Precious Words...

I just experienced something...wonder-filled...

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16

Just now...I came from meeting with a brand new believer in Jesus. We have been meeting in that great discipleship gathering hall: MickyD’s. Though middle-aged (though forty is the new twenty!) ...she read John 3:16...for the very first time in her life.

This verse that contains the whole of the gospel...well...it never loses...its punch. It never loses...its tenderness. The heart of God poured out for His wayward children. For God so loved...

Two things: Who do you have in your life...that needs someone to walk with them in either their Journey TO Jesus...or IN Jesus?

And...don’t those precious...most powerful words...say it all?

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…

Should you wake up in the morning tired, crabby, cranky…you name it! Fall to your knees asap! He is waiting to restore and refresh you. He has assignments for you that you don’t want to miss. He has a loving word to whisper in your ear that you need to hear! And see…if the His Spirit doesn’t lift you on eagle’s wings!

Should your scale look high, your bank account low, and your relationship with your bff, spouse, kids, co-workers, or school-mates be sagging in the middle somewhere…look to the Lord for HIS wisdom. What you have been doing may not be working. He will give you new direction and vision.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will 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 Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

Feel free to share....

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(photo: Ashley Jael on Instagram w.permission!)

You Follow Me...

These words are for us...

“Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
John 21:22

In other words...“Quit comparing!”

For years I compared myself with others...I was either hoping that I could be like someone I saw or silently rejoicing that I wasn't similar to someone else. What poison comparison was to my soul!

I've learned the hard way (truly the School of Hard Knocks isn't all that it's cracked up to be!). The only thing I need to focus on is what Jesus is doing in my life and following closely behind Him. It is foolhardy to look to the right or the left of any path He leads me on and it is even more disastrous when I try to take someone else's path that He doesn't have for me to travel.

This is true discipleship...this is true communion with Christ.

Take it from me...a former comparer extraordinaire... there is no better way to live than have Jesus be the only One you want to emulate and follow.

Feel free to share...

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(photo: Ashley Jael with permission)

Loss...

I just heard about someone’s great loss.

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”  Psalm 34:18

In this life...on this broken planet... we will all suffer loss...a miscarriage...a child possibly...a dear sister or brother...parents...a most beloved spouse. As you read this, I am sure a loved one’s name has entered your mind.

In these times...we have to cling to the One and Only. We have to bury our snotty noses in His robes and not let go. He dosen’t mind...His arms are open...and they close around us. Nevertheless...We have to come to Him...and not run away.

The Hebrew word used for contrite in the verse above...literally means someone crushed to dust. Some of us stay in that crushed place...but we don’t have to. We need to take all the dust and ashes of...loss...and let Him sort it out. It will take time...but time is in His hands. He will walk you out of the valley of the shadow of death...and sadness.

Let the great Healer of Hearts...begin to heal your broken heart...today.

(Feel free to share with anyone with a broken heart right now...)

It Happened at Macy's...

It happened during the holidays...at Macy’s...

I realize it isn’t Christmas and that a devotional blog doesn’t usually talk about Macys...however...

The store was packed. The store was beautiful. And...there were wall-to-wall people. I was meeting my husband at a designated time...in a designated place.

By some minor miracle...I arrived first. Tons of shoppers hustling and bustling behind me as I stopped to look at something. Then I heard...in the midst of the overhead music...the customers...the employees...I heard someone clear their throat. I knew it was Randy.

“But He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.”
John 10:2-3

I just want to hear the Lord’s voice that way, too. I want to know Him so intimately...all He has to do is clear His throat in the midst of the din of life...and I answer His call.

Hmmmmmmmmm.......

I think King Jesus might be a foodie.

I mean, really. We find Him in the scriptures always eating with someone. In all four Gospels…we find Him feeding thousands. We see Him break bread with a tax collector. He took great care in the preparations for His final meal before the cross…and…after He rose from the dead…He even cooks up breakfast for the guys.

I just looked up the definition of “foodie.” Webster’s states that it someone who and enjoys and cares about food very much. Hmmmm…

Well…on second thought. Maybe…it is not so much the meal where He finds enjoyment and care…it is the company He invites…

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”   Revelation 3:20

This verse wrecks me every time.

He is after…me…and…you. It is the pleasure of our company He is after. It is our care…He seeks to provide. He is knocking in this moment…

I think it is time to open the door.

(If this was encouraging...be sure to click on the title...go to the blog page...and click the heart!)

Yesterday...October 26...

October 26...I had almost forgotten...

Today is the seven year anniversary of entering an emergency room with abdominal pain and leaving the hospital a week later with an incurable cancer diagnosis and a seven month prognosis to live. Seven months...to seven years. To God be the glory.

I know...you may have heard this story...a crazy amount of times...however.

I hold my life lightly. I can honestly say I have never questioned “why?” or demanded I live. Jesus holds my breath in His hands...and each breath has been sweet. That He told me two weeks before this date seven years ago...directly out of Isaiah 41...that something was coming, but I didn’t need to be afraid. Well...that to me is the most marvelous part of the story. Our Lord is the real deal. He is still in the miracle-working business. He is true and faithful

I don’t know what you need to day...but please don’t delay in putting it squarely into Jesus’ hands. He will take care of you...if you let Him. That’s the decision we each have to make. To make Him Lord of ...our lives. Three more grandchildren, oldest daughter’s remarriage, a 40-year wedding anniversary to my dream man, and a thriving church later...I am grateful. Oh...so grateful to the One and Only Savior.

Feel free to share...

At the Start of this Week...

At the start of this week…

If we get our feelings hurt…or we hurt someone else’s heart…let’s be quick to make amends, right wrongs, talk to the person(s)…in other words, do what Jesus told us to do: get things out in the open with mercy and grace so that the enemy doesn’t get the opp to ensnare us in anyway.    Luke 17:4

If money seems tight, and our need and want lists seem…ohhh…soooo….long, let’s remember life’s true priorities: Him, Him, and only Him. Honest…if we put Jesus first for ALL the details, He will guide and provide for us what is most needed.    Matthew 6:33

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will 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 Who is in you is greater than anything!   1 John 4:4

Faith...

Nobody can do it for us…we have to carry our own shield.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Ephesians 6:16

Faith is a growing process for sure, but there are two ways the Scriptures speak of…

One: Know His Word inside-out-and-backward. His Holy Spirit breathed Word…ignites the flame of faith in our soul and spirit…like nothing else can. We need to endeavor to be soaked, drenched, and saturated…in the Word…for ourselves. Without guilt…and with a new translation!

Two: Know the Author of the Bible inside-out-and backward. It’s hard to trust someone you don’t know personally. Being in His presence…alone…under the shadow of His wings. As often as possible.

At the end of the day, let this piece of our Armor…the shield of faith in Him…be the one we lift high and... effortlessly.

The devil’s darts...will drop to the ground.

Feel free to share...

Teeter-Totter...

Tell me. Which end of the teeter-totter do you sit on?

Some of us are content with the pure emotion of loving and experiencing the love of our One and Only Lord. We love being enveloped in His embrace...His presence in the midst of a worship service...and being overwhelmed in His indescribable joy. Others of us...well if it can’t be tested, tried, and found true by the Scriptures...you are outta here, baby! Too much emotion...well...you are in the flesh...and that is from the pit.

All I’m sayin’ is...We have to sit on the fulcrum.

“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

Let’s sit dead in the center with Paul. A student of God’s Word, he knew it backward and forward; upside-down and right-side up. He was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. Paul experienced the love of God shed lavishly in his heart. He couldn’t have suffered for the gospel with such abandon if he hadn’t known the Savior...oh...so...personally. And yet...the power of God’s Word trumped his emotions when circumstances...were out of control.

Are you a student? Are you a lover?  With Jesus...we gotta be both.

Be sure to follow me on instagram: sue_boldt; or on Facebook: Sue Boldt CrossPointe Ministries...Let's follow HIM together!

Pure and Simple...

Been there. Done that.

When our lives feel heavy...our prayers powerless...our time in the Word lackluster...the sense of His presence only a memory. We have taken a detour somewhere. Usually a detour from His grace. And His love.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome.”
1 John 5:3

It’s hard to imagine the words “grace” and “commandments” in the same sentence. Nevertheless they belong together. Jesus' commandments? He tells us to love Him first...and everybody else the way we want to be loved (Mark 12:30-31). And when that is difficult...or a burden...we are trying to live in Him...in our own strength. Pure and simple.

So if you came to read this feeling...guilt, heaviness, shame, discouragement, less-than...well...just knock it off. Really. Don’t receive these lies from the pit. Because...

“For if our heart condemns us,
God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”
1 John 3:20

Time to take a load off at the feet of King Jesus.

If you were encouraged by this post...please consider sharing on Facebook! Thanks so much. Sue Bee

(photo: Maritza Grissom)

The One...

Going after…the…one…

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?  Matthew 18:12

I was that…one. Both before coming to Jesus…and after. Yes…I have strayed a few times in my life…and…I imagine that you may have too. Maybe you are lost on the mountain even now as you read this.

I am told that sheep really aren’t dumb…however…they are defenseless. This causes them to do some pretty dumb things to protect themselves. And…one thing I do know about walking with the Lord is when we try to…secure our own future or try to make our own way in life…we do some pretty dumb things. All because we have strayed from the One who holds our breath in our hands. Well….He is calling.

What are you trying to accomplish in your own strength? It is putting distance between yourself and the One who loves you beyond reason. I think it is time to stop and listen for His voice. Yes, He has been calling out your name…will you answer and be found?

It is that simple to come home.

Securely Secured...

One thing I am learning…is to make sure...victory is securely secured…

“I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them;
Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed.
I have wounded them, So that they could not rise;
They have fallen under my feet.”
Psalm 18:37-38 

I for one have settled often for just coping. However…coping isn’t total freedom. If you are currently dealing with a stronghold in your life or in the life of someone else…keep your eye on the prize of freedom. Complete freedom.

The children of Israel had many kings who led them into battle, only to leave some aspect of the enemy intact…to Israel’s later pain and anguish. We do the same (at least I did for years). Coping with bondage is w-a-a-a-y better than being in the midst of it, nevertheless the Lord calls us to press on…to wound the flesh and the devil so that they cannot rise again.

Don’t give up too early…the Lord Jesus purchased your healing and deliverance. Stand firm in what He has already accomplished…until your enemy is under your feet.

Feel free to share...   www.sueboldt.com

Stolen Moments...

Stolen moments...

“And when He had sent the multitudes away, 
He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
Now when evening came, He was alone there.”
Matthew 14:23

Nobody can imagine Jesus’ schedule during the years of His earthy ministry. He knew the unrelenting press of thousands day after day. However, He...being fully God...yet laying aside His godly prerogatives to walk earth as a man, knew the joy of stolen moments to be refreshed in the Holy Spirit.

One time, Randy and I were waiting in a restaurant to be seated. A young man walked in with a single, red rose. He waited silently next to me until a cute...young waitress momentarily left her duties to greet him with a quick kiss. The red rose was for her. It brought light to her face, sparkle to her eyes, and I'm sure made the rest of her long evening special.

We need intentionally to spend time with Jesus, yet...we need those red rose, stolen kiss moments with the Lord, too! Next time you are impatient, frustrated, or weary...find a minute... somewhere. Call out to the Lord, possibly crack open the Word, pray in the Spirit... be revived in His presence.

Stolen moments with our Beloved can be just the ticket....

Striving...

My dear friend and sistah in the faith, Marjorie, sensed the Lord wanted to give me a Bible verse filled with encouragement.

Encourage me it did…

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love.”
Psalm 52:8

At first, I thought it read: “But I am like an olive tree, striving (not thriving) in the house of God...” Whaaaattt???

So…for me…and I am prompted to think for you, too….it is time to not strive and try to make things happen (i.e. job, relationships, ministry…stuff), but place each temptation to strive in our own strength and let Him…do the heavy lifting.

What is coming to mind that you are striving about right now?

It is time to…let it go… to Jesus, and place it squarely in His hands. Then watch how your heart and life thrive in Him.

Feel free to share...

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(photo: Naomi Jellison with permission)

He Knows...

One of our daughters called today...joy ringing in her voice...

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:8

This day for Shiloh and her a family of five...the Lord came through. As He...always does.

The answer had come after months of prayer...and literally up to the deadline of this great need. Yes...we knew the Lord would be faithful to find them a home, as their landlord had sold their current dwelling and my hubby and I have a ton Jesus/house stories. However...truthfully...a lot of nice homes, even seemingly perfect homes for them had come...and gone to others.

I started out with great faith for my kids’ need, however, as time progressed and days became numbered...panic praying set in. Do you know what I mean? Then my husband taught on the verse above this past Sunday. Enough said. The Holy Spirit helped me choose to believe God’s Word...peace set in.

Whatever you facing...He knows your need. He is speaking specifically to someone reading this. Please check out the verses surrounding Matthew 6:8...place your need confidently in His hands...and trust.

I am Known...

Everyone wants to be...known...

“For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. 
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.”
Psalm 139:1

What a privilege to read Psalm 139 with someone...who has never read it before. That happened for me today. And...the very first verse sums up the entirety of this beloved psalm...

We are known.

Whether we want to be known or not...Jesus knows...all of our deepest hopes, insecurities, dreams, loves, fears, feelings, thoughts, passions...the list goes on. No one knows us like He does...not even ourselves. Certainly the most intimate of our earthly relationships do not come close.

So rest in that knowledge. Do not hide. Let Him search your heart and uncover and restore the real person you are in Him...His precious and cherished child...to bring Him glory...

And make Him known to the world.

Into the Deep...

Often…Jesus is calling us to go deeper…than we want to go…

“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."    Luke 5:4

Recently, my son-in-law stated… “I wish everything didn’t always require faith!” We laughed out loud…because…how many times have we felt the same way.

Nevertheless, when we signed up with Jesus…youknow…invited Him to be Lord of our lives…we stepped from the realm of our controlling our destiny, to fully trusting Him. And that…requires our faith. And…often He calls us into the deep waters of trust rather than safely standing on the shore...missing the adventure…missing Him.

What area of your life is He calling you to deeper trust? Don’t delay…read the rest of Luke 5 and see the splendor of what He can do.

Feel free to share...

Level Ground...

Jesus always levels the playing field…

“And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people … who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,” 
 Luke 6:17 NKJV

The fact that the King of the Universe…stoops low to be near us is beyond comprehension.

We live in a day of platform…position…and plaudits. The higher the celebrity profile, the better. Yet, Jesus always comes down to our level…meets us right where we are in the midst of our stuff…our selfishness…yes…our sin.

And I love…that with the King of Universe…the playing field is level. We come as we are because He is all sufficient and we…are not. In His eyes no one is better, higher,  smarter, or more loved by Him. We don’t ever have to fear not being enough…or that someone else is more…

We simply come…and are healed.

(If you you were encouraged today by this post...please be sure to click the title...go to the blog and then click to share on Facebook! Love, Sue Bee)

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

If your hope is drooping...your faith is dropping...and your joy has already flown out the window...this is the perfect time to dig into Jesus’ words about abiding in Him. Basically...you can’t do life without HIM! It’s time to get back on track and fully lean, rely, and put your whole trust in the LORD. 
John 15:1-17

If your bank account is drooping...your stock options are dropping...and your next paycheck has already flown out the window...it may be time to take inventory. You may have to make some hard decisions about spending...yet...King Jesus is oh-so-trustworthy. He takes care of the flowers and birds...He will take care of you!
Matthew 6:25-34

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will 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 Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

Feel free to share...

(photo: Selective Potential)