christianity

In His Presence There Is ONLY Good…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s bitter cold this morning and just stepping out onto the front porch to breathe fresh air was almost too painful for me. Stepping onto the front porch in the Winter can be painful, but stepping into the Presence of a Mighty God never is. That’s not to say there aren’t times when I Know that I’ll be taken to the Spiritual Woodshed that I never weep and ask for forgiveness, OR that I’m never ashamed of my Heart. It means that whenever I face Him, in this life or the Next One, in His Presence there is ONLY Good. He IS Mercy, Hope, Joy, Peace, Forgiveness, Compassion, Healing, Love, and a million other Good things! Sometimes I feel a little self-inflicted pain when I turn to Him with a Heart that needs to be Tenderized, but I never feel pain from Him and I never will. When I stand before Him on the day He calls me Home, I’ll Know where He’s taking me, and I’ll have nothing to fear…EVER. Isn’t that the way you look at your Future too?

It can be so easy for some people to distort the Image of God, but they miss out on the meaning of Grace and Mercy when they do. Some live their entire lives in fear of God and they are robbed of the Joy of Faith because of it. Don’t get me wrong, the Fear of God is a good thing and I fear Him too, but I know that if a little pain comes my way He IS NOT trying to crush me, He’s trying to GROW me. When you look at it that way, there’s no pain to fear at all!

If He finds that I need a little “discipline” here and there that’s okay, because I know “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If I go through a Season of suffering, I’ll endure it with the right Heart, because His Word says “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” As long as He keeps making me “strong, firm, and steadfast” then I know He’ll continue to use me, so I don’t fear the pain of the Season – I learn to Hold onto Him and Grow through it instead. He is the “Beginning and the End”…the One who “knit me” together in my mother’s womb…the One who “knows every hair” on my head…the One who died for me…the One who has Plans for me…the One who knew me before the foundations of the earth…the One who says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, YOU ARE MINE.” Why would I live in fear of pain from the One who knows my name and CHOSE me to be one of His own before He even created the earth?

Faith doesn’t need to be nearly as complicated as some people make it out to be. When you Love Him with your whole Heart you accept the Journey and you long to follow the “rules” because it pleases Him when you do! There is more Joy in the Journey with the Living God than anyone can describe with words…but when left to man, that Love becomes conditional, scary, and “too hard” to endure. Some get lost in the fear and some believe they can’t measure up to His expectations and they spend their entire lives lost and alone because of it. Like a child hiding under the bed to escape the boogie man, they attempt to hide from God too. But God knows everything about us and He loves us anyway. He sent His Son to die for every vile thing any human being has ever done and His Grace is sufficient to cover it all if we let Him. It’s sad to see so many people missing out on the Fullness of their Faith. Some out of fear…some out of guilt and shame…some because they think the Journey is too painful…some because they have been convinced that all they ever have to do is say “Yes” to an invitation to Believe and carry a membership card to a local church.

There is a Mighty God in Heaven longing for a bigger, deeper Relationship with His Children. He deserves to be “feared” because of who He is…but He doesn’t get joy out of inflicting pain and He warns us not to be afraid of anything. He’s the Source of Joy and Love and everything Good and if there is any “pain” to fear, it’s missing out on the kind of Relationship He longs to have with His Children.

I began this day with a cold breath of air but I warmed up my Life just by spending Time in the Presence of my God. The world might be a scary place, but I’m not afraid. I might feel a little “pain” here and there, but I’m growing Stronger every day because I Cling to the King, and with Him, there is nothing but Good and never a reason to fear pain.

How about you?

The Deception is Working…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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 although it’s starting out cold, it will be warming up by this afternoon and much of our beautiful snow (and ice) will be gone. All it takes is a little snow, a little drifting, and a little ice, and navigating around the farm gets pretty challenging. Although getting snowed in is one of my favorite things, getting snowed out isn’t so great. We had to cancel service at The Well yesterday to avoid anyone getting stuck on roads that have drifted over AND to ensure their safety around the barn from field parking to the sanctuary. Kids everywhere pray for snow days so that they can stay home from school, but canceling church for any reason is heartbreaking to me. I miss my friends. I miss the fellowship. I miss studying His Word together. I miss seeing the joy of the Lord on their faces. I miss praying with them and for them. Missing church is a big deal to me but it sure isn’t to a VERY large number of folks these days. They’ve traded attending church for Sofa Services and nothing could pry them away from the TV on Sunday morning. As I sat in the Presence of the Most High God this morning I cried as I prayed for the remote ones, for the state of the Church today, and for all the Beauty they’re missing by trading church for the couch. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

I know what it looks like to tune into church remotely because I did that very thing myself years ago when my home church was in turmoil and I was in limbo “church hunting”. I know what it feels like to “go to church” in a comfortable chair and to not hesitate to get up for unlimited coffee refills in the middle of the sermon. I know what it feels like to watch church “in comfortable clothes”. I know what it sounds like to have a conversation during prayer time and/or to freely critique the music as if the musicians were a part of America’s Got Talent instead of a church choir. I know what it sounds like to LIE to myself (and to others) about how “whenever two or more are gathered” is a fitting scripture to defend Sofa Services…but it’s not. We can thank the COVID debacle for making a way to draw Christians out of the church and boy, did we make it easy! We can thank the Devil himself for deceiving God’s people into thinking it’s ok to detach from the Church Body even temporarily. The liar from Hell got even more than he bargained for because “52% of “regular church attendees” who left during COVID have never returned” and unless something changes in their Hearts, they never will.

With the Church laser-focused on making the congregation comfortable at all costs, it isn’t hard to figure out how (and why) so many Christians fell into the Devil’s trap of Sofa Service. Coffee shops, professional praise bands, lights, cameras, and ACTION have grown the numbers, that’s for sure, but fellowship (relationship) has taken the back seat in the process and people have disappeared without even being noticed. Gone are the days when churches welcomed a spontaneous testimony about the power of God and time didn’t seem to matter when God was moving. The testimonies we no longer have time for STRENGTHENED the body and spurred us on…AND they were in keeping with what God tells us all to do in and out of the church. Gone are the days when we’d miss a Sunday in church and somebody would reach out to see how we were doing…they noticed and they cared. Unfortunately, the churches today believe bigger is better, and instead of doing their part to get the people BACK into the church where they belong, they’re hiring Pastors who are online experts to build the numbers just like any good business does. Having people attend church remotely while taking their offerings via an app is far too appealing for them to ignore and some studies suggest that one day in the near future the brick-and-mortar church will cease to exist altogether because of it. I hope the Lord calls me Home before that happens because that’s too sad to even think about.

We had to cancel church yesterday and I was LOST because of it. My brothers and sisters in the Lord are my family and they strengthen me for the Journey…and I do my best to strengthen them! David said it best in Psalm 16: “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” You won’t find me “forsaking the assembly” because I know if I do then I’m working against the Plan God has for His people and I care more about pleasing Him than I do about pleasing myself. Just so you know, if you’re reading this and you’re attending Sofa Services (by choice not necessity) I’m praying that God lights a fire within you that cannot be contained that will propel you from the recliner to the alter one day soon.

May God richly bless you on and off the sofa.

The God of Mercy…Still on the Throne!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God nudged me awake long before the sun came up and we had a long talk about Life. My Heart couldn’t wait for the lights to come on so I could see with my eyes that my world is the same today as it was yesterday. Thousands of people are standing by this morning as their homes (or businesses) burn to the ground and my heart is broken for them. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that He is a God who “gives and takes away”, but He is. Sometimes it’s hard to see that He is a God of Mercy, but He is. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that He is a God of Law and Order when it looks like the world has fallen apart, but He is. As I turned to Him for Peace and Direction for such a time as this, He reminded me that He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore no matter (how I perceive) what’s going on around me, and He reinforced my Marching Orders all over again – to share His Goodness of God with a world that needs Him now more than ever. And just like that – my heavy Heart was filled with Peace, Hope, AND Excitment all over again. Following Jesus is a choice. Reading (and Believing) His Word is a choice. Trusting Him when it looks like the world has gone crazy is a choice. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

Some of my favorite passages in the Bible come from Job 38-41 where God paints a picture of His Majesty and Might to a man who had everything taken from Him, from his kids to his wealth and his health. The God of All Creation considered Job to be “the most righteous man” on the planet and yet, He allowed calamity to come into every corner of his life. The kind of calamity that you and I would never EVER want to know. I want to be like Job because, through the calamity, he never stopped praising God. Job made the choice to cling to the Creator no matter what. That’s the good news. The bad news is that “the most righteous man” still managed to get himself into trouble when he presumed to know the Mind and Plans of God and he wasn’t afraid to say so. So the Living God set Job straight with the most beautiful “Where were you?” speech the world has ever heard. By the time God finished His “Where were you speech” Job was so ashamed of his arrogant heart…a heart that presumed to know what God was up to…that he cursed the day he was ever born. With humility like that, it’s no wonder God saw Job as the most Righteous man on the planet! I wonder how many of us are willing to admit that we DO presume to know the Plans of the God who “gives and takes away?” Hmm…

When I consider the “Where Were You” speech this morning, I couldn’t help but wonder what that speech would look like for America today? Would God say “Where were you” when laws were passed that allow us to rip an unborn child from the womb of its mother…70 million times? Would God say “Where were you” when laws were passed to disgrace what He intended to be between a man and a woman?” Would God say “Where were you” when we created new genders of our own and we chose to accept perversion as the “norm?” Would God say “Where were you” when we allowed prayer to be removed from our schools to avoid offending non-believers? Would God say “Where were you” when His commandments were ripped from the walls of our public places for all the world to (not) see?” I don’t want to presume to know the mind of God either…but could it be that God has had enough with our “one nation under God” or that all our efforts to “stand up” are just too little too late in His eyes?

This world needs Jesus Christ now more than ever before and I’ll be sure they hear the Truth when God puts them in my path. The Truth doesn’t come from “secret sources” or a favorite news channel. The ONLY Trustworthy Source of Truth comes from the Living Word of God…period. It’s there where we’ll find the Truth about the God of ALL Creation – the TRUTH about the Future that is possible for those who Believe – the TRUTH about what to expect as the Day draws near – the TRUTH about forgiveness and how to pray for our enemies – the TRUTH about how we have the choice to be “born twice but die once” – the Truth about everlasting Life and immeasurable Joy – the TRUTH about the God who gives and takes away – the TRUTH about the One who died for all. There is pain from coast to coast – from hurricane victims to the raging fires of LA but the God of Mercy is still on the Throne. Lots of things are changing in our world, almost faster than we can comprehend, but the God of Mercy is still on the Throne. Just thinking about my Future with Him fills me with Excitement and my Job Description is clearer than ever before no matter what God decides to take away for such a time as this. I choose to Believe. I choose to forgive. I chose to love. I choose Hope. I choose Jesus.

How about you?

Tenderized and Transformed in the Desert…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. God added a beautiful layer of snow to the fields while I was in Pittsburgh to celebrate the 13th birthday of my first grandson. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall there is no place like home to me. It’s bitter cold this morning, and there won’t be any melting today, but with a hot cup of coffee and a warm Heart, all is well with the world to me. I sat in His Presence for the longest time this morning Preparing for this new day and all that the Alpha and Omega has Planned for me in the days ahead. I’m Excited about His Plans for me and how He will be using me all the days of my life here on earth BECAUSE I’m Armed and Ready… I’m Tenderized and Transformed! I spent years in the desert being Prepared for this precise moment in Time and I was born for such a time as this! Some people will be in a tailspin today over something as simple as a snowfall and some people will hide under the bed over what’s going on in this dark world, but not me because I’ve been to the desert and I’m Prepared for it all. In the desert, I found my Strength and I learned to Lean on Him and I learned that there is no good thing in me apart from Him. I’m a Willing Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and I’m certain that if I keep my focus OFF myself and ON Him, I’ll be Serving Him with honor until He calls me Home…AND I’ll always be Victorious. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Faith too?

Most people do everything in their power to avoid time in the desert but it’s in the desert where God does His greatest Work on the human Heart. Paul spent three years in Arabia – Moses spent 40 years wandering – Joseph was in Egypt for 13 years – and David spent many years hiding away from King Saul. When we see people soaring in Service to the King of all kings, you’ll always hear that they were sent to the desert first to Prepare their Hearts. This is true from the saints of the Old Testament to people we rub elbows with today. It takes a desert experience to Prepare. Understanding this part is the Key to Peace and having the Heart it takes to see (and Believe) that all things really do work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose. I received plenty of War wounds while in the desert and “proudly” wear them in the Name of Jesus Christ today as a Witness to how a Mighty God can Transform even the hardest of Hearts with just a little Time in the desert.

Be careful what you wish for in your Journey of Faith – if you sincerely want God to enlarge your territory it’s probably going to involve some time in the desert where “no pain, no gain” takes on New Meaning. After all, if anybody knows how stubborn and selfish the human heart is, God does, and He Knows how to Tenderize the Willing Ones! He Knows that in order to accomplish His Greatest Work through us, He first needs to throw us into the desert…like a spiritual sink-or-swim Experience designed to Strengthen His people. It’s definitely an Honor to be used for Kingdom Work no doubt about that, but it always comes with a price for the Privilege. In the desert, God changes us and removes things that hold us back and make us “useless”. In the desert, He forces us to draw upon His Grace alone. Thank God, the desert is only a short (but Powerful) Season in our Journey of Faith. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out and when He does, we see Kingdom Work in an entirely different Light. God has given each one of us a Mission to fulfill that can only be Fulfilled after we have spent adequate Time being Prepared in the desert. Have no fear of the desert and don’t avoid it like the plague if you desire to be used by the King, because it’s in the desert where you’ll hear His Voice like never before, and it’s there where you’ll receive your Marching Orders for this Journey called Life.

The ground is covered in snow but I’ve been more focused on the desert of my past than what I see with my eyes this morning. I’ve been in the desert and I came out Victorious AND I always will because He promises me that. I have a Testimony that could make the toughest man cry but I wouldn’t change a thing about my Journey. It took the desert to Refine me into the Vessel I am today and my territory just keeps getting bigger and bigger because of it. Be careful what you “wish” for if you want to be a Vessel used by the King of all kings, it always comes with a “price” to Prepare. There are no words for my Gratitude for a God who loves me enough to take me to the desert so that I can have the privilege of doing Kingdom work on this side of Heaven until I draw my last breath.

How about you?

Lack of Gratitude Leads to Whining…Ouch!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was a blistery 22 degrees at sunrise and snow is on the way. Although I’m not too keen on the idea that the snowfall may get in the way of my plans, I’ve prayed for snow to nourish the land, so I’ll do my best to trade my disappointment for gratitude. This isn’t the first time recently that God has changed the plans and I’m sure it won’t be the last. As I sat there in the presence of the Most High God I thought about how easy it is for some people to come to the conclusion that doesn’t Know what He’s doing when it comes to changing the Plans…but the God of Tomorrow always knows what He’s doing and all plans, large and small, belong to Him. Although the Word says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” there is no promise to avoid pain and disappointment throughout the Journey. It all comes down to whether or not we choose to whine about our circumstances or if we’re willing to Trust Him no matter what. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

If there is anything that can tap my last nerve it’s whining – especially when it comes forth from a professed Follower of Jesus Christ. The whiners will shake their fists at the first sign of disappointment and they don’t hesitate to ask “Why me Lord?” as if they’re being picked on by the Author and Perfector of their Faith. The whiners want His Plans to conform to their plans and when they don’t…off they go. They spend a lot of time focusing on all those things they don’t have as if God has forgotten them and when they’re reminded of what they DO have they shrug it off as if it is meaningless compared to what they really want. They are like a real-time example of the Israelites who grew tired of the miraculous food provisions God rained down day after day because they wanted meat instead of manna. Whiners don’t see themselves as a defiant child but that’s the way God sees them, and as long as they shake their firsts in defiance with an ungrateful heart, they can’t receive all the Good that God has for them. It puts the saying “your own worst enemy” into a spiritual perspective. The Key to Peace and Contentment is so easy when you think about it…Be Grateful for all things and Trust Him with the Plans. This is the Key to Maturity in the Journey of Faith.

The whiners seem to have a perpetual half-empty glass and they LOVE LOVE LOVE to gossip because talking about someone else makes them feel better about their own circumstances. But it’s when we refuse to whine and we trade gossip for heartfelt prayers on behalf of the one we talked against that we see the most amazing fruit come forth in the one we’re praying for AND in ourselves. Whiners have a difficult time with forgiveness and they only extend it to people they deem to be worthy to be forgiven as if Jesus had exemptions for forgiveness that we don’t know about. If you wrong a whiner, they can hold onto what they perceive to be a personal offense forever. The best part is that they’ll attempt to justify their hard heart and they’re rarely willing to take the first step in the forgiveness process. It’s only when we can see ourselves the way God sees us – when we comprehend how hopeless we are without Him – it’s only when we can genuinely embrace the Grace that we can learn to easily forgive. This is the Key to Surrender in the Journey of Faith.

I’m disappointed about the changed Plans of late BUT I have complete Trust in the One who is in Control of my Life. When something happens to change my plans I pause to consider what God is doing to Steer my Life in a better (or safer) direction and I NEVER wonder if He knows what He’s doing. He’s my Father and I’m His child. I don’t want to be a defiant child in His eyes. I don’t want to be ungrateful in His eyes. I don’t want to be one unwilling to Trust because of my own insecurities. I want to worship the King of all kings with every breath I take and when He Redirects me I’ll say “Yes, Lord” without question.

How about you?

Reflect The Warmth of the Son….

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and windy outside this morning and I was outside just long enough to capture this image. What I saw with my eyes (and my heart) took my breath away. The sun was rising in the East, and the light was reflecting in the West before I could even see much of the sun itself. The West became a reflection of the light shining on the East – exactly what Children of the Living God are supposed to be! Just the color FROM the sun added beauty to the dark world and it didn’t even take much light to add Warmth. As I met with the Living God in the warmth of my home, I began to pray and weep for those so much less fortunate than I am… those left out in the cold in MORE WAYS than one. It’s one thing to be cold and hungry – it’s an entirely different story to be Lost. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can see cold people, lost people, sick people, and poor people all around, and the image overwhelms me. Except for the honor of praying for them and doing my small part to attempt to change their lives…I’m powerless. But I know Who brings the warmth. I Know the Miracle Maker. I know my Provider very well, and I know He has a Plan through it all…even when I don’t understand it…even when it hurts. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It would be so easy to convince ourselves that we’re Reflecting Light from the Son just by our mere existence and that there is no need to take action at all. But the Bible says, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to KEEP AWAY FROM EVERY BELIEVER WHO IS IDLE and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us” so apparently it’s a big deal to a Big God who Commands us to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. When we strive to be a Reflection of the Most High God, we begin to Experience genuine Compassion and we no longer have fleeting moments of just feeling sorry for people, we FEEL THEIR PAIN just the way Jesus did – and before you know it, the beautiful Reflection of our Faith begins to shine on their lives like the sun on the trees this morning. The Bible says, “Be holy as I am holy” and that’s a tall order for sure – but just thinking about how Holy my God is makes me want to try even harder to be the best Reflection of Him that I can be!

I’m heading into this cold new year with more blessings than any human deserves. I understand where I’ve been and how far I’ve come. I understand that God used my own pain and poverty to tenderize my heart, and I understand that “there is no good thing in me apart from Him.” I am a child of the King and I’m humbled to be found worthy to do a little Work in His Name.

I have a place Reserved for me in Heaven when I leave this temporary home and I’ll have an Everlasting Life with my loved ones who were born-again Believers too. Because I Know what’s possible with Christ, I want to Recruit as many people as I can while I’m still here on this earth so that they can have Eternal Life too! That doesn’t make me “special” – it means that I’m obedient to the same Call we ALL have – to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. I sure don’t want to be found sleeping on the Job when He comes Calling for me!

I have a family that is so close and so filled with love that it defies logic, AND they’re all healthy and strong. I have a Purpose that was Divinely Designed just for me and I understand what I need to do to Fulfill it. I have a warm home and a warmer Heart and every day I strive to have a Heart more like Christ. I want people to look at my Life and see the Warmth of the Son Reflecting over me as surely as I saw it on the trees this morning. I want the kind of Heart that hurts over the pain of another, and the kind that wants to do something about it if I can. The kind that NEVER overlooks the honor it is to be able to stand before the Throne of a Mighty God in prayer on behalf of someone else…the kind of Heart that knows that the only reason I’m NOT getting what I deserve is because Jesus Christ already paid the price for me.

How about you?

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 1 John 3:17

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The first day of the New Year is an exciting time for me for more reasons than I can count. The Bible says, “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare” but you can’t blame a girl trying to give thanks for each one or for giving Glory to the One to bless me with another year to Serve. As I watched the Master wake up the world on this first day of this New Year, I Dedicated it all to Him all over again. I prayed Blessings over this New Year and I thanked Him for things I haven’t even seen with my own eyes YET. Sadly, some people are saying “good riddance” to the year they left behind as if God screwed up and dealt them a bad one. Some people are gauging the quality of the year left behind based on the outcome of an election as if man has the power to make or break the day. Some people slept through the last year and they’ll sleep through the new one as if there’s nothing worth Living for beyond their own needs. As for me? I don’t care much about anything besides how God wants to use me in this New Year, so my Biggest Goal is to be sure that I’m found Worthy and ready for Him at all times. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

I’m sure there were plenty of resolutions made for the new year and sadly most of them will never be fulfilled. Things like losing weight or finding love aren’t bad things to strive for BUT they don’t mean much in the Bigger Picture of Life. Striving to change our lifestyle is one thing, but striving to change our Character and Who we are in Christ…now that’s an entirely different story AND the only meaningful Goal there is. As for me, this year I’m going to love more and I’ll begin with the Love of my Life. I’m not going to miss a single day in this New Year giving thanks to the Living God for all that He is and all that He does for me. I will dig deep within my soul and remove anything that stands in the way of the richness of my Relationship with Him – I’ll also purge whatever hinders me from becoming everything He created me to be. Though my mind can’t comprehend how it could be possible to Love Him even more than I do today, I’ll make it my Mission in this New Year to Experience more than I’ve ever known in His Name. By Loving my God more, I’ll have abounding love to Share with my family, my friends, and anybody else I come in contact with who needs Love and Compassion from me. It all begins with the Love of my Life.

I’ve been Blessed to have been loved BIG by countless people throughout my lifetime, but nobody has ever loved me as much as He does. I’ve loved so big myself that I thought my heart would burst wide open, but I’ve never loved anybody as much as I Love Him. The world can keep changing and it doesn’t much matter to me because I’ll just keep clinging to the Only One with the Answers while I share Hope with the world around me as He Opens the doors. You’ll never hear me say “good riddance” to a year full of days to Serve the Creator of All, that’s for sure! I’ll keep Serving every day, year after year…in good years and in not-so-good years and with every breath I have because THAT’S what Love looks like.

Happy New Year, world.

Philippians 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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 Alpha and Omega in a warm home this morning and I approached His Throne with the Reverence He deserves. It’s the most amazing thing to have a personal Relationship with the King of all kings, the God of all gods, the Creator of the Universe, the Great “I am”! So, when I meet with Him it always begins with Praise and Thanks and soon after that, it becomes like a heart-to-Heart chat with the Best Friend anybody could ever ask for. Isn’t that the way it is with you too?

The Bible tells us that the Throne of God is surrounded by praise – “day and night they never stop” and I get goosebumps just thinking about what it must sound like to hear “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” 24/7 in Heaven. Sometimes when I praise Him I say those very words over and over again – I mean them with all of my heart… and I try to imagine His Throne and how amazing it is. When I give Him the heartfelt Reverence He deserves it doesn’t take long to feel His Presence and I get goosebumps when I do. But of all the experiences I have with my God, and all the Words I savor that were breathed into existence by Him, the most amazing thing to me is being able to approach the One that is surrounded by Praise “day and night” and He welcomes me as His child. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, nothing will.

Like anything else, a Relationship with the Living God takes balance. Some people spend their entire lives in “reverence mode” and live in fear because that’s all they know of Him. They tiptoe through life for fear of consequences if they don’t partake in rituals or recite manmade prayers, and they rarely Serve Him because they don’t understand their Purpose. They’re in perpetual Reverence mode without the friendship part. Somehow they miss the point that HE IS approachable and they don’t see themselves as Royalty…His child, His “heir.” If they did, I think they’d get goosebumps too.

Some people get the “best friend” part but their Relationship has become so casual that they forget to Revere Him and Praise Him in the Process. Oh, maybe they utter an occasional “hallelujah” but not in the way He wants to be Acknowledged as the Alpha and Omega…the Beginning and the End. He IS the best Friend anybody could ever ask for, but He deserves a whole lot more than a pat on the heavenly back like a big buddy in the sky – “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name!” What makes that Friendship too incredible for words is that it comes from the Throne of a God who has been praised in Heaven twenty-four hours a day since the beginning of time and will be forevermore and Jesus is standing at the right hand of the Throne of God interceding on our behalf. The mere thought of Jesus interceding on our behalf 24/7 should give anybody goosebumps IF they understand the Balance.

The Author and Perfector of my Faith Hears every prayer and they’re like incense in Heaven to Him. He sees every tear and stores them away in a jar and One Day He will wipe them all away. HE LOVES US enough to die for us and He loves us enough to intercede on our behalf. Goosebumps? That doesn’t begin to describe what my Heart feels.

My day began in the Presence of a Mighty God and I was so caught up in Praise for Him that I never got around to a “list” of requests. He knows what’s on my Heart. He knows my needs and He knows my burdens. He already KNOWS everything! The Alpha and Omega is my amazing, approachable God – but it all begins with ” Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

How about you?

Holy Ground is Level Ground!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My morning routine has been off kilter for a few days and although I didn’t meet with the Living God at sunrise from the front porch, He was ready and waiting for me when I turned to Him just like He always is. This old farm represents so much more to me than just a magnificent piece of property – it’s “holy ground” in my eyes AND in the eyes of many others who have experienced it for themselves. But even more than that, it’s “level ground” for me where I see my Journey of Faith with clarity and where I’m strengthened to Speak the Truth to the masses. Like David before me, “My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation, I will praise the Lord.” Isn’t that what the Journey of Faith looks like to you too?

I love the mountains and the rolling hills BUT it’s on level ground where we find the most benefit. It’s on level ground that we can see what lies ahead, and it’s on level ground where we can recognize danger. It’s on level ground where we can see someone coming from far away, and it’s on level ground where we build the strongest foundations. When it comes to the Journey of Faith, it’s on “level ground” where we brace ourselves for whatever comes our way and it’s on that “level ground” where we find our Stability so that we are Prepared for whatever it is. On the level ground, we can see what our enemy is up to from far away and we can face the enemy and WIN because there is no hiding there. When David faced Goliath it was on level ground, and although the stature of the giant would have overwhelmed an average man, David could see clearly that Victory was his and he braced himself for the win. Standing on level ground is the only way people of Faith can battle giants and it’s the only place to find Peace in the turmoil of war.

God Reminded me that the Journey of Faith is NOT an obstacle course – it’s a collision course, and that we are all called to face the “giants” head-on. We can’t win the War if we’re hiding under the bed! Anybody can dodge danger, and sometimes they can avoid it completely (at least for a while), but it takes a Warrior like David to face the giants head-on. It takes a Brave one like David to choose the level ground where he can SEE his enemy and where his enemy can see him back. It takes a Confident Warrior to plant our feet firmly on the ground refusing to run and hide from an enemy we KNOW can’t win if we’re willing to face it head-on. This is the Key to Victory.

I’m standing on level ground and I’m proclaiming the Righteousness of my Amazing God as I fight the Ultimate Battle on behalf of myself and others. I won’t run and hide. I won’t just “hope” things turn around. I won’t speculate tragedy. I won’t listen to words of defeat. I won’t listen to words of destruction. I won’t listen to words of doubt over the situation, because I KNOW who wins and I’m just the right Warrior to fight the battle…a battle that can only be won on a level ground collision course. This is the Key to fighting a Spiritual war.

We are surrounded by the “prince of darkness” and the liar from Hell is raging. This war can’t be won by way of an obstacle course…it’s collision course time! Avoiding danger here and there doesn’t make it go away and hiding behind the hills isn’t a place for God’s people. To win the war we “brace ourselves like a man” the way Job did and we listen to the counsel of the Victorious One. We plant our feet firmly on level ground the way David did and we slay giants that appear to be undefeatable when looked upon with human eyes. We don’t hide behind the hills, we go for the level ground and we face it head-on like the Warriors God has equipped us to be.

I’m enjoying the view of the hills and mountains today but spiritually I’m standing on level ground and I’m unshakable. I’m fighting a battle I KNOW will be won because I know how to fight and completely disarm the enemy. I’m celebrating Victory long before I see it because it has been PROMISED to me if I just don’t give in. That’s what a Warrior does.

How about you?

Blend in with the world? NEVER!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s that time of year when almost everything I see from the front porch is the same color. The foliage is turning brown and falling to the ground and the deer get a new gray coat color for the winter…God’s way of helping them avoid danger by blending in. Sometimes the flags are the only bright colors I see and they’re kept hanging all year because of it. As I sat there this morning considering all the things I can see throughout the winter (and all the things I can’t) I was reminded of how that’s the way it can be in the Journey of Faith too. The Goal of a Person of Faith isn’t to “blend in” but to STAND OUT through every Season of Life, and if we aren’t careful, we could eventually blend in with all the rest while we ride out the Winter Season. How can the dark world see the Bright Morning Star in us if we’re blending in with it? Don’t you want the world to see the Color of your Faith all year round too?

The winter season often comes on with a vengeance – one day it’s warm and the next day it’s cold but it seems to strike and stay once it’s here. One day you’re outside celebrating the warmth and the next day you’re hiding away from the cold. One day the trees are covered with leaves, and the next day the leaves are gone and there’s absolutely nothing we can do to stop it. But the Winter of the Heart is a different story. That season is so subtle that most people don’t even realize the Heart has gone from Celebrating the Warmth of the Son to a Heart that’s as cold as the winter in Virginia. Many of them continue to do the same things they did in the Summer of their Faith – like going to church and praying even though the Heart is in Spiritual hibernation. That doesn’t make any more sense than wearing shorts and a T-shirt outside in the winter as if wearing those things will make it so. The Heart that was once so eager to Celebrate the Son can’t be seen in those hibernating despite the steps they take as part of their “routine” like tuning into church or a bumper sticker on their car. From cold to warm and back again. It must break God’s Heart when He sees His people much more determined to blend in with all the rest than to Stand up in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

When we’re in Celebration mode, we want EVERYBODY around us to feel the Warmth of the Son too and we could never be satisfied with blending in! We encourage others to FOLLOW us to the Warmest spot there is, and we give them Directions on how to get there. When we’re in Celebration mode, EVERYTHING around us is in Living Color, and we don’t want anybody else to miss out on what God has for those Willing to stand out in His Name. When we’re in Celebration mode we STAND OUT in any crowd and they SEE Him in us even if we opt-out of uttering His Name. Unfortunately, many have been deceived into believing that as long as they’re “nice” there’s no need to speak up at all. When we’re in Celebration mode, we dance and we weep with Joy and we don’t care who’s watching. When we’re in Celebration mode we can’t get enough of the Son and we almost don’t want to go to sleep as long as there’s more to learn. That’s what Love looks like.

The church can be a great social club filled with the friends we love more than any others and we aren’t afraid to show and tell them most of the time. But when the Heart is Celebrating the Son, it cares a WHOLE LOT MORE about all the ones OUTSIDE the walls of the church who have never Met the Bright Morning Star than do about socializing on Sundays – those guys NEVER lose their hunger to Share Him with the world. God speaks Boldly about what it looks like when the Heart of His People is no longer more committed to blending in than Standing out. He doesn’t beat around the bush or make excuses like so many of His people do, that’s for sure! This is what He says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked”. Leave it to God to get Straight to the Point and leave it to the lost ones to overlook the Truth.

I weep over the ones so determined to take the same steps over and over again doing all those things they believe are a sign of their Love for the Living God but their Growth is thwarted and they likely won’t make their way into Heaven unless they have a Heart overhaul. They’ve allowed the cold to set in and they’re no longer Celebrating the Son with PASSION AND RECKLESS LOVE the way they did in the beginning. I pray for REVIVAL for the ones who are no longer Celebrating the Son along with all those who have yet to HEAR, because their Destiny will likely be the same. As long as there is breath in my body I’ll be Celebrating the Son and nothing about me will BLEND IN with the rest because of it. I want EVERYBODY to have what I have before it’s too late for them – so I’ll be BOLDLY Celebrating in and OUT of the church all the days of my Life. God forbid that He would ever look at me and see me as “neither hot nor cold” – a place so vile that He would be inclined to “spit” me out of His mouth.

How about you?