused me to be able to approach

that great throne

 

with confidence

and freedom

and boldness

 

And it’s not because I had a sinless day

but because my sins have been washed away

 

And I look my Abba in the eyes

and I talk to Him

 

We are close

and I don’t need to be timid

 

because of Jesus

 

I confess to Him

what is not right

 

But I don’t feel the weight

of condemnation

 

Because I’m not condemned

 

I am free

 

– Susie Stewart

 

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

– Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

 

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

– Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

 

It is also very comforting to us to observe that the God who hears prayer is enthroned and glorified. The God of grace sits upon the throne of grace and so grace reigns supreme at the place where God meets with us in prayer! The hands of grace are full of blessings through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ—and those hands are happily employed in dispensing royal largess among the poverty stricken sons and daughters of men! Come here, then, all you who feel your need of grace! Be not afraid to approach the throne of grace. Since Jesus Christ has taken upon Himself our nature and suffered in our place, the throne to which the sinner is bid to draw near is a throne of superlative, unlimited, reigning grace—grace that pardons; grace that regenerates; grace that adopts; grace that preserves; grace that sanctifies; grace that perfects and makes meet for glory!

– C.H. Spurgeon

 

…or He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]…

– 2 Timothy 1:9 (AMP)

 

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

– Romans 8:1,2 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Pain & Joy

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Isn’t it interesting

that in going through a deep valley

 

where all is stripped away

 

we can learn what true joy is?

 

In the hurt

and the less

and the want

 

we learn to look up

 

and we find that the joy

is not really in the circumstances

 

but in the Savior

 

It’s not in the stuff

but in the Divine relationship

 

always being strengthened

by the reliance on who is in control

 

Isn’t it interesting

how pain and joy can co-exist?

 

That joy doesn’t always look

like happiness?

 

But it does look

content

 

Because of who we lean into

 

– Susie Stewart

 

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 4:19 (AMP)

 

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].

– 1 Timothy 6:6 (AMP)

 

So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

– 2 Corinthians 12:10 (AMP)

 

…constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],

– Romans 12:12 (AMP)

 

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

Neighbor

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

I found writing

all man-scribbled

on the white board

 

And it took me a moment

to figure it out

 

Husband had jotted

the names of our neighbors

 

Those on one side of our house

and the other side

and across the street

 

And it made me smile

 

A deliberate action

to know people

 

To honor his neighbors

and remember their names

 

And it is further evidence

to me

of a man after God’s own heart

 

Loving the Lord

and loving people

 

And I am thankful

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

– Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

 

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

– Leviticus 19:18 (MSG)

 

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

– Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)

 

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

– Romans 15:2 (NIV)

 

I’ve searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He’s a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.

– Acts 13:22 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

Unity

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Jesus was about

breaking down walls

 

His desire was

and is

 

Unity

 

One heart

one purpose

 

All is grace

 

And who do we think we are

when we coddle a grudge

 

stacking up those walls

that Christ intended to topple?

 

And who do we think we are

when we lash out with words bitter

 

cutting people with gossip

and abusing verbally?

 

And who do we think we are

thinking our reason is valid

 

for destroying unity

in the mighty name of self?

 

Christ’s desires and intentions for us

must be first in our minds

 

and the more we know Him

the more we will know

 

His beating heart

for unity

 

– Susie Stewart

 

The Measure of harmony you have with every believer will depend on your experience of Christ’s life as your own.

– BSF

 

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

– Romans 12:17-19 (MSG)

 

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

– Ephesians 4:1,2 (NIV)

 

The apostle tells us to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit….Some Christian fellowships are marred by rivalries between individuals or groups which have been allowed to fester for years.  How can we possibly condone such things?  We need to be “eager” for love, unity and peace, and more active in seeking it.

– John Stott

 

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were all called to pursue one hope. There is one Lord Jesus, one living faith, one ceremonial washing through baptism, and one God—the Father over all who is above all, through all, and in all. This God has given to each of us grace in full measure according to the Anointed’s gift

– Ephesians 4:4-7 (VOICE)

 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

– Romans 12:18 (NIV)

 

But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

– Matthew 6:15 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

 

 

Grace

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

God, Your grace

it is so far-reaching

 

It touches all that I have done wrong

and all that I will do wrong

 

It covers all of life

and breath

 

All is grace

 

For even my faith

is because of Your grace

 

And thankfully

it can’t be nullified

 

Even on my less than stellar days

Even when I fall on my face

 

Grace is still grace

 

If it weren’t,

it would be dependent on me

 

And it isn’t

 

Grace is not a teamwork thing

with me and You, God

 

It’s all You

 

Let me never think that Your grace

is earned by me

 

For Your grace is a gift,

never earned

 

Only gratefully received by me

 

– Susie Stewart

 

* These thoughts came from my friend Nicole Rowell in a study on Ephesians.  I just re-worded a bit.  Nicole, thank you for your insight into God’s Word and His amazing grace!

 

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 2:4-10 (NLT)

 

And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

– Romans 11:6 (NLT)

 

For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].

– John 1:16 (AMP)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Entitled

/ Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

We have the great privilege

of coming to God with our requests

 

We ask Him for what we want

and He chooses to answer the way He wants

 

And we get into a dangerous place

when we only see Him as good

 

When He answers the way we think He should

 

The fact is,

we either trust His sovereignty

His wisdom

and His omniscience

 

Or we don’t

 

When we meet God’s “No”

with the stomp of our foot

 

We in essence are showing a lack of trust

and a sense of entitlement

 

Santa Jesus would hand us whatever we ask for

and therein we would develop no faith

 

We would have no need of an all-knowing God,

for whenever we exercised our will of asking

 

Santa Jesus would give us

whatever we want

 

This is not what we should expect

 

May our prayers be ones of great faith

and trust

 

In our great God

who knows best

 

– Susie Stewart

 

He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him. After God made that decision of what His children should be like, He followed it up by calling people by name. After He called them by name, He set them on a solid basis with Himself. And then, after getting them established, He stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what He had begun.

– Romans 8:27-30 (MSG)

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…

– Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

 

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

– Mark 5:36 (NLT)

 

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

– Psalm 112:7 NIV)

 

Photo by Andy Stewart

Focus

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

If you were to be honest with yourself,

would you say you focus on…

 

How big your circumstances are,

or how big your God is?

 

How weak you are,

or how strong your God is?

 

How you don’t understand,

or how wise God is?

 

Your focus determines

your mindset

 

Trust wins

 

–  Susie Stewart

 

Worship and glory belong forever to the eternal king, the immortal, invisible, and only God. Amen.

– 1 Timothy 1:17 (GW)

 

“Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord.
“No, I am far away at the same time.
Can anyone hide from Me in a secret place?
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?”
says the Lord.

– Jeremiah 23:23,24 (NLT)

 

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done Him such a huge favor that God has to ask His advice? Everything comes from Him; Everything happens through Him; Everything ends up in Him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.

– Romans 11:32-36 (MSG)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Drawing Me In

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Your love, God,

it pulls me in

to a warm embrace

 

Your kindness

leads me

to repentance

 

Your goodness

pursues me

as a friend

 

Your mercy

settles

my anxiety

 

Your faithfulness

holds me

tenaciously

 

Your patience

encourages

my walk with You

 

Your grace

brings hope

to my soul

 

Your love

encompasses my life

in parental care

 

No wonder I run to You

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

Over time I realized that when we love God, we naturally run to Him — frequently and zealously.  Jesus didn’t command that we have regular time with Him each day.  Rather, He tell us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind.”  He called this the “first and greatest commandment” (Matt. 22:37-38).  The results are intimate prayer and study of His Word.  Our motivation changes from guilt to love.

This is how God longs for us to respond to His extravagant, unending love; not with cursory “quiet time” plagued by guilt, but with true love expressed through our lives.

– Francis Chan

 

What a stack of blessing you have piled up
for those who worship you,
Ready and waiting for all who run to you
to escape an unkind world.

– Psalm 31:19 (MSG)

 

Do you take the kindness of God for granted? Do you see His patience and tolerance as signs that He is a pushover when it comes to sin? How could you not know that His kindness is guiding our hearts to turn away from distractions and habitual sin to walk a new path?

– Romans 2:4 (VOICE)

 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

– 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

 

 

Photo by Andy Stewart