Suzanne Eller, Proverbs 31 Ministries

Leading women in a new direction

When something is taking more of you than you want it to

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If you came over from Encouragement for Today, I’m so glad you are here! Living Free Together is a community of women who desire to live free in every way. I hope that you’ll come back often. ~ Suzie

 

It had more of me than I wanted. . .

It all started when some of my close friends and I were talking about how much our phones had taken over our life. My phone was no longer just a phone. It had become a part of me. It was always in my hand. It was close by, even at meals. I scrolled through social media, sometimes even when people I loved about were near.

That’s when my friends and I made a pact to give our phones less of us for a month. In those first few days, I felt drawn to pick it up. I almost itched to scroll through social media or check my email or news app.

Some how I come to think that I was missing something if my phone wasn’t in my hand. 

After the 30 days ended, something shifted. I no longer needed my phone in my hand 24/7. I had to be diligent about it, but it didn’t get to be the boss of me anymore.

As you and I spend time together today, this conversation isn’t really about a phone. Rather, it’s about that moment when we realize that something (a person, a habit, an addiction, a behavior, a pattern, a sin, or a phone) has more of us than we want to give. . .  and what to do about that.

[Read more…]

When you want to understand (and live) in the power of the Holy Spirit

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Just imagine. . .

Imagine that Jesus comes to you and he holds out a gift. He tells you that this gift will offer wisdom beyond your own insight. It will take you into deep waters of faith when it feels like yours is stuck in the shallow end. This gift will show you what to say and when to take a step, and will put a big “STOP” sign in your soul when necessary.

This gift will empower you to do what you cannot do on your own.

Then. . . imagine that someone took that gift out of Jesus’ hands. They wrapped it in rolls of duct tape. But first, the original gift was placed in a layer of boxes. You open one, only to find another. Finally, when you pull the gift out there’s a tag on it. In fact, several.

One says, “This isn’t for you.”

Another says, “This gift isn’t relevant anymore.”

Another says, “This gift isn’t as important as others Jesus gave.”

There you stand, holding a gift that Jesus said was for you.

What is real? Why is this so complicated? Did Jesus really mean it?

In today’s conversation with Christina Patterson on her podcast, Beloved Women, Christina and I talk about that gift of the Holy Spirit. We strip off all the duct tape, all the layers, all the labels, and take a second look at the simple promise Jesus made.

 

If you can’t see this, watch on YouTube

We were never intended to live our faith in our own strength.

In this conversation, we discover that the Holy Spirit:

  • Has a distinctive role in our faith
  • Will help us discern the difference between truth and a lie
  • Gives us boldness that breaks down barriers
  • Offers faith that is bigger than what we have in the natural
  • Comforts us when we don’t know where to turn
  • Empowers us to do what Jesus calls us to do
  • Fights for us — to us
  • Helps us change the world together

 

Jesus gave us a gift, but do we say yes to it? When you want to understand (and live) in the power of the Holy Spirit. #SpiritLedHeart https://wp.me/p4jbdw-4GB Click To Tweet

Let’s acknowledge this beautiful gift in our faith-view, and discover this beautiful gift for ourselves.

Suzie

Related Resource

The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders

I am on my SECOND read-through of The Spirit-Led Heart by Suzanne Eller and I’m seeing things I didn’t see the first time. Stephanie Adams, Real Women Ministries

What an incredible read! I’ve purchased 12 more copies to give to friends and co-workers. Suzie will bring you to a space that becomes very personal in understanding the power of the Holy Spirit, which then has the potential to bring you to a place of Holy Confidence…making us dangerous for the kingdom! Becky Shaffer, Saving Grace Ministries

Why our Jesus-plus faith falls flat

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I love nothing more than watching a woman discover freedom

That happened recently.

There was a Jesus-PLUS rule a friend had placed on herself. It came from years ago when she was a young believer, and people had told her that the way to Jesus was. . .

. . . what she wore.

. . . how much she read the Bible.

. . . how many times she went to church a week.

And so much more. It was a long list of to-do’s that measured her faith, and she always fell short no matter how hard she tried.

One of the greatest dangers to our faith is Jesus-PLUS religion. It’s what we, or others, pile on top of the words Jesus spoke. It puts a little human twist on them, like this:

We add JesusPLUS rules  — just to make sure we are extra holy.

We add JesusPLUS shame — just to make sure we remain humble.

We add JesusPLUS doctrine not found in scripture — just to make sure we cover all the bases.

JesusPLUS faith is a religious practice that includes Jesus, PLUS something else.  [Read more…]

When someone you care about has cancer. . . {{Giveaway}}

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When you find out that a friend has cancer, you may not know what to do. In today’s Living Free Together conversation, Suzie and her friend, author Marissa Henley, talk about their diagnoses and how friends made a difference.

Marissa has generously offered to give away one copy of her new book, Loving Your Friend Through Cancer.

 

She’s too young. . .

Maybe that’s what you think when your friend tells you she has cancer. You want to fix it. You want to love her well. You are afraid. You want to scream that it’s unfair. All of these are natural responses.

When Marissa Henley was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer the day before her 34th birthday, it stunned her. That began a battle that she didn’t ask for.

In today’s Living Free Together conversation, Marissa shares how friends supported her and made her battle a little less lonely.

 

Marissa gives these tips in this conversation:

  • Keep showing up
  • Say less; listen more
  • Keep the focus on her
  • Share God’s Word with her
  • Avoid personal questions about her diagnosis or treatment

Maybe you don’t have a friend dealing with cancer. Marissa also shared things to practice now so that you are prepared in the future.

  • Practice being a good listener
  • Create margin in your life for friendship

None of us will be the perfect friend during a battle, but we do make a difference as we show up and fight alongside her.

As you listen to today’s conversation, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What is one way you can show up for a friend if she’s going through cancer? Describe a time someone showed up for you, and how that made a difference.

Suzie

 

Q: What is one verse that has brought you comfort during a battle?

Get to know Marissa Henley — and a GIVEAWAY!

Check out Marissa’s blog, where she offers a free download of Chapter One and some other awesome goodies!

Connect with Marissa on social media: Twitter. Facebook. Instagram.

Also, Marissa has offered to give away one copy to one of you who comments on this blog post.

 

Did anyone see that miracle?

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We are in a season of miracles.

The problem is I almost missed it. I’ll tell you more about that in a minute.

In Acts 12, Peter is in jail. He’s guarded heavily. There’s no way out. His friends have gathered to pray in a house not far away.

Suddenly Peter’s chains fall away. The guards have obviously gone blind because he walks right past them. A battered but excited Peter walks to his friends’ house and knocks on the door. A girl answers and she’s so shocked to see him that she shuts the door in his face. She runs to the rest of the group and says, “Peter’s at the front door!”

They keep praying.

“You’ve probably seen a ghost,” they said.

As I read that I laughed out loud. It seems crazy. Number one, they are praying for this very thing. Two, they are willing to believe a ghost is at the door rather than the fact that God has answered their prayers.”

My laugh subsided as I saw my own response — just this past week.  [Read more…]

When hardships keep clobbering you {{Giveaway}}

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Have you ever met someone and you instantly knew they were in your corner? That usually means that person knows what it is to walk through fire, so they grab your hand just in case you need someone to cheer you on. That’s what I felt when I first met my friend, Kelly Balarie. She’s a woman who is in your corner. I’m so honored to have her as a guest on my blog today. ~ Suzie

 

Have you ever thought life was going to be easy?

There’s this expectation after enduring hardships that we’re about to arrive at a better place.

After all I’ve been through, I’ve made it. Now life will get easy. Let the blessings flow!

We envision a well-earned personal promised land where milk and honey flow like chocolate fountains. Dreams come alive. Problems fade away. Rest emerges. We think of this place so fondly we can almost taste and smell the goodness. After the battle, it’s become a far-off place we mentally rely on.

Until the next Mack truck of issues hits.

Bam! What happened here, God? Where did my peace go?

I’ve found myself in this cycle more than a couple dozen times. I’ve made it through a battle like depression, financial debt, or discouragement, only to get hit by another problem such as family issues, a health crisis or a basement flood.

That makes me feel like a magnet for trouble.

Don’t I deserve a break?

Don’t you have better for me, God? [Read more…]

Exploited, rescued, restored — wrapping around our sisters

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“Do you want to know me?”

That’s the question a woman asked Amy Kratzer of Girl Set Free.

This young woman was sold at the age of 9 by her mother to a man who kept her as a wife until the age of 12. Then he sold her to another man, who used her as a source of income. She grew up feeling like she was nothing. There were times she was sold up to 10 times a day by her “husband” to other men. As a result, she had three different children and contracted HIV.

One day she went back to her home and to her brothers and mother. Even though her own mom sold her, she was seen as unclean. Her brothers beat her and sent her away.

Oh Suzie, this is so hard to hear. 

You are so right, my friend. It is hard to hear. It’s hard to imagine.

Yet it is the reality of many women across the world and even in our own nation. In this young woman’s case, she and her children were rescued.

Today she is an artisan in Amy’s nonprofit ministry which supports women rescued from exploitation. This rescued woman designs some of the beautiful products in Girl Set Free, which helps sustain this ministry to women like her, who need a safe place to call family.

Do you want to know me?

When Amy shared that question asked by her friend, it almost broke me.

God, do you want to know me?

Sister, do you want to know me?

Or will I remain invisible? My plight, my story unfinished. Amy started Girl Set Free on a shoestring grounded in faith, and today that ministry continues to grow. It started across the world, and still goes on but Amy heard the voice of other young women in her own backyard.

Do you want to know me?

Girl Set Free is reaching women of all ages in her own backyard. These are women who have been exploited and rescued. They are looking for a new start. A new identity. A group of believers who will say, “Yes, I want to know you. Help me love you like God loved me.”

2018 Summer COMPASSION Project — Girl Set Free

A year ago I was asking God to show me community how to love others like he loves us. That led to the COMPASSION arm of this ministry.

It’s easy to wear a T-shirt or send a shout-out on social media, but there are women like Amy who are on the front lines. They have invested everything — their time, their lives, their finances, and more. I sensed God asking me to wrap around those women, and to invite others like you to do the same.

In my conversation with Amy (see this YouTube video for the full conversation), she shared three things:

  • why she started Girl Set Free (God redeemed her story)
  • how we can help her purchase additional sewing equipment to help other women
  • what this means for a woman who just wants to be known

Will you consider helping other women live free?

One way is to give to Girl Set Free as part of this Living Free Together month-long COMPASSION project beginning today through August 15. Giving $5 or $25 or $100 or more will ALL go toward the sewing equipment. More jobs. More women reached!

Sponsor freedom with your donation direct to Girl Set Free

Another thing we can all do is to pray for Amy Kratzer. This is a challenging and faith-filled ministry.

Last, ask God to show you one woman who may feel that she is unknown. Let your tender hug and words reflect the heart of Jesus to her, for:

She is known.

She is loved.

She is seen.

By the Lord, and now by you.

Suzie

Related Resource

  • Give to Girl Set Free – Girl Set Free is a a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible, as well as life changing.
  • Check out Girl Set Free products from their artisans and craftswomen. Maybe like me, you are carrying a purse that is five years old or you’d like to wear an ethical brand that is gorgeous, check out their products.

Related fact

In September, 2017, the International Labor Organization estimated that 40.3 million people were held in modern slavery on any given day. The majority are held in forced labor. 15.4 million were forced into marriage. Nearly 5 million people, mainly women and children, were trafficked in the commercial sex trade. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to wrap my mind around that.

What a joy to support those who stand against evil, and who love like Jesus.

 

 

Letting go just might be the start of your new chapter

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If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! In today’s P31 devo, I shared about my new normal when my children began to leave the nest. But let’s be real. Starting any new season can be a challenge and often involves letting go. It’s hard, but it’s often the beginning of a brand new chapter. . .

 

Letting go

The words “letting go” almost feel romantic. Like we’re about to soar into a grand adventure. In reality, letting go can be scary. It can leave you feeling vulnerable and uncertain.

The other day I sat with a friend. She moved to this area to start a new job in a new city. Her oldest child left at the same time for college. The new job required new skills.

New job.

New city.

New church.

New friends.

New things to learn.

New season of motherhood.

Welcome to your new chapter

As she shared her story, she confessed that she had no idea how much her identity was ingrained in her role as a mom with children at home, in her previous job, and even in her daily routine with friends, nearby family, and church.

Who am I now?

That was her question. She was willing to learn the answer to that question, but it felt daunting.

 

I’ve been in that place many times.

If I look back I find lots of letting go 

I let go of security for a new season of independence.

I let go of a broken childhood to believe I could be a good mom.

I let go of a job that felt familiar to become a writer and speaker.

I let go of past hurts and insecurities to feel comfortable in my own skin.

A new season of letting go doesn't mean that God has let go of his plans for us. #livingfreetogether https://wp.me/p4jbdw-4Dp Click To Tweet

I’ve let go of safe places to step into new roles and new adventures, knowing I might fall flat on my face, and learned what I was capable of (but with a ton of learning curves along the way).

Rather than seeing letting go as a negative, I began to see each of these as chapters in my life story.

A new season doesn’t mean that God let’s go of his plans for us. He uses every drop of our past chapters. Nothing’s wasted in his economy. He uses everything we’ve ever learned. Every failure. Every victory. Every awkward, shaky step forward. Every new role. It all adds up and somehow plays into the next chapter.

 

Are you in the process of letting go?

If you are in a season of letting go — whatever it is — you are still you and God is still God. In the midst of all the change, you can hang on to that. We may not always know what is ahead, but we can be assured we are good ground if we are following Jesus.

Suzie

 

Related Resources

My book, Come With Me Devotional: A Yearlong Adventure in Following Jesus, helps you walk with Jesus day-by-day, encouraging you in every part of your life.

Also, The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders, will remind you that you have a Helper every step of the way.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

When you are entering a new normal, it’s the perfect time to:

  • Share your uncertainty with God. He cares for you.
  • Praise God for the good of the past. He cares about that, too.
  • Open your heart to a new adventure.
  • Accept the invitation to follow Jesus day-by-day, as you walk into this new season.

Q: What excites you about a “new normal” in life? How can we pray for you?

 

A woman with a Spirit-led heart believes that when she speaks to God, he hears

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Does God speak?

I’ve heard that question a hundred times over the years. I’ve asked it. It’s usually in a moment when I’ve poured out my heart and I wonder if God heard me.

Like the other day.

I wanted to help a friend who is in a hard place. I wanted to make everything OK. I wanted to tell her the next step to take.

I wanted to FIX it. 

I’ve already confessed more than once that a fixer lives in me. I’ve kicked that fixer out numerous times. She doesn’t come around very often anymore, but sometimes she shows up with all her luggage — ready to move back into my heart.

This was one of those days. 

As I prayed about what to do, a message I have taught over the years came to mind. It’s titled “Stay in Your Ranch.” When I teach this message, I draw an imaginary box around my feet, showing what is in my “ranch.” Then I draw another box in front of me. “That’s their ranch,” I say. I draw yet another imaginary box. “That’s God’s ranch.” It’s a message that helps us gain control of what we can do, by giving up what was never our assignment in the first place.

And there was my answer. My own words came back to me.

This was not mine to fix.

I could encourage her. I could pray. I could let her know I was close. . . but she didn’t ask me to fix her and it wasn’t my job to fix her. It was hers to address, with God’s help.

This was God speaking. [Read more…]

Is the Holy Spirit for me? And why it’s important to ask that question.

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Is the Holy Spirit for me?

That’s the question some are asking. Others shy away from this question because it seems so mysterious or complicated somehow.

I gathered with some of my friends — Nancy, Michele, Meggie, and Heather — and we talked about how we formed our view of the Holy Spirit. It’s fascinating to see how we all saw this so different. Then we talked about what we believe today and how that may have changed.

As we discussed this, one of the most interesting comments to me was from my friend, Michele, who said, “I’m almost mad that I didn’t know about this before.”

We need to talk about this. Jesus made a promise to the early church wrapped around this immense gift of a Helper. That promise is for us too. Out of that promise are assurances that we can hold onto, like:

  • We will never be alone in our faith.
  • We don’t have to wander.
  • We can walk in truth.
  • We can hear the voice of God, clear and undiluted.
  • We are braver than we know, with his help.

What might happen if we lived this promise?

My prayer is that we ask that question, embrace the promise of a Helper, and then live it with all our might.

 

Click to watch this LFT broadcast if you can’t see it on the blog 

Let’s take this deeper together

The church desperately needs the promise of the Holy Spirit, more than ever before. That's you and me. www.tsuzanneeller.com/blog #SpiritLedHeart #livingfreetogether #livethepromise Click To Tweet
  • What was your perception of the Holy Spirit?
  • Is that changing, and why?
  • The Holy Spirit helps us live our faith. What might that look like for you?
Suzie

Related resource

The Spirit-Led Heart isn’t just a book for me, friends. I wrote this because it’s a promise Jesus made (John 14:16-17) and I Iong to live it.

In the pages of The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders, we examine the promise Jesus made and we become acquainted with the Holy Spirit as our Helper, and the attributes he brings to our faith and how to live that every day.

Good stuff just for you

I have so much good stuff for you today!