"Follow the Promptings of the Holy Spirit!"

“Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Let me tell you, when you act upon the promptings of the Holy Spirit, that’s when the impossible things start to happen! That’s exactly what I experienced with a daisy I received from a friend. There were these three daisies that were planted in a pot and normally I would have just put it somewhere in the house to beautify a room. And usually flowers that have been planted into a pot will eventually die after not so long. But something different happened with this flower. This time I had this impossible thought that I could transplant it into my garden. I tell you, this was a very unusual thought for me, since like I said I would normally leave these flowers in the pot and display them in the house.

Well after a few weeks or so this plant did in fact die outside in the garden. I figured that my thought was too bold and that I had made a mistake and that they were destined to be a house plant and bloom only once. But you know what? One day I was totally surprised to see that this plant now started to birth three new daisy flowers. They rose again out of the dust, they bloomed for a while and then they died. And for the third time they rose again and now this plant has birthed a fourth daisy. It is just amazing. It all started out with a simple thought and then I followed that prompting. And do you now see what has happened? Life after life is springing forth and multiplication is taking place. This plant is indeed unstoppable.

Today the LORD wants to reassure you that He is the God of possibilities, opportunities, hope and everlasting life. He wants to release such a richness of ideas, creativity, insight and revelation to the ones that seek His face. All you need to do is to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and then act upon what you hear. Do not doubt the thoughts that seem impossible, but trust the distinct voice of the LORD that says “It is possible”. I tell you, you will become such a channel of inspiration and break the yoke of impossibilities over your life and of the many people that you come across.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

“When Thankfulness Enters Your Heart”

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3 & 4 NIV).

I know I have been writing a lot of devotionals about my experiences in the garden, but I have to tell you that I learned a lot of principles of God just by observing and working in the yard. One of the things I have learned is to be thankful to God for all He gives to us.

Recently I reflected on our raised garden beds and the growth of our squash plant. We basically just sowed a couple of seeds and then waited. And now a few days ago we were able to harvest our first huge squash. When I looked at it I was reminded that I had invested practically no work at all. This vegetable literally grew on its own by the grace and hand of God. He was the one that gave the seed in the first place, and He sent the rain and put the sun into place. He did it all and who am I that He would be mindful of me and take care of me?

I just felt today that I wanted to encourage you with the growth of my squash. Thankfulness is truly a gift of God isn’t it? As you see how big God really is and that He is so mindful of you and takes such good care of you, you will experience what it means to know that you were created to worship the one and only true living God. Whatever it might be, put your entire trust in Him and then watch Him perform miracle after miracle in your life. That is the way of worship and that is the life God intends for you.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"I Fulfill"

“I lift up my eyes to the mountain – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121, 1-2 NIV).

I am sure you are familiar with this situation where somebody promised something to you and in the end didn’t fulfill it. I have experienced it many times myself but also I have made promises in the past and wasn’t able to keep them. Shortcomings both ways hurt, don’t they?

The LORD helped me recently with this human phenomena and told me that every time we fail, He is right there to step in, take over and ready to make up for any of our shortcomings. Isn’t that just something? He is your puzzle piece that fits perfectly into that empty space.

So whenever somebody fails you please don’t get upset, bitter or angry, but use that situation as a great opportunity for the LORD to step in and fulfill a plan, a promise or a desire He gave you. Don’t look to man for the fulfillment but always lift your eyes heavenwards. Remember, we are weak human vessels and incomplete, but He is strong and totally complete and ready to be your awesome help!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

Read the Manual!

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful”(Joshua 1:8 NIV).

Are you perhaps someone that doesn’t like to read manuals and directions? Are you somebody that wants to unpack the equipment or appliance as soon as you get home and use it right away without delay? If that’s you, then that makes two of us.

Well I have some failure stories to tell you today. The first story was the one of our washing machine that broke down and the second one was the kitchen mixer that all of a sudden stopped working. Why? Well, it was mainly my lack of patience and interest which led to ignorance and failure. I tell you I won’t make these same mistakes again. From now on I will take the time to read the directions and handle my appliances with better care and insight. I know now that this will lead to a longer life span of my appliances, and besides, it is just a good thing to be knowledgeable, don’t you think so?

I just couldn’t help but think about what the Lord had said to Joshua. As he filled himself with the Word of God, Joshua became prosperous and successful. He became strong and courageous, and the one and only successor of Moses that would lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. The same applies for you today too! Take time daily to meditate on God’s manual – the Bible - by turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding. This is God’s way to let you grow in stability, insight and wisdom so that you can take good care of eternal matters here and now.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

You Don't Have to be Afraid

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28 KJV).

I don’t know about you, but I used to be so afraid of dogs. I remember a situation where I went to visit a friend. I knew she had two very lively dogs that barked loud and a lot. So you can imagine as soon as I knocked on her door both dogs went off and barked with all the air that was in their lungs. I tell you, they gave it their all! My lady friend came to the door and told me that it was alright for me to enter her house as she had secured the dogs. She did want to let them out for me to meet them but let me tell you, I was just too afraid. Their fierce barking had struck so much fear in my heart that under no circumstance I was willing to face them.

The very same problem I had for years with the devil. I was too afraid of him. I didn’t want to face him nor deal with him. But now that I have this little puppy dog the LORD showed me something really powerful and imagine this, I am no longer afraid of dogs! Although my puppy dog is probably one of the smallest dogs, let me tell you his teeth are not that insignificant at all. In fact they are sharp! It’s funny though, as I take dominion over him I am even able to open his mouth, go in there with my fingers and snatch something out of there. I do the very same thing with the devil and so nowadays I think that taking dominion is indeed a great action plan of God.

Today I want to speak to your heart and tell you the truth: you don’t have to be afraid of the devil anymore or any other enemy. It is really that simple; you just take dominion in Jesus Name! This is an exclusive position only the children of God get to enjoy. So aren’t you glad you are one of His?

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner