No False Modesty Now!

“I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:14 NIV).

We went to a beauty supply store to help find some items for my husband’s daughter. I took this opportunity to browse around the store and then I discovered a nice deal in the lipstick section. It said “buy one – get one free!” Since my husband takes care of all our financial affairs, I was wavering if I should ask him for these lipsticks or not. After much thinking I dropped the thought.

Lost in thought my husband lovingly approached me and said “Honey, do you see anything you like?” This was definitely not the moment to use false modesty and say “Oh, no thanks Honey, I’m fine.” No, now was the time to react and seize the opportunity to receive a blessing.

You know, it truly blesses the heart of your heavenly Father when you accept His invitation to shower you with what He owns. You have no idea how much belongs to Him: healing, provision, wisdom, gifts, revelation, the earth and all that is in it. So the next time you realize that a shower of abundance is coming your way, just say “yes please.”

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Be Prepared"

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

I recently had an appointment with the local radio station in my hometown. I had seen the building from the outside and so I made my own conclusions about it. I thought I could dress very casual. After all the outside of the building looked a bit insignificant. The windows of the building were dark and so I couldn’t see how the inside looked like.

How I was mistaken! As I opened the front door and entered into their offices I was hit by a big surprise: A whole new realm opened itself up to me and it was like coming from the darkness into the light. Their offices were extremely elegant and exquisite. I was welcomed with much respect by two men in suits and ties and I was also introduced to the founder and his elegant wife.

As I was sitting in a most sophisticated meeting room, I thought about my appearance. Here I was sitting in my jogging suit with no make-up on my face. On top of that my hair looked awful. You can imagine how embarrassing this was for me and I thought “Lord, please get me out of here right away.” But I had to endure my foolishness highly underestimating the situation.

So think about this: As a born again believer you are Christ’s ambassador and so readiness at all times is a good place to be in. After all, you never know where the LORD will lead you today, right?! He might just want you to stand before Kings and Queens and represent the King of Kings! Do not think you are insignificant because He thinks you are worthy to represent Him. So be ready and expect great things to happen before your eyes.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

“What Does Childlike Faith Look Like?”

“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3 NIV).

I know my husband was a little disappointed when I finally gave up and admitted that under no circumstances I was going to touch these wax worms. The disgust of touching this ugly bait was stronger than my desire to fish. I made up my mind that from now on I was only going to be an observer.

It was then when my husband pulled out his last resource, and that was a plastic bait. He said that the fish would probably not go for it, but I could still try. I was so happy for this kind mercy and so I prayed to the Lord and asked him to grant me favor with the fish. To my surprise I caught 3 Bass very quickly whereas my husband was left with only a very small Sun Fish that he tried to tempt with a real big fat worm.

Childlike faith has something do to with relying on God alone. You just trust him blindly, you do not question anything, you come to Him with an open heart and you will know that against all odds with Him all things are possible.

I know for sure that it is God’s desire for your eyes to be opened to His wonders so that you can experience the reality of His Kingdom every day of your life. Don’t give up when the odds are against you, but look to Him who has many more options for you in His pocket.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Give What You Have"

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow- when you now have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28).

A few months ago we were able to buy a navigation system for our car. You cannot imagine the great relief we experienced. No more maps, no more hassle to find a street, no more late arrivals and no more arguments in the car. It is a wonderful instrument and such a great invention.

As we were talking with a friend about it he got so excited and asked us if he could borrow it for his next trip. As we had grown close to it and it had become so dear to us, it was at first a little difficult for us to let it go. But of course we gave it to him and you know, the more he borrowed it from us the happier we got because we were able to meet his need and give something away which we had.

You know the Bible tells us that God loves the cheerful giver and that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. Wow and how this was true! One day my husband received from our friend a totally unexpected wonderful gift. I mean a truly awesome gift! It was a fine leather jacket with the emblem of his alma mater, The Ohio State University, which he absolutely adores.

And to make things perfect the jacket came just in the right size. Think about that. A new leather jacket, in just the right size, with his home state college mascot delivered to our front door step - three states away!

We serve an awesome God, don’t we and his rewards are just amazing. So what do we learn here? What is it that you have? Belongings, time, money? Whatever it is, give what you have, serve your brother and sister with what you have, and surely God will take care of you. I can assure you that He will open His storehouses for you and pour out His abundant blessings on you.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"How Hot Are You?"

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:7–10 NIV).

I made some investigations and found out that there are different ways to preserve herbs. For me the most efficient one is to dry them in the oven. I was surprised at these seemingly innocent plants because when you put them in the oven where they are exposed and pressured by the heat, oh boy, then they show their real character.

Just recently I made this experiment with my own peppermint and oregano, and let me tell you, an amazing intense fragrance was set free in my kitchen that day. It was so profound and intense that I could hardly stand it.

I think that’s how the LORD wants you and me to be: hot all the time! So let me give you a hint here: the moment you yield to and do not fight the strong pressures of life you will have the right temperature to release the intense, irresistible fragrance of Jesus Christ. I know it is not an easy way of life, but it is the only way to life!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

Suzanne Tanner

"A Sigh to Heaven"

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4 NIV).

This is an often quoted verse and a well known one to many of us. But what is LORD speaking about when He says that He will give you the desires of your heart? Do these desires include cars, houses, jewelry, money – I mean all the things you cannot afford? Let me share a little story with you to answer this question:

One evening it began to snow heavily and our sidewalk and porch were covered by a heavy layer of snow. Some boys were knocking at our door and asking if they could clear the snow for us. We didn’t have the money to pay them, nor did we have a shovel to do it ourselves. Besides, my husband was feeling very sick and couldn’t do the job anyway.

The next day I had a look at our property and in my heart I so wished we could clear the way for other people to walk past our house on safe ground. Looking over to the house across the street I saw that they were working with a snow plow. I thought, “That’s a smart and efficient way to get rid of all that snow fast and without much strain”. I so desired to have a clear side walk for us.

And you know what? Next thing I know, our elderly neighbor who had gone through some major surgery, comes walking around our house with his snow plow sweeping away all the excessive snow without us asking!

You see there is a fine difference between demanding and desiring. You need to realize that you cannot make demands on somebody you love. And when you replace your demands for desires you will discover the delight in the LORD that the Bible is talking about. I encourage you today to put your trust in Him and to talk with Him about the things you carry in your heart. And then you will see Him move in truly amazing ways in your life!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Do It For Me"

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”(Colossians 3:23-24 NIV).

Do you get busy at times? Do you find yourself doing so many things and then getting overwhelmed by them? On top of all that work you also lose your joy and hope. Oh, that’s a bad situation right there, isn’t it, when you lose the passion for what you are doing. But let me give you some encouragement here!

When you lose your joy and strength for the task, you need to stop right where you are and turn to Jesus. Then you will hear His tender voice gently speaking to you: do it for me. Whatever you are doing, do it unto me! And so your reply will be: Ah, yes Lord, of course I’ll do it for you! Why would I not want to do it for you, you are the love of my life. And as you take up your work again you will have a greater joy and determination in your heart.

I tell you, you will accomplish great things for the LORD only by serving Him with this kind of attitude. And besides, think about it. Isn’t it a great thing to be a servant of Christ? So rejoice now and know that this satisfaction and honor is your inheritance. You are accumulating eternal rewards right here on earth!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner