Raise Your Shield!

Greetings, Dear Friends!
Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome!

I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.

If you take the time to post on my blog in April, you may win a $10.00 gift card to Caribou, Target, OR Dairy Queen! Your choice. So drop me a note and say hi!

Now on to my topic...

I was talking with one of my mentors this morning and she expressed something quite profound to me. She said, "Susie, I don't think we have any idea of our impact as ones who belong to God. Take the touch, for instance. Since my husband has become a Believer, our embrace has taken on a whole new meaning. When we wrap our arms around each other, just for the sake of a hug, there's more power in that embrace than I've ever known before."

I tried to imagine in the spiritual realm, what that means for us as Believers. Since it's true that God has assigned angels to our care, things change when we walk into a room. And to the extent that we walk in the knowledge of who we are, will there be an impact on the things we touch.

This morning during my prayer time, I considered the gift God gave us when fastened each of us with a shield.

Do you know how to use your shield?

The book of Ephesians tells us that our shield can extinguish ALL of the flaming arrows of the enemy.

Think about that.

What are some of the flaming arrows aimed at you?

Are you being attacked in your finances, your health, your relationships, or your perspective?

Remember, John 10:10 says, "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy."

His aim is to take you out along with all of the promises budding around you.

But the rest of the verse is our promise, "But I come, that you might have life; life to the fullest (life abundantly).

Abundance means: teeming in plenty, rich, lavish, copious amounts, large, huge, overflowing, great, ample

Are you living a large life? How about an overflowing life? Do you consider yourself rich in every way? Because the Bible says that you are.

Most of us spend our time ducking and running from the arrows.

But the shield, when properly lifted and aimed, will extinguish ALL of the arrows aimed at us.

What is that shield? It's your shield of FAITH!

By FAITH you stand, you raise your shield and you say NO to the schemes and attacks of the enemy against you.

Psalm 91:4 says that His faithful promises are your armor and protection. You can stand against those fiery darts by believing in FAITH that His promises are true for you!

Your shield is your protection, but not just that. His shield is your victory.

Psalm 18:35 says, "You give me YOUR shield of victory. You stoop down to make me great."

When we stay in step with Him, He only leads us into battles we can win. He carries us in His arms, He raises His shield and we see - with our own eyes - the victory of God on our behalf.

We'll never see that victory though, if we cut and run. If we hide anywhere but in His shelter.

His shield is our protection and our victory.

Wait, there's more!

God's shield gives us access; helps us gain ground; makes a way for us when there seems to be no way.

Psalm 5:12 says, "For surely, O, Lord, You bless the righteous. You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.

I once heard a powerful message by Rex Somebody (Friends, if you know Rex's last name, please post it for me). Rex's message is by far, my son Luke's favorite sermon ever.

Rex's whole message revolved around the favor of the Lord. In a nutshell, he said that the favor of the Lord speaks of three things...

1.) God's indulgence
2.) God's endorsement
3.) Having the unfair advantage (because our lives are impacted by the favor of well, uh, God!)

Believers who don't believe God's promises are true for them, never think of raising their shield of faith or expect God to be big in their midst.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 77:14 and it says, "You are the God who performs miracles! You display Your power among the people."

What are you battling today?

Raise your shield and proclaim loud enough for the neighbors to hear, "My God is mighty to save and He will protect me! He will deliver me! And He will establish me!"

Have a blessed and wonderful week.

My April Ezine comes out next Tuesday.

Be sure to subscribe on my website if you haven't already.

Peace and victory to you all!

Comments

[Susie Larson]

Hey Daryl,

You're feeling like a pin cushion and you haven't called me yet? :)

I'll be praying.

Love you~

[Susie Larson]

Hey Christy!

Nice to hear from you!

How are all of my girlfriends in Idaho?

You're such a precious group. I hope all is well with you!

Here's to raising our shields!

Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Gina!

I was wondering when you were going to stop by! I'm glad you won the gift card; you deserve it!
Blessings to you this day~

[Daryl Jackson]

Oh Susie,

What a good word for me today.
I get pictures as do you, and as I read your blog, I was seeing myself as a big pin cushion.
So many arrows and I'm just sitting here letting them irritate me.
My shield is back up and I
am ready for the fight.
Thanks as always for such a
good reminder.
No more pin cushion here!
Always,
Daryl

[Christy in Idaho]

Hi Susie, shamefully I admit that it has been awhile since I looked you up. However this am in the still of the morning I decided to pull up my email and try to get a handle on the day before leaving for work. I just love what you are saying about raising the shield and being strong. It is easy to cower low or hide in shame but there is so much power in God's glory if you just take the time to feel it! If I think of Him before every action I can feel the power in every step. I AM STRONG! Thank you for blessing my day.

[gina wills]

So needed to read this one today, Susie! As always, God's timing is perfect through you:) Haven't logged on for awhile and of course was led to tonight. Your message spoke to my heart-am battling three out of four that you mentioned right now. Thank you for the redirection once again!

[gina wills]

So needed to read this one today, Susie! As always, God's timing is perfect through you:) Haven't logged on for awhile and of course was led to tonight. Your message spoke to my heart-am battling three out of four that you mentioned right now. Thank you for the redirection once again!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Anna,

Excellent point and it's true for all of us.

How often do we miss a powerful opportunity to be victorious simply because we didn't think to defend ourselves? With our shields and swords in the closet, we get pummeled and then react in an earthbound way. But even so, God has made provision for our weaknesses. Grace, grace, beautiful grace. Thanks, Anna

[Anna J]

So true. And you know, I find that it is the "vice versa" of this truth that hits me the most in my life. What I mean is that I am sometimes overly aware of the negative impact that I can have if I do not constantly put on my "armor" . . . I can speak abruptly to someone in a checkout line, I can show my annoyance when passing a poor driver . . .
you get the picture.
We all have our moments like this. And what I always humbly realize after the fact is that I COULD have been a light in that instance. But was not.
Grace. God of Grace.

[Susie Larson]

Oh, my goodness, Kassie,

You just made my day.

You are such a treasure to me and if I know you, you'll grow up, write books, and sell far more copies than I ever have!

I love you, my sweet niece.

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kathy,
I just returned from speaking at an event in northern Minnesota. One of the things I emphasized is that "rest" is not a place to go to, but rather a place to live from. To me, rest equals assurance. We can live with a heart at rest when we are assured of the goodness and the faithfulness of God. Amen and amen!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rebecca,

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. They ALWAYS bless me!
Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Barb,

Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi at Bridging the Gap.
What a great time that was!
Blessings to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Aimee,

So glad you stopped by! And I'm glad you were encouraged.
Be blessed!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Tami,

May God bless and encourage you today!

[kassie hall (( your favorite neice))]

SUSIE!!! its your favorite neice!!!!

im so proud of you !!!!

i love you so much

i hope to see you soon

vermillion is just around the corner.....

im writing a essay about you in english and how i want to be like you

like being a writer and all

well ya i love you so muchh!!!

have a good day

god bless!! :]]]]

[Kathy Schwanke]

It is a blessed thing to rest in the arms of a loving God and let Him hold you close. Amen, sister!!
Kathy

[Susie Larson]

Praying for you today, Tami.

God bless!

[Rebecca Marshaw]

All I can say is AMEN!
Your an amazing woman Susie!! God speed.
~Rebecca

[Barb G]

Hi Susie,

Great message. Thanks for the insights and reminder that the God who has the power to do mircles is always there for us! Talk about a shield!

Thanks too for the great messages you shared last weekend at Bridging the Gap Women's Conference. God bless you as you continue to encouarge and bless others.

[Aimee]

Praise God! Thanks for sharing God's powerful words for our lives!

[Tami Boesiger]

Thanks for the reminder, Susie. I really needed to hear this today.