"I am in control"

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5, 6-7 NIV).

It had been such a rough day to say the least. And this not being enough already, we came home only to see that my husbands laptop, that came back from the repair center that day had lost all it’s data. After hours of talking to the computer specialist over the phone and somehow getting nowhere, my husband was so exhausted. He eventually said to me “I don’t know what to do anymore.” With the little hope he still had, he made one last phone call and spoke to another IT specialist.

It was arranged that the specialist took control over his laptop all the way from India. She was sitting in that office in India whilst we were in our home in the U.S. We watched her moving the cursor on our screen and working on our problems. It was such a fascinating thing to watch her and with her calm and friendly voice say to us “Do not worry. I am taking control now.” Not only did she have an extraordinary expertise, she had such a gentle character and her words simply allowed us to rely on her and sit back and watch her taking control of everything.

This is what the LORD has for you too! Are you having some problems that you cannot fix by yourself? Do you need God to intervene on your behalf? I encourage you to give all of your concerns to the LORD. Then watch Him take over and solve them for you. After all, He is still the great I AM and He deeply cares for you. He wants your life to be carefree. So will you allow Him to be your hero?
Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

You can order your copy of the God’s Heart Devotions Book at the Christian Bookstore in Ottumwa (641) 682-0014 and on http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Heart-Today-Devotions-everyday/dp/2940424195

"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

“Ignition”

"And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-23 NKJV).

We have a nice fireplace which we get to enjoy especially during the cold winter season here in Iowa. One evening I was up and about in the house and my husband was lying comfortably in his recliner. Although there were plenty of logs and embers it seemed that they were lifeless and the fire was going to die. As my husband didn’t want to get up he asked me to blow into that fire. So I blew my breath onto these logs and you wouldn’t believe it, the flames ignited right away and all the logs were set on fire. A beautiful, bright, hot and lively fire was rekindled.

There are people around us just like these logs or perhaps that’s even you. You feel empty, lifeless, discouraged with no hope. Now is the time where you definitely need some empowerment from above! Just allow Jesus to blow His breath on you and receive a fresh touch of His Holy Spirit. He will ignite you and always rekindle that fire in you.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

The God’s Heart Devotions Book is now available at the Christian Bookstore in Ottumwa and on
http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Heart-Today-Devotions-everyday/dp/2940424195

"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 NIV).

A few months ago we were able to by 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

Volume 1 of the You Are On God's Heart Devotionals are now available on Amazon for purchase:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Heart-Today-Devotions-everyday/dp/2940424195

"I Watch Over My Word"

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10 & 11 NKJV)

My husband received the following prophetic word a few years ago: "Mark, you need to get down to your fighting weight in order to fulfill the Lord’s plans for you". I have to tell you that it has been very difficult for him to lose weight. A few weeks ago he became very sick and had to be admitted to the Emergency Room and then was transferred to the hospital for special care and possible surgery.

I was very concerned about Him, but right in this time the Lord brought to my remembrance the prophetic word. He told me not to be worried but that He was bringing to pass what He had declared despite some detours that occurred along the way. During the week of intense sickness my husband lost 15 pounds and since then we have made some major changes to his eating plan.

Isn’t that just something? Do you see the faithfulness of God? Would you like to see His promises coming to pass in your life? Then believe this simple word that He watches over His word and He will bring it to fruition, sooner or later.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

Volume 1 of the You Are On God's Heart Devotionals are now available on Amazon for purchase:

http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Heart-Today-Devotions-everyday/dp/2940424195