You Are On God's Heart Today

"Paying Attention"

2012-01-28T09:20:00.000-06:00

“He said, If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you” (Exodus 15:26 NIV).

My husband is a diabetic and so one of the things he really needs to pay attention to are his feet. One day he was walking bare footed outside and without noticing he stood on a tiny glass splinter. Thank goodness later that evening the sole of his foot was painful and so we took a closer look at it.

This splinter was so tiny that I had to take a magnifying glass to help me pluck it out. What a relief my husband experienced when I removed it: the pain disappeared instantly and the little cavity healed very quickly. We said “Oh, that was good it hurt, otherwise you wouldn’t have noticed it”. Indeed, it was a blessing in disguise.

I tell you, there are some things in your life that exist that you are not even aware of. It is by the grace of God that you are given the opportunity to pay attention and to take inventory of the most sensitive compass you own: your own heart.

It’s easy; just ask yourself today if you have a little bitterness that hurts or a little anger that is haunting you. You know, a little frustration here and there. Perhaps you think it’s not worth looking at, but as you yield anything to the LORD He will magnify it for you to see clearly. Then allow Him to pluck out whatever is bothering you because His intentions are for you to be free of pain and for you to walk in perfect emotional and physical healing.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Ask and Receive"

2012-01-22T10:29:00.000-06:00

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours"
(Mark 11:24 NIV).

I carried a concern with me for quite some time. I kept it to myself and didn’t talk to anyone about it, not even to my husband. Then when this need became a real big one I just couldn’t keep it to myself anymore. I had to talk to him about it and ask if he could meet that need.

And do you know what? He made a way! He didn’t turn me down, he didn’t say that I needed to come to him another day. No, he instantly said yes although at that time we didn’t have the means. I received what I had asked for! The nice thing was that later on that day we had a check in the mailbox that covered more than I needed.

This story reflects so much the heart of God and how it “works” in His Kingdom. If you read the above verse carefully, you will discover that when you ask the LORD for something, you need to believe. The LORD says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Faith is also being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Although whatever you have asked for might not be visible yet, you need to hear and know in your heart that the LORD said Yes and Amen to your request. Only then you are really walking by faith and receive what is yours.

So next time you have a need, dare to ask the LORD. Know that He will not turn you down. He loves you too much. He wants your joy to be complete and your faith in Him to be unshaken. So go now and receive your blessings from God!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

“Your Glorious Destiny”

2012-01-15T10:35:00.000-06:00

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:23 NIV).

In one of my previous devotionals I wrote about an ornamental cherry tree that wasn’t doing all too well. After it had been transplanted into our yard it lost practically all its leaves and looked so frail. We had even considered giving up on it and getting a new one but then the Lord spoke to me.

And now having gone through 8 seasons in 2 years this tree is a winner. It has become very strong and its leaves have grown considerably in number and size and beauty of color. There it stands now in its destiny giving shade to our house and shelter for a birds nest. Glorious, glorious I tell you!

You go through your seasons as well and sometimes it seems that it’s too hard for you and you think “Am I ever going to make it”? Just hang in there, what the Lord has declared over you shall come to pass. You are to be one that through hearing and understanding His word will bear the maximum, a hundredfold of what He sowed into your life to the glory of the Father.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"I am With You"

2012-01-07T19:08:00.000-06:00

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NIV).

Although the wintertime is a pretty season, the fact of the matter is that it is often dark and nature seems to be asleep. In our hometown when it gets dark we turn on the lights! During the night time all the bare trees in our park are covered with thousands of pretty lights. The lights also reflect a wonderful picture of the Christmas season: they are used to paint scenes, stars, pine trees, the nativity story and many other well known characters. You can even drive through the park if you like and enjoy the pictures and the warmth of the lights.

I tell you, it’s a whole new world and for a moment or two you forget that this is just an ordinary park. You see, although you know without a shadow of doubt that the lights are there, during daylight the evidence and effect of them are invisible to the human eye.

This scene in the park reminded me very much of the invisible God. Although He is always with us, he is unseen to the human eye. But when we turn to him and fellowship with Him, a whole new world opens up to us. A life that was lost, ordinary and empty becomes a life of abundance, happiness and meaningfulness. Perhaps your life is like that. But this doesn’t have to remain like this forever! Turn to your Savior and He will open your spiritual eyes and you will experience and enjoy the wonderful rich life that is found in the presence of the one true God. His name is Jesus Christ and He is the Light of the World.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

“Staying Close to You”

2012-01-01T16:58:00.001-06:00

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42: 2-3 NIV).

He’s quite the follower my dog! When I make a move, he follows me. Each step of the way he is close on my heels and he just wants to be close to me. Often he lies so tightly next to me and there is no gap between us. Sometimes he just wants to sleep on my lap and sometimes he wants to play. Often he just wants to make sure that I am there, and then he walks away doing something on his own.

However, as soon as I move you can be sure that he is right there where I am and resumes following me wherever I go.

This is the kind of need for His presence the Lord desires for you to have. Imagine this: in each step that you take you thirst and you long so much for His presence, guidance and voice. Moving when He moves, resting when He rests and knowing at all times that He is with you will help you grow in confidence and joy for the situations you are facing today.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

"The Giver of All Good Things!"

2011-12-25T14:37:00.000-06:00

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:4-6 NIV).

I reached a point in my life, where I absolutely needed to do something about my alarming weight gain. I evaluated different fitness studios in my home town, I tested their equipment, I talked to the staff about their program, and I compared the membership fees. During that time my desire really grew strong, but there was one little problem: I didn’t have the money to buy a membership. So what do you do when you cannot do anything anymore? You have this desire, but you cannot make it happen. I want to tell you, that this is such a good place to be and a great opportunity for the LORD to step in and to do something wonderful in your life.

You know in a short period of time the LORD provided something miraculous for me: He found the best place in town where I could workout for free, teach children and even earn a little money.
The delight the Bible is speaking about comes from being at that place where your only hope is in the LORD. It is a place where all human efforts cease and your faith becomes real. Do you have a desire in your heart, but you in yourself are not able to meet that need?

I encourage you today to take your eyes off all impossibilities and to talk to the LORD about your desires. Know that with Him all things are possible and that He is the giver of all good things. He desires to give you the best and above your expectation! He will surely do it for you. I guarantee that your joy will overflow in praise and your faith in Him will strengthen your heart when you hear the Master Voice say to you: I did it for you; I paid the price.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"I Will Do It"

2011-12-19T09:09:00.000-06:00

“Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the LORD have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it” (Ezekiel 36:36 NIV).

Now that I am a home owner for the first time in my life I have learned here in America that all depending on the condition of the houses that are set around you the value of your own home will increase or decrease. This is an important factor when you want to sell your house!

One day as I was walking in the neighborhood I took a good look at some of the houses. Some looked really bad and desolate; some were even condemned by the city. I was so discouraged at the thought of our own house but then Lord impressed on me these words: “For me it is a little thing to change these houses so that your house would gain in value”. That day I thought, “Yeah, that’s right. For Him it is a small thing and nothing is too big for Him. He can certainly do that.”

And sure enough, a few weeks ago His words came to pass and a wonderful restoration process of three different houses has begun. Indeed, what the Lord had spoken He will do and He will do it for you too!

So let me ask you this: Are there things in your life that seem impossible for you to accomplish? Well, they don’t have to remain impossible for you anymore. Share them with your Lord and then let Him fill your heart with His response. In His timing you will get to witness marvelous wonderful things that will make your heart glad. He does it for you so that your heart would be made glad to worship the One and Only that deserves your complete adoration and love.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

Preaching during the Kenya Conference - 23th Nov 11

2011-12-17T09:21:00.007-06:00

This is an introduction by Claude Widmer, our leader of Follow Him International. I linked it to my blogpage. You can find it also at http://follow-him.com/blog.claude.widmer

Then listen to Philip Elston's message below (the link at the far end of this introduction). Listen to this audio message and by all means apply it to your life! You won't regret it.

* * *

Come! - a prophetic Message by Philip Elston, that he shared with us at the conference in Kenya. I believe it to be the word of the Lord to the Body of Christ for this time and season! Come and listen to what the Lord has to say to you today!

Philip does not only move in an extraordinary prophetic gifting, but most of all you feel the love of the Father when he is around and he will bring healthy conviction to you through his teachings. You just love to sit under his Ministry. He has had the chance to be a vessel for God in many different nations all around the world. He has been used to speak the word of the Lord to Statesmen as well as the ordinary people in great accuracy and with much wisdom! Although it has lately been difficult for him to travel due to some personal circumstances, we have had the chance to have him Minister a few times through skype. So during our last conference in Kenya, Philip stayed up late for us to share this work via skype. It is not easy to minister to people you don't see that are in a far away country. But the message has come out very good and I am happy to share it here with you.

I truly believe that it is both a challenge, but also an encouragement for the Body of Christ. In these times of trouble we need to step out of the Boat and just trust that the Lord will sustain us and use us like never before! It is time for the church to shine and be that city on a hill. This is the time the Lord has called you for and you CAN DO IT! It is the time to rise up and come out of your cave! Shine for the Lord and walk in His Presence! Here is the link for the message:

Preaching during the Kenya Conference - 23th Nov 11

Leave it to Me

2011-12-10T09:37:00.000-06:00

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV).

In Iowa where I now live there are such a lot of trees. And now that the autumn season has arrived, the leaves are falling to the ground and leaving all the trees bear. One day the trees are full of leaves, and then the next day a heavy wind comes and blows all the leaves off the trees.

It’s just the way it is. The Lord has set seasons in place and when it is time for another season, there comes a change. For all yard owners there is work to be done, and that means to rake all the leaves from the ground. That’s hard work and it needs endurance and muscle power to clear the lawn from all the leaves.

But you know what? There is a much easier way for all that work that needs to be done! Do you know how? Wait for the wind to come and he will do the work for you! With his power he will blow those leaves off your lawn in just a moment. Do you get the picture? Do you see it for yourself? This is the lifestyle of a follower of Jesus Christ: Enjoy your life and let Him do the work that is too heavy for you.

Are there things in your life that are burdening you too much and wearing you down? Wait upon the LORD and hand these very things over to Him. Then trust and rest in Him. He will surely carry them for you. And then you can lean back and enjoy your life as a Christian. Give Him the right of way and your life will become easy and light!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

Good Fruit!

2011-12-04T09:27:00.000-06:00

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15: 5 NIV).

Often it seems I am like a child especially when it comes to gardening and I am learning something new every day. This can be a good thing as I have been open to seek the Lord for insight. This was exactly the case with our raspberry bushes that we recently planted.

My observation was that right next to the original stem came forth another stem and as I was weeding that day I really wasn’t quite sure if that was a weed or not. As I was looking at the bush and trying to figure out what it was, the Lord’s gentle voice spoke to me “Look out for some fruit.” Sure enough, from the original stem branched off another branch and this one was carrying the fruit.

It’s the same with you too! The only good fruit that comes out of you is of the Lord Jesus Christ. As you firmly remain rooted in Him you will bare much good fruit. And this is the kind of fruit that will last for everybody to taste and see!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

The Victory is Yours!

2011-11-26T08:12:00.000-06:00

“But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed for ever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him" (Daniel 7:26-27).

Oh, did you realize what you just read in these verses above? Do you know that you are a saint of the Most High? You see, one day soon the Kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to His saints. And that includes you too! If you think about it, isn’t that just an amazing thought but at the same time also a little bit overwhelming?

Perhaps now you start to understand why your life is sometimes so difficult. It is because the Lord is preparing you for your eternal destiny. He is teaching you all about Kingdom principles. He is changing you into His image and He is imparting to you His sovereignty, power and greatness which you will need to rule and reign with Him one day soon.

I encourage you today to embrace all the challenges that come along your way. Remember the LORD is preparing you for His eternal mission and He is laying a solid foundation in your life. Your reward is to spend eternity alongside with Him. So rejoice about your glorious future and walk your life with the King of Kings as if you were already standing with Him in eternity.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Just Wait and See!"

2011-11-20T04:46:00.000-06:00

“The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 'An enemy did this,' he replied. The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn” (Matthew 13:27 – 30 NIV).

We were looking forward to coming home again after being gone for a few weeks. Of course we were very curious how our yard would be looking like. When we finally got to see it, we were a little shocked at its condition. The weeding had been completely neglected and it was just amazing to see how quickly the weeds had grown, far more than the real plants.

Our disappointed soon disappeared as we rolled up our sleeves and began to free our precious plants from these huge and nasty enemies. Actually, our joy grew more at the very clear and obvious sight of these weeds and we became very effective in the deliverance of our plants.

This is a lesson we all need to learn as leaders in the Kingdom of God. It is absolutely necessary to wait for the full blown manifestation of the counterfeit for it to become very obvious and clear to us. It will require patience, faith and wisdom, but just wait and see, because your spiritual discernment will be a fruit of it and you will be called an effective deliverer in the lives of people entrusted to you.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Share Your Plans with Him!"

2011-11-14T01:49:00.000-06:00

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30).

We recently had an electrician install many more outlets in our house. I never really paid much attention to the electricity and how it functions in the house. I mean it’s like you take it for granted. You switch on the light and the light goes on. It was then truly amazing to see how much wire and planning and calculation was needed before he dared to drill a hole in the wall.

Then finally when everything was set into place he was able to pull the electrical wire through the wall and attach it to the outlets. He did an excellent job and the best part of it was his planning skills. The planning and calculation phase was his foundation and guaranteed the success of his work. He counted the costs very well.

These verses in Luke 14 are mentioned under a paragraph called “the cost of being a disciple”. Planning and calculating are one of the excellent characteristics of a disciple. They plan and calculate well before they do anything. There lies such an excellence in this discipline because at the end of this chapter the Lord Jesus concludes in verse 34” that salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”. The truth of the matter is, the Lord wants you to be effective and represent Him well on this earth.

I encourage you today that whatever you are called to do, that you would dare to sit down with the Lord first before you move forward. Share with Him your plans and let Him help you with counting the costs. Then, when everything is set in place, go forward boldly and be a shining light in this world.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"The Place of Refuge"

2011-11-06T15:34:00.000-06:00

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4 NIV).

I only noticed how hot it actually was when I stepped out of my air conditioned car. I had to take our dog to the nearby lawn and because the heat was weighing very heavily on both of us I was in desperate need of an instant shelter.

Whilst I was walking along the lawn I came across this huge tree. Then, as I approached it and came under its shelter I immediately experienced a fresh breeze and a change of temperature. This strong tree with leaves like wings carried and absorbed all the heaviness of the heat so that I didn’t have to suffer any longer. Indeed, under its protection I found safety and relief.

Doesn’t this tree just speak about our awesome God? HE IS the place of refuge that absorbs all the pressure for you! As you give your worries and cares into His hands you will find the gentle breeze of freedom in the presence of your great protector!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

Look at the Progress!

2011-10-31T01:57:00.000-05:00

“Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb-line in the hand of Zerubbabel” (Zechariah 4:10 NIV).

God is at work in your life, did you know that? He that has begun a good work in you will also accomplish it. The Lord desires to lay a good and solid foundation in your life. But because you look at your calling there is a good chance that you could despise the small beginnings. Perhaps you are thinking that you are taking “baby steps” and that they are not worth of any consideration. But you forget an important principle: each and every step is needed to climb the ladder.

Let’s be honest: It’s very difficult to take big steps in the Kingdom of God. It’s not Gods way anyway. He plants a seed and then he waits for it to grow. So trust me; you need to take these small ones. Little by little, step by step, day by day, week by week you will realize that you are standing on solid ground. This growth will give you such a confidence and enable you to build the Kingdom Gods way. I encourage you today to focus on the progress you are making and at the same time to hold onto your calling that is in your right hand.

And then listen to the Masters Voice saying to you: 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

“The Peace Maker”

2011-10-23T07:21:00.000-05:00

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 NKJV).

I had the opportunity to stay at a very nice condominium community and witness the living together of many different people. On a warm summer evening residents would often gather together outside on a bench or folding chairs, talking to each other, greeting people that were taking their dog for a walk and waving to cars that were driving by. Everybody seemed to know everybody and it looked like they were all living in harmony and unity together.

Not so that particular Saturday morning. I went for a swim in the pool and was thoroughly enjoying its warm water. At some point my peace was interrupted as a resident surprisingly and with an obviously frustrated voice declared “I am sick of this place.” Then, in a demonstrative posture she marched back to her condo.

I think that probably the noise of the bulldozer that was doing some yard work had upset her very much. I was surprised at this sudden explosion but at the same time had to chuckle a little as I could relate so very well with her. How many times in the past had I exploded, lacked patience and endurance.

At this point I was glad to know that it is Jesus Christ – our only hope and help in times of longsuffering and the enduring of all things. Living in peace with others is not just a surface thing; no it is something real, something true and pure. The truth of the matter is that it can only be accomplished by the peace maker Himself. As you draw from deep within Him you will experience a peace that will lead you to a real unity with others. So come on now, let’s do it for God’s sake, will we?

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

Change Your Perspective!

2011-10-17T07:26:00.003-05:00

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”

(Psalm 118:24 NIV).

There are mornings where you can just sense that this is going to be a good day. It is as if all the cares and the spiritual attacks have been lifted away from you and you can walk so easily in this promise the Lord is speaking of. But for many of us these days seem to be rare ones. Often we see ourselves confronted with problems, opposition, and the issues of our own hearts. These are the days where you know that you are walking on the narrow path. How then can you possibly find joy in all these circumstances when you are so overwhelmed by them?

Let me help you here. Whether you feel good or not, it is a fact that the Lord has made this day and He wants you to be happy! He wants you to be glad and know that He is in control of every day. After all, he is the creator of all good things, right? So it all starts with your perspective towards this day and your attitude towards God. Here is a simple question for you to answer: “Is your glass half full or half empty?” Do you view your situation negatively, or could it be an opportunity to grow, for example in patience, love or obedience? Whatever it might be, chose to learn regardless of how you feel. Believe the Lord and His word. Take every opportunity to grow in the Lord and learn from Him and you will soon realize that your days are filled with joy and gladness.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Run to the Lord"

2011-10-09T07:32:00.000-05:00

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8 NIV).

Have you ever watched when the wind blows along the ground and it carries away the leaves? Sometimes it looks like the leaves are dancing in circles. Sometimes it looks like they are just carried away by the wind. And sometimes it looks as if they are running after something. All depending on how the wind blows there is a different scene.

But in all there is such an excitement and activity in the air when the wind comes and blows away all these leaves from the ground. These leaves cannot resist the wind – it is just too strong for them! They are lifted up from the ground at once and carried away to another place. Just watch them and you will see them dancing around and around. It gets so intense sometimes that maybe you can even hear them singing and rejoicing.

And the Lord would say unto you: “Oh how I desire for you to come to me with a spirit of freedom. Oh how I desire for you to laugh and be joyful before Me. Oh how I desire for My children to run to Me and be glad that I care about them. Oh how I long for them to be lifted up and to be carefree.”

This is the Lords heart for his children. Will you dare to be carefree today and to rejoice in the Lord your God?

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"I Will Lead You"

2011-10-02T07:52:00.007-05:00

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 NIV).

For the first time in 3 years I was travelling without my husband. I was driving over 600 miles on the American highways all by myself and I tell you, I was nervous. Having grown up in a small country like Switzerland, it has always been easy for me to read road maps, but when it comes to big cities like Indianapolis or Columbus, I can get lost and I am nervous driving on multi-lane highways with heavy traffic commotion.

So I was glad that on this trip I had our TomTom navigation system to guide me. As I was driving along the highway I thought that this technology would definitely lead me safely to my final destination. The only thing I would have to do is watch the screen, listen to the directions, do what I was supposed to do and I would be alright. And sure enough, Tom led me straight to the house where I was expected to be, without any delay and no detours at all.

Isn’t this just an excellent description of the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth? He is our comforter, our best counselor and help along the many avenues of our life. So that’s why I want to encourage you today to completely surrender your life to the Lord. Entrust any difficulties to Him and listen to His voice and His direction. I promise you that He will guide you victoriously all along the way to your final destination. Just trust in Him alone. He is indeed the best navigator you can have for the roadmap of your life!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

I Am Doing a New Thing!

2011-09-26T08:18:00.003-05:00

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

Can you perceive the new thing in your own life? It’s such a precious thing when you can see that there is actually a lot of progress in your life. But you often overlook the progress by looking at your end goal and miss it, because the new thing the Lord is speaking about has to do with growth. And since growth is a process you have to look at each little step on your way.

So let me paint a picture for you to illustrate this progress. Let’s take a piece of Swiss cheese. In order to become all that it needs to be, this cheese has to go through a manufacturing and a maturing process. This cheese did not receive its good taste right from the beginning. No, there was a steady process and progress going on with this cheese until it reached its maturity.

So why not take a look at your own life for a moment and ask the Lord about your personal progress. I can assure you that you will be amazed at how much progress you are actually making. Take just an area of your life and look at it closely. This could be your abilities and talents or even your interaction with others. Do you face any challenges? Do you need more understanding or patience or is the Lord pointing out something specific?

Whatever it may be, know in your heart that this very challenge is creating a new thing in your life! And then you will realize step by step that many things are springing forth in your life. This awareness alone will give you such a boost of faith and joy and lead you straight away out of your personal desert and wasteland.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Are You Hungry?"

2011-09-18T06:53:00.000-05:00

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (Psalm 81, 10 & 16 NIV).

You should have seen this nest! We were blessed by a Red Robin that built a firm custom-made nest on top of the gutter that was coming down just underneath our roof. Now the Red Robin became a proud mommy of two little Red Robins. The only thing we can see of these little ones is their big mouth. As soon as their mother lands on the nest, they arise with their mouths wide and open hungry to receive whatever mommy brings back home to them.

As I saw this kind of hunger displayed by these birds and their wide open mouths I had to think of Psalm 81. You know, the LORD is very much like a mother to us. It is He alone that wants to fill us with such an abundance of good things so that in all times we could experience such a satisfaction and contentment.

Today the LORD wants to reassure you that He is truly the only One that can satisfy your hunger. You no longer have to feed yourself on things that leave you empty and hungry. Just be hungry for Jesus! I tell you, open your heart and mind wide to the LORD and allow The Rock of Salvation to feed you with His kind of food.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

"Wait on Me"

2011-09-11T07:38:00.001-05:00

“Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

If you get a chance to go to our park in Ottumwa, do it! It’s such an interesting site and the Lord very often speaks to me through His creation.

Recently I went for a walk and I observed some animals. There were many squirrels and geese and one day also a multitude of pelicans. As I stopped and pondered about this wildlife, the Lord showed me something interesting. These animals eat, rest and fly. Squirrels for example jump around and it seems that they are really enjoying their day! Nothing more they seem to do than fly, eat, rest and jump.

And then I thought about this verse above. Jesus praises Mary for sitting at his feet and listening to him. She is doing nothing more than that. She is actually doing far less than her sister Martha. But with much activity there also come a lot of worries. What was it that could not be taken away from Mary? It was the loving words of Jesus, the fellowship with Him, His instruction and His awesome presence. There is so much richness in just listening to the Lord. We easily get distracted don’t we, when we are so busy with many things.

So look at the squirrels and the geese next time you go to the park and rest assured, that he wants this same rest for you. He wants you to rejoice and be glad all the days of your life. This happiness will come when you rest in Him and hear His voice. Then equipped with His very words you will be ready for the day.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner

“Lay Down Your Life”

2011-09-04T19:08:00.003-05:00

“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

Do You Understand?

2011-08-28T15:46:00.001-05:00

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

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

“The Longing of God”

2011-08-21T17:15:00.001-05:00

“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Romans 8: 19-21 NIV).

I tell you, it was definitely a special day in the life of my husband. After much planning, coordinating, endurance, faith and finances the dream of my husband and probably of every American had become reality: the custom designed garage was no longer a dream!

As he stood in his beloved and cherished brand new garage I could just feel his happiness, contentment and the sense of great relief. What he had seen with his inner eye and what he had carried in his heart for years was a blueprint of his garage. Now finally everything came to pass just as he had seen and believed all along.

In that moment I thought of the tremendous longing that our Heavenly Father has. I thought of His love for us and His faith that Christ could be formed in us. He didn’t spare any costs, made plans to give us a hope and future, He even sent His son to this earth to teach us, to remind us and to draw us to Him and give us a new identity. Then when everything was completed, His Son said “It Is Finished,” and then the Father let Him die for you and for me.

Today I want to impress to you that the LORD has a great longing and love for you. He will never give up on you, but carry out His plan for your life until everything is completed and finished. Now rest in this assurance and enter into the Fathers joy and delight.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Suzanne Tanner