Belong...

We all want to feel like we belong to someone...

"...to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."
Ephesians 1:6

For years I personally thought I had those longings because I was an only child. Later, Jesus brought me the most amazing man to spend my life with. Still, longing remained. Next came three wonderful children and three churches we had the privilege to pastor. Why was I still searching?

Somehow the Holy Spirit got through to the very core of my soul: I was accepted in the Beloved. My longings found total fulfillment.

A funny thing happened. Realizing I was accepted by my Beloved freed me from the need to be accepted by anyone else. My expectations were lifted from my husband, my family, and the church to meet my needs. Joy began to overwhelm my life and my loved ones sensed my freedom as well. They became happier campers!

Do you still long to belong? Soak, meditate, and marinate in the verse above. Ask the Holy Spirit to make it real to you. His acceptance will overwhelm and fill your being.

Details to Follow...

Has the Lord given you a glimpse of your future, but not many details of how to get there?

"Now it happened, on a certain day, 
that He got into a boat with His disciples. 
And He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." 
And they launched out."
Luke 8:22

I have come to realize that this is usually Lord Jesus’ MO – His modus operandi. We often question His will for our lives because we only receive a glimpse, but the how-to’s and success rate aren’t often something He clues us in on. You too?

Nevertheless, how often do we let those very things keep us from all that He has for us? Often, I am afraid.

For King Jesus, it is all about the journey and not so much the destination. He wants us to cling closely to Him for the where’s and what’s of His adventure – to use the word “plan” here is too tame – so He keeps the details we long for close to His heart. He simply wants us to launch out and trust Him for the rest. Yes, really.

Inevitably, when the disciples drew closer to the other side of the lake, everything started coming into focus. One row of their oars at a time, their vision became clearer. But first, they had to step foot in the boat with the Lord and trust Him completely. They DID make it to the other side and oh what an amazing time they had! 

What keeps you from launching out? Don’t let it any longer. Jesus is waiting for you to set sail with Him and you won’t be disappointed. Details to follow...

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Rain Down...

Does your life seem like a wilderness or desert right now?

Seems like I spent several years in one or the other. Though the Lord moved much during those times, I seemed that I was more often dry in the Spirit rather than drenched in Him...

"The poor and needy seek water, but there is none,
Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them..
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water."
Isaiah 41:17-18

Whatever state you are in, God will meet you there. Your circumstances may be dry or barren, but your soul and spirit don’t have to be. Really. This is where Christianity meets the highway of real life.

Don’t try to make your own way out of the seeming barrenness. Listen carefully for the Lord’s direction. Spend time in His presence alone and with His Word. Then see begin to hear and feel the raindrops of His Spirit start to quench your heart right where you are.

At the Start of This Week and New Year...

At the start of this week and the New Year...

Should you be concerned about your future or you have many regrets about your past, simply remember. There is ONE who knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows you inside-out and loves you beyond reason and His love never fails! Take EVERY concern and care and lay it at His feet. He not only holds the answer to your dilemmas, He IS the answer to your life's issues. Make this a banner year by pressing into His ever-welcoming presence and the power of His unchanging Word.
1 Corinthians 13:8

If money seems tight because the Christmas wish lists were – ohhh sooo long – let’s remember life’s true priorities: Him, Him, and only Him. Honestly. If we put Jesus first for all of the details, He will guide and provide for us what is most needed.
Matthew 6:33

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

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God's Favorite...

Did you know? I am God’s favorite...

“His favor is for life...”
Psalm 30:5

I mean really. Yes, truly, I am His favorite. I believe that with all of my heart.

But you know what? You are, too.

I mean that really and truly. I am beyond convinced of His favor upon each of our lives, yet do we really grasp this?

I think the muck and mire of our stuff, the dreaded load of guilt we bear, and our own feelings of unworthiness pretty much wreck us for walking in God’s favor. And yet the whole of the Bible tells us that the Lord Almighty is ever so willing to open the floodgates of heaven on our behalf. He is crazy in love with His creation and nothing can change that, except our unbelief can sure hinder our realizing and experiencing His favor in our daily lives.

Unbelief, continuing strongholds I couldn’t break, and the torrents of guilt I felt for years sure hindered His felt favor in my life. What changed for me? Taking the Bible at its word over how I felt in the moment and not getting up from my quiet times with the Lord until I experienced His presence through the Holy Spirit. Strongholds broke, guilt stopped, and unbelief couldn’t stand before His Word and presence.

So, come join me if this is new to you. Because you ARE God’s favorite...and He wants you to know it too.

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Perfect Timing...

Here’s a good thing to remember for this coming year...

"This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth...
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem...”
Luke 2:2-4

God is more than able to position us where we need to be.

Yes. Lord Jesus is more than able to place us at the right place at the right time. Just as Joseph needed to move his burgeoning family from Nazareth to Bethlehem, God saw to it that they reached this oh so important location. He can and will do the same for you and me.

Can we miss His timing, place, and position? Yes, I truly think we can. Our own stubborn, strong, and often faithless decisions can off-put His best for us. I have experienced this first-hand. A major detour my husband I made in ministry clearly knocked us off track for a few years. Yet, when we repented of our rebellion – for that is what it was – and humbly sought only HIS plans for our lives, His grace so lavishly blessed us ten-fold over.

So, don’t fret decisions to be made, whether large or small. Simply stay completely surrendered. Stay poured out before His throne. Drink in His Word. Be filled with His Holy Spirit. And then see what how He easily places you exactly where you are meant to be.

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Pursuit...

In time for Christmas, we heard wonderful news yesterday!

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”
Luke 15:4

Our American missionary friends, serving the Lord with Youth With a Mission in Taiwan, just found out their adopted Taiwanese son is now an American citizen. This amazing couple with three darling, biological children adopted their little boy some time ago, yet the much-needed citizenship for his travel with their entire family had eluded them for over a year. Heather and Rich prayed, battled in the Spirit, worked with the governing authorities, never losing hope that their child would truly be an integral part of their family...

How much more is God’s pursuit of us? Do we doubt that today? Do we doubt that He really cares? The Christmas story is the account of God Almighty pursuing the one – pursuing you. Pursuing me. Never giving up, unrelenting, undeterred, He comes after us every moment of every day. Nevertheless, do we allow the enemy’s lies to meticulously defeat our faith that this is so?

It is time to stop these audacious lies this minute. It will take a deep drenching of verse above in our souls and a willful choice of our thoughts and the authority of Jesus’ name, but His words are truth. They are the heart of Christmas.

Let’s let His words rule each of our hearts and minds this wondrous season.

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Just As You Say...

Ready for some dream surrendering?

“And Mary said,
Yes, I see it all now:
I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
just as you say.”
Luke 1:38 MSG

Nope, I’m not saying to give up on your God-given dreams – I will leave self-ambitious dreams for another devotional – I am simply saying: we could learn a few things from Mary.

Well, at the least there is one thing we should truly consider – the surrender of how our dreams will come true. A surrender of our plans, purposes, the how-to’s, the timing of our hopes and goals in exchange for God’s plans, purposes, how-to’s and timing. Just like Mary we need to say to King Jesus: I see the vision, but I surrender the details to you.

I am fairly certain that long, arduous travel, no place to lay her head, cows, donkeys, and sheep were not on Mary’s radar. Also add taxes, can’t forget those pesky taxes! However, I doubt whether radiant stars, angels singing, Shekinah glory, and wise men with gifts were in her thoughts either...

So, what are our Jesus-driven dreams for our lives? How about letting Him do the details? How about a hands-off surrender with abandon approach to how He accomplishes our deepest desires? I know from Mary’s story, it will be glorious when we do.

Oh, Holy Night...

The Christmas story can sound ever so foolish to some...

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;"
1 Corinthians 1:27

God became man and was born among cows and chickens and pigs – well, maybe not pigs if the owners of the stall were practicing Hebrews – and dogs and cats and yes, lambs?

Just wondering. Quite possibly, the things going on in our lives right now may seem downright foolish or weak: our failings, falters, or circumstances. But, isn’t this the opportunity for the power of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit to take the very things that have overcome, plagued, and harassed us, and turn them on their heads to God’s glory?

This Christmas season let’s give the Lord Jesus our foolishness – which has possibly brought us past shame – and let Him transform those areas and situations in our lives into the light of His glory. He can do it.

This is the power of Christmas.
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At the Start of This Week...

In the midst of this Christmas season...

At the start of this week...

Should the stores be too frantic, the lines too long, and the wallet too thin, stop and hear the Lord’s still small voice. Let His words of hope and joy fill you.
Romans 5:5

Should you already feel defeated before you have even stepped out the door, remember Paul’s words of truth: you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you! Lean wholly into His amazing love until it drips from your life to others. Too busy? Cool your jets! Everyone around you will sense His peace when you let His peace reign in your heart.
Romans 8:37

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

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At the Start of the Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your Christmas tree fall over, your pocketbook is beyond empty, and your heart feels ambushed, take a minute alone. Breathe deeply of the Holy Spirit within you. He can unfurl new strength into your weary soul, your over-scheduled life, and the to-do lists that are out of control. Spend some time with the One and Only who alone can restore and refresh you. Ponder His words. What is He saying to you? Now listen and respond.

Should your spouse be unresponsive, your kids uncooperative, and your dog just downright unruly, maybe they are picking up on your stress. Yes, really. Draw close your Heavenly Father who will caress you in His embrace, calm your raging storms, and speak peace into your situations. Stop and look for His wonder during this special season...you don’t want to miss His kisses to you.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!  1 John 4:4

New Beginnings and Other Such Gifts...

Would you like a fresh start?

“Through the tender mercy of our God, 
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;”
Luke 1:78

You know, this is what Christmas is all about. Fresh starts, new beginnings, and changes in direction.

I am referring to our lives here. Even Jesus’ name given in this verse as Dayspring, means light rising, first light, morning star...all these definitions speaking to our hearts that in Him, we can have a fresh beginning. My husband and I loved this word so much, Dayspring, that we gave our oldest daughter this name.

Just one caveat. We can’t keep doing life the same old way and expect fresh results from our Lord.

Nope, I don’t mean work harder, try more, be someone you aren’t. However, we can’t keep making our own plans and asking God to bless them. We can’t keep putting activities, relationships, and goals as our first priority and not spend time daily with the Master and breathing in His presence and His Word.

If we make this one change of laying down our will and making time to be with Him, we will be changed. Make His pleasure the driving force in Your life and the addictions and behaviors you have been working so hard to distance yourself from will literally lose their hold. But you have to make this one change to experience dayspring in your own life...

So come. Now. Daily. Forever.

Be Still...

Right now, I am taking a dose of my own medicine! Rather, I am taking a dose of the powerful word of God. Really...

"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10

It is going to be a crazy day and my minutes to Christmas are nearly all spoken for. By my count, I am already a million minutes over my time budget and I still have a million or more things to do. Can you relate?

But I’m going to go and be still for a bit and know that He is God!

I have already spent quiet time with Him this morning, but this season calls for an extra portion of His presence and His purpose in my life. It is late in the evening, other activities beckon, but they can wait because I need to wait – on Him.

Do you want to join me and savor His presence?? I know He will take care of everything else.

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this busy, crazy, wonder-filled Christmas-time week…

Should you grow weary, tired, impatient, or just plain done – remember Mary. She was having a rough go about this time too. Nevertheless, her trust was in the One who loved her beyond reason.  Luke 2:5

Should you feel like you aren’t enough, have enough, or do enough –  consider the shepherds. Their job was pretty much out-of-site, out-of-the-limelight, and out-of-reach from the nearest paparazzi. Yet, God chose them to be the bearers and witnesses of the Savior’s birth. He sees you, too!  Luke 2:8-15

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!   1 John 4:4

Silent Night...

Silent Night. Holy Night...

When our Savior entered the world as a wee babe – fully God and fully man – He was entering enemy territory.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."  Ephesians 6:12

Jesus’ walk upon earth was a rescue mission and things haven’t changed since He first came. In this passage, we hear the urgency in the Apostle Paul’s voice for the church to wake up. To put on the armor of God and do battle against the enemy. Not against people.

How quickly I get my eyes on stuff, situations, and yes, others, when the real conflict is against demon hordes and the enemy himself? Yet, Jesus has called us to be an army that battles – on our knees.

What are you facing? Who are you directing your anger, anguish, or irritation towards? It might be time to let the Holy Spirit reveal what is really going on and who the real culprit is. Then and only then, real victory can be secured in Jesus’ Name.

Feel free to share...

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Rabbit Trail Thinking...

Are you an obsessive thinker?

"You will keep him in perfect peace, 
Whose mind is stayed on You, 
Because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3

I once was an obsessive thinker, or as a friend stated I was an OCD – obsessive compulsive thinker. I have read that those who are obsessive thinkers are more prone to depression, apprehension, anxiety, and all sorts of physical ailments. Yes really. It is a pretty serious matter.

Here, I can’t even begin to scratch the surface of this tormenting behavior, but I do know the place to start and that is King Jesus. Read the verse above again. There is hope, there is healing in Him. The phrase “perfect peace” is the Hebrew word shalom, repeated twice here in the verse. Shalom, shalom, perfect wholeness, wellness, prosperity of soul, goodness, peace, and tranquility. A double portion of these amazing words is the inheritance of every believer.

If you need medical attention, get it. If you need counseling, find a Bible-based, Spirit-filled counselor. In my opinion we ALL need counseling – I sure did and now I am a pastoral counselor and have seen countless folks set free from the oppression of unhealthy thinking.

So, with the Holy Spirit’s help, practice training your thoughts upon Him and not the nearest rabbit trail that will lead you spiraling downward. Jesus can heal your thoughts, your fears, and your concerns. Make the exchange of your thoughts for thoughts bound to Him. Start to TRUST Him and see your life transformed one step at a time.

On the Good Side of Goodwill...

Do you ever feel like – God is against you?

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14

I lived for years as if the Lord Jesus wasn’t for me. I did. I had this undercurrent of thought that God was against me. This untruth was seated at the core of my being and although it was a lie of the enemy, it was how I genuinely felt. And believed. It was just like a little black cloud that followed me, even when everything in God’s Word told me otherwise.

Have you ever felt that way?

There may be a myriad of reasons why we succumb to believing that God isn’t really for us. Maybe we simply don’t know God’s Word for ourselves or know it and don’t believe it is true. I mean, really. Maybe we simply don’t feel good or worthy enough. Maybe we don’t have a deep interaction with the Holy Spirit Who assures us of Jesus’ love. Whatever the root, it is a lie from the pit of hell.

So, read again the angel’s proclamation quoted above and be reminded that Jesus’ coming is good news. He is FOR you. Nope, you and I are not good or worthy enough and never will be. Yet, Jesus came to rescue our broken and battered lives. He came to take the bad and make it His wondrously good. He is always for you even when you aren’t for Him and nothing will ever change that.

So, be encouraged this Christmas season. Tell the enemy’s thoughts in your mind to take a hike in the Name of Jesus. Dig into God’s Word and let it saturate your soul till any black clouds have no room to germinate. And then live in His extravagant peace and goodwill in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Because that His heart toward you.

At the Start of the Week...

At the start of this week…

If your kids are whining, your workmates are irritating, and the neighbors won't mow their lawn, it is probably a sign your soul is running on empty! It is time to get filled up, saturated, and doused in the Holy Spirit. Get alone with the Lord and His Word, rest in His presence, and get fueled up to greet the week ahead.
Psalm 63:1-2

If you feel burnt out, stressed out, or wiped out – again, it is time to return to the living waters of the Holy Spirit. Are you unsure about His work in you? It is time to spend some time getting to know Who He is. Take a look at the Gospel of John, Chapters 14, 15, and 16. Don’t remain a desert when you can become an oasis.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

The Most wonderful Time of the Year...

Okay, yesterday was Black Friday, the official start of the Christmas season...

"For unto us a Child is born...”
Isaiah 9:6

And I for one, could not be happier. The Christmas season IS the most wonderful time of year. Along with spring, summer, and fall. No joke. When I started living a lot more for Jesus and a lot less for myself, every day of life has become a wonderland.

Nope, it wasn’t always this way for me. Even though I truly loved the Lord ardently and was serving in full-time, pastoral ministry. I was a hot mess of distracting thoughts, living in lies I believed about myself, a little enamored with the world’s way of doing life, not too mention a few strongholds in my soul that hindered living life joyfully. At one point I began to even dread rolling out of the bed each morning.

That all changed not too many years ago when I began living life surrendered --I mean really surrendered. When the sweet Holy Spirit wooed me to live hands off with an utter abandonment of my dreams, my hopes, my way of doing and wanting things to the Son who was given at Christmas. Now every day is an adventure – a wonderland filled with His goodness -- even when circumstances seem difficult. And there is life. And inexpressible joy. Yep, surrender can still be a struggle sometimes, but anything less – is just that -- less.

So, I love Christmas. I love every day. Because I, who once lived in despair, now have every reason to wake up each new day and watch His wonder unfold.

I Know Him (even if not very well, yet)...

“You know Me, Sue...”

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."
2 Timothy 1:12

I know that I don’t have the corner in knowing the Creator of the Universe, however – I DO know Him. This One, who healed me of terminal Stage 4 Cancer, this One who has rescued each of our children, this One who has come through financially for us for too many years to count, this One who delivered me from the addictions of fantasy and an eating disorder, This One who released me from depression some years ago. I know Him. I have been a student of His Word for many years. I feel His presence and I am comfortable watching the Holy Spirit at work.

I may not know Him well, nevertheless, I do know Him.

Yet, a few weeks ago when I got some unexpected, not so pleasant news, I felt fear rise. Yet Jesus said to me – in His still small voice that can whisper in my soul, yet stop the raging storms of hell, “You know Me, Sue.”

That is all He had to say. I am waiting, trusting, and I am confident that He holds this unfinished business of ours in His mighty hands. I know Him and He is all I need to know.

Do you need a reminder that you know Him, too? A reminder that He has never failed you? Remember Who you know and walk in His pure joy, no matter what you are currently facing.

He’s got it and He’s got you.

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