Encouragement From Me to You
The God of Such and Such
by Susan A. Smith on 02/13/12
As I rode down the highway listening to Ransom Mumba, "The God of Such and Such," the Holy Spirit started to show me that I know the God of Such and Such. And I thought to myself "I wonder if people realize that they know Him as well." Let me give you a little background about the God of Such and Such in the scripture first. The God of Such and Such is revealed in II Samuel 12. God is having a conversation with David after God called him on the carpet for what he did with Bath-sheba and her husband. Read the entire story in II Samuel 11-12.
You would think God would have addressed his ungodly behavior first, but He didn't. He gave David a snapshot of what He had done for him in the past. He addressed David's lack of trust. I think God was more disappointed that David did things his own way instead of asking God for what he wanted. God wanted to provide everything for David as He had in the past. But David went after Bath-sheba in an underhanded, manipulated, calculated, and ungodly way. We too sometimes act like David. We figure out ways to get things done, especially if we: one, we know God would not be pleased with our request; two, if we think God is talking too long to do whatever we asked; and three, if we cannot cover it by faith.
God's response to David bought tears to my eyes! He told David, "And I gave thee thy master's house, and they master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of
The lesson to learn here is to let the God of Such and Such continue to do what He does best, and that is being the Father (and everything that goes along with being a Father). Relax and don't get stressed out, crazy, and God forbid, do something you will regret. The God of Such and Such will lead and guide you as He always has. Just continue to trust Him! The God of Such and Such can do the miraculous if we let him! I said, "If we let Him!" We gotta let Him!
Pass it on if this blog has encouraged you. C ya at Coast to Coast Gathering in September. Exciting offer: You register 9 ladies at one time and 10th lady is free (thru April 15th) Go to www.c2cwomen.org today!
Be Encouraged!
What Does 2012 Have in Store for Us
by Susan A. Smith on 01/26/12
Hello Friends,
OK I know I have been away for a minute (just a minute) lol! OMG so much has been going on, all good things, several projects and new beginnings. I often wonder, if I am doing all of this now, what is in store for me in 2012? Do you ponder that question like me? I know I am working on several projects like my second book, Coast to Coast Women's Gathering (www.c2cwomen.org), church, family, etc. But I wonder, "What else is in the mind of God for me?" If you are like me you are asking that same question.
The wonderful thing I love about God is that I believe He puts within us the questions to ask so that He can give us the PERFECT answer as we seek Him in prayer. The scripture states in Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." What a great way to start off the year by doing just what it say in Matthew 7:7, asking, seeking, and knocking. Even as we ask, God will answer, as we seek, we will find answers to questions, and when we knock, the door shall be opened. When we seek God as a vital necessity, then we will find Him (Jer. 29:12 AMP). When we do our part, God will do His. Numbers 23:19 says that God is not a man that He should lie. If He said it, you can be assured it will come to pass.
I encourage you as you ponder on 2012, know that it will be an absolutely amazing year for you!
Remember to register for the Coast to Coast Women's Gathering at www.c2cwomen.org. It starts off with our Ultimate Stiletto Party on Thursday night. Friday are the interactive workshops, and Saturday is our finale. I would love to see you in
Join the conversation! Are you where I am -- asking, seeking and knocking for 2012?
As always, if this post has encouraged you, pass it on.
Susan A. Smith
What are You Thinking About?
by Susan A. Smith on 09/12/11
Hello Friends,
You know I have asked myself this question several times today "What am I thinking about?" I have heard and often quoted the saying "You move in the direction of your most dominate thoughts." How true is that? Think about it, when you are lying in bed and it is time to get up, you think about how much longer you are going to sleep or if you are going to get up right away. Then whether you get up or not is determined by which thought was more dominate. If you think about eating a peanut butter Kandy cake (um um good), you go get it and you eat it. Think about some things you have done just today, and you will realize that it all started with a thought.
Have you heard the saying "a thought becomes an action, an action becomes a habit, and a habit becomes a strong hold"? Well it is true, with good and bad thoughts! If you find yourself doing something that has become a bad habit, it all started with a thought and vice versa. The key to change is begin to think and speak differently. I have used this principal so many times in my life, too many to write about.
I will share this one testimony. I remember my daughter was struggling in math and I said to her "stop saying you are not good in math! Change your words, and everything within you will move in that direction." Well of course it took some time for her to change her words, but eventually she did. She continued thinking and speaking about doing well in math. As a result, at the end of her junior year, she received an award for second highest math average in the entire junior CP math course. Now as a senior, she has an honors statistics class. That sure is a change from getting a D in the first semester of 9th grade. It does work! (By the way, she received a B in 9th grade, and an A in 10th grade. Go Ariel!).
So I encourage you today, be careful what you are thinking about consistently, because it could come to pass (Eph. 3:20).
As usual if this has encouraged you, then pass it on! Thanks. TTY Soon,
Susan A. Smith
FIRST????? First What?
by Susan A. Smith on 08/21/11
Hello Friends,
I pray that you all have been well! I have been meditating on the word FIRST. The word FIRST comes to mind with so many important events:
First Anniversary
First Grade
First Job
First Paycheck
First Child and the list goes on and on.
But I want to encourage you in this way as it relates to the word FIRST.
I have read Matthew 6:33 so many times and have quoted it more times over these past 21years of being born again. But this week I have been thinking about the word FIRST and what it means in that scripture and my life.
Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you."
As I sat meditating on this scripture, the word FIRST caught my attention more and more. The more I looked at Matthew 6:33, the more the word FIRST kept jumping out at me; almost like a 3D effect.
We should seek God FIRST in all things, making Him and His Word the priority. The order is not second, not when everything else fails, not when our backs are against the wall. But seek Him and His way of doing things FIRST. Now that may be different for some of you and/or a reminder to some, but nonetheless the instructions are for all of us. If we could develope a habit of seeking Him FIRST, imagine what life would be like.
Seeking Him FIRST, takes away the stress and strain for me. I just follow the instructions. It takes the load of thinking too long and too hard and possibly putting myself in a position of defeat. My role is allowing God to lead and I follow, not the other way around.
So when a situation or circumstance shows up, all I have to do is be in a position to hear and discern the voice of God, then follow the instructions. The first miracle Jesus performed was turning water into wine. Mary knew her son (that's also another important key, KNOWING God). She said "whatever He saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5). And when the people filled the pots with water and began to draw the water, Jesus took the responsibility to do the rest.
He does the same thing in our situations as well, we just need to do what He tells us to do by faith and He is responsible to make the rest happen. But we have to seek Him FIRST. As my husband says, "God is not the clean up man." WOW!
I can think of many situations where I did not seek God FIRST (and I am sure you can too), and ended up needed Him to help me out of the mess I created. So I encourage you, do your part by SEEKING HIM FIRST in all things, and then He will do His part. Today if you are faced with a situation, if you have not already, take a moment to ask for His instructions.
Until next time, September 5th
Susan Smith
P.S. Don't forget to share with someone. Also become my friend on FB. And write a comment in the comment section if the blog has encouraged you in any way. The comments come directly to my phone, I love reading them!!!! Thanks
When you say "I Love Ya"
by Susan A. Smith on 07/31/11
Hello,
It's been two weeks since I have last written to you. I have been thinking about what to write this time around. I keep hearing "I Love Ya."
Most of you know I am a Pastor. If I can be honest and real, it is not easy at times walking in love. OMG, things happen, people change, and so on and so on. But, the Lord keeps reminding me about times when He loved me thru my mess and process. Selah. Galatians 6:1 is a constant reminder of how we are to treat people when they are overtaken in a fault, "restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." I often think of how God restores me when I mess up, and I try to restore people in the same manner. For real, who am I to point the finger at someone else, when I am still on the operating table (can I get a witness?). Yes, we all are and will be until the day we take our last breath.
So with that being said, or written, I have found another way of reading I Corinthians 13. Before you read, imagine all of the people to whom you say "I Love You." Now, read this as if they were standing in front of you.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 (Susan A. Smith Version)
Because I said "I love you," then I will suffer long with you, I will be kind to you, I will not envy you.
Because I said "I love you," then I will not act boastful or say boastful comments to you.
Because I said "I love you," then I will not act puffed up towards you, I will not act rude towards you, I will let you have your way sometimes.
Yes, Love is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.
Because I said "I love you," then I will not rejoice when something bad happens to you, I will rejoice when something good happens to you.
Because I said "I love you," then I will bear with you.
Because I said "I love you," then I will believe the best about you, I will hope for the best for you.
Because I said "I love you," then I will endure with you.
Yes Lord!
I have had to recite this passage of scripture (SAS Version) may times. I have to remember when I said "I love you", hummmm, I am saying all of the above. Some times it is a little more difficult than others, especially when people hurt ya. It is all worth it when I can see the Word working in my life and people are blessed. But most of all when my Heavenly Father is pleased with me and my actions (that's what I live for).
Well I hope you will be reminded of this blog when a situation arises and you have to display the God-kind of love towards someone. As always, if this blog has encouraged you, pass it on! Also, write me a comment and let me know your thoughts. Tty in two weeks (August 15th).
Be Encouraged!
