At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

When each minute brings news of uncertainty, sickness, and death, it is time to lean hard into the One who holds us in His all-powerful grip. When our joy level is challenged, our fears arise, or we just plain want things to go back to normal, it is time to recognize the call to greater prayer in His felt presence. You, me, we have an assignment. Let’s rise to the occasion of Holy Spirit intercession for the sick, the sorrowing, our nation’s health-care workers, and our hospitals.

During this trying time, when our bank accounts look dismal, our job status appears bleak, or the future seems iffy, it’s time to get real with God. Have a simple, genuine heart-to-heart with Him. Get all your concerns out and into His hands until you experience His peace that passes understanding. He knows, He cares, He will provide, He will come through, and He is able to meet your every need. These are difficult days, but Jesus said it would be so. He also said He has overcome (John 16:33)

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 significant in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

I Will...

As we press through this incredible season of upheaval due to the current health crisis, perhaps it is time to drink the “I will” passages of God’s Word.

"…I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10b

Are you tempted to be fearful, anxious, or discouraged, may I suggest that you turn to these passages and let the Holy Spirit breathe fresh faith into your soul. Take a look at Exodus 6:6-8 or Isaiah 41:10-20. Underline in your Bible or Bible app how many times the Lord Almighty promises that He will come through for you. Meditate and yes, soak in His Word and presence until His peace restores your heart.

Certainly, we must and can encourage one another through these waves of uncertainty. Nevertheless, it is only the Lord Jesus’ voice that can cut to the chase and reach our hearts with His comfort and promises by the Holy Spirit. His Word and His report are the only ones that matter. Really.

He is waiting for you to come to Him, and He is more than willing to grant His promises.

Join Me for a Northern California Equip Conference!

Last summer, the Lord gave me a dream for a women’s conference where women would not only hear compelling speakers but also experience Him personally in a more profound way to receive release from the past, encouragement for today, and a word for tomorrow. Equip Conferences was born, and we are having our first two conferences in northern California:

March 13 -14, Home Church, Fairfield, CA

May 1-2, The Rock Church, Danville, CA

I would love for you to prayerfully consider joining me at one of these events or consider having your church host a future Equip Conference. For more info and to register: Click Here

I promise not to bombard you with emails about this (for real!). And please forgive if you received more than one of these emails today if you subscribe to more than one of my regular posts.I am so excited for what God has in store of women of all ages and backgrounds.

Register early for a chance to win a $50 Ulta Gift Card!

Adopted...

A few years ago, I met a lovely, sweetheart of a young woman, maybe nineteen years of age. She generously shared her story with me... 

Her parents had both passed into the Lord’s presence; one parent when she was a mere toddler and the other when she was seventeen. Though she was now an adult, the Christian family she lived with legally adopted her as their own, even though they still had growing children. This beautiful princess positively glowed with happiness because she had been chosen; she belonged to someone.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Romans 8:15-16

I felt led to share this passage with her. She drank in its words slowly. She realized how miraculous and marvelous the Lord Jesus was to also adopt her because of love alone. Abba Daddy.

I watched her linger in these beloved verses, which proceed to proclaim that we are joint-heirs with Christ. I knew she understood the cost and the choice of adoption. She understood the sacrifice of the benevolent, love-beyond-reason decision to make us His own. And that warms my heart at this moment. I hope it warms your heart, too.

A New Thing...

I am the first one to admit that I do not like change very much...

"But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved." Luke 5:38

God is all about change. He is all about creativity. He is the One who flung the stars into the heavens like so much loose glitter, birthed each of us, no two alike, and orchestrates the individual movement of each ocean wave. Yes, the Lord is always up to something new.

I cannot take for granted how He will mastermind His work in my life. And, I cannot assume or presume that if He worked one way at one time, He would do the same thing the next time.

New wine is the power of Pentecost, the power of the Holy Spirit. If I am going to be a new wineskin that the Holy Spirit can use to minister His love and healing to people, I have to be open to His creativity at all times. Yes, I can and should stand on God’s Word, but I must always remember that His Living Word, the Lord Jesus John 1:14, usually does not do the same thing twice.

In other words, be open for the Lord Jesus to surprise you!

Accepted...

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 thought I had these yearnings because I was an only child. Yet I had loads of friends and a pretty fantastic marriage. Still, longing remained. Next came three beautiful 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 am accepted in the Beloved. My longings found total fulfillment.

A funny thing happened. Realizing I was fully embraced by Lord Jesus freed me from the need to be accepted by anyone else. Those around me experienced release from the task of meeting my insatiable need to feel like I belonged. Joy overwhelmed my life and splashed onto others who were then captivated by the beyond reason love of God.

Do you still long to belong? Soak, meditate, and marinate in the truth of God’s Word. You are accepted by the only One who truly matters. Ask the Holy Spirit to make this real to you. His acceptance will overtake and fill your being.

At the Start of this Week...

At the start of this week…

As we sorrow, lament, and mourn so much death, loss, and suffering, remember, our Lord Jesus is greater still. He never promised we wouldn’t experience pain in this life, but He promised His felt presence and power to walk us through it, over it, and out of it. Remember, the Lord tenderly holds our every tear in His nail-scarred hand, and He knows a thing or two about suffering. He is the only One who can provide us with peace.

As we face tasks, duties, and deadlines, let’s keep our hearts and minds saturated with God’s Word and faithfulness. As we encounter obstacles, red lights, speed bumps, and yes, ornery people, let’s invite the Holy Spirit’s fullness to invade our being and splash over to the weary hearts we encounter. Let’s let Him fill us up, pour us out, and come back to the well His presence that will never run dry.

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 astounding in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 1 John 4:4

But God...

But God.

Really. Honestly. These are two Bible words that can transform your life...

“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him.” Acts 7:9

Have you guessed? The words are: ‘But God...’

These words can change everything for you. In the context of this passage, Stephen is retelling Joseph’s horrific abuse story that was turned on a dime into glory, honor, position, and healing. This means, no one else can ruin your life. No matter what someone has done to you, no matter how appalling and painful –‘But God’ – can change everything. But God...is with you.

My dear friend, Alicen, kept repeating to me, “But God...” when incurable cancer had come back into my body for the third time. This time my oncologists and surgeons were telling me, “This is the end, Sue.” However, Alicen kept saying to me, “It doesn’t matter what the diagnosis is... ‘But God’ changes everything.” It did. I was operated upon, partial segments of several organs were taken. No cancer could be found anywhere. But God...

Where in your life do you need a ‘But God’ moment? It is time to believe He IS with you and He desires for you to know Him intimately in this season of trial. Yes. Anything is possible when we answer tragedy, tears, or terror with the words, “But God is with me.”

Kingdom Come...

The simple blueprint for spiritual warfare is found in the Lord’s prayer...

“So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”
Luke 11:2

Over and over in the gospels of the New Testament, we hear Jesus talk about His kingdom. And yes, of course, we all look forward to that day when we experience His kingdom when we pass into His presence.

However, kingdom living is for now. Jesus came to this planet ruled by our adversary, the devil, to establish His reign in those who would believe in Him. In other words, the Lord is telling us that in every dark and desperate situation we face, we can pray; we can declare, “Your kingdom come into this situation!” And we speak with the authority He has given us to use, “In Jesus’ Name!”

No, this side of heaven, we might not see every victory, but we won’t see much at all if we don’t start praying and declaring His Word of truth. This is not passively praying, this is bringing the power of Almighty God into everyday life. Let’s start now.

Everyone...

One thing the manger reveals to us – Jesus is inclusive...

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me,
and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
John 6:37

Everyone can approach a manger. Everyone can approach Jesus. Everyone.

The only folks who can’t come – those who are excluded – are the ones who think they are too good for a stable, too superior to need help, or too proud to bow their knee. These excluded folks have trouble with Jesus. Sometimes, I am this type of folk.

Jesus simply says come – no matter your past, no matter your pay-grade, no matter your persuasion about anything. Simply come. The Holy Spirit will do the transforming and we, myself included, need to stop the judging.

So, wretched sinner that I am – yet, being transformed by His power – I come to the manger. I come to bow at the animals’ rugged food trough – now turned into His throne of blazing, sovereign glory – with humble praise. All because...at the manger, He included me.

He Came for Me...

There is a line from a Christmas carol that wrecks me every time...

Til He appeared...and the soul felt its worth.

I, for one, spent many years feeling worthless. Never mind my adoring parents and joyful childhood. My self-loathing was a product of simply being born into a broken, fallen world which the enemy of my soul rules. I masked this self-loathing in a cloak of pride, but that is another story. The wonder of it is – Jesus set me free from the tyranny of this lie regarding my worth and continues to release me from its grip.

Jesus came for the sick...the sick at heart.  Mark 2:17

I have met people – many people – who think their self-sufficiency is all they need. They really do seem to have it all together. I am afraid for these people. I am afraid they will miss what He has for them. I am afraid they will never learn that He can carry the load and they don’t have to prove anything anymore. Is this you?

What a relief to know He is everything. And what joy it is for me to know: this messed up girl is now the most valuable thing in His heart. And, you are too.

The Story of Christmas...

Do you have messy stuff in your life right now? I do...

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
Luke 2:7

I love that the story of Christmas is God coming down into the midst of messiness. Our messiness. Manger, stable, cows, sheep, and goat’s kind of messiness. The stuff that trips us up so much, but when He is invited in, these situations and surroundings of ours encounter holiness, healthiness, soundness, and unspeakable joy.

The divine encountering our real-life issues and changing them from the ragged, torn, worn, and weary to robes of glory.

What situation in your soul or life do you need to invite Him to invade? I just spent some time with Him and He lifted my burden and replaced it with His presence and promise. Let Jesus do this for you, too, don’t waste another minute carrying a messy load that only He can transform.

Silent Night, Holy 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.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should you be feeling forlorn, forgotten, or you are in a fog of confusion – it is time to break free and have a breakthrough with Jesus. Your portion in Christ is fullness of joy, hope, life, and a future. Spend some time with the Savior in fresh surrender, lay down your plans for His, and get a brand new word from His Word. Jesus is faithful.
Romans 14:17

Should you be exhausted, edgy, eating too much, spending too much, or you are just plainly in a downward spiral, it is time to look up! Your Redeemer is closer than your next breath. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your tank to overflowing and remember His gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Don’t leave home without them.

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

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should life seem daunting at work, in school, or with family, Jesus tells us to take one day at a time. Listen to this instruction! His constant grace and power will be more than enough to meet your daily demands as you lean wholly into Him. Matthew 6:34

Should you find yourself feeling weak, about to cave, and you can’t take another step forward, let Him carry you. Find Jesus beside the still waters of time spent with Him. Think of all the things you have to be grateful for and let Jesus’ joy flood your soul and spirit. The joy of the Lord is your strength, not your bank account, your friends, or your good looks. Okay, I had to throw that in there for fun! Psalm 23:2

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

{Greetings from Taiwan!! We enter our second week of ministry here and the Lord is up to wonderful things. I am praying for you. Have an amazing week in our God! Also, it is not too late to join Online Bible Study on Facebook as we explore a month of Thanksgiving through the Scriptures. Here is the link to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1617984088500686/ or go to Instagram @crosspointe_biblestudy}

Walk Softly...

I will never forget the wisest words I ever heard outside of God’s Word…

“Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:10

Many years ago, Randy and I, and the school of ministry where we were students, took a “field trip” to the South American country of Columbia. We sat for about ten days under the wise tutelage of an older, married couple who were missionaries there. John and Jean Firth had labored several years there without seeing much fruit in their ministry. And then, they received the overflow or baptism of the Holy Spirit. All heaven broke loose.

In the remaining decades of their lives, the Firth’s ministry produced at least 800 other churches. Many with congregations in the thousands. Together, they saw the blind see, the lame walk, demons cast out, and the dead raised to life and almost all of these miracles are documented. Jean herself had been miraculously healed of tuberculosis.

When one of our fellow students asked what their secret to seeing these amazing miracles in the Name of Jesus, she paused and quietly stated, “I’ve learned to walk softly with God.”

I think Paul knew how to walk softly with God, too. And I believe He is extending the invitation to us. I am saying, “Yes,” to Him. I want to learn to grow in this as well. You, too? Why don’t we bow our heads in prayer right now? Because the world is waiting to see Him through us.

Holy Hush . . .

Are you...ummmm...living with some confusion in your life right now?

When I thought how to understand this,

It was too painful for me—

Until I went into the sanctuary of God;

Then I understood their end.

Psalm 73:16-17

The Psalmist who authored these verses found himself in the same predicament, too.

Why this, Lord? Why that, Jesus? Why do the wicked seem to succeed and I struggle? Have you ever had these thoughts? Join the rest of mankind.

I am not totally adept at this by a long shot, but the key to finding peace, answers, and direction is found in these words: “Until I went into the sanctuary of God.” That means His presence which can be found in your backyard, your bedroom, or any quiet place where you can find a holy hush.

How many of us are content to live with questions and confusion because we just won’t take the time to sit in His Presence; to sit at the feet of God all comfort, power, and knowledge? No, we might not get all the answers, but I can guarantee you that you will begin to find peace and guidance. Really. I can promise you that. Because God’s Word promises you that He will meet with you.

So, don’t go down the path of complaining, whining, and every other indulgence that keeps you from genuine, lavish, shalom – the peace that only He can give. Simply get on your knees before Him – and stay awhile. 

{Dear Ladies who originally joined the Weekly Devotional Subscription for Grace in the Dark, well, I am still writing it! However, I am taking a break from working on it until after Christmas. In the meantime, I will be posting short devotionals weekly, similar to the one above. Thank you for your patience!! Love, Sue}

Be Still . . .

Honestly. It is about the hardest thing in the world to do...

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

I mean really, now. It is tough sledding -- to be still.

Take if from one who can have a million thoughts a minute, who tends to over schedule, double and triple book herself, and is pretty-darn selfish.

I mean -- still – can be hard. But I had to start somewhere. Jesus was calling about fourteen years ago and this time, He wouldn’t take no for answer. Out of my crazy-busy life – can anyone relate? – He called me to come and sit with for a while. He called me to come and feast. He called me to come and get healed. remember, I once had Stage 4 terminal cancer? He called me to come and have peace for what could have been a tornado of thoughts.

It is not rocket science. You don’t have to be spiritual. Bring your addictions and your habits, He has a trade-in for you. You don’t have to be perfect – who is? Just come. Get Quiet. Don’t talk, let Him do the talking. And let His presence meet your every need.

He IS God.

Quiet the Tumult . . .

I often think how noisy the enemy of our souls is…

For behold, Your enemies make a tumult... They have...consulted together against Your sheltered ones. Psalm 85:2-3

The trouble is, our lives are just plain noisy enough without his help. We get so busy; so many things, events, and people tugging at us in every direction. Then, add the pull of social media. Bible teacher, Beth Moore, calls this the captivity of activity.

Yes, it is the stuff of living in this day and age. Our enemy – the devil – can be right in the midst of making so much noise and so much distraction that we can completely miss the Lord’s voice to us altogether.

I alone hold the volume tuner to my heart and mind. I hear the Holy Spirit best when I am quiet, alone for a bit, and expectant. This takes practice. This takes time. It will be opposed. I have to choose what is most important – Him! And let the rest of life’s noise fall away.

Do you have a lot of noise in your life right now? It’s time to get quiet. Time for some nose-in-the-carpet time. Time for some genuine worship all by yourself. It is time to let the Prince of Peace call the playbook of our lives and quiet the tumult.

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Hi Everyone! For those following Grace in the Dark, I am still writing it, however, it is a bit on hold while I finish up another project. So for now…I will be sending these short devotionals that I hope He will use to encourage your heart…

Grace in the Dark - Post #27

Hi Everyone! So sorry for the delay! Summer became very hectic. You too? So now we are starting Chapter 4 of Grace in the Dark, the book I am prayerfully writing. Don’t worry if you are just joining, I believe you can still receive quite a bit from this teaching. Unfortunately, this is the rough draft of this chapter and I know it will undergo many edits. Nevertheless, let’s get started!

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“Just stop it!”

The crowd of pastors broke out into laughter when Pastor Jerry Cook exclaimed this phrase – just stop it – was the key to all counseling. Pastor Jerry was the keynote speaker at a large gathering of pastors who full well knew that if they could stop folks from the behaviors that beset their lives, all would be better for them. Nevertheless, Pastor Jerry knew better, too – people can’t just stop a lot of their unhealthy behaviors, but boy oh boy if they could. If we could. If I could have.

If I could have stopped binging and purging, if I could have stopped fantasizing and day-dreaming hours on end, and if I could have stopped the little blue cloud of depression that seemed to follow me everywhere – well, I would have. But I couldn’t stop.

The agreements we make with the enemy about the lies he whispers to us about ourselves and about God become places of bondage. Bible teacher Beth Moore explains that a stronghold of behavior in our lives is exactly that: a place – the topos Paul spoke of – where the enemy has a strong hold on us.

We wonder why we can’t just stop. Or why we can muster up enough gumption to have self-control for a few days, maybe a few weeks, but then fall off the wagon again. Like a hamster on a wheel, we think if we just keep at it, someday all of our prayers and trying harder will finally break the back of the weight of sin we carry in certain areas of our lives.

When we can’t seem to say no, or we are unable to go for very long without indulging in the habits or hang-ups that plague us, our inability to choose the right path may indicate an area of our souls where demonic oppression may be harassing us. Now, don’t become alarmed regarding this possibility. Oh my, I know it sounds terrible. The thought of demons conjures up all kinds of images and fears, however, God’s Word tells us the truth about these limited beings.

Most Bible scholars agree that our adversary, the devil, was most likely an anointed cherub (Ezekiel 28:14-15) whom God created. The enemy was cast out of heaven when his heart became filled and lifted-up with pride and he attempted to call himself a god (Ezekiel 28:2-6,17). With Satan’s fall, it is believed that a third of God’s angelic beings went with him (Revelation 12:4). Nevertheless, the devil is in no way a peer of God and he is absolutely unlike our Heavenly Father in every way…

·        He is finite – he is one being

·        He is not omnipresent – he can only be in one place at a time

·        He is not omniscient – he is not all-knowing

·        He is not omnipotent – he is not all-powerful

·        He has a little bit of might – but he is not the Almighty God

·        He is a liar, deceiver, and accuser

·        He has never and will never reign supreme (Revelation 20:10)

The devil’s minions – the fallen angels, recognized by the Bible as demon spirits – have no physical form. The Greek New Testament word for spirit – pneuma – means breath, breeze, wind. These formless spirits have little to no power except for what we allow them to have. As we read about Jesus’ earthly life and ministry through the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – we discover that approximately a third of His ministry dealt with facing demonic oppression head on in people. Jesus broke the hold and influence of varying demonic spirits within them – either physically, mentally, or emotionally –and He cast these badgering demons from the individual’s life.

Many of us today think the work of demons is long gone and over. We may consider that in this day and age, we are simply too sophisticated and knowledgeable to think they still exist. Nevertheless, if we believe the whole God’s Word, we must recognize this truth that Lord Jesus spoke of the devil as the ruler of this world (John 12:31, John 16:11.) Until Christ returns to reign over this planet, the devil, through his ungodly spirit hordes, still attempts to ensnare us today. Do you see the possibilities in your own life where you may have a stronghold that you can’t seem to get past?

To be continued in the next post…