"Do You Understand?"

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).
 

 

As it was the 9th of October yesterday, I was reading the 9th chapter of Proverbs. What stood out to me was the second part of this one little verse mentioned above. The Lord had been addressing my thoughts recently and so I guess I was open to receive what he wanted to point out to me. I don’t know if you are also so mindful, but my mind can sometimes imagine things and write stories that only exist in my mind. I can have at times a very active imagination!

Let me explain to you what I mean. Recently as we were getting ready for our civil wedding a couple that needed to be there came an hour late. Firstly we were a little bit confused and a little upset. It was then very interesting and brought a smile to our face that at the very moment when the ceremony was carried out the church bells started to ring.

The Lord knows how much my husband and I love church bells. Even during our trip to Europe we heard church bells all the time. So it was like the Lord saying to us: I approve of this covenant and you have my blessing but just let me start this wedding an hour later so that I can make these church bells ring for you :-).

Often we judge situations with our own mind, instead of consulting the Lord first for some insight. It is so important to know God’s thoughts, because very often we tend to view a situation incorrectly. I can guarantee you if you take the time to get to know the Lord your joy will increase. He will reveal to you His treasures and insight and your thoughts will not be the same anymore. You will start to think differently and you will start to act differently.
AND last but not least, your loved ones and your environment will take note.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"About Flexibility"

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock" (Matthew 7:24 – 25 NIV).

Our peach tree in the backyard has been selected to be the host of a red robin nest. I was a little concerned since the nest is only about 6 feet above the ground and the tree is still very young. I was hoping that the branches would carry the nest and if that was not enough an intense storm swept through our town. The heavy rain and the strong wind was blowing through the tree and making the branches and the nest swaying dramatically from left to right.

 

The morning after I went to check on the condition of the nest. To my amazement it was still in the tree and had made it through that storm! My husband told me that these birds have about 6,000 years of experience; they know how to build a nest and how to firmly glue it to the branches. Amazing, just amazing the skills of these little creatures, don’t you think so?

The flexibility that will help you survive the turbulences of life comes from building on the Rock. This is the kind of rock solid elasticity that will keep you safe and sound when the storms of life toss you from left to right. The Lord didn’t promise you a life free of difficulties, but that He would not leave you nor forsake you. Having done this, don’t you think that you could probably start to enjoy the storms of life?

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Lay Down Your Life"

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16 NIV).

In the last while I had been thinking a lot about this verse. Since my husband and I are discipling people I had to ask myself in my daily interaction with people if I could seriously die for another person like Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary.

No, I couldn’t, but as I continued in this chapter the Lord answered my question right in verse 17. It says there that” whosoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” God is so gracious, He was asking me to make small sacrifices so that I could exercise dying to myself, my selfishness and my own will and so be made able to grow in His love.

 

You might be facing the same kind of situations and questions. You have come across this verse as well and want to know what it means to lay down your life for somebody. I want to help you here and tell you that you die to yourself by making one good choice at a time in favor of another person’s life. Selfless choices are for example that you humble yourself instead of being prideful, putting others needs first, choosing to remain silent when you could say something, asking for forgiveness even when the other person also made a mistake.

I tell you, that’s really a small sacrifice compared to the vast love of God that can be yours today!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"What It Takes"

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope"
(Romans 5:3-4 NIV).

Thirteen of us got hired for the job. When I met some of my future colleagues for the first time, I noticed that although we all had different backgrounds and life experiences, there was one thing we all had in common; a characteristic that the General Manager was looking for. She was looking for people with personality. She knew very well that these kind of people would master the job and be great team players.

You know I believe that when Jesus walked along the shore and chose his first disciples, He was also looking for people with personality. As I pondered on what Paul said in Romans 5:3-4, I realized that personality is definitely not something you inherit or receive by your own efforts. It doesn’t require good looks, intelligence or a spotless background. No, it is developed alone by enduring difficulties.

That made me think that enduring people are for real, they do not quit when it gets bad. They hang in there; even if they fall seven times, they get up every time, again and again. And this is what it takes and this is what the Lord is looking for. Do you know what I am talking about? If yes, then you have what it takes to be a follower of Christ!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!


Suzanne Tanner

God's Heart CD Photo Calendar 2013

Now this is an ideal gift for Christmas! You can pre-order the God's Heart 2013 CD Photo Calendar not only for yourself but also let your family, friends, co-workers and the unsaved person know how much God loves them.

The calendar consists of a CD case, a cover page plus 12 monthly cards with an original picture I took and an inspirational word from the Lord for you. Limited edition.

Send an email to suzanne@newheart.ws and let me know how many calendars you would like to order. Also please indicate your address. I will then be able to confirm your order with a quote including shipping & handling.

Thanks a lot for your support.

You are on God's Heart!

Suzanne Tanner