At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week.

Should your dog eat your slippers, your favorite team bite the dust, or you just plain feel like the stuff of your life is insurmountable, look to the One who holds all the answers. He never promised life would be easy in this broken, evil world, but He did promise that you are more than a conqueror when you abide in Him. He delivers on His promises.

Should your relationships be frayed and worn, and impatience and frustration are tempting you, look at yourself first. Don’t place blame. It takes two-to-tango, as the saying goes. Jesus always tells us to take the splinter out of our own eye first before even attempting to point out the log in another’s eye. Let Jesus deal with your issues. That’s what He is asking of you in this moment.

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

Time to Get Wet...

Ahhhh. To live in the river of God’s presence. Nevertheless...

There are bills to pay, diapers to change, cars to fix, families to fix, carpets to be vacuumed, laundry piles, laundry mountains, laundry-lava-flows. There are kids to discipline, runny noses to wipe, work deadlines to meet, work gossip to put up with – work, work, work. You get the idea.

"Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."

Ezekiel 47:12

Short and sweet. If we live in the river of His presence – spending time alone with Jesus, hearing His voice through His Word and presence – the stuff of our lives will be different. Including the laundry.

Jesus can make the mundane extraordinary, take the tedious and make it holy ground, restore joy (yes, giddy happiness) when the darkness closes in. And, He can bring His healing touch to any situation. Honestly. It is time to get wet.

He Is For You...

Sad, but true. I spent a number of years thinking God was against me.

What then shall we say to these things? 
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

What we just read is the truth. We have a heavenly Father who loves us beyond reason and never withdraws, withholds, or revokes His unfailing agape toward us. Yet, we have an enemy. Take him, plus the failings and brokenness of our souls, and it is oh so easy to believe the lie our God is against us.

Most of us aren’t even for our own selves. We know our stuff. You know, the stuff no one sees. And the shame of our stuff lies to us. We can pray up a storm for others, but we can barely lift our eyes to pray and believe our Father would pour out blessings upon us.

If this is you, it is time to break the root of this lie. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where it started – usually in your very early years. Get it taken care of and break the agreement with it. Then, let your Father scoop you up in His arms and whisper His truth into your heart:

He is for you.

Blame Game...

It’s never about others. Jesus is after us...

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves…

2 Corinthians 13:5

It is so easy to look to others as the reason for our unhappiness, our dissatisfaction, or our stuff. If only… we think about those close to us. If only – they were different… We pray and pray for the folks in our lives to change, but God doesn’t seem to answer our prayers. So, we remain stuck. Stuck in our lives.

Does this resonate with you in any way? Have you ever had these thoughts? Been there, done that myself. Yet, it wasn’t until I let Jesus ruthlessly speak into my life about my stuff, my selfishness, and my issues did radical transformation happen in me and around me.

Someone needs to hear this. You are blaming others, yet King Jesus is after you. Nothing is going to change around you until you let Him deal with you first. Stop playing the blame game, because healing and restoration begins with you. Let Him clean your house and then see the bounty of His abundant life explode around you.

His Light...

I tell my story wherever He opens the door for me to share...

“God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me! 
You are the revelation-light in my darkness, 
and in Your brightness, I can see the path ahead.”
Psalm 18:28 TPT

Many years ago, I was one messed-up puppy. I had everything, but I was unhappy with all of it. I tried to leave my wonderful husband, three darling kids, the church we pastored, and our beautiful home, but the trouble was – wherever I would have gone, I would have taken ME along. Only Jesus.

Only Jesus could rescue me from depression, a fifteen-year eating disorder, and uncontrollable thought life. Let alone other areas of enemy oppression and fleshly insecurity and wounding. And He did. He did rescue me fully and completely. Now, I have the honor and privilege to be used a tiny bit by Him to bring rescue to others.

Yes, indeed. Only Lord Jesus could catch me in His life-giving light.

For a free copy of my freedom story in the Lord Jesus, simply click here: http://www.sueboldt.com/giveaway/

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…

If you are pooped, tired, and weary before the day has even started, it is probably time to spend…some time…waiting (a great Bible word) on the Lord. Yes, take time alone with the One who can renew your strength. 
Isaiah 40:29-31

Should you receive a difficult diagnosis, bank statement, or a problematic phone call; don’t run around trying to fix these issues. Instead, grab His Written Word, stop and hear His Heart, and wait for His instruction as to how to proceed next. He knew before you did about these things.
Isaiah 30:21

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

He Said to Me...

What area of life have you been trying to help the Lord with?

For me, I started to take back on my shoulders a big remodel of a house that He has given us to be used, not only for our family, but for His ministry as well.

I have been drinking in the Scripture the Holy Spirit gave me below. Come have a drink with me – well, you know what I mean – and apply this passage and promise to your own life.

"So he answered and said to me: 
"This is the word of the LORD to _______ (place your name here): 
'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' 
Says the LORD of hosts.

'Who are you, O great mountain _________ (name your burden)? 
Before ________ (your name) you shall become a plain! 
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" 
Zechariah 4:6-7

Now reread it again, with the inserts you have placed in the blanks! Surrender completely your burden – your mountain – and be encouraged. The Lord is with you

Titles...

I. Am. His. Child.

“So, go ahead—let everyone know it!
Tell the world how he broke through
and delivered you from the power of darkness and
has gathered us together from all over the world.
He has set us free to be his very own!”
Psalm 107-2-3 TPT

I had to be reminded recently, that this is the only title I will ever need. Or could ever want.

Yes, just like you, I have had many titles throughout my life and most of them have been huge, outright blessings: mom, daughter, wife, senior assistant, speaker, and pastor,

But other titles? Maybe not so much a blessing. Failure, not wise, too silly, poor choice maker, without talent. Oh my, should I continue? And if I were to ask, what title are you living under today?

Well, there is only one title that matters. I am His child. I belong to the King of Kings and that encompasses every human desire, hope, treasure, and indeed life itself. And when I live like His child nothing else really matters because this title is: More. Than. Enough.

The Ultimate Fixer-Upper...

When Jesus does a remodel, a redo, a restoration, or whatever you may call it, He does it well...

“That’s where He restores and revives my life. He opens before me the pathways to God’s pleasure and leads me along in His footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to His name.”
Psalm 23:3 TPT

I took me far too many years to take these words literally from Psalm 23. He is the only One who truly can restore and revive. Others may help encourage, and counsel us about...our stuff. But yes, only Lord Jesus can heal and restore.

Now I am all for counseling. Don’t get me wrong. I have been a pastoral counselor for years and I facilitate an inner healing ministry called Steps to Breakthrough – Healing Life’s Hurts. Nevertheless, I know there is only One who really knows what He is doing. And He not only knows the intimacies of our lives – the deepest, darkest stuff – He is right there with us in the midst of them Psalm 39 tells us.

I know this is true. His grace in my dark has brought me into His light. I was once a broken mess, but now I live as a daughter of the King in the healing purchased for me. Because I brought Him no glory hiding in the shadows of my flesh and the enemy. Nope. No more. I be wanting to live in more and more of His light. His power. His Healing. His joy overwhelming. His beyond reason love.

So, what about you? Do you need a remodel, redo, or a restoration? Are you a fixer-upper waiting to be discovered? Jesus can do it. Simply surrender and let Him begin.

Run...

Not long ago, we received a thank you note from our nephew...

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14

We had sent Ryan some financial support for his up-coming, two-year mission trip to the South Pacific. In his note to us, Ryan wrote:

“Thank you for...helping a young man run after God.”

These words knocked the wind out of me. These are powerful words. These are life-changing words. To run after God is to pursue Life itself. To put Jesus’ Kingdom first and then let Him so effortlessly take care of the rest of what so often trips us up, consumes our thoughts, resources, energy, and affections.

I am late to running after God. I was a Christian for years before truly pursuing Him first and only. And may I tell you these past years have been a joy-ride, a thrill-ride, an adventure, and yep, He has even used my life to bring salvation, healing, and hope to others. Jesus has provided for EVERY need and then some. These past years have been extravagant, rich, abundant, and superfluous. No joke.

So, I ask you. Are you running after God? If not, it is time to make the decision to do so. Don’t waste another minute of your precious life, make it an ardent, precious pursuit instead.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

If your birthday is forgotten, your boss passes you over to give a promotion to someone else, or you feel generally unseen, run to the One whose arms are always open wide to embrace you. Let Him. Stay. Linger. And wait in the Lord's presence until you sense His comfort, His nearness, and His still small voice reminding you that He sees you. He is the only One who really matters.

Should your car break down, a relationship breaks down, or you feel on the verge of -- a breakdown. Turn to the Only One Who can genuinely heal your soul. He even cares about such details as cars and relationships, too. He is the source of Your strength, so don't give place to the temptation to have a pity party because the God of the Universe is on your side. Open His Word, drink it in, and be refreshed.

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

Surrender...

I have been oh so slow to learn this...

But when I surrender my strong, often obstinate will for His grand and glorious ways -- life happens. yes oh yes. Miraculous and wonder-filled life happens. Even in the midst of the most dark and treacherous of circumstances.

Yes. My heart is slowly learning this -- and being transformed.

"If you keep my commands, you will live in My love, just as I have kept my Father's commands, for I continually live nourished and empowered by His love."
John 15:10 The Passion Translation

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Promises...

Have you read Psalm 34 recently?

“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, 
And delivered me from all my fears. 
They looked to Him and were radiant, 
And their faces were not ashamed.”
Psalm 34:4-5

God gives a ton of promises to His believers through King David’s words here. The caveat is – we believers often need to believe to receive them.

No, it’s not works or trying harder. It IS getting to know the ONE who promised these great gifts to His children and trusting Him for His promises. And live like we are trusting Him – not just lip service.

The Lord promised the Promise Land to the Israelites, but they did have to battle and contend for this great gift. It wasn’t handed to them easily, they had to trust, listen for direction, and yes, obey.

So, what has God promised you? Are you living like you believe He will come through? Read Psalm 34 and be super encouraged. And if you have never received a promise from the Lord Jesus, give this Psalm a look-over and hear what He might speak to your heart from it. It could rock your world.

The Rock...

Some words from Moses, speak loudly to me...today...

“For their rock is not like our Rock, 
Even our enemies themselves being judges.”
Deuteronomy 32:30-31

Really. We all believe something. Even the most ardent atheist believes.

Personally, I think it takes WAY more faith to NOT believe in God than to have faith in Him. Just go outside and take a look at one spring flower that is blooming. Well, I digress.

These last words of Moses, who tasted all the sensual lusts, money, status, and power the world had to offer in the first forty years of his life as prince of Egypt, knows that the world at large is banking on the flimsy rock of these things just mentioned. Don’t I sometimes too? My education, my position, my bank account, my house – the list goes on. These are all rocks I can put my hopes in, but as Moses states in the prior verse – take a look – these foundations eventually well sell me out. The devil, who distracts us with these less than foundations, will always sell me out.

Nope. I place my trust on a different Rock. The ROCK. The Rock of Ages. King Jesus who never falters, crumbles beneath me, cannot be shaken, and Who cannot fail.

What Rock are you hoping to save you in your current circumstances? Make sure it is the One and Only, True Rock. Anything less is just that: so much less.

ASAP...

Is anyone experiencing tough sledding in life? You know – feeling like life is an uphill battle?

"But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment."
Isaiah 50:11

Okay, I admit it. This might not sound like the most inspirational devotional, but it might just save your life. I saved mine.

The prophet Isaiah is warning us from the passage above that when we try to make our own way – try to live life apart from God’s beautiful plans and purposes, life will be a source of almost constant struggle. Take it from my hubby and me who considered ourselves devout Christians; who were pastoring significant churches, yet took a detour to do what made sense, what we thought best, and not what the Lord was speaking directly to us. Honestly? We had two years of torment – think finances, health, kids, relatives, and ministry – that were an absolute struggle.

God uses these things mercifully in our lives to get our attention. This is not punishment, this is a willful choice to walk out from under His protective covering from the enemy.

No, this clearly doesn’t mean that when we blow it, there will always be a price to pay, but if life is a constant struggle, it is wisdom to stop and ask yourself why and where you might have made a detour from Jesus’ abundance.

In other words, it is time to refrain from walking in your own light and beat it back asap to His.

Come Aside...

I am not sure there are any sweeter words...

"And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat."  Mark 6:31

Jesus and His crew were on a 24/7/365 schedule. Every minute was pursued on assignment from the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus. Well Jesus always knows what is best.

“Come aside, my beloved.”

He calls us to His side to find refreshment, rest, restoration, and redemption. And the call to His early disciples is extended to us today. There is nothing that can replace time with Him alone. Why waste time, worry, sleeplessness, ill-health when we have the opportunity to find all we need for spirit, soul, and body in the quiet of His presence?

Yes, I understand life can be hectic. I am only home two days this month and six days the next, and my calendar is filled. I understand quiet can be more of a pipe dream – I am currently helping our kids with their newborn twins and toddler. I realize there are so many other distractions: Netflix, sports, work, finances, stuff...

But He extends the invitation to come aside and His call is irresistible.

Broadway...

Sometimes we need to learn to live in the small, confined place before the Lord can release us into His broad place...

“I called on the LORD in distress; 
The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.”
Psalm 118:5

Have you ever been in a situation that felt confining, hard, and difficult? Have you – like me – complained to the Lord about it, yet your prayers seem to go unanswered? This could be a relationship, a marriage, a workplace, home, school -- you name it situation.

If you are in currently in one of these ‘small’ places, can I encourage you to quit your complaining, griping, and placing blame elsewhere and instead ask the Lord what it is He is trying to work out of your character so that you may take on more of His? Escaping, quitting, and running away only delays the inevitable go-round of the same issue again, somewhere and sometime in your life.

Take it from me who had to learn this lesson in the small place.

When I began to believe and live what comes later in this same Psalm, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it,” no matter what my circumstances were, I found abundance in the small place – because I found HIM in the small place. And I usually wasn’t long after that my circumstances would change completely.

Yes, I can tell you story after story. Find joy in the narrow road and shortly you will be walking on the street named: His Broadway.

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should you lock your keys in the car, leave your phone at the last store you visited, or your just plain old want to go back to bed and bury your head under the covers, remember! The Word of God is the absolute truth: This is the day the Lord has made – for you! Make the first thing you do next be to take some time in His presence, opening The Bible and let Him restore your soul.

Should you receive a not so good diagnosis, a troubling email, or a phone call that sends you reeling, draw near to the One who holds all the answers. Who IS the answer. Make King Jesus your one and only priority and place every issue into His capable hands. He is able, He is willing, He is LORD.

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

Whole Heart...

I have wondered what it would be like to be rich and famous, have you?

"And you will seek Me and find Me, 
when you search for Me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13

I mean really. Yes. Being a wealthy celebrity has some great perks, but then again, who could you really trust to love you – for you? I have wondered if this is what it is like for God at times too.

Honestly now. Didn’t we all come to Him out of our great need? Nevertheless, there comes a time when He calls us just to love Him, live for Him and seek His face purely out of sheer devotion. And, not for what we can receive from Him.

The original Hebrew for the words search, along with the phrase all your heart, is revealing. “It implies a quest for God that includes a level of intensity beyond ordinary prayer, suggesting an earnestness bordering on desperation.” A note in my Bible tells me this.

I want this to be my heart always. Because truly, I am desperate for Him and His presence every minute of every day. Anything less is a less-than- life. He is waiting for my whole heart.

Abide...

As Jesus followers we all want to live fruitful and purposeful lives, so we work hard, try hard, practice being purposeful, but often end up being very tired, pooped-out, burnt out, frustrated, and disillusioned. At least I did.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:7‭-‬8‬

However, Jesus ever so clearly points us to the way of fruitfulness and yes, success.

Abide.

Abide, dwell, remain, linger, and rest in His presence. Be saturated in the power and love of the Holy Spirit; His fruit and His gifts. Let His Word sink deeply into our souls, transforming our thoughts and lives.

This isn't rocket science-- it is the key to life. The only caveat? It takes precious time from our daily grind, but allows heaven to rule in our current situations. It is hard for us not to "do," but instead, rest and be filled. It is oh so simple, but oh so difficult crazy busy, over-scheduled lives. Yet, He calls us to come. He calls us to abide.

Then, see His wonder bear fruit in us and around us.