Faith & Trust, Identity in Christ Susan Dewbrew Faith & Trust, Identity in Christ Susan Dewbrew

Sin

Words of Encouragement

You are not your past behavior! Stop letting religious systems define you by what you've done instead of who you are in Christ. You may have lied, but you're not "a liar." You may have struggled with addiction, but you're not "an addict." You are God's beloved child who sometimes acts contrary to love.

Job had the right idea - ask God to be specific about what needs to change instead of living under vague condemnation. When you know exactly what areas need transformation, you can address them with targeted spiritual warfare instead of fighting shadows.

Sin is simply disobedience to the law of love. This makes moral decisions clearer - does this action demonstrate love for God and others? When love becomes your standard instead of rule-keeping, you discover the freedom and joy of authentic relationship with God.

Stop using shotgun approaches to confession! Just as you wouldn't pray for a broken arm when someone has cancer, don't use generic repentance when specific strongholds need specific attention. Targeted confession produces targeted freedom.

Your security as God's child enables honest confession without fear of rejection. You can be completely transparent about areas needing change because your identity isn't based on performance but on God's unchanging love for you.

The goal isn't just forgiveness but complete freedom from sin's power. God wants you liberated from patterns of disobedience, not just pardoned for past failures. Walk in the complete freedom Jesus purchased through His sacrifice.

Remember, honest acknowledgment of sin is the beginning of freedom, not the end of hope. When you stop deceiving yourself about areas needing change, you open the door for God's transforming power to bring specific liberation to specific strongholds.

Break away from disobedience to love and discover the spacious freedom of living as God's beloved child who consistently demonstrates love in every relationship and situation!

Read More
Faith & Trust Susan Dewbrew Faith & Trust Susan Dewbrew

Believe

Words of Encouragement

Stop making faith more complicated than God intended! Nathaniel believed because Jesus saw him under a fig tree - something simple that revealed supernatural knowledge. You don't need a dramatic Damascus Road experience or extensive theological training to have authentic faith.

God meets every person exactly where they are with what they need to believe. Some need miracles, others need words, some respond immediately, others need time and evidence. Don't judge your faith journey by comparing it to others' experiences.

Your simplicity isn't weakness; it's strength! In a world of deception and manipulation, your guileless authenticity stands out like a beacon. When unbelievers recognize that you have no hidden agendas or ulterior motives, your witness becomes powerfully attractive.

Don't get trapped in the endless cycle of demanding more evidence. At some point, you must choose to believe based on sufficient proof rather than perfect proof. God has given you enough evidence - now it's time to step into simple faith.

Jesus promises that simple belief opens the door to experiencing "even more impressive things!" Your guileless faith creates an open heaven experience where the supernatural becomes natural and divine encounters become regular.

You have access to the same open heaven that Nathaniel experienced. Jesus is your permanent stairway connecting heaven and earth, with God's messengers constantly climbing up and down on your behalf. This isn't just beautiful imagery; it's spiritual reality available through simple faith.

Let your authenticity be so obvious that even skeptics recognize your genuine character. In a world full of pretense and performance, your guileless nature becomes a powerful testimony to the reality of God's transforming love.

Don't let religious complexity or intellectual pride rob you of simple faith. The gospel is beautifully simple - believe in Jesus and experience open heaven, ascending and descending angels, and greater demonstrations of God's power than you've ever imagined!

Read More

Friends

Reflection Questions

  • Who in your life would actually lay down their life for you, and for whom would you do the same?

  • Are you treating Jesus as a friend who shares intimate conversations, or as a distant boss?

  • How can you move beyond casual use of "friend" to cultivate deeper, more sacrificial relationships?

  • What dreams, visions, or fears do you need to befriend instead of avoiding?

Read More

Self

Words of Encouragement

Break free from the exhausting cycle of measuring your own moral muscle! You weren't created to constantly evaluate your spiritual performance but to trust what God is doing in you. When you shift from self-obsession to God-focus, you discover the spacious, free life He designed for you.

Self-focus is a dead end that leads to frustration, comparison, and spiritual paralysis. But attention to God opens up infinite possibilities, authentic relationships, and supernatural freedom. You can't focus on yourself and God simultaneously - choose God-focus and watch how it transforms everything.

Don't let cultural self-obsession rob you of the unity and relationships God cherishes. Pride-filled opinions and hidden self-promotion destroy the authentic community you were created to enjoy. Authentic humility puts others first and creates the atmosphere where God's love can flow freely.

Consider Jesus' example - He perfectly demonstrated other-focused living by putting humanity's needs above His own comfort and reputation. Let His mindset become yours, and discover the joy of living for something greater than yourself.

Remember, you ARE God's temple, so proper self-care honors Him. But there's a huge difference between caring for yourself as His dwelling place and obsessing over yourself to the point of self-worship. Take care of your body, mind, and spirit as acts of worship, not self-absorption.

When you trust God's Spirit living and breathing in you, you discover that you don't have to manufacture spiritual growth through self-effort. God's action in you produces authentic transformation that flows naturally into love for others and worship of Him.

The spacious, free life you long for isn't found through self-focus but through God-focus. Stop ignoring what God is doing by being completely absorbed in yourself. Pay attention to His work in you and around you, and step into the freedom He's prepared for you!

Read More
Joy | Worship & Gratitude, Faith & Trust Susan Dewbrew Joy | Worship & Gratitude, Faith & Trust Susan Dewbrew

Creation

Words of Encouragement

Open your eyes to see God's magnificent display all around you! Every sunrise is His artistry, every flower His creativity, every heartbeat His sustaining power. You're surrounded by a constant exhibition of His glory, love, and intelligence.

Don't let academic debates or philosophical discussions veil your ability to see God clearly in creation. Sometimes the simplest recognition is the most profound - looking at a sunset and knowing that Someone who loves you painted it just for you to enjoy.

Creation has been preaching the gospel without words since the beginning of time. The stars write His testament across the sky, each day gushes out its message to the next, and night whispers divine knowledge to all who will listen. You're surrounded by the most accessible and universal revelation of God's nature.

Stop taking God's provisions for granted! The air you breathe, the food you eat, the beauty you see - all are gifts from a loving Creator who sustains every moment of your existence. Let gratitude flood your heart as you recognize His constant care.

Jesus came to unveil what creation had been speaking all along - that God is love, that He cares deeply for what He has made, and that He desires relationship with you. Creation's message isn't just about God's power; it's about His heart toward you personally.

Listen to what all creation already knows: Jesus is Lord! The mountains bow, the seas roar His praise, the trees clap their hands, and the stars shine His glory. It's time for humanity to join creation's chorus of worship and recognition.

Every scientific discovery should increase your awe of God, not diminish it. The more we learn about the complexity and precision of creation, the more we should marvel at the infinite intelligence behind it all.

Let creation be your daily reminder that you serve an awesome God who displays His splendor everywhere you look. You're never alone because you're surrounded by His handiwork constantly testifying to His presence, power, and love!

Read More

Patience

Reflection Questions

  • Are you trying to manufacture patience through willpower, or are you robing yourself with God's virtue?

  • What situations make you most impatient, and how can you apply the "bigger picture" perspective?

  • How might your impatience be costing you God's best like it did Esau?

  • What would change if you truly believed that God's outcomes are always worth the wait?

Read More

Salvation

Words of Encouragement

Stop trying to work FOR something you already possess! Your salvation is a completed gift, paid for by Jesus and given to you freely. Now let that incredible gift produce its natural harvest in your life through attitudes and beliefs rooted in love.

You don't have to strain and struggle to be good enough for God. You ARE good enough because of what Christ accomplished. Your job isn't to earn salvation but to enjoy its benefits and let it express itself through your daily life in personal and practical ways.

When you truly see salvation in its earth-shattering, awesome conclusion, it transforms everything about how you live. This isn't just about going to heaven someday - it's about heaven's reality expressing itself through you today!

Focus on working on your attitudes and beliefs, making love the central theme of your life. When your heart is aligned with God's love, your actions will naturally follow suit. You won't have to force good behavior; it will flow from your transformed heart.

Your salvation has intricate details that are uniquely yours. Give full expression to what God has done specifically in your life. Share your story, live your testimony, and let others see the practical impact of salvation in your daily choices and relationships.

Remember, salvation isn't something to take lightly - it's the most precious gift you'll ever receive. Cherish it, celebrate it, and let it produce an abundant harvest that blesses not only you but everyone around you!

Your faith should be so strong and grounded in Christ that it doesn't waver based on human presence or absence. Find your inspiration directly from God, and let salvation's power work through you regardless of external circumstances.

Read More

Thoughts

Words of Encouragement

Stop letting the darkness of this world rule your thought life! You were made in the image of Jesus, Holy Spirit, and Daddy God, which means your thoughts should align with Their thoughts about you. When God looks at you, He doesn't see "just a human" or "just a sinner" - He sees His image, His likeness, His treasure!

Christ gave up everything specifically for YOU, which reveals your incredible worth and value. You're not hidden, forgotten, or insignificant - you're famous in God's Kingdom and in His limelight! Every believer needs to discover their celebrity status in Heaven's realm.

Make it your business to declare mankind's redeemed innocence, starting with your own. You're not trying to become righteous; you ARE righteous. You're not working toward innocence; you ARE innocent through Christ's finished work. This is your conclusive reasoning!

Choose to study stories that celebrate life rather than dwelling on narratives of defeat and darkness. Meditate intentionally on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Fill your mind with virtue and praiseworthy thoughts that align with your elevated position in Christ.

Remember, you are the apple of Daddy God's eye - the most precious, protected, and treasured part of His vision. When you truly understand this, it transforms how you think about yourself, how you approach others, and how you navigate every situation in life.

Think friendship toward everyone you encounter. See people through the lens of their redeemed innocence and potential rather than their past mistakes or current struggles. This shift in thinking will revolutionize your relationships and expand your influence for the Kingdom.

Live overwhelmed by God's opinion of you, and watch how it drowns out every negative voice, critical thought, and lie about your identity!

Read More

Assets

Words of Encouragement

Stop seeing yourself through the lens of past mistakes, current struggles, or religious shame! You are not God's disappointment - you are His greatest asset! The Creator of the universe measures His wealth by YOU, treasures YOU as His prize possession, and considers YOU His glorious trophy.

This isn't about your performance, achievements, or spiritual maturity. This is about your identity as His beloved child, begotten of the Father. You didn't earn this status, and you can't lose it. You are precious to Him simply because you are His.

Let this truth flood your thoughts with light! When you truly understand that you're God's treasure, everything changes. Your prayers become bolder, your faith becomes dynamic, and your confidence soars because you know how much you mean to Him.

God has never been mad at you. The entire cosmos is the object of His affection, and that includes you! He didn't send Jesus to condemn you but to save you and help you realize your authentic origin in Him. The days of regret and lostness are over because you know who you truly are.

If you have questions about your value and identity, take God up on His invitation in Jeremiah 33:3. Call to Him, and He will show you great and mighty things about how He sees you that you've never fully understood before.

You are not just loved by God - you ARE God's love! You're not just blessed by God - you ARE God's blessing! You're His portion, His asset, His treasure, and His greatest delight!

Read More

Tomorrow

Words of Encouragement

Stop carrying tomorrow's burdens with today's strength! God never intended you to manage your entire future at once. His design is beautifully simple - chase His Kingdom today, trust His provision today, and let tomorrow take care of itself when it arrives.

Remember, His Word is a lamp to your feet, not a floodlight for your future. This isn't a limitation; it's liberation! You don't need to see the whole staircase to take the next step. Each day brings fresh grace, new mercies, and sufficient strength for whatever you'll face.

The tomorrow trap is real, but it's escapable. When you find yourself consumed with future worries, remember that you're missing present opportunities to be a blessing. Some of your most significant Kingdom moments will come through today's divine interruptions and unexpected encounters.

Trust that the same God who took care of you yesterday and is providing for you today will absolutely take care of tomorrow. He's never failed you before, and He won't start now. Your job is to seek His Kingdom; His job is to add everything else you need.

Life really does look "a whole lighter" when you stop trying to control things you were never meant to manage. Surrender those worries, focus on today's grace, and watch how available you become for the beautiful Kingdom opportunities right in front of you!

Read More

Gratitude

Words of Encouragement

Your prayers for political leaders matter more than you realize! Every time you pray with gratitude instead of grudging duty, you're partnering with God's heart for nations. Remember, He longs for every leader to embrace His life and return to the full knowledge of truth.

Don't let political frustration rob you of the privilege of intercession. When you feel tempted to pray with bad attitudes or resentment, remember that God loves that leader as much as He loves you. This perspective shift will transform your prayers from complaints into powerful intercession.

You don't have to pray for leaders - you get to! This is one of the most incredible privileges in the Kingdom - the ability to influence nations through grateful prayer. Your intercession can create the spiritual atmosphere needed for leaders to encounter God's love and truth.

Pray with intense passion, knowing that your grateful prayers please your Savior-God and create environments where believers can worship freely. When leaders govern with wisdom and righteousness, it benefits everyone - including your ability to live tranquil, undisturbed lives focused on worship and service.

Remember the Israel king warning - ungrateful attitudes in prayer can invite the very problems we're complaining about. But grateful, grace-filled intercession invites God's blessing, wisdom, and transformation into the hearts of those in authority.

Your prayers are powerful! Pray with gratitude, intercede with passion, and watch God move in the hearts of leaders as you create spiritual climate for their salvation and the blessing of entire nations!

Read More
Purpose | Calling & Mission Susan Dewbrew Purpose | Calling & Mission Susan Dewbrew

Impart

Words of Encouragement

You are not meant to walk through life alone! God has designed you to both give and receive in spiritual community. You have gifts, insights, and experiences that others desperately need, and there are people in your life who carry exactly what you need to grow stronger in faith.

Don't underestimate the power of your presence. Sometimes the most profound ministry happens simply by showing up, being authentic, and allowing others to see God's work in your life. Your testimony, your friendship, and even your struggles can become tools that help others recognize their own gifts and calling.

Remember, spiritual gifts need to be stirred up through fellowship and the laying on of hands. Isolation doesn't just limit your impact on others; it limits your own spiritual development. When you come together with other believers, expect something wonderful to be released!

Stop believing the lie that you don't have anything to offer. Paul yearned to impart gifts to the Romans, but he also knew they had gifts for him. This mutual exchange is how the Kingdom operates - we all give, we all receive, and we all grow stronger together.

Find your tribe, build authentic relationships, and watch how God uses your presence to encourage others while using their presence to sharpen and strengthen you!

Be a Blessing,

Read More
Identity in Christ, Faith & Trust Gregory Dewbrew Identity in Christ, Faith & Trust Gregory Dewbrew

Inside

Words of Encouragement

Don't let external circumstances discourage you! While things may look chaotic on the outside, God is doing something beautiful on the inside where it really matters. Every single day, His grace is unfolding in your spirit, creating new life and transformation.

Remember, you're not just a person trying to connect with God - you ARE God's temple! The Creator of the universe has chosen to make His home inside you. That means wherever you go, you carry His presence, power, and peace. You're never without divine resources because the Holy Spirit lives in your sanctuary.

Focus on feeding your spirit more than your flesh. Time with God, worship, prayer, and His Word will cause your inner man to flourish and dominate over temporary troubles. What you're going through now is temporary, but what God is doing in you is eternal.

The lavish celebration being prepared for you is beyond anything you can imagine. Keep your eyes on the eternal, invisible realities that last forever. Your best days aren't behind you - they're being prepared inside you right now!

Read More
Faith & Trust, Identity in Christ Susan Dewbrew Faith & Trust, Identity in Christ Susan Dewbrew

Identity

Words of Encouragement

Stop settling for a diminished view of yourself! You are not a work in progress - you are God's completed masterpiece. You're not trying to become somebody; you already are somebody incredibly significant in God's eyes.

The mirror of Christ reveals your true face - not the face scarred by past mistakes or current struggles, but the face that reflects God's own image. When you truly see yourself this way, everything changes. You stop begging for what you already have and start living from the abundance of your true identity.

Remember, Christ didn't come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive. You're not a reformed sinner; you're a reborn saint. Live like it!

Read More
Gregory Dewbrew Gregory Dewbrew

Past

Words of Encouragement

Your past does not define your future! While your testimony of God's grace includes where you came from, your identity is found in where you're going. You are not a victim of your history but a victor in His story.

Don't let the enemy trap you in past trauma, failures, or even past victories. God has called you to run with passion toward His abundant purposes for your life. Your most dramatic transformation isn't behind you - it's ahead of you as you continue to discover the fullness of what Christ has called you to fulfill.

Remember, the goal isn't to have the most shocking testimony but to have the most transformed life. Keep running toward the divine invitation, knowing that your best days are ahead of you as you pursue God's abundance with compelling focus.

Read More

Angels

Words of Encouragement

Take heart in knowing that the Creator of the universe became human specifically for you! While angels are powerful and helpful, they're not the heroes of your story - Jesus is. He didn't just observe your struggles from heaven; He came down and experienced them personally so He could help you effectively.

You're not less than angels - you're the reason Jesus came to earth! You're made in God's image, loved beyond measure, and have dominion restored through Christ's victory. Angels may be mighty, but you are beloved. They may be powerful, but you are precious. They may be impressive, but you are irreplaceable.

When trials come, remember that your High Priest has been through it all and knows exactly how to help you. Trust His guidance, receive angelic assistance when needed, but keep your worship and focus on the One who gave everything to redeem you.

Read More

Escape

Words of Encouragement

Remember, beloved, that you're not alone in your testing - everyone faces trials, and God is actively managing what you encounter. He's not allowing random, overwhelming difficulties but carefully screening each challenge according to your capacity and His purposes.

When you feel tempted to look for unauthorized escape routes or quick fixes, remember that the Shepherd has a gate prepared for your victory. Trust His timing, follow His path, and let Him lead you through to triumph. Your current trial is developing something beautiful in your character that can only be formed through faithful endurance.

You're going to emerge from this not just surviving but thriving, with a testimony of God's faithfulness that will encourage others in their own trials. Keep following the Shepherd - He knows the way through!

Read More

Promise Land

Reflection Questions

  • Who has Jesus placed in your sphere of influence that needs spiritual, emotional, or practical feeding?

  • How can you better let Jesus' love flow through your everyday activities to feed those around you?

  • What type of feeding are you best equipped to provide - truth, love, hope, practical help, or peace?

Read More