Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I had my most important meeting of the day with the Chief Executive Officer of my Life and He called my Attention to my Instruction Manual to Highlight a few things I have been overlooking lately. Those Reminders are intended to keep me on Track. The Rules never change, but sometimes I’m inclined to if I don’t make sure to Refer to my Instruction Manual over everything in my life with a Heart willing to be Corrected. As His Ambassador for Jesus Christ, I can’t afford to do things that aren’t in Unison with Him, so I work each day to become ALL that He needs me to be, and when I’m off-track in even the slightest of ways, I do what I need to do to fix it…not out of fear…but out of Love and Respect for my CEO. Isn’t that the way you Live for the CEO of your life too?

It seems to be so easy for most people to attempt to “slide by” through this Journey called Life as if the CEO won’t notice if they do. One little “white lie” or one “minor offense” is no big deal in their eyes, and they never spend the Time to receive the correction they deserve. A few extra miles over the speed limit as long as nobody’s watching, or too much change in the check-out line is labeled as “harmless” by far too many. One little bad joke made at someone else’s expense or one insult intended to sting, and most people take the entitlement route when they defend what they said as “truth.” One refusal to help someone in need when they have the means to help or a little hatred spit out to “get a job”, and the arrogant believe they have the right to ignore the poor. One cold shoulder and a refusal to forgive, and the Forgiven will take the high road as if the god they serve agrees with their hardened heart. There’s no end to the “bending of the rules” over zillions of “little” things” – but none of those “minor offenses” are minor in the Eyes of God. He knows we won’t be perfect – that’s the reason He sent His Son to die – BUT He expects us to Strive to be the Best for Him…to follow the Rules…and to Care when we don’t instead of convincing ourselves that the “minor offenses” don’t matter to Him at all.

The Living God is Good for His Word and He never changes even if we do. He’s not a rule-bender and He’s not okay when His people pick and choose what they’re willing to Obey. When He says He’ll do something…He’ll do it. When He says He’ll show up on time…He will. When He says “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you”…He won’t. When He says He’ll forgive no matter what…He will. When He says “I’ll lead you”…He leads. When He says He’ll provide…He provides. When He says He can mend brokenness…He does. When He says He’ll be there…He always is. When He says He’ll dish out wisdom when we ask for it…He will. When He says He’ll provide a way when there seems to be no way…He does. When He says there is NO other CEO…He means it. When He says “I’m coming back”…He will. When He says there is room in Heaven for His children…there is. When He says we’ll never cry again…we won’t. When He says we’ll live forever with Him…we will. My CEO is the ONLY one to NEVER waiver on His Word and the Promises He makes to me can be “taken to the bank”. Why would I NOT be eager to please the One who Loves me like that by trying to be the Best I can be for Him?

I got taken to the Spiritual Woodshed this morning over a few things I’ve somehow overlooked lately – “minor offenses” that I could easily have justified. But when you go Face-to-face with the Living God with a Heart that is eager to Please – you have to be Ready for Correction! He’ll show you all the “little” things you overlook…and He’ll show you with Gentleness and Compassion…and a Heart ready to Forgive. What an Amazing God I serve! OF COURSE, I want to Please Him by correcting my “minor offenses” too!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s the first day of a new week and although it was too cold for comfort on the front porch this morning, I spent a few minutes outside embracing the Gift of this new day. I “praised His Holy Name” – I “proclaimed His righteousness” – I “made a joyful noise” – I allowed Him to “search my Heart” – I lifted up my hands “to the Holy place” and I blessed the Lord. Without another living soul around, I had church with just me and my God from a front porch in Virginia. Nothing compares to the quiet Time I spend with the King of all kings when He and I “have church” on our own. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

It can be so easy for people of Faith to rely on the formality of a church service to do their heavy Spiritual lifting, but it’s not supposed to be that way. Preparing the Heart for all that God has for us, in and out of the church, is the Key to fulfillment and Growth and that’s something we must do on our own. Having a “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ is just that…it’s personal. It’s during those times, when it’s just you and your God, that He will do the Heaviest Work on the Heart and it’s those times that Prepare the Heart for the more we Receive in a gathering at church.

The Bible tells us “do not forsake the assembling” – but our “assembly” time is intended to Strengthen us, Encourage us, and Grow us for the Journey we should be striving to walk on our own. The people we assemble with are intended to love us, encourage us, and yes, hold us accountable…never just a social circle of nice people in a country club environment. The songs we sing and the music we hear is intended to get our Hearts in a place of Praise for the King so we’re ready to Hear His Word…not to entertain us in concert style…and it shouldn’t be subject to critique. The Word we receive from an Anointed one is intended to reinforce the Journey for us…not spoon-feed us with the ONLY Truth we ever hear. It’s our reliance on the King of all kings and our Personal Relationship with Him that matters more than anything else and that isn’t “found” in a church, it’s Found in the Heart.

I had an amazing Spiritual Time at daybreak with the One who died for me and our Time together was too Rich for words and my Heart has been Prepared for whatever I face today. I had church with the King this morning and my Personal Relationship with Him is Stronger than ever before. I’ve done my part…now it’s time for me to Live on the outside what I Know on the inside!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I snapped this photo of the sun this morning, little did I know I’d “see” my Savior and His crown of thorns in the image. But then again, when you’re on High Alert for Jesus, you see Him everywhere! The King of all kings traded a crown of thorns when He took His place at the right hand of the Throne of God and the Price He paid made Victory possible for me too. He conquered death and, as a child of the King, I will too! I’m Royalty and I’m a Kingdom Builder and I can approach Him 24 hours a day! Wow! The Bible says, “No one comes to the Father except by Me (Jesus)”- He stands “at the right hand of the throne of God” and He intercedes on my behalf! No man, pastor, priest, or scholar can stand between me and my God, and although they sometimes pray FOR me, I’m sure their prayers will be heard the same as mine are – they can’t “intercede” on my behalf…only the King of ALL Kings can do that! So, this woman of Royalty met with the King of ALL Kings this morning because it’s my Birthright. I Praised Him. I asked for Forgiveness and I tossed my requests at the foot of the Cross. He died for me, He intercedes for me…He’s the One I Live for. Is it any wonder I “see” Him in everything?

It seems to be pretty easy for people to turn to man for all the Answers instead of approaching the King of ALL Kings like the Children of Royalty they are. Sometimes they live as if there’s an added step between them and the King…but there isn’t. Sometimes people feel relieved when a pastor or priest is willing to pray for them as if their prayers are heard a little louder than ours are…but they aren’t. The King died for ME and YOU and we have direct access of our own to be heard by Him 24/7 – NOBODY can replace our Direct Access! How can we expect to EVER have a genuine Relationship with Him if we leave it up to the “experts” do to the talking without ever “owning” our Birthright as Royalty?

Sometimes people have a tendency to idolize a “man of God” and they believe that everything he says must be true. From televised messages to churches of every shape and size, people search for the “feel good” messages, and sometimes those “feel good” messages aren’t filled with Truth at all! It’s not difficult to spot the Truth when we weigh what we hear against the Word of God. He says “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” When we know the King of ALL Kings well…when we Know what His Word says…when we walk with the Holy Spirit, THEN we can detect a counterfeit when we see one! We’re not the judge or the jury, and “men of God” deserve to be honored, that’s for sure – but there are plenty of people leading thousands of people astray ONLY because the people forget to do their part in the Journey of Faith too!

I met with the King of ALL kings this morning and I “saw” His crown of thorns in the sun. I considered the Price He paid so that I can approach His Throne like the Royalty I am. I’m on High Alert so I’ll see Him in everything and everyone today. I’ll be filled with Truth by a few “chosen ones”, and I’ll recognize the Absolute Truth because I know His Word so well and I rely on His Holy Spirit to guide me. I have a genuine Relationship with the One the world tried to shame with a crown of thorns and I long for others to have it too…and THAT’S why I talk about the Cross and the crown of thorns all year long “so that I might win a few”. Everything I do, I do in the Name of the King of ALL Kings…Jesus Christ….my Redeemer…my King…my Intercessor…my Guide…and my Friend.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s looking more and more like Spring around the farm but it’s not feeling much like it this morning so my “visit” to the porch was short and sweet. When I met with the Creator of all things to give my Praise and my Thanks for Who He is and what He’s done for me, I found myself distracted with thoughts of time. The older I get the more often I hear about the death of someone I know…some I knew well, and some just casually…but over the last couple of years a dozen or so have left this life before me. It’s impossible not to think about time when you hear that someone’s time is up, and it’s impossible not to compare notes when we do…at least for me. Did I do enough? Did THEY do enough? And for so many, I wonder if I’ll ever see them again. That’s a question no one likes to think about and one that keeps me Serving and Sharing as fast and as hard as I can before it’s too late for me and for them. Isn’t that the way you’re walking out your Journey of Life too?

The Bible says that life is like a “vapor” – we’re not here long at all before we cease to exist on this earth, and when you look at it that way, you realize that there’s not much Time to make an Eternal Difference at all. One day the time will be up for each of us and it’s what we did with the time allotted to us that will Determine our Eternity…AND possibly the Eternity of someone else. Obviously, only God Knows the Heart and only He Determines the Path, but on the surface of Life and from the outside looking in, the Destiny of some doesn’t look so promising. Some talked about God a lot and they could quote scripture far better than I can BUT they lived a life in horrific bondage to sin…never overcoming through Jesus Christ…a life more focused on sin than on Fruit and one that never really understood (or proclaimed) the Power of God…a God so much bigger than their bondage. Will I see them again? I have absolutely no idea BUT when we chew on the Word of God long enough, we realize that Salvation is more complicated than just professing to believe that Jesus died for our Sins AND THAT’S what keeps me busy Spurring others along.

A few of my friends lived a quiet life and only God Knows what was really inside when they died. They may nod in agreement in a conversation about Christ and once in a while they might even say “amen” BUT they lived a life with absolutely no evidence of their Faith for the world to see and they never seemed to hunger for more. They weren’t the Salt and they weren’t the Light and they didn’t seem to care one way or another if anyone else ever came to a Saving Faith in Jesus. When I’ve been bold enough to ask a professed Believer about why they don’t talk about Jesus, they’ll usually let me know that they’re just “quiet about such things”. I can’t say for sure, but I think if they ever bit into the finest steak the world has ever known, you wouldn’t be able to shut them up from sharing the good news of good food. Did they love the Jesus they kept on the shelf? Did they EVER Hunger and Thirst for more? Will I ever see them again? I have absolutely no idea BUT Salvation is more complicated than just professing to believe that Jesus died for our Sins…HE WANTS US TO LIVE FOR HIM…AND THAT’S what keeps me busy Spurring others along with Love.

I’m not the judge or the jury, thank God. I’m just a Humble Vessel with a Heart for Jesus and enough Love and Compassion to Speak the Truth. I don’t want to face my Maker one day and be held accountable for all those people who SAID they knew but didn’t. I want to do my Part. I want to leave no stone left unturned. I want to be Bold enough to ask, and Compassionate enough to share so that when their time is up – or when mine is – I won’t have to wonder. God says, “When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and YOU DO NOT WARN THEM OR SPEAK OUT to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood”. That pretty much sums it up for those who follow Jesus Christ.

Most people will say “may they rest in peace” or “they’re in a better place now” – and those are kind and comforting things to say even if it’s not true for all. So, as long as I have breath in my body, I want to do what God expects me (and you) to do – to have enough Compassion and Love to speak the Truth – to warn them – to Introduce them to Everlasting Peace, to Describe the Better Place and what it takes to see it for all of eternity. My Life is only a vapor just like everybody else’s is but I’m determined to Live For Christ and to do what He tells me to. I’ll do my Part because I love Him and He’ll do His part because He loves us all enough to die for us and He doesn’t want anyone to perish.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It doesn’t feel much like Spring this morning but Spring is definitely in the air and the farm is slowly coming to life for the season. When I met with the One Who “summons me by name” I thought about all the “treasures of darkness” and all the “riches stored in secret places” that He’s sprinkled into my life to drive home the fact that He is the Lord of my Life and the One with all the Answers. It’s not possible to look at the Journey of my Life and NOT see that HE sustains me, and it’s not possible for me to refrain from Praising Him because of it. The trials have Good Purpose in His Eyes and if it took an abundance of Trials for me to be Shaped into a Vessel to be used by Him, it’s all been worth it. Isn’t that the way you look at your trials too?

Sometimes the world gets the wrong impression of people of Faith because we “consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds” because they miss the underlying Purpose. Only a deranged mind would jump up and down and celebrate the trials and tribulations we face! But there’s a BIG difference between being happy that we’re in pain and being Joyful because we know that we’re being Refined through fire to be used by the King. God can’t use “wussies” in His Army, so He’ll make sure that the ones He “summons by name” get Strengthened through the Boot Camp of Life…IF they’re willing. He tests their endurance and their loyalty over and over again. He makes sure they’ll be obedient Soldiers so that when He Speaks they listen without question. Sometimes He uses every Exercise imaginable to strengthen them in ways they never dreamed of, and He’s inclined to repeat the process if there is any doubt they’ll succumb to “torture” by the enemy. The Lord’s Army DOES “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” People of Faith don’t celebrate the trials…we celebrate the VICTORIES in “heavenly places” instead.

Once in a while, it feels like we get sabotaged when the trials and tribulations catch us off guard and they seemingly come out of nowhere! Poor Job lost everything from his children to his wealth in a matter of minutes. If anybody would be inclined to believe they’d been forgotten by God and unfairly attacked by the enemy it would be Job…”the most righteous” man on earth. But God always has a Plan for the pain – “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Job was thrown into that fire in ways you and I don’t even want to think about, but he knew that God was the source of everything in his life, and although he wasn’t happy with the journey He considered it “pure joy.” In the end, Job was restored with a double measure and God was glorified through the mess – all because Job NEVER gave up…he was strengthened and readied and he persevered – “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking NOTHING.” If there’s a measure of how we finish the race in this Journey called Life, it will be found in the Trials. It’s easy to give God the glory for the daffodils in the Spring – it’s an entirely different story to give Him Glory through the pain, but it’s through the pain that we learn to Persevere and it’s IN the pain that we are reminded that “I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”

I can’t begin to count the Treasures in my life – the sweet ones that bring me joy in my time on this side of Heaven – and all those treasures that came “in the darkness”…those “riches that were stored in secret places” …the Journey that made me Strong…the Journey that pushed me into Persevere-mode…the Journey that Refined me by fire so that I could be a Vessel worthy of being used by the King. I consider it Pure Joy.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was warm enough for me to spend a little time outside this morning although it probably wouldn’t be considered to be warm enough for the average person. Then again, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be considered an “average” person though…at least not in the eyes of the Author and Perfecter of my Faith. I’ve been Refined by the King of all kings through Seasons of intense “heat” and it’s through my Trials that I have become a Determined woman of God….desperate to watch Him wake up the world and to give Him the “first fruit” of my day…thirsting to spend time in His Presence. I’m not just willing, I’m EAGER, to be counseled by the King and led by the Master of all Creation today. There’s nothing average about my God, why would there be anything average about me or my Faith?

I’m not the only one who thinks there’s nothing “average” about me and my Faith…I hear it all the time. People see a heart “like no other” and wisdom beyond what they can even wrap their heads around…and they turn to me often because of it. They’ll comment on my ability to extend Compassion to a suffering soul and my willingness to love one that isn’t easy to love. They know I have a low sin tolerance BUT that I can love the sinner to Restoration no matter how long it takes to get them there. They’ve been eye-witnesses as I’ve faced indescribable Trials and Tribulations with an Unshakable Faith. They’ve heard me wage war with the devil and they’ve watched me “put him in his place” when I’m struggle with distractions meant to get my eyes off of the King. They’ve heard me share the testimony of my Life without shame over who I was or what I did because I Know that Jesus DIED to take away my shame. Instead, they hear me brag about the God who Supernaturally turned things around and brought me to where I am today…a usable Vessel for the King of all kings. Nope…there’s nothing average about me and my Faith.

No doubt there are plenty of people out there who will read these words and judge me for being prideful and arrogant because I refer to myself as not being an average person with an above average Faith, but that’s because they don’t understand the “rest of the story”. Maybe they’re missing the fact that I Know that God knit me together in my mother’s womb and chose me before the foundations of the earth to be a woman on the “Jesus Team.” I KNOW that He’s worked hard to Refine me into a woman He can use for His Purpose for such a time as this. They might not understand that “He sought me and he bought me through His Redeeming blood” and although I could do nothing to deserve the Gift He gave to me, He gave it to me anyway. Nope…I’m a child of the Living God, the King of Kings, the One who died for me and there’s absolutely nothing “average” about that.

Some people might wish for a Heart like mine from time to time but I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t sign-up to get one of their own. They probably wouldn’t be willing to endure what I’ve endured to get it as God Almighty has turned up the heat over and over and over again to Refine me. It takes high-temperature heat to refine precious metal and it took Fire from Heaven to bring me to my knees and to Refine me for His Purpose. But without extreme heat metal isn’t refined and it never reaches the full potential of its Beauty without it. The process is rough and painful but the Rewards have no words to adequately describe the Beauty of the Vessels He creates through Fire.

I’ve been refined by the Living God and there’s absolutely nothing “average” about that. I don’t necessarily celebrate the pain I’ve endured, but I’m always ready to “take one for the Jesus team” when God is ready to take me to the next step of my Faith and there’s nothing “average” about that. Then again, there’s nothing “average” about the God I serve either so I’ll do whatever it takes to Become all that He Created me to be.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When God turned on the lights this morning I could see that much has bloomed since this time yesterday and the fields are looking more alive every day. Even the young deer were playing in the fields as if they were as excited as I am about the Spring day. One, in particular, was running back and forth to and from the herd and she was working so hard to get the attention of the others – away from the grazing and off to the fun. Eventually one or two did follow her but it took several minutes and some serious persuading. But there were a few others that found fresh growth on some brush and absolutely nothing could tear them apart from their feast. They were unstoppable. God used the beautiful scenery to drive home a message to my Heart this morning that there will always be some who just want to “play” their way through Life – much more focused on entertainment than growth. But there are some…too few and far between…that will remain focused on New Life and Nourishment above everything else.

It takes work to stay focused especially in the world we live in today. Sometimes the “fun” things come along and there always seems to be someone working hard to persuade us to “lighten up” and “have a little fun”. Although the Bible says that there is “nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be merry” there’s a lot to be said about being “alert” and “on guard” too. Even my furry friends understand that if they take their eye off of the nourishment they’ve discovered, another will rob them of the feast. There will always be someone that will try hard to distract us from our Focus on Nourishment but it’s only through our Nourishment that we’ll have what it takes to endure until The End and to “finish the race” well. There will always be someone there to (attempt to) rob us of our Peace and they seem to work hard to make sure that they do. But nobody can rob us of our Peace…we surrender it (or not) instead. Even my furry friends understand that when they’re feeling threatened by someone or something that wants to rob them of their peace they run away as fast as they can. When God is orchestrating the Heart, we sure can learn a lot by watching a few furry friends from a front porch.

I’m a very focused woman and I’m not inclined to “lighten up” on this side of Heaven. I know how to “eat, drink, and be merry” and I can belly laugh with the best of them. Nobody knows more bad jokes than I do and most people only dream about seeing things I’ve seen or going places I’ve been. BUT when it comes to my Focus…the kind of Focus that keeps me chasing after Jesus…the kind of Focus that keeps me passionate to share what I have with the world…the kind of Focus that will help me “finish the race” and finish it well…I’m Unstoppable AND I’m having the Time of my Life.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I headed to the front porch with a hot cup of coffee and a blanket and I was serenaded by the birds that sound like they are just as eager to see Spring as I am. By the time I opened up my Instruction Manual for Life, my Heart was singing too. I know how blessed I am to be chosen to be the steward of such a beautiful farm but it’s more than merely being Grateful that the world sees. My Heart longs for the Master, it thirsts for His Word, and my Life is dedicated to giving Him Glory for it all. Now THAT’S something that’s hard NOT to see! The Spring is special to me…not just because of the beauty that buds in every direction or how the wildlife responds to the warmer weather. The Spring is special to me because it is a Reminder of New Life and how Beautiful that New Life will be One Day. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey too?

Seasons come and seasons go and outside of commenting about the temperature, most people don’t even notice. Some people live in “seasonless” places and they’re happy to have a constant temperature to count on all year along with landscaping that never changes. They don’t look for “new” because nothing ever gets “old” in their eyes. Day in and day out they rise and shine without much thought about New. Maybe it takes the dramatic changes in seasons for most of us to appreciate each one…I don’t know. But I DO know that I’d gladly endure even harsh winter months just to experience the New that follows in the Spring. The drab winter months cause me to think about what the world would be like without Jesus…colorless and cold. The Spring reminds me of the New Life all because of the Price He paid for you and me…bright, beautiful, and flawless…except for His scars, that is.

Some people will celebrate the Easter bunny and some will (for some odd reason) hang colorful eggs in their trees. Baskets will be filled up with candy and kids will hunt for plastic eggs filled with more. Lots of people will flock to church for their obligatory Easter visit and to be seen in their new Easter clothes, but most of them are going through the motions to make a family member happy when they do. It doesn’t take a Spiritual giant to pause to celebrate the Risen King on Easter Sunday. After all, even the demons know that He lived and that He has Risen from the tomb. It doesn’t take a Spiritual giant to fill up baskets and buy pretty new clothes for the kids. It doesn’t take a Spiritual giant to cook an Easter feast for the family. The “Giant” comes in when we pause every day to Celebrate the Risen King – never forgetting the Price that was paid for you and me. When we graduate to “Giant” size Faith, we see Him in everything. We long for the Master…we thirst for His Word…and we dedicate our Life to bringing Him Glory…every day of the year. I’m on Temporary Assignment and I’m just passing through. I’m an “alien in a foreign land”! There’s a New Home waiting for me and I’m excited to Move when the Master says it’s time. It was all made possible when He died to MAKE it possible and the Spring is a reminder of the New Life with Him. When you look at it that way, EVERY DAY is Easter!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped outside to see what the Lord is up to this morning before the sun even made its way to the horizon. There was just a sliver of light from the sun rising in the east, and yet the mountain in the west was illuminated with the most beautiful color just by a little exposure to the sun so far away. When I sat down to spend time with the One Who died for me, I couldn’t stop thinking about that beautiful image and how even without the full benefit of the risen sun, the other side of my world was glowing. And so it is with our Faith. Just a tiny bit of color from the One Who died for me and people from far and wide can see the Beauty of my Faith. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth and it SHOWS when we live like it. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey too?

It’s amazing how people of Faith look for the big things as if the big things are proof of Good things. They look for a big church..a big praise band…a big pastor with a big voice…and a big agenda of fun things to do. There’s no end to the list of big things many people want to find in a local church. We are drawn to big and we tend to base our idea of success on the big things we see with our eyes. But all it ever takes is just a little bit of Jesus. Just a little Light from the King and the color of everything around us can change and just a little salt of our Faith and the flavor of the world is enhanced. At just the mention of His name the demons shudder, and they’ll run off squealing like wussies if we command them to in Jesus’ name. Proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ is so powerful that even some who don’t really Know Jesus at all will see the miraculous when they mention His Name. In fact, some people will be fooled by their own pride and ignorance when they hear “depart from me, I never knew you” because they were able to see Big things when they mentioned the name of Jesus. But those Big things had nothing to do with a big Faith at all. Of all the things I can do in His Name, I wouldn’t want to do any of them UNLESS I Know Him by way of a Personal Relationship. Without that part, what I do is meaningless and without that part, I’d never spend Eternity with Him.

The older I get the less interested I am in doctrine and the more focused I am on being taught by His Word and His Spirit. The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” SO, the way I see it, I can’t go wrong if I rely on the God in the Beginning and His Word. His Word has a lot to say about us being the Light and the salt, and it has a lot to say about the Spiritual battles we face and how important it is to call upon the Name of Jesus to win the war. I Serve a supernatural God. I believe in supernatural things. Who would want to serve a God with no power and who would want to be placed in an army without Powerful weapons? Not me. So, I do my best to let my Light shine so that the world can see me coming from far away. I do my best to be the salt of the earth so that my words, my Heart, and my entire countenance Reflect Jesus Christ and enhance anything and everyone I encounter. I’ll call upon the Name of Jesus Christ often and I’ll see miraculous things when I do. How do I know? Because His Word says that even with Faith the size of a mustard seed, I can move a mountain!

The reflection of the sun in the east illuminated the mountains in the west but even more than that, the One Who died for me illuminated my Heart and threaded this message for the world. He speaks and I type because I Love Him. I know where my Strength comes from. I know where my Power comes from. I know Who holds my Future and I have no “risk” of hearing “depart from me, I never knew you.”

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith just as the sun was beginning to rise and by the time I could see it in the sky it was almost as if I could hear Him say “GET TO WORK!” My Heart has been Tenderized…my Soul has been Revived…and my Mission for this Journey called Life has been made clear for this new day. But of all the things that will “equip” me to do the work I was born to do – today, tomorrow, and until He calls me Home, it’s having a Heart that mourns for lost people that so desperately need the Hope. So I “get to work” to Share before it’s too late for them. It’s that part that propels me…that stirs my compassion…that drives me to my knees, that causes me to weep on their behalf…and that creates a sense of urgency within me for the Work to be done for the Master of my Life before it’s too late. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey too?

I don’t know if I’ll ever understand how it’s possible to Receive the Gift of Salvation and yet lack the desire to EVER share the Good News with others. I don’t know if I’ll ever understand how anyone can freely receive Grace and Mercy and yet lack the desire to extend it to others. I’m not sure if I’ll ever understand how anyone can receive Forgiveness when they didn’t deserve it and yet they refuse to extend forgiveness to someone else. I’m not sure if I’ll ever understand how people of Faith can turn a blind eye to the suffering in this world or how it’s possible to NOT feel the pain of the lost ones. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand how people can gladly receive the Blessings of things like a home and food and yet lack the desire to share what they have with others. There are countless things I’ll probably never understand on this side of Heaven like why people of Faith refuse to do what they were Created to do, but if I could pick one thing that stands between them and doing what we’re ALL called to do, it would be that their heart is “three sizes too small” and they love themselves far too much to possibly mourn on behalf of another. Jesus wept over the condition of the Heart, so it only makes sense that His people would strive to have a Heart like His …one that mourns the suffering of the lost ones…the deceived ones…the broken ones. If we have no desire to have a Heart like His, could that mean that He never had our Heart in the first place and that we’ve merely been spectators all along? Now THAT’S something to pray about. The stakes are too high to not know the Truth.

I wonder what kind of heart it takes to see a house on fire and not care if there is anyone inside or if there is any way to help save the life of another? I wonder what kind of heart it takes to see someone drowning and not consider jumping in or caring if there is any way to save their life before it’s too late? I wonder what kind of heart it takes to witness a car accident and then drive by without stopping to see if there is anything to be done to help? I wonder what kind of heart it takes to stand by as someone beats someone else to a pulp without trying to stop it before it’s too late? I don’t really wonder what kind of heart it takes because I encounter that kind of heart every day…and so do you. It’s the kind of heart that doesn’t care enough about the Eternal Destiny of someone else to ever Share the Gospel. Although it’s a heroic thing to do to step in to help someone else at risk here on earth, it’s an entirely different Story to step in with a Message that can alter their Eternity…the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what they need the most. So, what kind of heart does it take? A cold, uncaring, heart OR a Heart that doesn’t really know the King of all kings and the Price that was paid for all. Now THAT’S something to pray about.

I don’t have a perfect life on this earth but my Future is an entirely different story. I don’t take my Salvation for granted and I don’t turn a blind eye to the lost ones who need what I have. I don’t take time for granted and I don’t put off sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ for a time when (or if) I feel like it. I never lose sight of who I was before Christ and I KNOW that there is no good thing in me apart from Him. The entire Journey of Life excites me BUT knowing that time is short for the lost ones creates a sense of urgency to Share the Good News as far and wide as I can…as fast as I can. I’ll be mourning for lost people all the days of this Life because it’s the Heart for the suffering that keeps me going…it always has and it always will. Now THAT’S something to pray about.

How about you?