Step in to the Spacious Place!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God has been nourishing the fields of Virginia with rain lately, and although the rain thwarts our plans sometimes, I’m grateful that the fields are green and the pond is full. All it takes is plenty of rain followed by the warmth of the sun to make everything look and smell new. Look at God! This morning I read from Psalms, “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me,” and I wept when I read those Words because they reminded me of my Life. I am surrounded by beautiful space at this old farm, but my “spacious place” goes well beyond geography – my “spacious place” is the entire world because there are no boundaries when it comes to Him! He must “delight” in me somehow because He has “rescued me” in miraculous ways countless times, and He has set a boundary line of Protection around my Life. “The boundary lines have fallen upon me in pleasant places”, that’s for sure. What a beautiful Reminder straight from the Throne of a Mighty God…the world is my territory and He delights in me!

It can be so easy for people to refuse to step into that “spacious place” in every area of life – either because they like things just the way they are or they’re too fearful to venture outside of their comfort zone – either way, they miss out on the fullness of Life when they do. God doesn’t confine us to a small territory or a routine life…we do that to ourselves. God doesn’t have Limitations or Boundaries on where we can go or what we can accomplish…we place them there instead. God doesn’t restrict the number of lives we have the potential to Impact…we draw a line in the sand and refuse to go there instead. There is a “spacious place” ready and waiting for everybody, but He won’t force us into it, BUT He’ll lead us there if we allow Him to. I wonder what it looks like from where God sits to see His people sitting still and drawing limitations around their lives because they refuse to let Him take them to a “spacious place?”

A whole lot of people proclaim to have put their Trust in Jesus Christ, but I’m not totally convinced that’s true when you see them sitting still. It takes Trust to step out into that “spacious place,” and it takes Trust to be willing to do whatever we can do so that He may be “delighted” in us. It takes Trust to believe in those “invisible” boundary lines of Protection, and it takes Trust to keep moving when we aren’t sure where we’ll end up. It takes Trust to reach for the stars and to Believe that we have Purpose, and it takes Trust to do His Will even if it doesn’t make sense to the human mind. When you think about it, it takes Trust to do anything and everything in His name! Is it possible to Trust Him and NOT Trust His Will for us? Believing in that two-sided “truth” will find many people in eternal torment one day because a life Surrendered to Jesus Christ is a Life based on Absolute Trust.

God used a few simple Words from the Best-Selling book of all Time this morning to Encourage me, and I’ll be repeating those Words all day long. I reside in a “spacious place” that brings joy to me and so many others, but my “real” spacious place is Service that I do in His Name, and THAT space has no boundaries. I won’t know on this side of Heaven what impact I’ve had in my “spacious place,” but I take Joy when I think that King of all kings delights in me and I’m filled with Peace because I know He’ll always rescue me.

How about you?

Psalm 18:19-21

19 He brought me out into a spacious place;

he rescued me because he delighted in me.

20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;

according to the cleanness of my hands, he has rewarded me.

21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord;

I am not guilty of turning from my God.

Walking out our Faith is MORE Than Praying…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I lost my morning Peace for a few days to holiday “chaos”, and now I’m very happy to have it back AND to be where I belong first thing in the morning. When I don’t get Quality Time with the Living God each morning, it shows all over my Life. Like a battery that needs recharging, my Heart and Soul need it too. I’m sure it’s not like that for everybody, but I’m a Bold Warrior for Him, and Bold Warriors need a little more Care and Feeding than most because we take a few more hits in this Battle called Life. I’m front and center on the Battlefield – out front where I’ll most likely to be targeted. But I never need to be afraid. As long as my Heart and Soul are in Good Condition, all those arrows just scatter at the mention of His Name. Since I speak the name of Jesus all day long, I’m Empowered for the Journey of Faith and I’m Unstoppable! Isn’t that the way it is for you, too?

I mean no harm or disrespect when I say that it’s easy to sit back and pray, but walking out our Faith is a whole lot more than just sitting back and praying. We’re commanded to “go forth” and to Share the Good News…and nobody is exempt from the command. We’ve all received the same Gift, and we all have the same Anointing, whether you awaken it or not. I don’t even want to think about how many times I’ve heard people say, “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to offend them.” Don’t look now, but Hell is pretty offensive…and it’s eternal! I wonder if most people ever consider that they might have been THE ONE to change the eternal course of Life of another soul had they only been willing to speak up in His Name. I am very thankful that I won’t face judgment over my sins because Jesus paid the price for the entire world…but I WILL have to answer for those lost opportunities…all those times I missed the Opportunity to Share the Good News in the Mighty Name of Jesus. That’s the KEY to being a Bold Warrior and a usable Vessel.

If there’s ever been a time in the history of the world where people NEED to hear the Good News, it’s now… and yet the world is filled with the sitting back and praying ones. We don’t win the lost ones by attacking their character, and we don’t change the course of history by ranting about politics. We “win” by Speaking up in His Name. At the mere mention of His Name, every demon in Hell shudders – so, I’ll keep “mentioning” it day in and day out for as long as I have breath! We Win souls with Heart and Compassion…the kind of Heart that cares about people the way Jesus cares about them…the way HE taught us to Love. We don’t focus so much on where they are (or where they’ve been) as we do on where they’re headed if nobody ever shares the Good News with them. Prayer IS the most powerful weapon we have…but God always uses His People..the Willing ones….front and center…the ones who refuse to be silenced…the ones willing to Share the Good news to anybody anywhere for ALL the world to see…the ones who know that when we Work in Jesus Name we take a few hits along the way but we never stop….and we don’t worry about “offending” anybody when it comes to sharing the Truth. We change the world by changing the Heart.

I’m a Bold Warrior and a Willing Vessel, and there’s plenty of Work that I do in His Name. I’m criticized, ridiculed, and sometimes attacked because of it, but I don’t care. As long as I please the God of all Creation, what man thinks of me doesn’t matter at all. The Word tells me that “no weapon formed against you will prosper,” so I don’t need to worry about silly things like “offending” people. I Share the Good News every chance I get, and I’ll speak up in His Name at home…at work…in private and in public…everywhere I go and with everything I’ve got. Just think…I just might be THE ONE He’ll use to change the Eternal Destiny of someone today. Now THAT’S something to look forward to!

How about you?

Celebrate – Born Twice, Die Once!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As I was taking in the beauty of the morning and preparing my Heart to meet with the Living God, I heard the sweet sounds of a turtle dove somewhere off in the distance. The turtle dove is also referred to as the “mourning dove” because of the sad, continuous sounds it makes when it has “lost” its mate. Mourning doves mate for life, and they share in the load along the way. Both gather food to feed their little ones, and both will guard the nest. Life is forever changed when they lose their mate, and the sad sounds they make as they call out for the lost one bring tears to my eyes every time. That, as they say, is “for the birds” – with born-again Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, it doesn’t have to be that way. We are “born twice” and die once,” and we don’t fear the “sting” of death the way the world does because we are Confident in our Hope and our Future. I’ll probably leave behind a few tears when the Lord calls me Home, but I won’t be lost, I’ve just moved to my “forever home”. Isn’t that the way you look at life and death, too?

I’ve been watching as the world pays tribute to Phil Robertson, aka Mr. Duck Dynasty, and what I’ve read has brought tears to my eyes the way hearing the sound of the mourning dove did BUT my tears are happy tears as I watch the world rejoice – NOT over the loss of a Champion for Jesus Christ – but over Heaven’s gain! Of all the beautiful things that have been spoken by Phil’s family and friends, NOTHING compares to him hearing “well done, good and faithful servant” when he went face-to-face with his Redeemer. Phil made it abundantly clear that the most important thing in his life wasn’t his family or his fan club – it wasn’t the money he made in business or the “stardom” he experienced by way of Duck Dynasty. His Greatest Achievement was Salvation, and his Biggest Asset was Jesus Christ. His wife knew it – his family knew it – the world knew it, and it’s for that very reason that we (Christians) celebrate Phil Robertson’s Future a whole lot more than we mourn his death. Paul said it best – “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope”.

When we “lose” a loved one, the mourning sounds that come from the soul are sometimes indescribable, and our life on earth is forever changed. When someone loses a child, the mourning sounds will billow through the Heart of a mother for the rest of her life. Like the mourning dove…life is forever changed, and her heart will never stop calling out for her child. But through the sadness and tears, there is still Hope for those who believe! The Word of God is very clear, life doesn’t end when the body surrenders to death – it’s just the beginning for those who Believe and, unlike the mourning dove, we WILL be united with our Believing loved ones One Day and forevermore! It’s for this Reason that, through the tears, we can still Celebrate the Life of a loved one, and it’s because of this Hope in the Future that we can endure. I don’t know about you, but I want the world to pay tribute to me ONLY for the way I Love and Serve Jesus Christ, and when I die, it will be “party time” for those closest to me because they’ll Know where I am and will look forward to our Reunion One Day.

Thank God I’ve never buried a mate or a child. I’ve lost both of my parents, two nephews, 3 sisters, the sweetest brother-in-law on the planet, and countless friends. I am a woman of Faith, and I find comfort in knowing that the ones I’ve “lost” are really not lost at all…we’re just temporarily separated until we meet again in Heaven. The emptiness in my heart in the meantime can’t be filled by someone else. Life has forever changed by their absence in my life, BUT the pain is lessened when I look at the Bigger Picture, and I look forward to Eternity together with those I love. Born twice, die once.

So long, Phil Robertson. Thank you for being a bold witness for Jesus Christ for all the world to see. I’ll see you on the other side!

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also”

John 14:1-3

Meet my Mom

/ www.LivingLarger.life

This is my Mom – she would have been 89 years old today. She was only 17 when this picture was taken, and she’d already had a VERY rough journey…but nothing compared to what was yet to come. Years and years of trials and torment and LOTS of it carried over onto us. That’s the bad news…BUT the GOOD NEWS is that she eventually found Jesus, and when she did, she was a WHOLE NEW CREATURE in Christ! When she died, we nixed the funeral and celebrated her life instead! When you’re born twice and die once, you have a whole lot to Celebrate, Amen?

I’ll see you on the other side, Mom….thanks be to Jesus!

Song: A Going Away Party

We threw a going-away party

The event of the year

The day that she lived for

Is finally here

The one that she loved

Wants her by His side

So strike up the band

It’s party time!

Never Undestimate the Significance of the Small

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The magnificence of this new day captured my Heart the minute I stepped onto the porch, and I was compelled to Praise the God of all Creation. I don’t see just a good view, although it is, I see God. I don’t just see the wildlife that calls this farm home, I see God. This squirrel enjoying breakfast under the oak tree caught my eye, and I thought about how that little squirrel with a tiny little acorn has the potential to plant countless oak trees that might tower over the farmhouse one day…all because of God. God is the God of Big Things, and we spend plenty of time in Journey of Faith waiting for His Hand to move mountains because of it. But it’s in those “little things” where the Biggest Miracles can be found, and it’s through those “little things” that He can use me to have a Big Impact on my World. What a sweet reminder to me this morning, straight from the Throne of a Mighty God, to NEVER overlook the Little Things while looking for the Big. Isn’t that a good reminder for you too?

It can be so easy to do nothing while we wait for the Big Moments in Life, but we miss out on all the Tiny Pieces that make up the Big Things when we do. It can be so easy to overlook the Magnificent Moments while we wait on the sea to part or the mountains to move, but it’s in the Tiny Pieces that those most Magnificent Moments are found. Lots of people refuse to step into their Faith, and they whine about not knowing what God wants them to do while they’re here on this earth. But there are millions of Tiny Pieces that they can be a part of this very moment…IF they’re just willing to look for them and IF they’re humble enough to participate. It’s the ego that causes us to wait for the Big things to be a part of, and it’s pride that stops us from Serving in a million Tiny Ways.

This very moment, there are people across the country praying and “waiting on God” to Provide the funding to launch a mission to feed the hungry somewhere in the world BUT, most of them would never consider feeding a meal or two to a homeless person in their own home in the meantime. This very moment, there are people across this country praying and “waiting on God” to do something about abortion BUT most of them would never consider taking a pregnant teenager into their own home in the meantime. This very moment, there are people across the globe praying and “waiting on God” to touch the hearts of “lost” loved ones…but most of them wouldn’t dream of Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on their own. There are millions of Tiny Pieces that anybody can do that will ultimately lead to the Bigger Miracles, but few are willing to try because they want the Big Moments OR no moments at all. Sad but true.

There once was a man who was desperate to be healed of leprosy. When he was told that there was a Prophet who could heal him, he immediately loaded a caravan with treasures to pay for his healing and then headed out to find his hope. Before he ever reached the home of the Prophet, he was sent instructions for his healing… “go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be cleansed”, and when he heard these Simple Words, he was outraged! He expected Big Things! He anticipated a Magnificent Miracle Moment! He THOUGHT he deserved to be (and needed to be) “touched” in order to be healed, so he disregarded the simple instructions as nonsense and a total waste of his time. His pride and his ego got in the way of believing that He could find hope and healing in the Simple Instructions given to him, so he set out to return to his land still riddled with leprosy. Thankfully, he was encouraged by his friends to do what he was told to do…after all, what would he have to lose by trying? So, reluctantly, he followed the Simple Instructions, and he washed himself in the Jordan River seven times…and he was instantly healed (with skin like that of “a boy”). This man could so easily have missed out on the Tiny Step that would lead to a Magnificent Moment, all because of HIS interpretation of what it takes for God to do Big Things. But the God that brings forth those Miraculous Moments is the same God that uses a million Tiny Pieces to bring Glory to Himself too, and it’s through those Tiny Pieces that He can (and He will) use His People day in and day out…IF they will humble themselves and IF they are willing to participate.

I’m a simple woman, living in a simple farmhouse on a simple farm in Virginia. I’m a wife, a Mom, a Grandma, a friend, AND I’m a child of the Living God. I’m a Tiny Piece in the Bigger Picture. I have no formal education, and I have no special talents that set me apart from everybody else in the world – BUT I Understand that my life on earth is just “a vapor”, and that my days of living are getting shorter every day. I Understand the Significance of all the Tiny Pieces that I can be a part of that will have a Big Impact and an Everlasting Significance on my world. I open my simple life on this simple farm for all the world to see because I know that when I do I have the chance to offer a Tiny Piece that will Glorify God. I welcome the masses into my home and onto the land of this simple farm because I know that every footstep will be a chance to Glorify my God by sharing all that He is and all that He does for me. I open my Heart and I share my weaknesses because I know that every Word I Speak is a chance to Glorify my God. All the Tiny Pieces that I’m willing to be a part of will “all work together for Good,” and at the end of my days when I draw my last breath, all those Tiny Pieces will add up to Magnificence.

I’m a humble Servant, and He is my God. What I may be inclined to believe is “simple” will always be Significant if it’s something He calls for me to do, AND if I’m willing to do the Tiny things that become Big Things that bring Him Glory. After all, if God can use a little squirrel with a tiny acorn to grow a forest, just think what He can do with me!

How about you?

Are You Reaching for the Heavens?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week, and I’ve Surrendered my plans over to the One who gave them to me in the first place, and NOW my Heart is Ready for whatever comes my way. I know that the ONLY reason I exist this very moment – the ONLY reason I’m still breathing – is that I have a Job to do in Jesus’ name, so I begin and end each day on a Serious Note. I had a little Work to do on my Heart this morning to Ready myself as the Warrior I know He Intends for me to be, and it’s definitely worth the Spiritual time and effort I put in to get there. Otherwise, I’d be inclined to wander around all day, focusing only on the low-hanging fruit or what’s right before my very eyes (just like this deer), and I’d miss out on the Blessings that come when I reach for the Heavens instead. God has Big Plans for my Life, and I intend to be ready for Him whenever He’s ready for me. The One Who scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name is the Same One who knit me together in my mother’s womb at His intended Time. So, from where I sit, He’s a Big God with Big Plans for me, and I’m doing everything in my power to be sure that I don’t miss out on what He has for me by focusing on the easy Way. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

Some people graze their way through their entire life just like the deer in this photo, and they often question what happened to all of the years because of it. Like Rip Van Winkle, they wake up one day in a start, they’re surprised at how fast the years have slipped by without them. These “sleepers” are usually content just to graze through the Journey of Faith, the low-hanging fruit – the easy way out – focusing only on their next bite, and they’re satisfied as long as nothing bad happens today. These people mostly “keep to themselves” and avoid getting involved in anything beyond their own fields. They refuse to reach higher than they believe is necessary, and they’ll enter the gates of Heaven (maybe) by the skin of their teeth because of it. Outside of a major catastrophe, nothing much excites these people, and they typically spend time with just their own tribe without a care or concern about Life beyond that. They see all “outsiders” as a threat to the space, so they refuse to let others into their very small world. Sadly, these people will pass through this Life without experiencing true joy and peace, and they’ll fail to fulfill their Purpose…the Purpose that can only be found outside of the walls of our comfort when we reach for the Heavens.

I can’t think of anything sadder than to end the days of my Life never having reached for the Heavens. I can’t imagine “settling” only for those obvious morsels in Life with absolutely no Desire to reach beyond what I can see with their eyes. It’s not easy for any of us to move beyond the comfort of our own field, but finding the way is the Key to our true Purpose in life, and finding the strength comes from Faith in the Living God. It’s through our Faith that Love grows, and through Love we find our motivation. This is the Key to finishing the race, and finishing it well.

I’m a child of the Living God, and I’m Living like it. I’m Royalty, and it shows in all I do in His Name. I Trust in things I can’t see with my eyes, and I’m depending on the God of all Creation to take care of me every step of the way. I acknowledge Him in all my ways and He directs my steps, so you won’t find me focused only on what is right before my very eyes – you’ll find me reaching for the Heavens and believing in Miracles instead. I’m facing this day as a NEW day with a BIG purpose, and I’ve Readied myself for it as if this will be the very last day I have in this Journey called Life.

How about you?

When Words Aren’t Enough…

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I approached the Throne of the Living God this morning, and I began to pour my Heart out to the Love of my Life, weeping quickly replaced my words. Not many things can cause me to be lost for words, but His Spirit sure can. Not many things can cause me to weep, but His Love sure can. It was overwhelming just to be in His Presence this morning, and not only did the words not flow…but words weren’t even necessary. He knows my Heart better than any human ever could, and I don’t need to whisper a single word to Him to prove it. He reads me from the inside out, especially in the silence. Sometimes I spend “forever” talking to my God and sometimes I spend “forever” praising Him with Song – but then there are times like this morning when I’m so overwhelmed by His Love that all I can do is weep with Joy. Isn’t that the way it is for you sometimes, too?

I’m sure some people think it’s absolute insanity to talk about going to God in prayer only to end up speechless and weeping, but that’s because they don’t know Him the way I do. The God of the Universe is MY God, and our Relationship is very personal. He knows everything about me and Loves me anyway. He knows every vile thing I’ve ever done, and He died to pay the price for it all on my behalf. He knows those things I struggle with, and He gives me the Strength to battle them. He knows my emptiness, and He fills the void. He knows my shortcomings and He Teaches me. He knows my thoughts and sometimes He shames me because of them. He knows my weaknesses, and He takes me “by the right hand” and leads me to my Strength. He knows when I’m confused, and He gives me Wisdom for the Journey. He knows that sometimes I’m “hated because of” Him, and He equips me with the Armor to battle on His behalf. There are lots of things I do to Express my Love…like Speaking the Truth every chance I get and being a Willing Vessel for Him – but sometimes I can’t help but wonder if He sees my Love even MORE in those speechless, weeping moments than He does through everything else I do to Serve Him.

I began this new day overwhelmed by the Love of my God, and I wept for a while because of it. Not sad tears…but the kind of tears that flow when something is SO beautiful that all you can do is cry because you’re lost for words. His Love leaves me speechless and weeping sometimes, and I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything else in this world.

How about you?

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” – Psalm 126:5

Have YOU Lost Sight of the Cross?

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s one of those quiet rainy days in Virginia – it was too wet for me to spend my time on the front porch, but it’s still PERFECT and full of life from anywhere I sit. I don’t need anything outward to make my time with the Living God richer or more meaningful than it already is, but what I see from where I sit is just the right touch for my time in the Presence of the King of kings. With a hot cup of coffee in hand, the Word of God at my fingertips, and the Touch of the Master’s Hand visible all around me, I felt like the Royalty He says that I am. Never losing sight of the Cross, and all that He’s done for me, keeps Life in Perspective, and it keeps Gratitude flowing from my Heart day in and day out. As surely as He created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, He chose me to be His Child…if THAT doesn’t make you embrace your Royalty, I’m not sure anything will!

Not everybody gets to enter into the presence of a king any time they feel like it, but I’m “Royalty,” so I have access to my King 24/7. Not everybody gets to meet with a king to discuss every single aspect of life and confidently expect Wisdom and Direction for the journey, but I’m the child of my King, so I can get His attention any time I need it. Not everybody can go against the king’s rules and be forgiven over and over again – but there is no limit to the Forgiveness I get from my King because I’m His Child – He “calls me by name” – I belong to Him. Not everybody serves a King that loves them so much that He would be willing to lay his own life down for them, but Mine died a brutal death just so that He could pay the price for my sins and secure a Future for me. My King isn’t just any king. My King is THE King of ALL kings! He’s the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Bright Morning Star, the Lamb of God, and the One who died for me!

It’s accepting the Price that was paid at the Cross long ago that turns us toward the King in the first place, and yet, it’s the Price that was paid at the Cross that far too many people refuse to Share with another living soul. Instead of sharing the consequences of denying the Truth, they’ll tiptoe around God’s love instead…as if they’re too ashamed to tell the Story of the Price He paid for the world. When Christ “left” us, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, and it’s the Relationship with have with Him that spurs us to Share with others! The Royal Ones (like me) are proud of their Heritage, and they love to tell the entire Story of the Life of the King. They don’t lose sight of the Saving Grace that led them to the King in the first place, and they have enough Love in their Hearts to Share it every chance they get. They share the Gospel with excitement every time because they love the King, and they leave no stone left unturned when they meet a stranger, because they’re a whole lot more interested in knowing if a stranger knows their King than they are in anything else. How is it possible for a Child of the Living God to NOT share the Message of the Cross?

I’ll be facing this new day filled with “challenges” like the Royalty I am, and I won’t miss an opportunity to share my King with the world today. The condition of the Soul is my biggest priority, and sprinkling it with Love is my calling. If they mock me, it won’t matter. If they persecute me, that won’t matter either! My King said they will hate me because of Him so nothing will come as a surprise to me. I love my King and I’m honored to be part of the Royal family…and there’s no shutting me up about Him! The Holy Spirit dwells within me and He spurs me on toward Good!

How about you?

Kick the Dust off and Keep Moving!

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Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I was eager for the sunrise this morning, and I had the most precious time with the Living God on the front porch with a hot cup of coffee and a Willing Spirit. I may be a bold warrior in this crazy world of ours, but my Heart has been tenderized by the King, and if I’m not careful, I can find my way to Discouragement when I get hurt…and my Enemy knows it! Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home,” which (basically) means that it’s those closest to you who often work against you, ESPECIALLY when it comes to Kingdom work. I’m very blessed to have a kind, compassionate, and supportive family, and my household is a place of Peace and Honor for ALL. Over the years, I have purged my life of the most hurtful people, and I’ve “kicked the dust off” my feet more times than I can count. When it comes to Kingdom Business there’s no room to tolerate the work of the Enemy, who often uses those closest to us in an attempt to cause us to stumble. I think it might be time to do a little kicking and purging again to rid my life of a “friend” being used like a pawn of Satan set out to “rob, kill, and destroy” so I’m praying over hurt that could potentially cause me to “react” if I’m not careful. I’ll do whatever it takes – I’ll leave anything and anyone behind IF they are on a Mission to destroy BECAUSE my Relationship with Jesus Christ is far more important than my relationship with them! Isn’t that the way you see it too?

When we become Christians, we don’t become “perfect,” and we’re subject to hurt just like everybody else. It’s what we do with the hurt that separates us from the rest of the world, and it’s how we deal with the one who hurt us that matters even more. My Heart has been Tenderized by the King, so most hurtful things will easily roll off my back as I pray for the one who hurt me instead of focusing on my pain. I’ve been Heart Schooled by the Master, so most of the time I can speak words of Reason and Compassion to the one who hurt me, and most of the time they see their part in my hurt when I do. I’ve been filled with Wisdom by the One who Created me (because I ask for it every day), so most of the time I can see the hurt in the works long before it ever makes its way to my Heart. I’ve been Trained by the Heavenly Arbitrator, so most of the time I can easily settle a dispute with a willing one, and it has become easy to say “Forgive me” and mean it. Some hurts are minor wounds, and some hurts cut to the core. Some are minor infractions and some are massive betrayals. But no matter how small or how large the “offense” is, hurt and disappointment have no place in my Heart, and it’s always up to ME to get my Heart right, even if they don’t care to make things right with me. Hurt and disappointment have the potential to damage my Heart, and the pain I feel has the potential to take root within me if I’m not careful. So, I can’t afford to hold onto hurt, and I get to work on it as soon as it shows up! This is the Key to Maturity in Faith.

Sometimes I allow myself to temporarily wallow in my pain because I’m always SHOCKED when someone close to me hurts or betrays me. When I’m hurt or betrayed, my first thought is “I don’t deserve to be treated like that!”…But we aren’t wronged because we “deserve” to be. When we’re wronged, it’s because the other person thinks a whole lot more about themselves than they may ever think about us or how their actions pierced the heart of another. Those people haven’t grasped the “Love thy neighbor as thyself” command yet. When you think about it, that’s a VERY sad way to live. Maybe I’m inclined to lick my wounds sometimes, and I might spend a few days with a hurt and disappointed Heart every once in a while, but as long as I run to the Great Physician to get my OWN Heart Healed as fast as I can, I know that I’ll be able to forgive the other person in the Process. What has been done TO me dims in comparison to what the Living God expects FROM me in the midst of the Trial.

It took a Spiritual trip to the Woodshed, but eventually, I confessed it all to the Living God and I asked for Forgiveness for the condition of my OWN Heart – and NOW all is well with my Soul despite the wrong against me. I can’t control the other person allowing themselves to be used as a pawn for Satan set out to discourage and disarm me, so I’ll leave the Details up to them and God. The only things I can ever really control are my Heart, my mind, my soul, and my “space”. This is the Key to Humility.

How about you?

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times”

“Why so downcast, oh my Soul?”

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This is a day that the Lord has made, and no matter what it brings…I WILL rejoice and be glad in it! When I met with the Living God this morning, I had difficulty finding my joy! There’s no good reason that I should be lacking joy, but it just wouldn’t come to me “naturally” this morning – since I know the one who comes to “rob, kill, and destroy” would love to disarm me – I DETERMINED to have Joy in my head, even if my Heart wasn’t inclined on its own at first. I “named it and claimed” as my own, and I repeated Words Breathed by the Living God long ago to help me along. I thanked God for my Joy as if it was already a done deal, and I played songs in my head that I can always count on to bring joy to my Heart when I hear them. I FOUGHT FOR MY JOY this morning…and I won! I just needed a little help from my Head to kick my Heart into Joy-mode, and it didn’t take long to feel it from my head to my toes. I won the Battle again this morning. Isn’t that the way you fight through your Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy for people to believe that the Journey of Faith is an easy one, and they lose out on how to Fight for Faith in the process. Some don’t think that “bad” things should EVER happen to the Good People, and they think People of Faith should be forever tiptoeing through the tulips of life every minute like a Stepford Christian. They question God when things aren’t going their way, and they sometimes blame every U-turn on the enemy. They twist the concept of a Loving God into a belief system that only tolerates good things and full bank accounts, and when things don’t go well in the life of a Christian, the world is ready to mock God because of it. We (Christians) are set aside as God’s Children, but we have many of the same challenges everybody else has…we just KNOW how to fight back and we KNOW we’ll always win when we do. When we lack Joy, we must DETERMINE to have it, and we “take captive every thought” because we understand that the Mind often deters the Heart…IF we let it. How we handle the “joyless” times determines our Witness to the world. We don’t seek Joy because we want to feel “happy” – we seek Joy because having it in the face of Adversity is a huge Witness to the lost world and to the power of my God. After all, who would want my Jesus if I whine and complain about my circumstances, and I walk my Journey with no Joy?

When we’re faced with adversity or dealing with trials, the biggest “focus” should never be on our circumstances – God already has that part covered – it’s how we handle them instead. David was hunted down like an animal even though he was a “man after God’s own heart.” He wasn’t “saved” from the trials; he was equipped with the Answer instead, and over and over and over again, David DETERMINED to find His Joy. Job had his life turned upside down when everything was “taken” from him…including his children, even though he was “the most righteous” man on earth. In his agony, Job cursed the day he was ever born, but he DETERMINED to Trust the Will of God in the process. Job stood as firmly as any broken man can stand, and He held on to the only Hope there is. His faithful friends questioned God when they contemplated how such bad things could ever happen to a “good” person, and they wondered what Job had done to deserve it. Eventually, Job confessed his wrong and prayed for his well-meaning friends, and God restored his life in DOUBLE MEASURE because of it. If “bad” things can happen to the “most righteous man on earth,” then they can happen to you and me too – but when we DETERMINE to Trust Him in the circumstances we’ll ALWAYS be victorious…and we’ll always find our Joy!

I started this new day a little low on joy, but I DETERMINED to find it…and I did! My Heart isn’t the only thing that matters in this Journey – my mind needs a lot of work too! But as long as I am DETERMINED to have ALL that God has Promised to me, and as long as I never lose sight of the Greatest Gift known to mankind, I will ALWAYS find my Joy. I’m an imperfect woman of God living an imperfect life, but I Serve Perfection with everything I’ve got. I focus more on how I handle my Circumstances than the details of the trials, and THAT’S why I’m Victorious every single time. NOW I can be the Good Witness God created me to be! Look out, world!

How about you?