"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