Making It Real

Do you ever feel pressure to look a certain way? Like you have to have the right figure, hair, makeup or clothes to be classified as “beautiful”?

How does the world’s definition of beautiful affect the way you see yourself? Do you ever feel like achieving this type of beauty is impossible?

Taking You Back

Read Psalm 139. We’re taking a little detour from the Christmas story today, and instead we’re going to talk about beauty. Each of us was made in God’s image, by His design and to be like no one else. The words of a popular Jonny Diaz song say it best: There could never be a more beautiful you.

Take a minute and think about those words. They’re so true. There could never, ever be a more beautiful you, because you’re you. God only made one you, and He made you to beautifully, radiantly shine in that role.

It’s so easy to compare ourselves to other girls, thinking, “If only I had her legs,” or “I wish my hair looked like hers.” Does this ever happen to you? Maybe you’ve found yourself wishing for a different body size, a different personality, different clothes, a different face or something else.

But, sweet friend, the words of that song are so true, and they echo God’s heart toward you. There could never, ever be a more beautiful you. God rejoices over you. He hand-crafted every feature of your body, every characteristic of your personality; and He is crazy about you! And when we cut ourselves down and say things like “My feet are ugly” or “My hips are too big,” we’re criticizing the very Maker of the Universe. And the last time I checked, He’s the One who knows best. He knows true beauty when He sees it, and by the way He loves you, it’s clear that He sees it when He looks at you.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• What verses in Psalm 139 speak to your heart?

• How is God’s view of you different than the way you see yourself?

• How does it make you feel to know the way God sees you? Do you think it’s true, is He right?

Go look at yourself in the mirror. As you do, thank God out loud for five things about yourself that you like. This isn’t being prideful — it’s giving Him the praise He deserves. Because guess what — you are gorgeous!

From You to God

God, I love You. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You created me inside and out, and I know You are the Master Artist. Please help me to see myself as You do. I want to know and believe Your Word with my whole heart. Thank you for making me me. I love You! Amen.

Facebook Fun

Let’s see if we can use FB to start an encouragement chain. Post on two friends’ walls something you find beautiful about them, and ask them to do the same for two other people. Tag SUSIE Mag and we’ll see how many people can be reminded of God’s love.

Bonus

Share this encouragement with another girl or two in your life. Write a verse or note to your mom, sister or friend reminding them of their true, one-of-a-kind beauty. Stick it in a place that they’ll find it by surprise.

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Making It Real

Have you ever felt called to do something, but didn’t feel like you were qualified or strong enough to do it?

How did you feel when you were led to do this? Did you wonder if you had what it took to do it well?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 1:67-80. This is an awesome passage! Zechariah is not only telling about the future of his son, John, but he’s also telling about the future of Jesus. His description of Jesus and what He was going to do for God’s people was spot-on. It was like he had the New Testament to read as a cheat sheet, even though he didn’t. What he did have, though, was the Holy Spirit. And that’s why the dots connect.

Even though the Holy Spirit wasn’t living inside all Christians yet (that happened a little later in time), God allowed the Spirit to lead Zechariah as he prophesied these words about John and Jesus. The Holy Spirit gave Zechariah wisdom, knowledge and strength to prophesy about his son and Jesus — something he never could have done on his own.

Did you know that if you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have the Holy Spirit inside of you, too? As you get to know God better by spending time in His Word and talking to Him through prayer, you are tuning into His Spirit. Just like Zechariah, when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit (which we are when we accept Jesus), we can do things that we could never do on our own!

God uses His Spirit to reveal wisdom to us. It might be wisdom about our future, about what to do in a tough situation or about what to say to someone when we’re sharing His love with them. The Spirit also empowers us to do things that are beyond our own abilities. When you’re serving God with your life and plugging into His Spirit for power, you’ll be amazed at what He can do through you!

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• In what ways do you see God’s power and wisdom demonstrated through Zechariah prophesying?

• What sorts of things might God ask you to do that you wouldn’t be able to do on your own?

• What would it look like for you to rely on His Spirit in your life right now?

From You to God

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Your Spirit! I know that through the Holy Spirit I can gain wisdom for my future, strength to say no to temptation, power to do the things You ask me to and so much more. Release it inside of me right now, God. I surrender my all to You. I want my life to be used for Your glory. Thank you for Your amazing love! Amen.

Facebook Fun

Electricity is an awesome thing! What is one of your favorite things to plug into this source of power (straightener, lamp, etc.)? Make that your FB status and tag SUSIE Mag, or leave us a comment on this blog (click the title and make a comment at the bottom of the page). We absolutely love hearing from you!

Bonus

If you still have them, pull out your September and October issues of SUSIE Mag. If not, access them in the Mag Archive through your account on SUSIEMag.com. Reread the two-part series titled “Plugging Into the Power” for a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Work referenced: NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 2008.

Making It Real

Have you ever gone through a time when it was hard to feel thankful or joyful? Life wasn’t going so smoothly, and maybe you just felt “blah” on the inside. Or maybe you felt resentful or angry toward those around you.

How did you feel during this time? What made you feel this way?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 1:57-66. Today we’re going to read the same story we read yesterday (Luke 1:57-66), only this time while you’re reading, put yourself in the place of Elizabeth and Zechariah as they experience the joy of meeting their baby boy for the first time.

Can you imagine what Elizabeth felt when she held her baby for the very first time? The one she’d prayed about for so long. Her heart must have been singing with joy!

When it comes time to name the baby, the neighbors are shocked at Elizabeth’s choice of name. But when asked, Zechariah confirms that the baby will be named John, just as the angel in the temple had instructed him. Suddenly his ability to speak is restored. The first words out of his mouth were words of praise to God. He wasn’t resentful toward God for causing him months of silence, nor was he focused on himself — but he immediately began praising his King.

Sometimes it can be hard to feel like praising God. Life might not be so easy. You might be stressed or going through some pretty tough stuff. But He is worthy of our praise. He’s our sovereign, loving, strong God who is always in control and is always with us. He’s given us freedom, life and peace in His Son Jesus. And that can never be changed, even in the toughest of times. Let’s be like Zechariah and make our attitude one that says to God, “Blessed be Your Name.” No matter what life brings.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

Journal about what you’re facing in life right now. Thank God for His presence in the midst of your circumstances and spend some time simply praising Him for who He is. Through Jesus we can find joy and peace no matter what we’re going through!

From You to God

God, thank you for Your faithfulness. Thank you that You know what I’m feeling right now, and thank you that You have a plan for my life. I trust You with my circumstances. You are my King, and I worship You. Thank you for Jesus giving His life so I can live for eternity with You. Blessed be Your Name, God. I love You. Amen.

Facebook Fun

What is one thing that always reminds you to be thankful? Post it as your FB status today and tag SUSIE Mag.

Bonus

Turn up you iPod to your favorite worship song and end your time with God in praise!

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Making It Real

Have you ever had to do something that was different than what everybody else was doing?

How did it make you feel to be different? What do you think other people thought of you? Did their opinions influence your decision?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 1:57-66. Elizabeth and Zechariah’s baby arrived! Soon it was time to circumcise him, and the people who came to do it also took it upon themselves to name him. Without asking Elizabeth and Zechariah, they assumed he was to be named after his father. But Elizabeth quickly spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

The officials seemed shocked when she made this announcement because no one in their family had the name John. It seemed strange and probably went against the tradition and culture of that time. But Zechariah and Elizabeth were committed to following God’s will, and they declared that John would be the baby’s name, just as the angel had instructed Zechariah back in the temple (Luke 1:13).

Just like Zechariah and Elizabeth, sometimes as Christians we’re called to do things that are go against our culture, and we might look strange to those who don’t know Jesus. Maybe it’s refraining from gossip, refusing to cheat on a homework assignment, or even choosing not to watch a movie because of inappropriate content. Going against our culture to follow Jesus might get us a few weird looks, but glorifying God far outweighs the momentary approval we crave from those around us.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• How do you think Elizabeth felt giving her baby a name that didn’t follow the norm? Do you think she felt differently a few days later when the pressure to please those around her was off and she knew she’d made the right choice?

• Have you ever had a situation like this in your life? You went against what everyone else was doing to do something you knew was right in God’s eyes.

• How did you feel at the time you made the choice? And how did you feel few days later?

Following God’s lead and obeying His commands is always worth it! Usually if He’s leading us away from a decision, it’s because He has something better planned for us. Even in the little things, He truly knows what’s best, and that’s what He wants for us. He is a good God and He loves us like crazy!

From You to God

God, thank you for loving me. Thank you that You always have my best interest in mind. Please give me the strength to follow Your lead, and a heart that’s sensitive to Your voice. I trust You with everything, and I truly want to obey You and submit to Your will. You are my King. I love You. Amen.

Facebook Fun

Fill in the blank “God outlasts the moment I’m tempted to/by ____” and either post it as your status (if you’re comfortable with that) or message it to a close friend or mentor.

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Happy Sunday, SUSIE Sisters! We hope you enjoyed last Sunday’s devo, because we’re going to do the same thing today! Sometimes life can become so busy and loud, it can be hard to hear God’s voice and to recognize what’s going on inside our hearts. But setting aside time to relax and reflect with Jesus can be so refreshing!

So find a quiet place, take a deep breath and ask God to open your heart to Him.

Spend some time talking to God about your week. What have you been thinking about this week? How are you doing on the inside? What do you feel like He’s been teaching you? Have you seen Him answer any prayers? Journal about these things, and about anything else that’s on your heart. God loves hearing from you! Then, look back through the verses we read this week, pick one of your faves and write what it means to you.

Bonus

Surprise your family by making a special dessert for after dinner tonight. We’d love to see a picture of what you made! Upload it here … we know we’ll be wishing for a sample!

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Making It Real

Have you ever had to do something that you knew would be a challenge? Maybe it was something unexpected, but you knew it was the right thing to do.

Think about how you felt. Were you nervous, excited or determined to conquer the challenge?

 Taking You Back

Read Matthew 1:18-25. Remember how excited Mary was when we read about her yesterday? She was overflowing with joy and praise to God. She’d heard from Him and knew He was doing something amazing in her life.

Joseph, on the other hand, hadn’t heard from God. All he knew was that his fiancée claimed that she was still a virgin, but she was pregnant. She had probably told him about the visit from the angel, but it may have been hard for him to believe. Never before had anything like this happened (a virgin getting pregnant), and it hasn’t happened since, even to this day. It was a miracle. Joseph was probably feeling torn inside. Had Mary been with another man? Or was she telling the truth — was the baby growing inside her truly a miracle?

Whatever it was that he was feeling, God knew about it. So He sent an angel to pay a visit to Joseph in a dream, telling him the same thing that Mary had heard not long before. When Joseph woke up, he no longer had doubts about Mary. He was up for the challenge — ready to risk his reputation, follow God’s calling and show his devotion to his soon-to-be wife.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• How do you think Joseph felt before the dream? And how did he feel after his visit from the angel?

• Has God ever called you to a challenge like He did Joseph? How did you respond?

• Through the angel’s visit, God gave Joseph the encouragement he needed to meet the challenge. What’s one verse in the Bible that you gain encouragement from when you’re facing a challenge?

From You to God

Heavenly Father, You are strong and mighty! Thank you for sending Jesus to conquer the ultimate challenge so I can have a relationship with You. I want to follow You always, even when challenges come my way. I know you use those times to deepen my trust in You. Thank you, God! You are who I draw my strength from, and I love You with my whole heart. Amen.

Facebook Fun

Make your status a word that describes standing tall for Christ.

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Making It Real

Have you ever been so happy or so excited that your heart felt like it wanted to burst? You were absolutely overflowing with joy! Maybe you’d seen God answer a prayer in a big way, or just had a really intimate time with Him, or found out some fantastic news.

Think about how you felt. What happened that made you feel this way, and what did you do to express your feelings?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 1:45-56. This is a beautiful passage — Mary expresses her feelings, “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Just imagine her, dancing and singing her song of praise to God. As she expresses her feelings to Him, she’s praising Him for who He is and the work He’s doing in her life. Even though this pregnancy doesn’t follow her plans, she knows it follows His, and she finds great joy in that.

Your Thoughts

What is God doing in your life right now? Write your own song of praise, love letter or praise poem to God for what He’s doing and for who He is to you. There aren’t any rules or guidelines to follow, just express your praise to Him. He is worthy!

From You to God

God, thank you for being You! You’re faithful, loving, trustworthy and powerful. I’m so glad that I can know you and walk through every day of life with You. Thank you for Mary’s humble, servant-like heart, and for her joyful attitude that I can learn from. Please teach me how to praise You, even when things aren’t going like I think they should. Your love for me never fails, and Your presence never fades. You always deserve my praise, Jesus. I love You. Amen.

Facebook Fun

What part of your day brought a smile to your face? Post it as your FB status, and make sure to tag us so we can know too! (Or leave us comment by clicking the title of this post and commenting at the bottom of the page!)

Bonus

Who doesn’t love to sing in the shower? Print out a few of your favorite Christmas carols and slip them in a sealable plastic sandwich bag. Pin it somewhere you can see it in the shower or push two paper clips through the top and secure with dental floss to hang it from your shower head. Let your joyful praises ring!

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Making It Real

Do you have a friend who shares your faith with you? One that you can talk to about anything, ask to pray for you at a moment’s notice and rejoice with when you see God at work in each other’s lives?

Think about this friend and how you feel after you’ve spent time with her. How does she help you grow closer to God? How does it feel to open up and share your heart with her?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 1:39-45. In Elizabeth, God gave Mary not only a family member, but also an amazing friend who could walk beside her, encourage her and seek Him with her. Mary and Elizabeth shared in celebrating the work God was doing in each of their lives and encouraged one another in their faith.

God made us for relationships with other believers. We can study His Word together, pray for one another, hold each another accountable, rejoice together and walk through life side by side. Our faith grows as we’re seeking Him together and being vulnerable about what He’s up to in our hearts.

Your Thoughts

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

Has God placed anyone like this in your life? If so, journal a prayer of thanks to Him for blessing you with such wonderful friends. Be specific about what you’re thankful for in each of them. Maybe one is a good listener, another is a strong prayer warrior and another is amazing when it comes to knowing God’s Word. Whatever it is they bring to your life, thank God for making them unique. Sometimes we can take for granted those we’re closest to and not realize how incredibly blessed we are to have them.

If you don’t have a friend like this, pray and ask God to bring one (or a few) into your life. There are many ways to meet friends like this, but one of the best is to get involved at church. Or, if you’re not attending a church, ask a friend or neighbor if you can try theirs. As you start getting to know other Christians, God will open the doors and friendships will bloom.

Facebook Fun

Tag all of your wonderful friends in your status update today, then message them and share why you’re thankful for them.

Bonus

Write a card to a special friend who God has placed in your life, letting her know how much you value her friendship. Set aside some time during this super-special, but super-busy season to do something with this friend. Going for coffee or hot chocolate, baking cookies together or just hanging out are all fun ideas.

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Making It Real

Has someone ever made a promise to you? What was it, and did they follow through on it?

Think back to how you felt when they made this promise. And, how did you feel when they came through or when they let you down?

Taking You Back

God’s Word is full of promises written just for you. Although the Bible was written many years ago, His promises never expire and hold true for each one of us!

Have you ever thought about this before? When the Bible was written, God already knew about you. He knew your heart and the perfect words to bring it peace. He knew you wouldn’t be able to see Him, but wanted you to have a relationship with Him and to trust Him. So, He gave you His Word, full of promises that you can stand on through anything in life.

A few favorites of the SUSIE staff are:

“ … he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Exodus 15:13

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3, New King James Version

“Even when you are old I will be the same. And even when your hair turns white, I will help you. I will take care of what I have made. I will carry you, and will save you.” Isaiah 46:4, New Life Version

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Your Thoughts

Is there anything weighing on your mind right now? Anything you’re worried about or bothered by? Guess what! There’s a verse in the Bible written just for what you’re going through. Find one or two promises that bring you peace and strengthen your trust in God. Write them down, memorize them, pray over them, and let them rule your mind and heart. You’ll begin to feel a peace deep inside because you’re trusting in His promises. And He will never let you down.

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• In your own words, journal about what one of God’s promises means to you right now.

What promise are you clinging to? Click on the title of this blog and leave us a comment at the bottom of the page. We are delighted to hear from you, SUSIE Sisters!

From You to God

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word. Thank you for the promises You’ve given me. I know I can trust in You no matter what. Please continue speaking to me through Your Word. I want to hear Your voice and have your promises deep in my heart. You are my Rock, my Savior and my Best Friend. I trust You. Amen.

Facebook Fun

What color and style of shoe are you wearing right now? Make a mysterious Facebook status stating just that. For example, black boot, white tennis shoe, pink slipper.

Bonus

Write one of these verses on the bottom of your shoe — you’ll be standing on the promises of God!

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!

Making It Real

What does it mean that something is impossible? Have you ever hoped for something that seemed impossible?

Think about it … how did you feel believing what you hoped for was impossible? Did you have any hope? If so, where did it come from?

Taking You Back

Read Luke 1:1-38. Remember how we talked about Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers for a baby? And remember that verse we read about nothing being impossible for God? How do you think that promise would have changed Zechariah and Elizabeth’s perspective on God’s ability to answer their prayers? Do you think they would have prayed for bigger things? Different things? Crazier things? Would they have had more hope that the impossible was possible?

We are so blessed to have God’s Word. We have this sacred, God-breathed Truth that we can read every single day, full of stories and promises about a God big enough to do the impossible. Yet it can be so easy to doubt. So easy to pray small, us-sized prayers or try to do things on our own. But God’s where we find our hope in “impossible” situations. When our trust is in Him, we have a deep peace that’s beyond all understanding because we know He’s in control of things and we’re not. It’s called faith. And it’s trusting in God more than we trust in ourselves or our circumstances.

Let’s take God at His Word and start praying with faith, believing His promise in Luke 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God.” His Word is Truth. And if He says nothing is impossible with Him, then truly nothing is impossible with God.

Your Thoughts

Memorize Luke 1:37 today. Write it in your journal, doodle it in your planner, stick it on your mirror. Memorize it and read it over and over. Let His Word soak into your soul and transform the way you think and pray. That’s why He gave it to us.

Take a few minutes to write in your journal about what you’ve learned.

• Is there anything in your life right now that seems impossible? If so, write a prayer in your journal and talk to God about it.

• Do you feel like you can trust God with your impossibles? Why?

• How do you feel when you completely let go and leave your impossibles in His hands? 

From You to God

Let’s take our awesome God at His Word and start praying with a BIG, God-sized faith! Make an “impossible prayer list.” Write anything and everything you’d like to pray for, but seems impossible for God to answer. Every once in a while, pull that list out and pray over it. Write Luke 1:37 at the top so you’ll see it every time you get it out. Then, pray with faith in our big, unhindered, unlimited, all-able God. And, when you see Him answer, write “ANSWERED!” on your list. Your faith in Him will grow!

Facebook Fun

What does faith mean to you? Write it in your Facebook status and tag SUSIE Mag! Fill our wall with statements of faith in our totally trustworthy God!

Bonus

Have you seen someone demonstrate incredible faith in their life? If so, we’d love to hear about it! Click on the title of this post, and leave us a comment at the bottom of the page sharing the story of this person’s example of faith in God. Then, be sure and let them know you shared their story to encourage others. God uses our testimonies to encourage others, and their story may be just what someone needs to hear to have faith to keep trusting.

Have a blessed day, SUSIE Sisters! We love you!