Uncategorized

How Important is Religion to you?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was windy and chilly this morning, and even though I didn’t stay there for long, I stayed long enough to take a deep breath of fresh air and to thank the Living God for another day of Life and Service to the King. It’s a typical Virginia Spring, that’s for sure. One day, I’m savoring the view from outside on the warm front porch; the next, I’m dodging the cold and opting for comfort and warmth inside instead. It’s a small price to pay to be willing to endure the cold for any length of time outside with the Living God, but the Journey of Faith isn’t always a comfortable thing. Sometimes I’m stretched, and sometimes I’m tried, and sometimes I am uncomfortable as I Walk this walk with Him – but those tiny little things in a much bigger Picture make every sacrifice worthwhile as He Grows the Faith of this Willing Servant. Isn’t that the way it is for you, too?

I laugh when people refer to me as “very religious” because I’m not religious at all. I’m ready, willing, and able to serve my God whenever He’s ready for me, and I’m always listening out for the Call. I’m no expert, but from where I sit, the Flexible ones in the Bible – the ones ready to Follow His Instructions no matter where it took them or even if it made sense to them at all – they had the favor of God, while the ones riddled with rituals and obsessed over the “rules” were ridiculed by Him. That’s enough for me! So, I remain flexible and free, and I’m not bound to “tradition” or ceremonial things that define so many others. I learned a while ago that it doesn’t matter what denominational club I might belong to – it doesn’t matter what “religion” I believe in; the ONLY thing that matters is what Truth I believe in, and from where I sit, there is only One Truth.

Faith is a strange thing when you think about it, and it can’t be understood or defined in the flesh. It’s something felt from the Inside, and it is something that defies logic. The Bible says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” I’ve had some of the highest I.Q.s on the planet attempt to debate things written in the Word of God as if they’re trying to save me from my own stupidity. But they don’t understand Faith (yet), and their arguments are wasted on me. Not just because the Bible instructs me (us) NOT to argue about such things, but because I’m unshakable. I KNOW the Truth. Religion can always be debated, theologies can always be scrutinized, and people can be swayed in one direction or another when they focus on “religion.” If that were not so, there wouldn’t be hundreds of denominations in the world and churches on every street corner – a clear picture of what it looks like when man can’t agree on the Word of God. All I know is that when you KNOW the King of all kings…when you KNOW the one and Only Truth…when you Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh…the only thing that moves you (or matters) is Him.

I’m fairly knowledgable about what the Bible says, and I can pull out the Truth whenever I need it – but that’s not a sign of my head-knowledge, that a “sign” of the Holy Spirit dwelling within me instead. My Faith is like that of a child…Trusting and awestruck and forever Leaning on One bigger than myself. If His Word says that Jonah was swallowed up in the belly of a big fish or that Jesus and Peter walked on the water, then I don’t doubt it for a single second, and I don’t need it explained to me. I Believe with my Heart and not with my head, and I am confident that God is pleased because of it. It’s a sad thing to see the human mind fight against the Spiritual things to make sense of them, and it’s a sad thing to see people blinded by religion while they lack the Spiritual entirely…the only way to a Relationship with Jesus Christ. No matter the “religion” or philosophy – no amount of debating over theologies or the latest and greatest “religion” being sold to the world…one day EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord whether they believe it (now) or not. My “job” is to share the Good News with as many people as I can so that they bow on their knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord while they still have time to Serve Him too! I don’t care about recruiting them to one religion or another – I care about recruiting them to the Jesus Team.

People from all walks of life (and belief systems) can sometimes be drawn to me like a moth drawn to light, but it isn’t because I’m religious that they’re drawn to me. It isn’t my personality that draws them to me, and it’s not my twisted sense of humor or my ability to thread a good story. People can be drawn to me NOT because I’m “very religious” but because I’m very Spiritual, and the Spirit of the Living God can be felt through me when they’re in my presence. They’re drawn because I am the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” just like the Bible says that I am, and as a Living Breathing Child of the Living God, it’s not so easy to ignore me. Being religious doesn’t minister to the heart at all, but being Spiritual, now that’s an entirely different story. Being Spiritual means taking on the nature of the One Who died for me, and being Spiritual means I love unconditionally and I refrain from judging the life of another. Being Spiritual means that I walk the Walk and I talk the Talk, and I love others enough to want them to have what I have. Being Spiritual starts on the inside and it permeates through every cell in my body…just the way Jesus says it should be. Being Spiritual involves a whole lot of Light and salt and very few rules and regulations. This is the Key to leading more and more people into a Relationship with Jesus Christ.

I don’t have a religious bone in my body, and I’ll keep it that way. I’ve worked hard on the Spiritual side of me this morning with a little sacrifice and with a childlike Heart and there is no doubt people will see Him in me today because of it. I’m a child of the Living God. I’m heaven-bound. I’ve been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. I’m on a Recruiting Assignment, and there’s not much time to get my Job done before He calls me Home – and THAT’S what I care about the most. Not manmade denominations or manmade rules, or manmade rituals…JUST HIM. It’s pretty simple – He died for me – I live for Him.

How about you?

Do you strut around so proud of your denomination or your local church as if you’re the only “good ones” in town, and are you so religious that you’ve lost sight of the Spiritual? IF so, reach out to me. I’ll tell you about the Pharisees…the “religious” experts of old times, and what Christ thought about their “religion” and I’ll explain Grace and Mercy to you in a way that maybe you’ve never heard…and when I’m done with you – you’ll be a whole lot less “religious” and a whole lot more spiritual too!

The Message of the Cross…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Spring is springing in Virginia, and it seems like even the birds are celebrating the way I am. I’ve had my most important meeting of the day with the One who died for me, and I’ve picked up some Wisdom and Direction from my Instruction Manual. Like a bird perched on the highest limb it can find, I’m on top of my World too. Life looks a whole lot Clearer from here, and I can see my Journey with 20/20 Vision when I’m Living Higher and when I’m reaching for the Son. What a sweet Reminder to me directly from the Throne of a Mighty God this morning. If He “keeps my path straight” and if I’m “the apple of His eye”, how could I ever be surprised when He sends the Sweet and Subtle messages my way?

The Sweetest Message ever known to mankind is the message of the Cross, and somehow, so many people manage to complicate it OR avoid it entirely. Lots (if not most) people of Faith stay pretty busy talking about God, and His Word, and “His Ways” and ALL of that is Good….but unless the Message of the Cross is loud and clear FIRST, none of it means much at all. The world is filled with “experts” on the Word of God but so many of them completely miss out on the Sweet salvation message, and they don’t mention the Message of Hope that is ONLY possible because of the Cross. No matter who is or who IS NOT bold enough to speak up for the sake of Salvation, the Core of our entire Belief system as Christians comes down to the Message of the Cross. Sadly, even countless pastors refrain from mentioning the Cross, or hell or sin for fear of offending the flock. But I’m thinking that a large portion of their flock will be pretty offended when they die not knowing the Message of the Cross and their destiny looks a whole lot different than they were told it would be from a pulpit. Just sayin’.

The Message of the Cross is the Most Significant message of all…and it’s one that ALL people are commanded to share!

It’s a Simple Message and it’s the ONLY Message of Hope. It’s at the Cross that the biggest Sacrifice was made for all of mankind….from the beginning of time and until the end of time… and it’s at the Cross that Love was Defined. It’s at the Cross where the burden of ALL of our Sin was “washed away” and all the consequences that go with it was taken on by Someone we’ve never “met”. It’s at the Cross where we meet Him, and we “thank Him” by accepting Who He is and What He did for you and for me…and it’s at the Cross where we find Hope and Freedom and a Future.

It’s pretty simple when you think about it…We either accept the Message of the Cross and the One who died to Pay the Price for you and for me that we might have Life Everlasting OR we reject it and have eternal damnation. The Message is Simple enough for anybody to share…and when Eternity is involved, it’s not optional to refuse to share it. This IS what we’re ALL commanded to do, but it’s the one thing that most people of Faith refuse to do. For the ones refusing, it might be time to evaluate the Simple Message of the Cross all over again…because if they don’t see the significance and they refuse to share…perhaps they need a Reminder of the Gift and the Price all over again themselves.

I’ll be sharing the Message of the Cross today, and every day, for all the days of my Life because without Him, I could do nothing…without Him I’d fail…without Him I’d have no hope…without Him I’d be lost…without Him I’d have a Future in Hell instead of in the Place He has Prepared for me. Because of the Cross, my Future is bright, and my life is eternal.

How about you?

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry”

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I made up for lost time with the Living God this morning – after a season of “quiet,” He spoke to my Heart in Overdrive today, and there are no words to describe what my Heart feels. My Instruction Manual tells me to “wait patiently,” but it’s not so easy to be patient when God goes quiet because I need Him more than I need air. I won’t understand why He goes quiet until I enter the gates of Heaven, but I’m sure He has Good Reason. One thing is for sure: when He goes quiet, I get busy examining my Heart to be sure I’m not the reason for the quiet. After that, I wait patiently for Him and He always shows up in His Time. Isn’t that what you do when He’s quiet too?

I’m not sure that most people know what it’s like when God goes “quiet” because they fail to settle down long enough to hear from Him in the first place. Perhaps they spend their time reading as if they’ve been given an assignment, or maybe they spend their time making requests. Some people set a timer to limit the Time spent as if God should fit inside a convenience box and as if He’s on their schedule instead of the other way around. It’s possible that some people have never even experienced what it’s like when God speaks to the soul, and they don’t know what they’re missing at all. When God Speaks to the soul, it leaves you breathless, excited, at peace, and always hungering for more. The mere thought that the God of the Universe loves us enough to Speak to each one when He’s ready is overwhelmingly beautiful in ways that defy words. I feel sad for the ones that don’t slow down long enough for Him to Speak.

God is God, and He goes “quiet” whenever He wants to and always for Good Reason…but when He’s quiet, we sure shouldn’t be! He never leaves His Throne. He never sleeps. He never takes a break. He never turns His back on one of His own. He hears every prayer. He counts every tear. He’s always there! Once you know what it’s like for God to Speak to the soul, you never want to leave His Presence, and it’s unsettling when He goes quiet. So, the first step is always to search the Heart for Good Reason for Him to go silent. In some ways, our relationship with Him isn’t a whole lot different from all the others. When a loved one goes quiet, we start scrambling to find out why – why would it be any different in our Relationship with God? Once we’re sure the Heart is in Good Condition and that we’re not the reason for the silence, it all comes down to patiently waiting for Him to “hear our cry”…and He always does. Needing to hear His Voice more than we need air is the Key to being willing to do whatever it takes on our part to “break the silence.”

My Heart is overflowing with Joy and Gratitude after God showed up and He spoke to my soul this morning. Day after day, I still crawl into His Presence…I praise Him…I thank Him…I confess my wrongs…and I seek His Face, ESPECIALLY when He’s quiet. As long as there is breath in my body, I’ll be doing my part to Please Him because I need Him more than I need air.

How about you?

Is Your Pride Thwarting Your Growth?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped outside this morning with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and the Holy Word of a Holy God to meet with the One who died for me. The Bible says, “draw near to God and He will draw near to you,” and that’s what my Time with Him is always about. It’s never about just showing up…it’s about drawing near…and to pull that off, I need to enter His Presence with a Humble and Grateful Heart, AND I need to be willing to have my Heart Examined each day by the Author and Perfector of my Faith. Sometimes it’s a sweet Time, and sometimes it’s a tough Time, but it’s always a Good Time when I draw near to Him and He draws near to me. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith, too?

It can be easier than you think to find ourselves in that place where we wonder where God is and if He’s even listening to our prayers at all – but it doesn’t have to be that way. If we just do our Part to draw near to Him, He will ALWAYS draw near to us. After all, He is a God of His Word! Sometimes, drawing near seems impossible and it feels like we can’t get there from here…and when that happens, it’s because we are in our own way of having quality time because of the Condition of our own Heart. No relationship can thrive just by being in the same room, and it’s not possible to “draw near” to another human being if we rely on the fact that we’re “together” physically while the Heart is not Prepared for the journey at all. There isn’t a Relationship on the planet that can possibly survive and THRIVE if the heart isn’t in it. Why would it be any different with the King of all kings?

The Living God doesn’t just want us to show up; He wants us to DRAW NEAR instead, and that is where the “work” comes in. It isn’t possible to genuinely draw near to Him if there is Unfinished Business in the Heart, and it’s not possible for Him to draw near to us if we meet with Him just to see what He can do for us or how fast He can settle our latest crisis. Drawing near to Him takes Humility to confess whatever is in the Heart that is not pleasing to Him, and it takes a Heart that Hungers to be ALL that He created us to be. Drawing near is more about what WE can do…and who we can be…to be found pleasing to the Lord of all Creation than it could ever be about what He can do to please us. The child of God is Royalty, and it’s an Honor to enter His Presence any time we want to BUT it matters to Him how we show up, and He can’t draw near if we insist on living a Life that’s not pleasing to Him.

Having a Rich Relationship with the King of all kings isn’t nearly as complicated as folks like to think it is. A Rich Relationship isn’t reserved for just a select few, and it isn’t withheld from any Willing Heart, but it does take Effort on our Part. It takes drawing Near to Him with a hunger to be found Pleasing in His eyes and with a willingness to let Him Work within the crevices of the Heart…those places that only He can see. The heart of man will need to be Refined every single day until we find our way Home, and, as for me, that’s the Greatest Honor – to be Refined so that I can be found Worthy to Serve the King. It makes me sad to see how few professed Christians “get” this part and how few are willing to Surrender to Him to draw near all because they’re too proud to humble themselves before the Living God. I’m not sure how the Journey will work out for those people, BUT I’m confident they won’t see the kind of Relationship I have with the King until they’re willing to surrender just like I do…day after day and year after year.

I met with Him wrapped in a blanket on the front porch of an old farm in Virginia this morning with a Heart that longed to draw near. I need Him more than I need breath in my lungs and we both know it. As long as I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me.

How about you?

The Beautiful Buds of our Faith…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s the second day of Spring and everything is coming to life around the farm, and I’m giving Thanks to the God of all Creation for Blessing me with another view of the Spring from the Front Porch. I LOVE watching the Touch of the Master’s Hand and I love to see what He’s up to each day especially this time of the year. It’s incredible to see how fast the trees bud out overnight, and I can almost hear them saying “Finally!” as it gets closer to the time they’re fully matured for the season. Unfortunately, this morning the temperature was just above freezing with a windchill factor of 26 degrees and it’s not unusual for us to get a snowfall in April. As I considered the joy of seeing new life in the Spring and how easily it could be snuffed out by freezing temperatures, it reminded me of the Journey of Faith. Many people come to Life when they’re first Introduced to Jesus Christ, and they’re the most Beautiful Buds you could ever imagine when they do. But just like a surprise Spring snowfall, the Enemy can come along to “freeze” all their fresh Growth and they can go from Budding Beauty to dead again faster than you can say “Amen”. Isn’t it just like the Living God to use a simple tree bud to inspire a Message for the world today?

God is the Creator of all Life, a Master Gardener, and the Author and Perfector of my Faith. Jesus has a lot to say about seeds to help us understand what takes place when we sow the seeds of the Gospel. In the parable of the sower of the seeds, Jesus taught us all about Beautiful Buds and what happens to the seeds (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) is never about the “quality” of the seeds, but about the Condition of the Heart when they’re planted. Some seeds get planted on a path and, although they hear the Word (Gospel), they don’t understand it, so the devil snatches the seeds away. Bye-bye Beautiful Buds! Some get planted on rocky ground and although they’re happy at first, as soon as hardships come they quickly blow away. Bye-bye Beautiful Buds! Then there are others who are planted in the thorns. Although they hear the Word they get choked out by the thorns and never bear fruit because of it. Bye-bye, Beautiful Buds! It makes me sad to think about all the seeds (Gospel) that have been sown and how few have actually taken root and have grown into Beautiful Buds all because of the condition of the Heart when the seeds of faith were “planted” in the first place. This is Key to our Journey of Faith – we do our Part to Plant the seeds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ but we have no control over the Condition of the Heart. That Part is between the seed and the Sower.

It takes just the right conditions for a seed to take root or for a tree to bud. It takes lots of water and plenty of sunshine. It takes nutrients it gets from the soil AND it takes the Touch of the Master’s Hand. Without any of these things (long term), not only will a plant not grow or a tree not bud, but it will begin to die altogether. It takes just the right conditions and the Touch of the Master’s Hand for the seed of Faith to bud BUT it also takes just the Right Conditions for Faith to Grow into Maturity too. The Bible tells us that our Adversary does nothing but prowl around on the earth looking for Seeds to Devour. He’s a liar. He’s a thief. He robs, kills, and destroys. He masquerades as something beautiful. His entire Agenda is to kill the seeds of Faith – especially before the seeds are firmly rooted. As surely as prolonged cold temperatures could cause the Beautiful Buds on the trees at the farm to fall to the ground, the Seeds of Faith can easily be destroyed if the soil isn’t just right. This is the Key to Maturing in our Faith in all conditions and it’s the Key to Protecting the Seeds of Faith every step of the way. After all, a Thief can’t steal what he doesn’t have access to!

I’m a Professional Seed Planter so I do my Part to warn others about all those seeds that have fallen to the ground and are potentially lost “forever” when all they ever needed was the Right Heart and the Touch of the Master’s Hand. It’s my Job (and yours) to plant the seeds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ but we can’t force them to Grow. As surely as we don’t plant seeds in the garden with a “love ’em and leave ’em” attitude, we should always be prepared to help Nurture all those seeds of Faith that have the potential to grow into Beautiful Buds. If God could take a wretch like me and Nurture me into a Beautiful Bud in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ…there’s hope for anybody with the Heart to Receive.

How about you?

Are You Focusing on the Ugly?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The air is cold and it still feels a little like winter in the morning, but the farm is looking more like spring every day. You’d think after all these years I’d get tired of the view from the front porch but that’s never going to happen because when I look across the fields of this old farm what I see is God. Who could ever get tired of looking at God? Wildlife is a WAY of life around here and watching nature respond to what God provides is an incredible site to see….day after day. The deer never seem to be in much of a hurry until they sense danger, but the birds are an entirely different story. To me, the birds always look frantic as they dart from here to there looking for food and they don’t ever seem to rest – at least not for long. As I considered my wildlife view this morning it reminded me of the Journey of Faith. Some people of Faith are like the deer – satisfied to “graze” on whatever satisfies the flesh and they don’t seem to have a care in the world about anything UNLESS danger shows up. Then there are people like me. We’re like the birds of the air…so focused on the fields full of lost people within our reach that we refuse to rest until our Job here on earth is done. Which one are you?

There is no such thing as a perfect view in Life no matter where we sit. My view from the front porch has changed dramatically over the years as farmers sold out to developers and cows were traded for houses. I see the ugliest cell tower you could ever imagine off in the distance that has recently doubled in size. It serves as a reminder to me of how man doesn’t care about the view at all when there are so many two-legged “creatures” to please. Instead of the pitch dark I used to enjoy (where the only light came from lightning bugs), I see lights on in houses across the fields and I see party lights that never turn off. I’ve seen things built that I don’t understand and I’ve seen what it looks like when property values decline because of it. All the things I just described are the ugly things within my view that could so easily destroy the beauty IF I allow the devil to rob me and I stop seeing God in it all. There’s enough ugliness in the world to sink a fleet of ships, and for the life of me, I don’t understand how professed Christians could spend so much time obsessing over the ugly that they’ve lost sight of fields full of lost souls and people destined for Hell. How can they spend so much time wishing harm on the very ones who were also “made in His image”? I guess they either don’t understand why they were Created in the first place, OR they don’t really Know the Living God at all. Sad but true. With Him, focusing on the Beauty is everything and it’s the Focus on Beauty that compels us to share Beauty with the ugly all the day of our lives!

I’m just an imperfect woman living an imperfect life with an imperfect view from my perfect front porch in Virginia. The ugly I can see could so easily rob me IF I allowed myself to stop seeing God in it all. I want to be like the birds – “franticly” trying to reach as many as I can while there is still breath in my body. I exist solely by the Will of my Perfect God. I have a Perfect Future in store for me with a Perfect View that “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind even comprehend what He has in store” for me. I am Forgiven and Redeemed by the blood of my Perfect Savior. When I focus on these things the ugly disappears and is replaced by indescribably Beauty every single time. Ugly? What ugly?

What is it going to be for you? Will you focus on the ugly and forget about the lost OR will you “frantically” focus on the feast of lost souls right before your eyes while there’s still breath in your body?

Are You Feeling Parched?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I rushed into the Presence of the Most High God before the sun could be seen in the morning sky, and I set out to find my Peace “as the deer pants for water”. Sometimes my soul does thirst for Him and sometimes I can’t get enough. Sometimes my soul needs just a little refreshing for the Journey and sometimes my soul is like a withering plant. But no matter the condition of my Soul when I’m thirsty the Living Water is ready and waiting for me to come looking for Nourishment that will Refresh and Revive me all over again. Then, before you know it, I’ll be reaching for the heavens just like the well-nourished plant does – desperate to be in the presence of the Source of my Strength. Isn’t that the way it is with you too?

It can be so easy for people to reach out to God as if He’s just the go-to for whenever we have problems that require a little extra attention – but He’s so much more than being The Answer to our problems! Just like the withering plant that’s close to death, we are inclined to desperately look for help from the Living Water to revive us again ONLY when we finally accept that we can no longer do it on our own. But if we just set out to get a “slow drip” from the Living Water every single day (and in every way), we never reach that state of being parched at all. His Presence, His Spirit, His Love, and His Strength can quench our thirst and nourish our souls in ways that most people (sadly) can’t begin to imagine. When we turn on the Tap of the Living Water, and we sustain a “steady flow”, eventually we begin to overflow with Living Water and we begin to Grow like never before! The Living Water will transform a life from “withering” to usable in no time at all, and the Living Water will Strengthen the root of our Faith. With strong “roots” and plenty of nourishment, we learn to reach for the Source of our Strength every single day, and the Life within us begins to overflow to the rest of the world with ease. This is the Key to spiritual growth.

It’s often said that “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink” and nothing could be more true when it comes to Faith. Countless people have been led to the Living Water but they never seem to “thirst for Him” at all. I guess He’s the “go-to-guy-in-the-sky” and they have no need for Him unless they’re feeling desperate. They never turn on the Tap of the Living Water, and they see no need to nourish the soul at all. They’ve been led to the Living Water, but (just like the horse) they refuse to drink. Eventually, they’ll wither and they’ll stop growing due to the lack of Water, and it doesn’t take long before they are of little use for Kingdom Work at all. It’s the flourishing Plants that stand out in a Garden, and it’s the flourishing Plants that we’re inclined to pick. They are the beautiful Ones…the Ones that overflow with Living Water…the Ones that have Roots so deep that they can’t easily be knocked down. These Plants have been watered by the Living Water and they reach for the Sky, to the Source of their Strength… and it shows.

I was a little parched at sunrise, but my thirst has been quenched and now I’m Unstoppable. My roots are deeper than ever before and absolutely nothing has the power to “knock me down” as long as I’m being Watered with Truth. I’m reaching for the Heavens just like the withering plant does after it’s received its nourishment too. The people I encounter today will See the Living Water in me without me saying a single Word because I’ll stand out in the garden filled with so many withering plants. Others will drawn to me like a moth is drawn to light because I’m Overflowing with Living Water and the Beauty is undeniable. I know how to Lead them to the Place where they’ll NEVER thirst again, but I can’t force them to drink. I’ll do my Part to help them quench their thirst Once and for All and then the Daily Maintenance is up to them. I hope they’ll stand out like a sore thumb in the Garden with me One Day too…set aside from all of the withering ones. That’s where I’ll be until God reaches down and Picks me to take me Home with Him.

How about you?

“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13,14

Happiness is a Choice…In Jesus’ Name!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I watched the Master wake up the world and I stood in awe of His glory as He painted the sky and whispered “good morning” to the world around me. There aren’t words to describe the beauty of this new day from the inside out, but my Heart has been filled with an attitude of Gratitude because of it, and the smile in my Heart will probably carry me through to the end of the day and beyond. God Almighty is the source of my Joy, but I have to do a little work to be happy too. Isn’t that the way it is with everybody?

Taking steps that lead to true Joy in my life is worth more than all the gold in the world to me. There are plenty of things I could obsess over that would make me sad, bitter, or angry – from the state of the world these days to a thorn in my flesh – but I refuse to live with a heavy Heart and I make the choice to be happy. There are plenty of reasons I could find to cry and whine about what I do have or what I don’t have, but I focus on all of the Blessings in my Life and I count my blessings one by one each day. There are plenty of times I could have complained about loneliness and abandonment when I was flying solo but I chose to fill my time with the One who loves me Unconditionally and who will never let me down instead. I chose to be happy. There are more than enough reasons that I could find to be angry with people around me when I’m wronged or when things don’t go according to MY plans, but I choose to examine my OWN heart each time and I “let go and let God” deal with the wrongs instead.

Making the choice to be happy each day is the source of my Peace and it doesn’t come from an anointed, problem-free life that so many would like to believe I have here at my farm in Virginia. There is no doubt that I’ll hear from a few people who read these words today and who will attempt to paint a picture that justifies their unhappiness or their heartbreak…but it won’t fly with me. As they try to “sell” me on their right to be miserable, and they suggest that I would be too if I were in their shoes, I’ll do my part to explain what it means to make the choice to be happy each day. As they attempt to fill me with details about what’s going on in and out of the White House, I’ll remind them that the Master of the world is in Control. As they paint a picture of heartbreak and loneliness because they put their trust in another instead of the Living God, I’ll do my part to explain the Love and fulfillment that ONLY He can satisfy and the Secret to being content in all things. Making the choice to be happy despite the circumstances is the key to it all but one so many overlook as they stay focused on themselves – putting their happiness above all else in the Journey of Life. I pray that one day soon they’ll learn what it means to die to themselves and to Live for Him…and that they’ll choose to focus on the King a zillion times more than they focus on themselves. It all comes down to making the choice to be happy.

There is a liar from Hell that comes only to rob, kill, and destroy and unless we take him seriously, he can easily rob us of Joy. He’s happy to whisper lies about how miserable our life is. He’s happy to whisper doubt into our being that can keep us awake a night. He’s happy to issue reminders of things (he thinks) we’re inclined to be afraid of. He can help us put together a pity party faster than you can say “Amen” and he is willing to work 24 hours a day for the rest of your life hosting them if you let him. He’s very good at getting us to focus MORE on ourselves and he’s is happy to list all the reasons we have for being miserable. He’s relentless, that’s for sure. BUT “Greater is He who is in me (God) than He who is in the world (the devil) and I/we have the Power (in the Mighty Name of Jesus) to send the liar from Hell right back to where He came from…but only IF I choose to be happy.

I’ve done the Work on me this morning and I’ve turned to the Author and Perfecter of my Faith for it all. He’s the One who scattered the stars in the sky and Knows them each by name. He’s the One in Control of every heartbeat and every breath breathed into my lungs from birth until now. He’s the One with the Keys to Hell and Hades, and He’s the One that will greet me in Heaven when He calls me Home. He’s the One with the Perfect Master Plan. I won’t be relying on anything or anyone but Him today. I’m happy, I’m content, I’m at Peace, I’m Grateful and I’m fulfilled this morning after a little attitude adjustment of my own as I made the choice to be happy today.

How about you?

Ride of Terror OR Journey for Jesus?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a glorious morning in Virginia and I can finally feel Spring in the air. You never know what to expect this time of year – sometimes it’s warm and sometimes it’s cold but it’s almost always windy – so windy, in fact, that the flags seemed to “fight” to hang on to their proper place on the front porch. I enjoy watching the flags “fight” to stay where they belong knowing that eventually, each one will succumb to the damage they’ve sustained over time by the high winds. One by one they’ll be replaced with a newer fresher flag…but that’s not true for man. Man can never get to the point of no return in the eyes of God and God will never give up on His “flags” no matter how much damage they get through the Journey. Each man is made for a unique Purpose with a Flight Plan to follow that is intended just for him. With that in mind, why do so many people face the storms as if they’re on a ride of terror instead of on the Journey for Jesus? Flags are flags and nothing is expected of them but to make a statement and bring us pleasure…BUT man has a Choice. Man can choose to Trust the One that calms the seas OR to fly haphazardly through the Journey of Life until he wears out and gets replaced by someone willing to do the Work God created him to do. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Life too?

We are a part of a disposable society and, unfortunately, we have been conditioned to believe that everything can be replaced. We don’t attempt to fix cars, computers, or cell phones because they lose value in our eyes, and besides, it’s too much fun to replace them instead. We toss food that could feed a hungry family and we pitch clothes in the trash just for missing a button that could have easily been mended to make good for someone else. Yep, we’re in a disposable society BUT there’s a problem with that mindset…it’s not in alignment with the Nature of our God. He has a Plan in mind for each of us and He’ll sometimes allow us to flap around in the wind to build the strength it takes to get the Job done, AND to see if we’ll choose to GO or GROW. When we choose to GROW, He’ll calm the winds faster than you can say “Amen” and it won’t take long for us to see what God was Teaching us all along. But for those who choose to GO because they’re too selfish or lazy to endure a little “flapping around” in His Name, they’ll eventually be replaced by a Servant Willing to do the Job that you were created to do. How sad it is that your Kingdom Work could be Assigned to someone else because you would rather flap around in the wind uncontrollably instead of calling upon the Name of Jesus to calm the storm and lead the way.

It’s sad to see so many people professing to know my God but so unwilling to do His Work. If boldly flapping in the breeze like the flags on my front porch means they might endure a little pain in the process…they want nothing to do with it. If their season of flapping around in the breeze lasts longer than they think is “fair” they’ll dispose of God and move on to the next “solution” without blinking an eye. Some people will do as little as they think they can to get by instead of striving to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” one day the way I do. I’m a born-again Believer and I am confident that I can’t lose my Salvation BUT I Know (based on His Word) that some people will make it into Heaven just by the skin of their teeth and they’ll sit on the sideless of Glory for eternity because of it. The choice is mine. I want a front-row seat in Glory. I can live like a flag on the front porch with absolutely no control over my destiny OR I can make the Choice to Fight Back…to Sustain…to Endure…to Persevere…to No matter how much flapping around I have to do in the Process. He’s worth it. I’m worth it. The Journey is worth it. Glory is worth it.

How about you?

All The Answers At Your Fingertips!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I watched the Master wake up the world and we had a long talk about Purpose and Plans for this new day and beyond. There is no Answer that can’t be Found in my Instruction Manual regardless of what’s going on in Life…and it’s Sufficient for every Season. When I set out to raise four children solo, I went to the Source of it all. God gave me the Wisdom I needed because I asked for it. My Instruction Manual says “If any man lacks wisdom let him ask and I will give it abundantly without judgment”…and He did. More than anything else, my Desire was to raise up a GODLY generation so I sought My Instruction Manual for step-by-step Instructions…and I followed them. I learned to “Impress them” (His Words) upon my children and to talk about Him non-stop as I “walked along the way”…and now they’re doing the same for the next generation. Training up a child isn’t as simple as taking them to Sunday school and praying before a meal – that takes very little effort at all! To “train up a child” we need to LIVE what we BELIEVE. Training up a child is walking the walk we talk about and it’s embracing every Supernatural Word we read. My morning begins at sunrise but my Journey of Faith begins with my Instruction Manual and I Know that if I Follow what I’m told, I’ll be Victorious in every area of Life…every single time. Isn’t that the way you Embrace the Word of God too?

It amazes me to see how so many people leave their Instruction Manual to gather dust as if it’s just one of those little (unnecessary) details of their Faith. Maybe they may open it up when they’re being taught by an “expert”, but without someone to point them in the right Direction, they leave it closed until the next time. Some people don’t bother reading it because they claim they don’t understand what it says, but there is a good reason for that. Some people turn to self-help-spiritual books instead of the Greatest Book and Top Seller of all Time – Perhaps because what they read in a book written by someone other than the Living God is more their style? With only 18 inches between Heaven (the heart) and Hell (the head), I’d ditch the intellectual approach to Faith before it’s too late if I were them. Some people read the Bible the way read a good novel…they skip to the back part to find out what happens and depending on whether or not they like the way the Book ends, they may or may not read it from the front to the back. Some people don’t like the first half of my Instruction Manual because they think that it’s harsh and they don’t like to read about the wrath of my God – but they fail to see that the first half is Perfectly threaded to the last half and they miss out on getting a good look at the FULL nature of our God and the Purpose of our Faith because of it.

Some people pick and choose the parts they like in my Instruction Manual and leave all the other parts behind as if they serve no Purpose. Some will whip out Words of judgment and they’re happy to point out what the Instruction Manual has to say about whatever it is that they’re judging, but without all of the other Words laced together in Love, the message is lost on the lost. Some people tip-toe-through-the-tulips of their faith and all they ever really care about is the Good stuff. Although the Good stuff is the focus of our Faith, there’s a whole lot more to walking the Walk than merely tip-toeing on the surface or focusing on just the parts that make us feel good. Every Word on every page was breathed by the Living God, and every single Word can be brought to Life if we just search for the Truth…and when we do, His Spirit will always open our eyes and lead the way! Without God, none of the Words make sense and without His Spirit, we only get an Intellectual view from the grandstands and we fail to see those hidden Spiritual things. Without Him, my Instruction Manual can easily become a book that only gathers dust instead of Words that can change your life and mine, day after day and year after year. The Bible is my Power Tool and it’s the Key to Maturity in Faith.

I’ve gone before the Throne of my God this morning and I’ve been Directed to Words in my Instruction Manual that have now been “burned” into my heart. I actually DO have “all the answers” because of have the One Who Created the stars in the sky and knows them each by name, I have the One Who died for to pay a debt I could NEVER pay on my own, I have the Holy Spirit to guide me and teach me, and I have my Instruction Manual with all the answers to every question ever asked since the beginning of time until NOW.

How about you?

If you want Truth – read it.

If you want Victory – read it.

If you want Restoration – read it.

If you want Forgiveness – read it.

If you want Wisdom – read it.

If you want to raise up a godly generation – read it.

If you want Hope – read it.

If you want Love like you’ve never known before – read it.