At the Start of This Week...

At the Start of This Week...

Should you become over-scheduled, overwhelmed, or over-the-top nuts with stuff to do and no time to do it…take a breath…breathe a prayer…stop and be grateful for the One who came to give His all…that we might live. For He alone is worthy…

Should you have difficulties in a relationship, His love is greater...in...you. Seek His love first...because... His love is more than enough for both of you! Remember His complete forgiveness...towards you...then freely extend this gift to the person(s) you need to.

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

Make it Only Him...

What is your heart…set on?

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, 
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.”
Psalm 84:5

Our hearts can be set upon…so many things: a new home, a job, a good education, finding the right person…a baby. So many good and wonderful things. Nevertheless…we need our hearts to be set on the One and Only…first.

The author of this passage knows that having our hearts set on God…is a journey, not a one-time event. Trusting Jesus is a process of one step in front of the other…every minute of every day. A pilgrimage…a continual…looking up…lifting and setting our eyes and heart on Him alone. And…

As the next verse will tell us, when we travel through the Valley of Baca, the valley of barrenness or weeping, we will find springs of living water, the rain and reign of the Holy Spirit creating pools of refreshment. We will journey from strength…to strength. What promises!

So what is your heart set on…make it only Him.

I Will...

There is just something so…so…faith building when we read the “I will” portions 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

Maybe it’s been awhile since you sensed…or…truly believed…God is working on your behalf. Sometimes life seems just…plain…hard. Do you need some of His “I wills?” May I suggest for starters: Exodus 6:6-8. And… and one of my go-to passages…Isaiah 41:10-20?

If it seems it's been awhile, since you have seen God move in your life…go straight to Him. Work and wrestle these issues and disappointments with Jesus. Don’t delay…and keep coming back…there is more at stake here than you may realize…because…

He is waiting and…He is willing…

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The Guy with the Orange Lights...

Ask those who know me well...what my dream job would be...

“Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.”
Psalm 37:5

I am in an airport again....watching the folks on the tarmac with the orange light batons escorting planes to their home gate or to lead them out to catch the air currents. Yep...that would be my dream job. God...has other plans....

For the last several years I have done a lot of one-on-one ministry. I often get to see someone coming home to salvation in Christ. Often...I get to watch the Holy Spirit cause someone’s wings to soar in all He has for them as old strongholds or bondages are broken by His extravagant grace and power.

This weekend...a team of ladies and I are going to see the Lord move in setting free a good-sized number of women. This has been a dream of mine...and...I would love your prayers for this “Steps to Freedom” Conference. I don’t know all that I will get to see Him do, but I am ready with my "orange lights."

So...He sees your dreams too...let Him fulfill them His way. Let me tell you...His way is so much better.

His Ways...

You never know how Jesus might work...

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8

I am visiting my elderly dad. Today...I took a walk and passed the church building where Jesus came to rescue me as young girl. Where He baptized me in the Holy Spirit when I was a mere teenager. The place where I sensed His call to ministry...that changed the trajectory of my life.

I am so glad He works in ways we can’t figure out. That the seemingly random choice for my parents to buy a humble home in a then humble neighborhood would have such an impact on a life...amazes me.

He has the details of your life in His hands, too. If some things are still a puzzle, don’t worry...Jesus knows what He is doing and He always...knows best. So...trust Him with every detail then stand back a watch Him create a masterpiece.

His Eye is on the Sparrow...

Today...I was able to "people watch" while waiting in an airport...

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? 
And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:29-31

I didn’t used to like large groups of people…but…ahhh…freedom in Jesus. Yet...that is another story...

Today, I realized…I have a thing for airports. Amazing. All the people…all the different kinds of people. What are their stories? Where are they going…and why? Is it for happy causes? Tragic reasons? Are they excited to see loved ones…or bearing a heartache so great, they can barely breathe?Yet…Jesus knows…yes…He knows…each one. Even if they don’t know Him yet…

Someone needs to remember…His eye is on the sparrow and…
I know He watches over me…and you.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your bank account go down, your blood pressure go up, or a loved goes sideways on you…place your heart in His amazing Word. He has the final report. Enough said!
Psalm 119:114

Should you become over-scheduled, overwhelmed, or over-the-top nuts with stuff to do and no time to do it…take a breath…breathe a prayer…stop and be grateful for the One who came to give His all…that we might live. For He alone is worthy…
Matthew 6:25-26

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

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Pursuit...

I spent many years sabotaging my walk with Jesus. I mean…really. I really did that.

I would start a day with time with Him in the morning…then spend the next 23.5 hours (when not sleeping) thinking about what the world thinks about. Reading what the world reads. Viewing what the world views.

“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”   Galatians 6:8

Can I just say this plain and simple?

We don’t have a lot of time here to waste on stupid stuff. This isn't a guilt trip, or an urging to try harder…however…it is call to pay attention to what…we are paying attention to. That simple. Because what we are pursuing either leads to a dead end…or life in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And…I….…be wanting me some of that power in the Spirit stuff!

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His Poem....

I have been knitting again…

“For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10

The Lord Almighty, the One and Only Creator…created us...to create. There is just something so fulfilling as getting an idea for…anything really, then making it happen. Truly…we were made in His image.

My dear friend Cory Curry relates it took God only six days to speak all that we know as this constantly enlarging and changing universe into existence. However…it took Him nine months...to carefully knit YOU together. To Him you are a masterpiece. His finest workmanship...His poem (the original Greek wording).

If you are a little blue today…remember what you experience when you create something…and how much pleasure it brings you. This is what He is feeling about you…this very minute.

photo: Ashley Jael w.permission

Quieting the Noise...

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

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

The trouble is…our lives are just plain noisy enough without his help! I hope you get my drift: we can get so busy, so many things, events, people tugging at us in every direction…still, the enemy…the devil…can be right in the midst of making so much noise,…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 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 might be time to let the Prince of Peace call the playbook of your life...and quiet the tumult.

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...

__________________________
(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.

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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!