by Suellen | Awakening
I often tell a story about my granddaughter, Lauren. When she was in second grade, as a school project, Lauren had to give an oral report on her favorite state. Since she lives in Atlanta, we were flattered that she chose Mississippi, where we live. Her accompanying prop was a white poster board with many symbols of our state. The symbols included a Magnolia blossom, items related to the zoo we visit, certain facts, and a tiny (and I do mean tiny) dot with the words “Blue Mountain,” our town. The dot and words were cut out of a map and placed right in the center of the poster.
We couldn’t help but chuckle. From the display, there was no context at all. Just a tiny dot and tiny words. There was no way of knowing where the town was located, or anything else about it – except that it was small.
I sometimes think that we are like that about the Bible. We pull verses out of the Bible and put them on the refrigerator. Without the proper context, there are times when we totally miss the meaning. The words would mean so much more if we would read them in the framework around them. (more…)
by Suellen | Faith
There was a line drawn through the ages, and all of time hinged on that line. After centuries of laying the foundation for His mission, God’s plan of salvation finally came to fruition and all of mankind was absolved from their sin – if they chose to accept the gift.
Finally the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, pay the price for our freedom, descend into hell, on the third day arise from the dead, and ascend into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. He then sent His Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of those who received Him.
What a miraculous time!
You and I can spend the rest of our lives studying and meditating on this series of miracles, but we will find that there is always more to learn. The more you know, the more you realize that it is better than you thought! (more…)
![Life’s Greatest Mystery]()
by Suellen | Uncategorized
In Colossians 1:26-27, Paul speaks of a great mystery which has been “hidden from ages and generations, but has been revealed to the saints.” It’s this mystery which makes Christianity so totally different from any other religion in the world. Yet this mystery seems to be misunderstood even by many Christians.
So what is it? It’s “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” It’s the absolute indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit in the inner most part of you, leading you, empowering you, changing you, and growing you to reflect the attributes of God Himself.
All other religions have laws – lists of do’s and don’ts – which, if followed, are supposed to bring people into perfection. But our faith is different. In our faith, our lives of sin are forsaken at the cross of Jesus. We accept His sacrifice for our sinful nature – and then we accept the empowerment of His Holy Spirit to walk away from sin and into the life He has for us.
That’s why we know that we have authority over sin, sickness, and poverty. The “Greater One” lives on the inside of us and causes us to overcome the evils of the world…if we are relying on Him and not ourselves. (more…)
by Suellen | Faith
Have you wondered why God chose Abraham?
We know that God chose Abraham to be the father of the Jews, the people who would eventually bring forth Jesus. But why was he so special? What was there about Abraham that made God choose him?
Something set him apart from others of his day. What was it? (more…)
by Suellen | Bible, Prayer
Today we are moving into deeper water. The discussion today is one of the most important ones we will cover.
There are so many people who want God involved in their lives, but they don’t know how to get Him involved. They pray “help” or “why me” prayers, or they just copy someone else, but they don’t understand how God designed His plan of prayer.
So let’s start with the big picture.
(more…)
