Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I had a long meeting with the Living God this morning and He spent some time Refining my Heart for the Journey. The One who Created me is Kind and Gentle but when He is doing Business on the Heart He doesn’t soften the blow. He used His Heavenly highlighter over weak spots that I haven’t conquered yet, and He reminded me of His Strength. The Bible says “It’s a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” and that we are to “Work out (your) salvation with fear and trembling” so it is no small thing to have unsettled business with the Living God. Part of my Lesson this morning made me weep with shame, and some of the Message made me overflow with joy – but none of the Message would have been possible, nor would it have any impact on my Life whatsoever, had I refused to be willing to be Molded by my Maker again this morning. When it comes to things like Heart and Character, there’s no such thing as being “complete”…at least not on this side of Heaven. There’s always room for improvement and I’m driven to be all that I can be for Him. Isn’t that the way you look at your Lessons too?

There are lots of reasons why most people don’t continue to Grow for as long as they live, but I think the biggest reason is pride. It’s often said, “Pride comes before the fall” but that’s a condensed version of what it says in Proverbs which drives the message home a little deeper…”Pride goes before destruction, a haughty (arrogant) spirit before a fall”. Pride is what prevents us from being willing to be transparent, and pride is what keeps us from sharing our Trials and Victories aka our Witness. Pride is when we convince ourselves that we’re something we’re not and that we’re bigger and better than we really are. Pride is what makes us run from the Spirit of God when it’s Lesson Time, and pride is what stands in the way of revealing our weaknesses. Pride is what prompts us to judge someone else, and pride is what makes us lie to ourselves about who and what we really are. Pride drives greed, and pride drives lies. It’s pride that will stop us from helping the helpless, and it’s pride that leads us to lose our identity in our checkbook. A prideful heart refuses to admit when it’s wrong, and pride stands in the way of forgiveness. There’s no end to the destruction that pride brings with it, and eventually, pride will build a shell around the Heart that is so hard that we’re no longer Recognizable as God’s People…and we become useless to the King. There’s no room for pride if we want to grow, and unless we get a handle on pride, we can’t find Humility.

I’ve been slapped around by people of Faith more often than I can count when they hear me confess my weaknesses or when I share my trials or temptations. Their pride drives them to believe that a person of Faith should leave those things “in the past where they belong” and they frown upon sharing flaws and failures with the world. But I have no pride when it comes to being a Vessel for the Living God, and I know that the more I share about my own Life, the more inclined God will be to use me to help someone else. My Journey has had peaks and valleys but it wasn’t just a mountain of mess even though it felt that way sometimes. Every minute has been ordained that led me to such a time as this! Today my Life is a Powerful, Living, Breathing Testimony, and I’m not too proud to share it. Every single piece has Grown me, and every pain has made me Stronger. But most of all, I know that ” All things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose” and the Hand of God can be seen before, during, and after my Trials and Tribulations…and I wouldn’t change a thing. My Life has Purpose, and I’m Humbled to be used by the King. So, whenever pride tries to sneak in…and I’m inclined to take credit for things in my life that I have no business owning at all…it’s time for a Lesson on Humility straight from the Throne of the Living God. I may not like it much when it’s Lesson Time, but I’m Ready and Willing to be Molded by my Maker so that I can be ALL that He intends for me to be for as long as there is breath in my body.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was a little too chilly to be sitting outside on the front porch this morning but the beauty made up for the chill. I watched the Living God illuminate my world and I gave thanks for the new life that wasn’t visible yesterday and my senses came alive faster than you can say “Amen”. It was as if I was seeing with my eyes what my Heart was feeling and the sounds of the birds were like a Heavenly choir. Anything I might be inclined to fret over today was washed away, and just by being in His Presence, and I felt warm from my head to my toes. Isn’t that what being in His Presence is like for you too?

Nothing can knock me into a Spirit of Praise and Gratitude like tuning into everything around me, and nothing could bring more Peace to my Life than His Words: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” I don’t need to be outside to feel His Majesty, and I don’t need to be entertained by nature, to set my Time with Him in motion. I meet with Him when He wants to meet, where He wants to meet, and for as long as He wants to meet. I walk with Him and talk to Him all day long, and He hears my every Word – the ones that cross my lips and all the others that are silent within my Heart. I’m not just a Prayer Warrior…I’m ready for Action too, and that’s a key component to what sets some people of Faith apart from all the others.

It can be so easy to fall into organized prayer time, and then forget to invite the Spirit of God into the process. A few memorized prayers, or adding prayer time to a calendar as if it’s an obligation, falls short of what prayer time can (and should) look like. I’m pretty sure the Living God wants to hear the words to our unique (and heartfelt) prayers and not just words written and recommended by man. You can tell a lot about a person’s Convictions just by hearing them pray. Some people pray with Authority and it’s as if they Believe the prayers they utter have already been answered even though they can’t see it yet. Some people pray with meekness, and it sounds as if they don’t actually believe that God will do what they’re asking for at all. Usually, these people wrap it up with “if it’s your will” and it sounds like they think they’ve been a burden to the Living God by making a request at all. Some people THINK they need the name, rank, and serial number as if God won’t Know who they’re praying for unless He’s given all the Information first. And some people think they need every dirty little detail so that they “know how to pray”, but God already knows every finite detail, and He doesn’t need to be filled in on the cast of characters or their actions. There’s not a right way or a wrong way to pray HOWEVER the only way we REALLY make a difference is when we pray AND BELIEVE that He Hears us and that He knows what’s best in every situation. When we learn to pray like that, it’s a Spiritual Game Changer.

I don’t presume to know the Mind of God, but I do know His Nature, and I know that if someone or something is on your Heart and you’re prompted to pray…He put it there. Every Encounter and every Circumstance has already filtered through His Hands, and He has a Master Plan for everyone and everything. But how often do we appeal to the Living God on behalf of someone else when we ALREADY have the ability to take care of the need on our own? Maybe WE need to gather around them to bring them comfort. Maybe WE need to be sure there is food on their table. Maybe WE need to pay for the car repair. Maybe WE need to be willing to watch the kids. Maybe WE need to facilitate the action of others when we aren’t otherwise in a position to help. Sadly for some people, it’s a whole lot easier to whisper a prayer or two and hope that God will do something about the circumstances so that we can avoid getting our hands dirty. God is the Way Maker and He can do anything anytime He wants to. He can absolutely meet every need and fill every Request! BUT I believe that if He places a person and their need on our Heart, He’s looking for Action…and not just prayer. This is the KEY to serving the King of all kings.

Every prayer we utter is “like incense” in Heaven…a sweet aroma to the Living God…and every Life has Purpose. It’s when we combine those two things – when we pray with Purpose and ask Him to show us how WE can help whoever (or whatever it is), that we become part of the Solution in ways we can’t begin to imagine. I’ve whispered a whole lot of prayers for people and their circumstances this morning and I prayed with Conviction and Belief. But during those prayers, I also asked the Living God to show me what my Part is. I’m ready to kick into Action anytime with every Resource I have and with all that I am whenever He comes Calling. After all, He died for me….the least I can do is Live for Him. If I’m going to Proclaim that I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, then I need to be living a Life that resembles His ministry. Jesus got His hands dirty. Jesus Believed what He prayed. Jesus Loved unconditionally.

How about you?

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 so far I’ve spent my morning more Focused on Him than anything else…as it should be. There is a lot of excitement over this new day and millions of people will have their eyes focused on the heavens all at the same time as the moon covers the sun in a rare solar eclipse. Schools are closing and businesses pausing to make sure that nobody misses out on the moment. Some people are as prepared as they’ll ever be and they’ll be on watch all day long because they want to be found ready for this rare event. It’s interesting to see so many people – of all walks of life and every size and shape – all focused on the same thing….just a glimpse of the wonder in the sky. As I considered all the excitement over this solar rarity, I couldn’t help but wonder how many people have even a fraction of the excitement over the Future Happenings in the sky when the King comes back for His people and how many of them will be as Ready for Him as they are ready for the eclipse today.

It’s fascinating to watch how quickly people will dive into the deep end with their own version of truth at the first sign of something unusual happening when all they have to do is read their Bible. If a solar eclipse is this exciting to them, just imagine how much more excited they’ll be when they turn to the Truth for answers! Everything you ever wanted to know about the sun, moon, and stars can be found within the pages of the Word of God, written by the Creator of all. Some people believe that this will be the last day of the world. Some people believe that Jesus will be arriving on the tail end of the eclipse as if He needs a special solar Introduction. It’s obvious that people have a built-in need to understand what goes on around them and they’ll easily grab onto nonsense sometimes to make sense out of something that doesn’t. The only sense worth Focusing on is God Almighty who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name”. Now THAT is something to be excited about!

I’m excited to have the chance to witness a rare solar eclipse today, but not nearly as excited as I am about the One who will be Orchestrating it all. I don’t presume to know the mind of God and I don’t try to “guess” what He’s up to on any given day. His Word is my Instruction Manual for such a time as this and His Spirit is my Guide. I look to the heavens OFTEN, and I’m not searching for a rare solar happening when I do…I’m on watch for Jesus Christ because He’s coming for me One Day soon. I’m not sure I’m ready for the solar eclipse and if not for a very dark sky, I might be inclined to miss it if I get busy around the farm. One thing I am sure of is that the solar eclipse will happen one way or the other with or without me and because I know exactly when it’s coming to a sky near me, I won’t be caught off guard. But that’s not the case when the King comes calling for me. That Day will be the Biggest Surprise in the history of the world and nobody knows the day or the hour so I’ll be Watching AND I’ll be READY whenever the day comes. It makes me sad to think about people so focused on the solar eclipse who don’t give the King of all kings a second thought because He’s coming…ready or not!

The same God who created the heavens and the earth is my God. The same God who scattered the stars in the sky is my God. The same God that caused the sun to stand still in the sky for hours is my God. The same God who opens the floodgates of Heaven to bring forth the rain and the snow is my God. The same God who gives the sea its boundaries is my God. The same God who will shield the sun with the moon today is my God. I marvel at the Work of His Hands every single day, and I look to the heavens in hopes that TODAY is the day I’ll see Him. The solar eclipse will be fun to see and I’ll be wearing glasses to shield my eyes but when the King returns I’ll have my eyes and my arms wide open!

How about you?

“And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven” Deuteronomy 4:19

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s windy and cold this morning and although it LOOKS a lot like Spring, it’s far from feeling like it today. But what it “feels” like doesn’t make it so, and what I see with my eyes doesn’t make it “truth”. It will begin to look and feel like Spring when God says it’s time and not a minute too soon or too late. He has always been, and will always be, a just-on-time God. It IS wise to know a little bit about what’s going on in this dark world, however, these days far too many people are focused on “the real meaning” behind the recent earthquakes and the upcoming solar eclipse of the sun as if there is one giant conspiracy theory behind it all. It’s the One “behind it all” that shakes the earth thousands of times each year and it’s the One “behind it all” Who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name” that will cause the sun to be hidden for an eclipse. The One behind it all tells us about the things that will take place before He comes Calling BUT IT’S HIM we’re supposed to be looking for whether the sun shines tomorrow or not. Isn’t that the way YOU look at this Journey of Faith too?

Any good thief knows that if you can create a distraction, you can easily rob another. Any good military leader knows that if you can create a distraction, you can easily overcome the enemy. Any person intent on causing harm to a child knows that if you can just create a distraction, you can easily steal them away. The Devil knows that if he can just create a distraction big enough the world will be focused much more on current events than the Return of the King, and many people will be left behind because of it. I wonder if we have access to too much information by the way it is sent and received through cyberspace and then spun into theories meant to be shared with the world. After all, it was the Internet that people used to create a toilet paper panic, and it was the Internet where photos circulated of tens of thousands of people who had (allegedly) dropped dead in the streets from COVID-19. It’s bad enough that the Devil is B U S Y, but what makes it worse is that so many “Christians” are buying into His lies and distractions. We are told to be aware of the signs BUT TO LOOK FOR THE KING….and it looks like lots of people have that a little mixed up. As for me, I’ll stick with One Version of Truth and I’ll remain Focused on the King and not all the nonsense from what people say is leading up to it.

War might come today, but I’m not worried. The earth could shake underneath this old farm today, but I’m not worried. The earth could open up completely and swallow it all up, but I’m not worried. The sun could disappear in a solar eclipse and never be seen again, but I’m not worried. The President of the United States can be re-elected and propped on a pillow throughout the next term, but I’m not worried. These things make for interesting conversation for some, but they are just noise in the universe to the God of all Creation. He’ll be coming for us when He’s ready and until He does, my Focus will be on the heavens and I anxiously await my King. In my Life there is One Truth…One Authority…One Way…and One worth Sharing with the world. He’s a just-on-Time God and I’m ready for Him whenever He’s ready for me.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s not raining this morning…at least not for now…and the sky looked like it was celebrating the chance to shine after so many rainy days. I stepped out onto the front porch to fill my lungs with morning air and I thanked the Living God for good health. I looked up toward the heavens to fill my eyes with the sunrise and I thanked the Living God for eyes to see. I listened to the sound of the birds filling their space with song and I thanked the Living God for ears to hear. I considered a world in turmoil, and I thanked the Living God for what He is about to do and how I fit in. I thought about how I’m missing my family and I thanked the Living God that they are all well. From where I sit there is always room for Gratitude and since I Know that “there is no good thing apart from Him”, there is no room for pride or arrogance in my Life. Everything I am…everything I have is only made possible because of Him. Isn’t that the way you see things too?

It’s amazing how arrogant some of God’s people can be and it’s perplexing that most of the time they don’t even see it. Some are quick to tell the world what they do and don’t deserve as if they deserve more from the world because of who they are…but that’s not true. Some whine and cry about their circumstances as if God has forgotten to provide the rose garden they think they deserve as a Child of God…but He doesn’t promise Easy Street to His people. Some folks are quick to point out the wrongs they see in the lives of other people while overlooking their own as if they’ve been appointed the Judge and Jury just because they Believe. Some could talk for weeks on end about the corrupt political system as if God is a liar and He doesn’t ordain our leaders like He says He does, while others speak like they have some sort of secret source of information that (apparently) God doesn’t even know about. God hates pride, arrogance, and an ungrateful heart. Just look at what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar when he puffed up and took credit for his kingdom. Even though he was warned about what would happen “if” he still strutted around and flaunted “his accomplishments” to show the world how great he was building a shiny kingdom. God ripped the king of everything he had just like He said he would and He sent him off to live like an animal in the wilderness for seven years UNTIL Nebuchadnezzar finally confessed that there IS no good thing apart from God and that God is the source of all blessings. That’s what Humility looks like.

These days lots of people of Faith find comfort in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” and for some reason, they’re focused more on the praying part than anything else. YES, we are supposed to pray and BELIEVE what we’re praying…but what about the HUMBLE part and the turn from your wicked ways part? What about the part that acknowledges that THERE IS NO GOOD THING apart from Him? What about that part that continues to give thanks no matter what’s happening in this dark world? What about the part where we Celebrate being born for such a time as this because we Know God has a Plan for us through it all? What about the part where we put our TRUST in the Creator of the Universe instead of hoping someone in office will bail us out of the troubles we’ve created? It takes Humility to take responsibility.

Without humility, prayers are just noise in the heavens. Without humility, we never truly seek His face. Without humility, we don’t turn from our wicked ways. How can we EXPECT Him to “heal our land” if we can’t even Humble ourselves to the One who died for all or Trust Him with the Outcome?

It begins with humility and it ends with arrogance.

Which one are you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I spent my time in the Presence of the Most High God and my Soul was nourished by His Word. It’s raining..still…but the rain is an answer to my prayers for a parched land so instead of complaining, I’ll give thanks for every drop. Rain does have a way of making things feel dreary though, so as I give thanks for the rain, I do business on my Attitude too. It’s the week after the celebration of the Resurrection and I can’t help but wonder…was it dreary in the days that followed His Resurrection OR was it business as usual the way it is with us today? Did they dress in black to mourn His death while missing the fact that He conquered death, hell, and the grave…a Truth so many miss today? We can’t know for sure on this side of history – all I know is that the Living God used a dreary day to drive home a Message into my Heart. Is that just like Him to use the simplest things to make His Point to His people?

They say that Easter Sunday is the most attended day of the year in the church in America. That’s shocking when you first hear it but not so difficult to understand when you dig a little deeper. People who otherwise wouldn’t be caught dead in church on a Sunday morning somehow make it to church on Easter Sunday. I’m not sure if they show up to appease a loved one or if they’re trying to make themselves feel better about where they are spiritually. I wonder how many claim to be Christians just because they make it to church on Easter Sunday as if they’re renewing a Membership card? I’m pretty sure some are anxious to show off their new Easter “bonnet” while others want to be sure to show off their (once-a-year) well-dressed kids to the world. I wonder how many people understand that they are actually standing on Holy Ground and the aisle is a path to the Alter and not a fashion runway? I wonder how many will take Communion on that one day of the year without giving it a second thought or caring about the condition of their heart before they do? I wonder how many rush out the door after Easter service to be sure they’re not late for family pictures or family dinner because the activities far outweigh the reverence surrounding Resurrection Sunday.

“Back in the day” people felt the earthquake – they saw the sky go dark – they saw the dead raised from the grave – AND they saw the 80-foot temple curtain rip in two like tissue paper when Jesus surrendered on the Cross…and yet, most of them went back to business as usual. Some saw Him raise the dead. Some saw Him heal the sick. Some saw Him walk on water. Some heard Him calm the sea. Some saw Him deliver people from under the influence of the devil. Some saw Him cause the blind to see. Some watched Him die…and yet, most of them went back to business as usual. An eye witness to the Miracles of God one minute…business as usual the next. No, I don’t think people are a whole lot different today than they were back then whether they claim to be Believers or not. They hear, they see, they claim to Believe and they’re flying high one minute as they proclaim Him to be the Master of their life and the next minute it’s as if He never existed (to them) at all.

Some people see and (proclaim to) Believe but if they really did, it wouldn’t be possible to revert back to business as usual. If they really comprehend that HE DIED for them, it would be impossible for them not to LIVE for Him. Some people have mastered the mourning process and all they can see is sadness on the Cross – but Jesus wasn’t a victim – He is a victor! Some people look at death as robbery because they can’t accept the Will of God no matter when or how they die. But Jesus said “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down instead” and He made a way for all of us to live out Eternity in Heaven…IF we Believe. The Bible says “Narrow is the gate that leads to Heaven” and that’s easier to understand when you see how so many people are living out their Journey in business-as-usual mode instead of a non-stop Celebration of Victory on the Cross! Some people look for the world to tell them how great they are, but when you focus on the Cross all you can think about is hearing Him tell you “Well done, good and faithful servant”. For us, “business as usual” doesn’t exist. This is the Key to Eternity with Him.

It’s a dreary day but my Heart is filled with Joy and Hope all because He gave His life for me. I’ll NEVER forget the price that was paid to set me free. I’ll NEVER get tired of the “Easter” story. I’ll never walk away from the Cross and I’ll NEVER live a Life in business-as-usual mode.

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’m ready for this new day after my time with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith, a good dose of His Living Word, and a hot cup of coffee. It’s not so cold but raining this morning and my heart is missing the sunshine so since I can’t enjoy the warmth outside, I’ll enjoy the warmth of the flowers instead. I determine to enjoy each new day…rain or shine…hot or cold and my glass is usually half full. This time of year it can go from the feeling of a warm summer day to frost on the fields and then back again from one day to the next. I am confident that the sun is always waiting just behind the clouds to warm things up and that nothing is predictable in the Spring in Virginia…and such it is with Life. When you think about it, Isn’t that just the way it is in this Journey of life?

Some people don’t look for the sunshine because they enjoy having frost around their hearts. They refuse to allow the warmth of the Son to melt it away the cold as if they’ll somehow lose their strength if they let it go. They strut around with a cold heart as if it’s something to be proud of and they have every excuse for why they refuse to let go of the offense. These people can hold on to something someone did to them like a snapping turtle year after year, refusing to let go as if refusing forgiveness will (in some twisted sort of way) get even with the one who wronged them. Their emotions can flare up in a heartbeat as they recount the wrong and they relive it as if it was yesterday. Some even wish for horrible, hurtful things to happen to the one who caused them pain. They carry the weight of unforgiveness around like a sack loaded with rocks and no matter how weary they become from the weight or how injured they become from the stress, they refuse to let it go. Unfortunately for these people, their glass is always half empty, and they would never know what it means to be content with a few flowers in place of the sun.

I know that when I go before my God and ask for forgiveness for my wrongs, they are as far as the East is from the West. The Ultimate price was already paid for me and my sins and I find indescribable comfort in knowing that as soon as I confess them, they’re forgiven. Remembering this is the key to being able to forgive others too. I’ll NEVER forget what a “wretch” I was before Jesus found me, and I’ll never grow tired of embracing the Price He paid for my Sins. I didn’t earn it. I didn’t deserve it. I could never have paid it on my own. So, if He could save a wretch like me…if He could lay down His life to pay the Price I couldn’t pay myself…if He could meet me where I was and Love me just as I am, WHO DO I THINK I AM TO WITHHOLD FORGIVENESS? The Key to being able to extend forgiveness to people you don’t believe deserve it is to NEVER lose sight of the price He paid for YOUR forgiveness. His Rules are pretty simple – if you want His Forgiveness then you better be willing to extend it to someone else no matter what they’ve “done” to you.

I’ve experienced some serious wrongs in my life and I’ve been labeled a “doormat” as I pick myself back up and then “let it go” over and over again. I’ve heard every reason on the planet for what I “should” do to make the wrongs right…instead, I leave the reckoning up to God. The Bible says, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” so I can’t think of a better way for the wrongs to be made Right than to trust the Living God with the outcome. He knows it all and He will have the ultimate say and it’s His forgiveness that matters the most.

I’m an imperfect woman striving to live a Life that is a good reflection of my King. I’m determining to look at the Bright Side, and my glass will remain half full all the days of my Life. I’ll do my best to “plow my own field” instead of concerning myself with the “fields” of others. I won’t carry a grudge or refuse to forgive someone that wrongs me today and I’ll do everything in my power to let the Light of my Faith on this rainy day. I’ll be satisfied with a beautiful jar full of flowers in place of the sunshine and I’ll be focusing on the Nourishment these flowers had to grow into something beautiful. I want to be like the flowers – clinging to the basic things to find Nourishment, Strength, and Growth. As long as I keep reaching for the Son, I’ll find everything I need.

Just think…He reached my Heart with just a few flowers. Imagine what He can do for you.

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. As I prayed over the farm and its boundaries this morning, I imagined what it would look like if I could SEE the Lord’s Protection over it. I wonder how many Angels show up when I’m doing battle and I wonder if they have swords? I wondered if they stand side-by-side or if they hover majestically over the farm. The Bible says “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” I don’t need God to “prove” Himself to me – He already did that on the Cross. What He says, I believe without question. What I can see with my eyes overwhelms me, that’s for sure, but what I CAN’T see overwhelms me even more. There is a host of angels doing battle every single minute of every single day and God has assigned a few to you and to me. When the big battles come, so does an army of angels, and if I could SEE them doing battle on my behalf, I’d never be anxious. Isn’t that what the Journey looks like for you too?

Of all the spiritual “mysteries” that will keep us wondering until we reach Heaven, I think the “mystery” of angels is most often confused AND abused. Some people think that when we die we become angels to hover around watching over our loved ones…but that’s not true. Our loved ones already have angels assigned to them and when we get to Heaven there’s no coming back in any form or fashion. Some people believe in “angels” but they don’t believe in the Living God. I’m not sure where their “angels” are coming from OR who is commanding them – but they won’t be coming from a Good Place if the Creator of ALL things is denied. Some people “pray” to angels as if they can bypass God, and sometimes it looks like they worship the angels too. I don’t understand ALL the mysteries on this side of Heaven but I DO understand that the angels have been here since the beginning…they were Created by God…they are subject to Jesus Christ…they were made to last forever…and that God Almighty can summon them at will and Assign them where they need to be for me and you. After that…who cares what I don’t know now?

Some people believe that angels are mystical beings and that they can never be confused with man….but that’s not true. Every once in a while they “show up” in “human form” to do the work of their Father. In fact, we’re told – “do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Angels showed themselves to Abraham when they told him to expect a child, they showed up to warn Lot to get out of town. Angels brought Elijah bread and water and told him to regain his strength. There are countless times angels have “shown themselves” on God’s behalf even for someone like me. I believe I had an encounter with an angel years ago when a “mysterious” man showed up at just the right moment in time (and seemingly out of nowhere) when I was (unknowingly) in the presence of a man who was soon to be arrested for being a serial killer. God can summon the angels anytime He wants to, and sometimes we can see them with our eyes!

One time Elisha was facing a battle and things were looking grim. His servant was overwhelmed by fear so Elijah prayed that God would open his eyes so that his servant could see what Elisha already KNEW was there – “then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” If we could all SEE with our eyes what takes place in the Spiritual Places it would blow our minds and we’d never fear again! To see the evil ones working hard 24/7 to devour would drive us to our knees in prayer, and to see the fields filled with His Army ready to Protect what belongs to Him would send us into Perpetual Praise mode! What takes place in the “heavenly realms” is a much bigger deal than what we see with our eyes here on earth…and remembering that is the Key to Faith through it all!

God’s hand of Protection is over my Life, my family, this old farm, and the Ministry He’s called into being. When I pray, I BELIEVE because praying without Faith would be nothing more than chatter. I don’t need to see the heavenly host to be confident that they show up when God commands them my way because I’ve experienced Victory over and over again. I can’t see them with my eyes, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. I’m pretty sure that if God would “open my eyes” so that I could see the way Elishah’s servant did, I’d see “the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around” – me and this old farm surrounded by angels ready to Protect what Belongs to Him.

How about you?

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 there is frost on the trees on this Spring day. As much as I was longing for warmth, God had cold in mind, and I Accepted His Will with a Grateful Heart. As I entered the Presence of the Most High God this morning, it began the way it usually does…with Praise for who He is and what He does for me. I cried out “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, who is to come!” and I imagined what it must be like to hear that praise 24 hours a day in Heaven. Next, I began to Thank Him and it was as if I couldn’t stop. I sat there for what seemed like forever, weeping with a Heart so full of gratitude. I eventually got around to making a few Requests…but the One Who stands on the Right Side of the Throne of a Mighty God knows my Heart AND He knows my needs without me ever speaking a word. His Word says, “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear” and it brings me indescribable Peace to Know that He is already in tomorrow and that He Knows my needs even before I do. Isn’t that the way it is for you too?

It doesn’t take much effort for people to shout out a “thank you” to God when things are running smoothly, but it isn’t so easy for some to thank Him in the storm. It’s almost as if all the Good He does day after day is diminished when His people go through a season of suffering. They’ll beg Him to hear their prayers and plead with Him to fix things RIGHT NOW. But do they THANK Him for what He is doing IN the storm…those things they cannot see? Do they Trust Him with the Purpose behind the suffering or do they spend time questioning Him for why He isn’t fixing things the way He’s supposed to? Are they willing to Surrender to His Will ESPECIALLY when they don’t know the rest of the story? His Word is clear when it comes to the trials – “And we know that ALL things work together for good for those who love Him and are all called according to His Purpose.” It’s when the storms show up that He does His BEST Work and it’s when the storm shows up that He can be Glorified the most! Thank Him for what He’s doing in the storm!

Most people know who God is and many proclaim their faith in Him -but even the demons know who God is and they shudder at the sound of His name. Some people are admirably faithful to ritualistic prayers day after day and some are in the church every time the doors are open. But there’s much more to the Journey of Faith than these things. I’m sure those things don’t go completely unnoticed by the Living God, but what He wants more than anything is a Heart that hungers for Him. A Heart that Trusts His Will. A Heart surrendered to Him. He wants a Heart that can’t get enough of Him…one that can’t wait to spend “quality time” with Him…one that Trusts…and Honors…one that never grows tired…one that is Faithful through thick and thin…one that never overlooks the Good to focus on the bad. It’s funny how people can easily define what it takes to have a “good relationship” with someone here on earth, while they overlook the beauty – the Characteristics – the necessity – of having a Relationship with the Living God. The King of kings and the Lord of lords wants to have a Relationship with you and me and the mere thought of that should send you to your knees and give you spiritual goosebumps! It sure does me.

The morning is cold while I was hoping for warm and the world around me appears to be in a tailspin, but that’s okay. I have profound Faith in the One who says “Before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear”. My God is Faithful. My God has a Master Plan that is Perfect and I Trust Him. I love Him. I Praise Him, and I Thank Him. We have a Relationship more beautiful than anything here on earth and my Heart thirsts for Him. I’m His child…He’s my God…through thick and thin. With a Relationship like ours, how could I ever be anything less than Thankful no matter what’s going on around me?

How about you? Do you have a Relationship with Him?