Scripture

Do Not Grieve Him

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

It hurts my heart,

Spirit of God,

that I would ever grieve You

 

And those times

throughout my life

that my words have cut

 

and were not of You

 

I long to breathe them

back in

 

Angry words

Gossip words

Rage words

Bitter words

Malice words

Slander words

 

And I know I’m not alone

in this

 

But what it comes down to, Holy Spirit,

is You and me

and no one else

 

We are in relationship,

You dwelling within me

 

And there is no one closer

than You

 

No one

 

So You are the last One

I would want to grieve

 

Especially since You speak

such goodness

affirmation

and light

into me

 

Thank you for changing me,

Spirit,

over these years

 

You are at work in my heart

 

And showing me

how to put a check

on my words

 

Sometimes I fail You

 

and yet

 

You are so loving

that You keep showing me

how not to grieve You

 

And You always love

 

I want to be like You

who dwells inside of me,

always loving

and watching my words

my attitude

my walk

 

with You

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

– Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

 

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

– James 3:9-11 (NIV)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Kingdom

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

Show me, God,

how it looks

to seek first

the Kingdom of God

 

Show me

how to lay aside

anything that distracts

 

Show me

how to live here

and seek You there

 

Show me

how to be about

what You are about

 

Show me

how to be disciplined

and to be free

in this pursuit

 

Show me

how to keep my gaze

on YOU

above all else

 

Show me, God,

Your Kingdom here on earth

 

– Susie Stewart

 

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

– Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

 

So don’t worry and don’t keep saying, “What shall we eat, what shall we drink or what shall we wear?!” That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart on the kingdom and His goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.

– Matthew 6:32-34 (AMP)

 

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

– Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

 

What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what He wants you to do. Then He will give you all these other things you need.

– Matthew 6:33 (ERV)

 

But first, be concerned about His kingdom and what has His approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.

– Matthew 6:33 (GW)

 

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. 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 6:32-34 (MSG)

 

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

– Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Control

/ Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

That

out

of

control

feeling you have

 

It’s not meant

to send you into a panic

 

It is meant

to drive you to God

 

Stand still

before Him

in your spirit

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you….

That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, “Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.”

– Isaiah 41:10, 13  (MSG)

 

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

– Philippians 4:6 (AMP)

 

Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God.

– Psalm 46:10 (VOICE)

 

Photo by Susie Stewart

Content

/ Susie Stewart / 4 Comments

So,

if you got

that bigger house

that nicer car

that thinner body

those better roommates

that more compatible spouse

 

that thing that you really hope for

 

Then would you be content?

 

Or would you, like me,

find another reason to be discontent

once you got it?

 

Honestly, it would never be enough

 

So what do we do with our discontent hearts,

our longing for more

of what we don’t have?

 

We take our discontent thoughts captive

putting them in check

 

We develop more gratitude

 

And we live in the moment,

in the mess (sometimes)

 

and we tell ourselves

“This is enough”

 

And we find that it is enough

because

Christ is our enough

 

He fulfills our need

 

Everything else

will fade

pass away

fall apart

 

But God’s Word STANDS

when all else falls away

 

And His Word says,

the secret to being content

is

 

I can do ALL THINGS through Christ

who strengthens me

 

And that means

 

that I can live in the here and now

with all it’s annoyances and problems

 

And I can BE content

in Christ

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

 

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

– Hebrews 13:5,6 (MSG)

 

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

– 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NLT)

 

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

 

Comfort Overflowing

/ Susie Stewart / 3 Comments

Comfort

envelops

with tender love

 

It encourages

and speaks softly

 

when bodies

and hearts

are broken

 

And You, God,

are the God of all comfort

 

It all originates

in Your heart

 

And once I knew Your comfort

for myself

 

I brought Your heart of comfort, Lord,

to another one hurting

 

And I am fulfilled

 

and overflowing

 

Because You are the Father with

ALL the

Comfort

 

And I am Your child

 

– Susie Stewart

 

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (MSG)

 

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

– Matthew 5:4 (NLT)

 

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

– Psalm 147:3 (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

 

 

Penetrating Darkness

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

This is my heart this morning.  It is heavy with the state of relationships, of our nation and of our world.  Jesus, You are my always hope.

 

We are desperate for You

and for Your light, Lord

 

This world feels dark

and heavy

and cold

 

Everyone believes themselves

to be right

and entitled

and stubborn

 

We so need Your graciousness

in our hearts, God

 

We long for Light

 

If we could

thirst

for Light,

we would

 

For darkness

threatens to overtake

 

But there You are

in the stillness leading

us to the banks of calm

and peace

 

To the waters of Your sweet love

 

Such a sweet Love

 

And the darkness that threatens

to overtake us

 

Is washed with the water

of Light

 

And eyes are awake once again

to goodness

and blessings

and most of all

 

to You

 

The Light in the darkness

 

The hope of all nations

 

The hope for each individual

that thirsts for Light

 

I love Your Light, my precious Jesus,

I love Your Light

 

– Susie Stewart

 

I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

– John 8:12 (AMP)

 

A light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched.

– John 1:5 (VOICE)

 

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

– Ephesians 5:8 (NLT)

 

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

– Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

 

The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light; Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).

– Psalm 119:130 (AMP)

 

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

 

 

Thunder

/ Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Your voice will not be denied,

God of Heaven and earth

 

It thunders,

for Your power rumbles great

 

And we should all be

extremely grateful

that our God of Thunder

 

does not pour out His holy wrath

every time we rebel against You

 

For Your power is staggering

and Your voice immense

 

My heart listens for Your quiet voice

knowing Your thunderous voice is coming

 

when holiness brings judgment

with a loud and deafening clap

 

And there are those who hide in Your shelter

and those who stand exposed

 

I will be sheltered

by my Jesus’ sacrificial love

 

– Susie Stewart

 

The Lord thundered from heaven. The Most High made His voice heard.

– 2 Samuel 22:14 (GW)

 

Whenever this happens, my heart stops—
I’m stunned, I can’t catch my breath.
Listen to it! Listen to His thunder,
the rolling, rumbling thunder of His voice.
He lets loose His lightnings from horizon to horizon,
lighting up the earth from pole to pole.
In their wake, the thunder echoes His voice,
powerful and majestic.
He lets out all the stops, He holds nothing back.
No one can mistake that voice—
His word thundering so wondrously,
His mighty acts staggering our understanding.

– Job 37:1-5 (MSG)

 

For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

– Psalm 27:5 (NIV)

 

The blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered with a voice that rumbled like thunder.

– Exodus 19:19 (VOICE)

 

The Eternal thundered in the heavens; the Highest spoke; His voice rumbled [in the midst of hail and lightning].

– Psalm 18:13 (VOICE)

 

I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh!—a Throne set in Heaven with One Seated on the Throne, suffused in gem hues of amber and flame with a nimbus of emerald. Twenty-four thrones circled the Throne, with Twenty-four Elders seated, white-robed, gold-crowned. Lightning flash and thunder crash pulsed from the Throne. Seven fire-blazing torches fronted the Throne (these are the Sevenfold Spirit of God). Before the Throne it was like a clear crystal sea.

– Revelation 4:4-6 (MSG)

 

After the fire, there was a still small voice.

 – 1 Kings 19:12 (WEB)

 

“Pagosa Springs” sung by my brother, Danny Oertli