Simple Obedience - Sue Falcone

"…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

Last week I was given a challenge for the New Year to live in "simple obedience to God." My pastor encouraged us to catch the vision with him, and begin doing what we already know to do, but never seem to get around to! He outlined a few areas to launch the journey, and it seemed possible there could be a turnaround for me now and in my future.

At times I have felt I could complicate a two car funeral if given the opportunity. Simple doesn't seem to come natural in some areas of my life.

But I am a willing student and God is a patient teacher. It makes sense that simple obedience simplifies life and disobedience makes life complicated. The difference is, we choose to do things our way instead of letting God be in control.

As we see our world seemingly going off the deep end into a vast arena of mind boggling events, how do we get back to the simple obedience of God?

I realize God has a plan for each of us concerning: spending time with Him daily, reading and memorizing His Word, developing relationships with our family and friends without letting our life’s work consume us, and handling our finances—His way.

Our world is totally focused on finances, but is that the root cause of the economic situation or just a symptom of what is really out of balance? Are we working to serve two masters or just one? My husband and I have found, until we let God show us how to get our finances in shape, life is much more complicated and we don’t have the freedom to live His way.

Is now the time to let God show us how to live in His "Simple Obedience" and mean it? For me, I am excitedly saying, “YES!”

When you pray, don't tell God what He can't do, but thank Him for providing everything you need. He has promised over and over that He would provide and He will. We have to trust in His word. Start today living God's way. I am beginning right now. Won't you join me?

Sue Falcone is a gifted and inspired speaker and teacher. She is the author of: The Lighthouse of Hope—A Day by Day Journey to Fear Free Living, published by WinePress Group. Learn more about Sue at: http://suefalcone.authorweblog.com. Sue is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and is a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries - Christian Women's Clubs.
Read Sue's devotions.


Publisher: Winepress Publishing
ISBN-10: 1579219497
ISBN-13: 978-1579219499
$16.99

Are You Recession Proof? - Sue Falcone

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Luke 16:13 NIV

Finances are quite the topic of 2009, aren’t they? From the world scene to our own country, it would seem everything we have known is coming to an end, simply because of money.

Did you know money is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times? God is very clear on His view of its use. So what are we really dealing with in today’s situations of life?

Could it be that for too long we have been attempting to serve two masters? Is now the time we are coming face to face with that reality?

Several years ago my husband and I realized we were in bondage to debt and sought to get out. In the beginning, it was not easy, because God’s plan to do so involved us thinking differently than the rest of the world system.

We found God’s order of priority for the use of money is to:

Give
Save
Spend

Not quite what we are used to is it? We love to give, but then when an emergency came we would have to extend our debt to meet our needs. We were on a constant merry-go-round. That allowed other areas to become unbalanced as well.

But I am glad we listened and studied closely what God has to tell us about money. We are now debt free and have learned to live on less than we earn, so giving and saving can come first. That protected us against the current situations, and it is a joy and honor to be able to encourage others to begin now to see God’s plan for their finances and manage it His way over the world’s.

Today I ask, who are you serving? There is only one Master, and now is the time to seek to serve only God.

Sue Falcone is a gifted speaker and teacher, and author of: The Lighthouse of Hope - A Day by Day Journey to Fear Free Living, published by WinePress Group. Learn more about Sue at: http://suefalcone.authorweblog.com . Sue is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and is a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries - Christian Women's Clubs.

Perhaps Today! - Sue Falcone

“No one knows about that day or hour not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

Do you wake up every morning thinking this could be your last day on earth? The fact is, it really could be. This point was shown to me recently by a very dear lady in my life: “Miss Maggie.”

She’s had two strokes, a pacemaker, has degenerative back disease, and walks with a cane. She still lives alone and is very independent.

One has to take a number to get on her social calendar. She doesn’t stay home and enjoy being a “senior.” She’s out with friends, visiting the sick, praying and writing notes. Despite her own physical afflictions, Miss Maggie is still actively doing for others. I’m blessed to be her accountability partner and spend at least an hour a week at her home praying and catching up on the news of our lives.

Recently she celebrated her 90th birthday. Miss Maggie has a large family and it was quite an affair. She’s a humble and caring person who doesn’t like to be the center of attention, although she admitted she enjoyed everyone celebrating with her!

Last week we couldn’t meet because Miss Maggie was ill. She told me she hadn’t felt this sick in a long time, and I was concerned about her. She wouldn’t let me visit—afraid I might catch it too. All I could do was send cards and pray for her.

When she was feeling better and let me see her, she told me what had happened to her. She explained that she’d hated missing church the previous Sunday. It was one of the worst days for her. She explained as she lay in bed that she was at total peace. Miss Maggie wondered if this was the day the Lord had chosen for her home going, or perhaps He was coming to fulfill the long awaited day of His return.

She explained she wasn’t afraid, her pacemaker worked fine, and she enjoyed thinking about the Lord—awaiting His return. Miss Maggie admitted she felt a little selfish at thinking this might be her last day on earth, but I assured her it was not selfish at all.

What a witness to so many. Miss Maggie has often shared that, as her body grows older, she doesn’t think she does enough to share her faith with others, but I assured her there is no better way to share than to live it daily and let others see her example.

I know I’m in the presence of a great lady who God loves and uses to spread the good news. If Miss Maggie can be an example, can you?

Sue Falcone is a gifted speaker and teacher. She is an inspired speaker and teacher, and author of, “The Lighthouse of Hope - A Day by Day Journey to Fear Free Living,” published by WinePress Group. Learn more about Sue at: http://suefalcone.authorweblog.com. Sue is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and is a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries - Christian Women's Clubs.
Read Sue's devotions.

ISBN-13: 978-1-57921-949-9

Learning to Be a Good Member of the "Cane Crowd" - Sue Falcone

"This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Matthew 8:17

Did you know there are 49.2M people who have some type of disability in the United States? That is 19% of our population!

How does one handle having limitations? Recently having to face this situation, I must admit it was not what I would have chosen or been thankful in receiving.

Jesus has authority over all earthly diseases and illness, and does heal, so I expected that to happen for me. I have great doctors and have been blessed with great health for many years, so my expectation was that I would be back to normal in no time.

But that was not the path God had chosen for me to take at this time. The words, "there are many more people worse off than you, so just get a grip and move on," were not what I wanted to hear. I was focused on what I didn't have or couldn't do, not on who I am in Christ and what He wanted to do through me.

No one really likes any kind of limitation or disability, but God has a plan and purpose for it. I saw that I had not really noticed or paid attention to those with limitations until I became one of them. God showed me I would have to learn to be a good member of the "Cane Crowd" so I could help others see past their limitations and become all that God meant for them to become and do, even with their limitations.

What are you facing today? Do you have limitations, or do you need to see how you can help those who do? Ask God to show you His plan and know that He is in control and has not left you.

One day when all sickness and disease are no more in our heavenly home we will see the total healing of our Lord. But until then, as Joni Eareckson Tada shares, "my wheelchair has shown me the way HOME by heart." I, too, know that my heavenly HOME will be much better than here, but on the way there God has shown me His heart, so I can share it with you!







Sue Falcone is a gifted speaker and teacher. God has called Sue to use her unique presentation of encouragement and humor to help others overcome their fears. Skilled as a former "corporate America" manager, Sue is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and is a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries - Christian Women's Clubs.

10 Laps Down -- Sue Falcone

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Acts 20:24


Now I know how race drivers feel when they cannot keep up and find themselves "laps down." But they continue on and finish even though they may come in last place. Why? Because they know their hard work will show them how to improve and become even better winners in the next races!

I recently accepted the challenge to walk in a 5k race/walk at our church. Normally this would not have been a great feat for me to do. I had loved power walking all my life.

However, this would be the first time since my car accident that I had even considered doing such a thing. I was now a good member of the "Cane Crowd" and walking can be very difficult at times.

But I realized this was something I must do. I had to know that no matter what my limitations are I can still finish well. I knew I wanted to be a light to the many that also face this situation and be able to help them through it—God’s way.

So I signed up and also invited my two youngest Grand Girls, Kenzie and Kaelyn to join me. We would get a T-Shirt and lunch too.

Did I realize this was going to be a great test for me? No, but it turned out I had not planned on everyone to be miles ahead of me in such a short time. I was alone in my walk. I was even given the opportunity to "cheat" and still receive all the benefits.

But I am not a "quitter" and that no matter how long this took I would finish the right way and give God all the glory for being able to do so. Finally arriving at the finish line I saw my Grand Girls waiting for me. They rushed up to me to tell me they had waited to eat lunch until I returned. They knew I would finish and were willing to wait.

I now know the benefits of not ever quitting, and giving up on God. He is still in control and has a plan for each of us. He wants to help us finish our race, His way.

Where are you in your race of life? Are you focused on God first, or have you given in and quit thinking your race can ever be completed the way you would like it to be? God is waiting for you to come and want to begin again. He has the path all ready for you, are you ready to be the real "winner?" Come to Him and He will show you how!



Sue Falcone is a gifted speaker and teacher, God has called Sue to use her unique presentation of encouragement and humor to help others overcome their fears. Skilled as a former "corporate America" manager, Sue is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and is a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries -- Christian Women's Clubs.

Where's God's Grace -- Sue Falcone

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7-8

Have we gotten caught up so much in ourselves and in this world, that we have forgotten the very blood Jesus shed so that we can receive the grace of God as His child?

It is said that "grace is God's voluntary and loving favor given to those He saves." There is nothing we can do to earn it, or do we even deserve to have it. But to receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves, only God alone can, and that the only way to receive His grace is through faith in Jesus Christ.

Sounds the simple way as God intends, doesn't it? But how far away from it are we when we have established our own way of thinking and rules to gain it, without thought of the price Jesus paid for us to be able to receive it.

Will it matter how many times you have gone to church, dressed as you were told you had to, and acted and gave as you were instructed, and then never willingly acknowledged that Jesus is the only way to ever receive the grace of God? No wonder the church is not the powerful bride that Jesus expected and wants to find when He returns!

Will it matter how loving you were towards others, but when asked when does life begin, you will not commit to an answer? Will it matter that we accept the taking of a life of a baby as a choice rather than the gift God intended to give us? Will it matter we overlook evil and give into its power rather than sacrifice to have the freedom God wants to give us? Will it matter that we worked to save the earth and our economy at the expense of many, and refused to allow God to enter into our decisions?

How many times have we seen throughout history that man's ways are not the answer to achieving the plan and purpose God has for each one of us? Why do we keep following them? In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus plainly and clearly shows us that the path to the gate of Heaven and eternal life is narrow, and there is only one way to walk it, by true faith and belief in Him alone. Have we forgotten the way? It is not too late, God's grace can be found!



Sue Falcone is a gifted speaker and teacher, God has called Sue to use her unique presentation of encouragement and humor to help others overcome their fears. Skilled as a former "corporate America" manager, Sue is a graduate of Dale Carnegie and is a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries -- Christian Women's Clubs.