Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a magnificent morning, and, as usual, whether I’m inside or outside this time of year, I’ll always opt for a front-row seat to watch the Master wake up the world. There is nothing quite like putting His Majesty and Magnificence in Perspective than by Considering His Hand on each new day. The way I choose to approach (and embrace) this new day will Determine how I’ll be used by the Author and Perfector of my Faith. If I Approach the new day feeling weak…then I’ll be too weak for Service, BUT if I approach this new day with Great Anticipation to do His Work and if I’m Empowered by the Great I Am, then I’ll be Ready for Kingdom Work today, no matter what that “looks” like from where I sit. I can watch the sunrise from any window in this old house, and one day soon that’s what I’ll be doing every morning as I ride out the winter months, BUT nothing beats being surrounded by His creation as we ALL stand in awe at the Work of His hands to set my Spirit in Motion. Isn’t that the way things ought to be in this Journey of Faith?

I’m a bold woman of Faith, and I’m RARELY lost for words. I stand for what I Believe in, no matter what, and I’m not too timid to speak up. I wear my Armor like the Warrior God has called me to be, and I don’t hesitate to do Battle when He tells me it’s Time. I am confident that “No weapon formed against me will prosper” -since I Believe every word OF the Word, I’m confident that “Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world”. I Know that Jesus Christ fought the Devil with Scripture, and I’m Armed with plenty of them should I need them in Battle today. You can always count on me to stand up for the downcast, and you can count on my Voice to be heard (especially) when theirs is too weak or when they are lost for words of their own. I’m passionate and Compassionate. I’m Strong and I’m Courageous. I have unwavering Convictions that are sometimes mislabeled as “personal opinions,” and I never grow tired of speaking up for Jesus Christ or for the Truth of His Word. BUT the purpose of my speaking up isn’t so that I can be heard, and I never take on a Project unless/until He gives me my Marching Orders. I don’t speak up for myself – I speak up so that HE can be heard. I’m a Vessel for the Most High God, and I’m Equipped to do His Work 24/7. Just like any Good Soldier, all I ever need to do to Win is to show up – to put on the FULL Armor of God – and then Follow His Orders in all that I do. If I don’t get these things Right…I won’t have what it takes to do Battle today.

God is the truest definition of Love and Compassion, and although He can show His wrath any time He feels like it, His wrath is never abused, and it always stems from Love. He doesn’t point fingers or jump down throats just to be heard, even though He could…and neither should I. When I encounter someone who is sick – physically OR spiritually – I don’t shun them…I don’t attempt to “fix” them…I don’t throw them under the bus…Instead, I treat them the way Jesus would, and I Trust Him to Guide me toward Helping them in His Mighty Name and not through my own will. Christ didn’t treat those who didn’t believe in (or agree) with Him with unkindness, bitter words, or tongue lashings. Instead, He showed them Compassion as He spoke Truth with Love. He showed a Compassionate Heart to the most “unlovable” people, and thousands upon thousands of people came to Know Him because of His HEART… NOT because of a heavy hand or bitter words. The way to lead people TO Christ is to mirror His Ways! If Christ didn’t minister to the dark world with a mean Spirit, then why are so many Christians? That doesn’t come from Him…it comes from the Adversary instead.

Despite my boldness, I know that I’m not the Judge or the Jury, and I’m really not a fighter at all outside of Kingdom Work, that is. In fact, I dodge conflict like the plague, and I am known for being a peacemaker in my own world. But when I am called by the Living God to speak up for Righteousness, I’m given the Words, the courage, AND THE HEART to do just that. And when I’m called to be a Reflection of His love, His Grace, and His Compassion, I am given a Tender Heart and immeasurable patience to share with others, too. Every word I speak, every step I take, every day of my life should be a Living Testimony for the Living God, and although I’m not even close to being Perfect, I never lose sight of the Goal. When you look at the Journey of Faith that way, it puts everything into perspective…especially our behavior toward others who don’t know Him. At least it does for me.

I’m as bold as a lion or as gentle as a lamb…I’m whatever He needs me to be at the time and for HIS Purpose and not my own gratification – and it all stems from Love and not hate or judgment. I’m striving to be a beautiful example of the Love of Christ and a Reflection of the nature of my God in a dark and ugly world so that He can be Seen in me and Heard through me in all that I do and all that I am.

“The greatest of these is love.”

How about you?