Isn’t it Time to Grow Up?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This morning was bright and beautiful before the next storm rolls in…exactly how I want my Heart to be. I have no control over the weather, but I DO have control over the Condition of my Heart, so I entered His Presence…I opened my Instruction Manual…I sat in Silence…I listened for His Voice… and I asked Him to Forgive me of my wrongs. All it ever takes is for us to ask Him to examine our Hearts (along with a sincere desire to please Him), and He will Reveal countless things in the Heart that need to be made Right. Let’s face it, we ALL have a Heart Condition; some are just too prideful to admit it, OR not Humble enough to Repent. These are the ones who are always looking for the flaws in someone else’s life while never seeing the flaws in their own. The worst part is that they aren’t even Mature enough to see it- but then neither did the Pharisees. This morning, it didn’t take long for my Heart to become bright and beautiful, just like the morning from the front porch, because NOW it’s been Cleansed of anything that had the potential to get in the way of my Relationship with Jesus Christ. All it takes is a little Humility mixed with Love, and I find my way to that place where I can be of Good Service to the King of all kings! Isn’t that your Goal in the Journey of Faith, too?

I think it’s interesting how some people react when I talk about Repentance as if they’re shocked that I have anything to repent of at all. Of course, I have things to repent of…AND SO DO YOU! Even the “tiniest” wrong needs to be dealt with before the Throne of a Righteous God because in His eyes there is no such thing as a “big sin/little sin” – He hates anything and everything that separates our hearts from His. That’s where Spiritual Maturity comes in. A Humble heart SEARCHES for things that go against the Nature of God, and a Heart filled with Love for Him will easily Repent because of it. But a Heart that hasn’t Matured yet will overlook (and excuse) all kinds of things that go against God without a care in the world. That kind of Heart justifies behavior, and is no stranger to inflicting pain upon other people without blinking an eye. That kind of Heart feels no compassion for the suffering, as if they’re not suffering themselves because they’re somehow a little more entitled than all the others. That kind of Heart is the source of lots of heartbreak in the Journey of Faith, and that kind of Heart is oblivious to the Nature of the God they claim to Serve. By the way, that’s exactly the kind of Heart our Adversary LOVES to have access to, because when he does, he can create non-stop turmoil in the church, in the marriage, in the family, and everywhere in between. Spiritual Maturity is the ONLY WAY TO PLEASE GOD and the only Route to being used as a Vessel for Kingdom Work. IT’S TIME TO GROW UP.

It takes Work to reach Spiritual Maturity – the kind of Work most people aren’t willing to do. It takes LOTS of Quality Time in His Presence, but most people NEVER seem to find the time. It takes reaching that place of Humility that refuses to hide from Repentance, but most people are too proud to do that. It takes Compassion, the kind of compassion that is developed ONLY through heartbreak of our own on the Rocky Road to Refinement, but most people never find it. It takes becoming SelfLESS so that the needs of others become far more important than our own, but most people are too focused on themselves to get that part Right. Last, but not least, it takes LOVE…the greatest AND the toughest of all. It’s not possible to Love the way we’re Called to Love with Immature Hearts, and THAT’S why Time in His Presence is the Key to Spiritual Maturity.

The Bible says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me”…and so it is throughout the Journey of Faith.

It’s time to grow up.

I love Jesus Christ more than I love life…more than I love anybody or anything IN this life…and because I do, I’m Willing to do anything I need to do to be Spiritually Mature. After all, I’m an “alien in a foreign land” and I’m just passing through. The Time we have here on earth is SO brief that the Bible refers to Life as a “vapor” – here one second and gone the next! I’m on a Temporary Assignment for Jesus Christ, and I don’t have forever to get it Right….and NEITHER DO YOU. My Focus is on the One who died for me and the Home that awaits me when it’s Time for my change of Address. Until then, I press on. The Goal is Humility and Love, and I work hard for both in hopes that He will find me Worthy to do the work of the King of all kings, all the days of my Life.

I grew up.

How about you?

The Master Goldsmith…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia this morning. It’s a new day of a new week, and I kicked it off at sunrise on the front porch with my God, just like I usually do. We’re going to have record-breaking high temperatures today, and despite an occasional thunderstorm, there seems to be no relief in sight. I don’t know the Purpose behind God bringing scorching heat to the land, BUT I DO Know His Purpose for bringing scorching heat to our lives. Not only does He “discipline” those he loves, but He also turns up the Heat in our lives to Purify us through fire just the same as a goldsmith does when he raises the temperature to 2,000 degrees to refine gold. The goldsmith increases the value of the gold by separating the “good” from the “bad” through the refining process, and God does pretty much the same thing to us. It’s how we “handle” the heat (or not) that determines our Value to the Kingdom. I’ve been Refined through fire for His Purpose, and I’m confident that without the Refiner doing His Work in me, I wouldn’t be doing my “work” for Him. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith, too?

“No pain, no gain” is a common phrase used by athletes to describe the necessity of enduring pain to achieve physical goals. It takes hard work, determination, sacrifice, and a whole lot of aches and pains to force the body to be shaped and strengthened, that’s for sure. The only thing that separates the “buffed” from the “unbuffed” is the commitment to endure whatever it takes to achieve the goal. Some do, but most don’t. Thousands of gym memberships sell to well-intended people every single day, and yet the average member will only make use of the gym in 90 days of their membership. After that, they quit because the gain isn’t worth the pain it takes to get there. They refuse to put in the hard work, no matter what price has been paid for their journey. They refuse to sacrifice time and energy, and they refuse to deny themselves of all those things it takes to “get in shape.” The Journey of Faith isn’t much different when you think about it. For some, it’s worth being Refined into Shape by the Master because they want to be all that they can be in His Name…for others, the Journey it takes to Get in Kingdom Shape simply isn’t worth it, and just like your average gym membership, they’ll “drop out” of the Spiritual Journey too.

When I look upon my past and all the valleys I endured, ALL I can see is the Hand of God. He Refined me through fire, and He molded me into a usable Vessel for His Glory. Why would I look upon the past like a victim? I don’t wallow in it, and I certainly don’t let it define me! Paul said that he was “forgetting what is behind” so that he could press on in his Faith, and I can’t think of better advice for so many “professed” Christians who refuse to see the Pain of their past (or what they’re enduring now) as Gain in the Kingdom. When the fire shows up and we can’t see a way “out,” ALL WE EVER need to do is turn our eyes upon Jesus, seek His face, Surrender to His Will, and Trust that our Pain has a Purpose. I’ve been Refined by the Master Goldsmith! I’ve been Purified in His Name! I am Victorious! I’m a Walking Witness of the Power of my God! What appeared to be turmoil turned out to be Treasure, and I wouldn’t change a thing about my “past” even if I could! It was, and will always be, the necessary road to draw me closer to Him and the Best Opportunity to bring Glory to my God.

How about you?

The Greatest Joy is found in the Simple Things

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped out onto the front porch with a cup of coffee in hand just as the sun was beginning to rise, and I smiled when I took my first breath of fresh air on this new day. We are under a “heat advisory” in Virginia, and the high temperatures will take a toll on the earth for a few days because of it. I watched the deer come out of hiding for breakfast, and then they headed right back to their cooler hiding place. As I looked out at the foggy fields filled with deer eating their breakfast in the early hours of this new day, I thanked God for the Beauty of the Simple things that bring such Joy to me. We’re all surrounded by Simple things that have the Potential to Fill the Heart with Joy and Gratitude for the God of all Creation, but not everybody is interested in looking for them because their Hearts are more inclined toward themselves and their “feel-good” moments instead. As for me, I’ll take the sound of a bird at sunrise over any concert on the planet, and I’ll take watching deer in the fields over any movie. God Entertains me more than man-made things ever could because I love the Simple things and my Heart is filled with Gratitude for each one. This morning, I spent a little extra time thanking the Living God for all that He is and for all that He does for me and for this amazing, clear, and soon-to-be scorching day in Virginia. The Simple Pleasures make my Heart sing. Isn’t that the way it is in your Journey of Faith, too?

It could be so easy to focus on the bigger battles in life and miss the Simple Pleasures if we aren’t careful, but it’s those simple pleasures that often have the Biggest Impact on the Heart. How can pleasure be measured when we look into the eyes of a child or when we hear them giggle? How can pleasure be measured when we stop the world to focus on conversation with our loved ones or when we break out in a belly laugh as we walk down Memory Lane? How can pleasure be measured when we spend time sharing our Heart with a friend or when we go before the Throne of our God together in prayer? How can pleasure be measured as we consider the birds of the air or the fruit of the fields, and we Know that it all comes from Him? How can pleasure be measured when we look at the sky full of stars and we know that God scattered them there and that He knows them each by name? How can pleasure be measured when He speaks to us at just the right time for just the right Purpose, and He takes us by the right hand to lead us where we’re Called to go? There is no end to Simple Pleasures and no way to measure the joy they bring to the Heart…IF we refuse to overlook them in our search for the “bigger” things.

Some people consider the simple things to be nonsense, and they miss out on the Quality of Life because of it. They need those “wow” moments for them to feel Fulfilled, and they’re only impressed by God when He does “Big” things to entertain them. They miss out on the Simple Pleasures. These same people are inclined to search only for those “big” moments found in the Bible, and they’ll flip past the pages of those Simple things as if they are unnecessary “fluff” in the Bigger Picture. But there isn’t even one word in His Word that is unnecessary “fluff” and just one Whisper from His Spirit when I read them is THE BEST (not so) Simple Pleasures in this Journey of Life. My God can part the seas at the sound of His voice. My God can make the sun stand still, and He can calm the storm. My God can declare war and bring Peace whenever He wants to. My God can heal the sick and raise the dead. My God gives AND He takes away. My God can do all things, and I am in awe of Him. But when He Whispers to my Heart…When His Words come flowing into me and I feel His Spirit Speaking to me…it’s THAT Simple Pleasure that brings me the most pleasure in this Journey called Life. Knowing that He Loves me…that He hears my cries…that He is with me always…That He has a Word for everything I am and for all that I do, and that He cares enough to Whisper those Words within my Soul is so beautiful it defies words! I wish everybody could have what I have all because I savor those Simple Things.

I pity the ones missing out on the Simple things as they let their Time here on earth slip by. Far too many parents refuse to participate in simple things with a child as long as there are smartphones and TVs to entertain them instead. Far too many people of Faith are sitting out the Game on the bench (aka pew) and they’re missing the pleasure of Selfless Service in His Name cause of it. Some people stay away from churches that serve up Simple music as if a rock band defines the worth of the Church, like spectators, and they’re missing the Truth in their quest for entertainment. Some people refuse to slow down for anyone or anything because chasing success is much more important to them than “chasing” Relationships with God or man. Eventually, the Time will run out for all of us, and the opportunity to enjoy the Simple things will come to an End. I wonder if there will be Regrets for the ones who thought of themselves and their entertainment as far more important than those “boring” Simple things where the Truest Blessings are found? Will they hear God say, “I gave the gift of a child, but you found other things more important than spending time with her?” Will God Remind them that they existed just to Glorify Him and not to entertain themselves?

I don’t know if we will be asked about squandering our Life here on earth, nor not, but the thought of standing before God with excuses for why I didn’t Savor the countless blessings in the Simple things is enough to keep me Chasing my God with everything within me. I see Him in everything around me, and He sees me as His child who appreciates it all.

What about you?

When the Consuming Fire is Seen in YOU…

Good morning. world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I found my way to the front porch to give my Praise, my Thanks, and to make my Requests known to the Lord of my Life, and as I lingered to savor my time with Him, the air was cool, but the sun was blinding. Eventually, there was no escaping the glare, and no relief from the sun even with ceiling fans and sunglasses. The brightness of the morning sun outshone everything else around me, and pretty soon it was all I could see. I was powerless to dim it, so I surrendered to its beauty instead. God used the cool air and bright sun of this new day to paint a Picture of how it should be in the Journey of Faith, too. Even when I’m surrounded by the cool air of this dark world, the consuming Fire of my God should be so bright that I can’t see or feel anything else, and the Light of my Faith should be so Powerful that this lost world can’t miss it when I pass by. Isn’t that just the way it is with Faith?

The Consuming Fire of the Living God should be impossible NOT to see in my Life. Without speaking a word, the lost world should be able to see my Joy, Peace, my Love, just by being in my presence. That’s not something I can force into being; that’s something that happens naturally when the God of all Creation is all you can see and you’re Blinded by His Love. When He’s all we can see, we no longer focus on the things of this dark world, and we don’t spend our time or energy trying to right the wrongs that are out of our control. Instead, we remain blinded by His Light, and we do a little blinding of our own in the Process. Just like the blazing sun in the morning sky, the Consuming Fire can’t be avoided when we’re in His Presence, and absolutely nothing can snuff it out. The dark world can see the Consuming Fire within me as it outshines the world around me and illuminates the pathway to Truth. The peace that “surpasses all understanding” within me should outshine everything else around me, too. When you’re in my presence, you should recognize immediately that I’m not your “average person”, without me speaking a word. When you’re in my presence, you should be able to recognize that there is something profoundly different about me – and you’ll KNOW that I’m at peace with a world that appears to be falling apart. You should be drawn to me like a moth drawn to light because of the Consuming Fire in my soul, the warmth of my Heart, and the blinding Light that is all over my Journey of Life. Isn’t that what Faith is supposed to look like for ALL born-again Believers?

The words I speak should be like the language of the Son…bold, bright, and beautifully blinding. When I do my Part to keep the Consuming Fire of God burning in my Life, you’ll see Supernatural Beauty that has nothing to do with outward appearances – and the words that flow through me will be overwhelmingly Kind, Gentle, Loving, and Compassionate. The Characteristics that come by way of that kind of Consuming Fire are like an Open Invitation to a hurting world. Hurting people with “dark secrets” will know that they’re safe with me. Sad people who believe they’ve lost their hope will know that I have a Solution. Angry people ready to lash out at the world will be calmed. People who have been sleeping through their Journey of Life will be awakened. Wicked people will be disarmed. The ones being judged by this dark world won’t find judgment with me, and the ones longing for love will find it with me. The language of the Son is Perfect, and it’s filled with the Wise Words any time I need them…all because of the Consuming Fire I keep kindled in my Life. When we’re blinded by His Light it’s impossible to be “lost for words” – He says “the Holy Spirit will give you the right words when you need them” and THOSE WORDS are a reflection of the Perfect Balance for the Journey of Life…never judgmental…never too harsh…never words that would risk blinding the other with Truth before I impact them with Love…” the greatest of these is love.” Isn’t that the way Faith is supposed to sound for ALL born-again Believers?

I’m refreshed and revived for this new day, and my Heart is Consumed by His Fire. The God of all Creation used the blinding morning sun to quicken my Heart and Reinforce the Significance of my existence in this Journey called “Life”. The dark world will see His Fire IN ME and it will hear about Him THROUGH me…all because of Him and that beautiful Consuming Fire that is there for us ALL who seek it. I have everything I need to be a beautiful Blinding Light in a dark world…and I have a willing Heart to share. My Light cannot be dimmed.

How about yours?

What parent DOESN’T want time with their child?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The Master woke up the world this morning with the gentleness of a lamb, and I watched and listened to the world around me respond to Him with joy. I can’t help but think that God smiles when He hears His creation making joyful noises even on a “muted” morning, and I like to believe that He smiles when I meet with Him and I talk to Him, too. I’m His child, and He’s my Father – of course He wants Time wth me! What parent DOESN’T want time with their child? Sometimes He wakes me up in the middle of the night because we have Kingdom Business to do, and when He does, I’m obedient to the Call. Sleep isn’t as important to me as my Relationship with Him, and I’ll gladly Surrender a little sleep for the One Who died for me! Time with Jesus is the most Significant thing I’ll do all day, and it is sure to “set” things on the Right Path for whatever I’ll be doing in His Name today. More than those little prayers I whisper throughout the day, and more than the songs I’ll randomly sing about the King, are the quiet moments when it’s just me and MY God because that’s where I find my Peace, my Joy, and my Strength for the Journey! Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?

It’s an amazing thing when you think about it – I get to meet with the Living God, the King of all kings, the Great “I AM”, the Alpha and Omega, the Prince of Peace, the Bright Morning Star, the Creator of all life, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who breathed life into me, the God who bought my Redemption with the blood of His only Son, any time I want to. The Lion from the Tribe of Judah is MY God, and He longs for time with His child! Wow! All it took was the touch of the Master’s Hand a long time ago, and I went from wretch to Royalty faster than you can say “amen!”. I will forever be Grateful for the Call. My God is never too busy for me. He hears me when I speak, even when the words don’t make their way to my lips. He loves me when I’m weak, and He loves me when I’m strong, there is nothing He won’t forgive me of, and no limit to His Protection. He knit me together in my mother’s womb at the perfect moment in Time. He Knew me before the foundations of the earth…and He Knows me by name! He knows every hair on my head. My prayers are so beautiful to Him that the Bible says they’re like “incense” in Heaven. He has so much Love for me that He has stored up every tear I’ve ever shed in a jar like a treasure. I don’t know how many tears I’ll shed before He Calls me Home, but I do know that ONE DAY He’ll wipe all my tears away for good. Hallelujah. With all this in mind, why in the world would I NOT take the time to meet with Him each day to tell Him how much I love Him…how much I revere Him…how Grateful I am for the shed blood of Jesus and that He has Prepared a place for me in Heaven to be with Him for Eternity?

It’s sad to me how some people “meet” with God out of guilt or some sort of obligation that was instilled in them along the way. Unfortunately, to them, their time is no more meaningful than brushing their teeth – it’s something “good” to do, but once it’s done, no thought is given to it until the next time rolls around. It’s heartbreaking to think that their “time” with the God of all Creation is meaningless and heartless, AND that the Living God Knows it. The Alpha and Omega knows everything, and He won’t be mocked or fooled. It’s sad how some people meet with God with a checklist of Scriptures and a well-planned agenda, and that they believe that the Key to a Good Relationship with the Living God hinges on more head knowledge instead of Heart Knowledge. They seem to have an insatiable appetite to learn more while neglecting the Relationship with the One who died for all, and they overlook the Strength that flows through humility. It’s sad how some people set a timer to be sure that God-time doesn’t interfere with their personal schedule, and how easy it is to nix the God Time altogether when something more important to them comes along. It’s sad how some people think that “meeting with God” in a church building on a Sunday morning should be sufficient to prove their faithfulness, as if just being there with a Bible app should satisfy the Living God…until next week. Sadly, some people NEVER meet with God at all, and their “relationship” is limited to an S.O.S. should they ever need anything. I wouldn’t want anybody I care about treating time with me that way…giving me so little attention and so little Heart UNTIL (or unless) they need something. Why would God be happy being treated that way, either?,

I’m an imperfect woman living an imperfect life, BUT I Serve the God of Perfection with everything I’ve got to give. As for me, I like to nurture my Relationship with Perfect One as often as I possibly can because being with Him is my favorite Place to be. As long as there is breath in my body, I’ll be giving the Author and Perfector of my Faith the First Fruit of my days, and I’ll Surrender each new day to Him because I Love Him. Isn’t that the LEAST I can do for the One Who died for me?

How about you?

Complacency Has No Place in the Kingdom

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I love beginning a new day outside on the porch because God always has a surprise for me. This morning, it was these twins that felt safe enough to approach the front porch the same way I feel safe enough to approach the Throne of the God of all Creation. Looking out across the fields, I thought about how even though they change with the seasons and they’re graced with something “new” each day, the fields are still the fields. I know what things will look like from the front porch in each season, but there’s always something…some sort of God surprise that makes each day a little different than all the others. God used this simple observation to remind me to look below the surface of the fields of this crazy world of ours…one that is changing for the worse at lightning speed…not just for the Wisdom to see things the way He sees them, but to clarify my Marching Orders to do His Will before it’s too late. A New Day is coming soon, and it’s the Season to share the Good News like never before. Mine is a Voice to be heard. Is yours?

It’s amazing how most people think the world has changed abruptly, but the world has been spiraling downward for a very long time. Plenty of people blame the changes on politicians or other people in “power”, but politics and powerful people are just the distraction our adversary uses to win. Because we’re distracted and deceived, things just keep spiraling down. Over fifty years ago, we gave the green light to murder babies in the womb – one of the most savage acts in the history of the world. The mere thought of killing babies in the womb should have driven every Christian in America to the streets in protest…but the church slept instead. Today, we’re standing by as innocent children are being sexually mutilated in an attempt to change their birth gender…but that’s not possible, and God makes no mistakes. This kind of perverse abuse of a child should have sent every (sanctity of life) Christian in America to the streets in protest a LONG time ago…but the church slept instead. It’s been over fifty years since prayer in schools was labeled “unconstitutional” in the “One Nation under God”. That should have been enough to drive every Christian in America to the streets to defend our God and our rights…but the church slept instead. Sexual immorality and perversion have become the norm, and we’ve surrendered to “accepting” unspeakable things…things considered to be vile in the eyes of God. Just the hint of legal measures being put in place to protect the rights of things that mock the Hand of the Creator should have driven every Christian in America to the streets in protest to defend what we know is Truth….but the church slept instead. America isn’t the problem…the Church is the “problem” as it sleeps away these last days and refuses to stand up for Truth…despite the cost.

The Bible warns us about the condition of the Church in the book of Revelation. The church of Ephesus had lost its first love – God was no longer front and center. The church of Pergamos was a compromising church; doctrine was twisted to fit their own desires. The church of Thyatira was an adulterous church – immorality was perfectly acceptable to them. The church of Sardis was the dead church. The church of Laodicea was lukewarm…they were neither hot nor cold…so God said, “I’m about to spit you out of my mouth” – they were financially wealthy but spiritually deprived. If you look closely, you’ll find these flaws in the Church today in one degree or another, and if you look closely at the condition of our world, you’ll see that the problem isn’t with this dark world; the problem is that the Church is asleep. As long as God’s people insist on riding things out from their spiritual recliners, you can’t expect God to “heal” our land.

Many professed Christians lean on 2 Chronicles 7:14 for their hope – “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….but it ALL begins with humility. The kind of humility that seeks the Truth. The kind of Humility that accepts responsibility. The kind of humility it takes to repent of our own “wicked ways” instead of spending our time highlighting the wicked ways of the world. We’ll know when Humility has hit God’s people when they stop blaming the world and everything in it for our problems, and they begin to Repent for what they did and didn’t do that got us here. It’s time to stop quoting the Scripture of hope and to start living it out instead. Just sayin’.

I spent my time in the Presence of the Most High God this morning, and I’ve been Strengthened and Readied for His Work. I’m a Voice for the Living God, and I don’t think He’ll be silencing me any time soon because my Heart desires to Please Him. My Instructions (and yours) have been clearly defined and written in black and white. I have my Marching Orders, and my Purpose has been Defined by the Hand of God. The King is coming, and this dark world needs the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ more than ever. My tongue praises Him, so I’m not going to “curse” others made in His image. I have ONE ENEMY behind ALL the mess, and I fight him with Spiritual Weapons and not insults. When I speak the name of Jesus…and I do it often…I am empowered and protected. When I speak His name, every demon in Hell knows where I stand, and they know that they have absolutely no power over me. You won’t find me sleeping, I’ve got too much Work to do! You won’t find me settling because I serve a God that doesn’t Compromise Truth. You won’t find me afraid of this world because my God HAS NOT given me a spirit of fear. You won’t watch me weaken because “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.” I was born for such a time as this, and I’m Readied for battle each time I Meet with my Master.

I’m a Voice to be heard, a Spiritual force to be reckoned with, I’m a Willing Vessel and an Ambassador for Jesus Christ.

How about you?

The Most Significant Thing…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My first thought when I opened my eyes this morning was of the Living God – because He’s my first Biggest Priority in this Journey called Life. He’s the Author and Perfector of my Faith. He’s the CEO of my Life, and His Word is my Instruction Manual. The Holy Spirit is my Guide. Considering all that He is to me, is it any wonder that I cannot wait to enter into His presence each morning? Time with the God of all Creation is the most Significant thing I’ll do today, and it will set the Course for the Purpose of this new day. Being willing to spend time with Jesus shows Him just how much I Love Him. It’s not possible to feel “small” or “insignificant” when we are “still” before the Most High God and when we are “still it doesn’t take long to begin Praising the One Who Created me for His Purpose…the One Who Calls me by name! Hallelujah! Just like everybody else in the world, there are plenty of other things I could choose to be doing in the early hours of any new day, but NOTHING compares to being in His Presence. His Word says to “be still and know that I am God,” and it’s that “still” part that feeds my soul the most. It’s when we’re “still” that He can drive a Message home, and it’s when we’re “still” that He can Speak directly to the Heart of His people with no outward distractions at all. So, “still” I am, day after day. Isn’t that the way you Prioritize your Life, too?

It’s interesting to hear how some people define their “quiet time” with God. Some people have a Bible reading plan to help them stay on track to read the entire Bible in a year, and they never venture off track on their own. Some people put on Christian music while they prepare breakfast for the family, and somehow, in the middle of morning chaos, they believe they’ve had quiet time with the King. Some people read a page or two from a devotional and call it a day. Some people dedicate time to homework for a Bible study they’ve committed to, and they label that as “quiet time” instead of extra credit. Some people read a chapter or two from a book written by a Christian author, and that becomes “quiet time” for them. Some tune into a sermon on TV or on the Internet, and they’ve sold themselves on the quality of their quiet time from their recliner. Some people multitask by listening to a spiritual message while they work out at the gym or take an early morning walk or run, and some pray on their way through rush hour. There’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with any of these things because each one is an effort to fill the mind and the soul with Good things. BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS can be defined as “quiet time,” and none of them leave room to “be still” before the Living God. None of them make room for those miraculous moments when God unexpectedly “shows up” in the quiet. Although God is always with us, and I’m sure He likes some of those attempts we take to fill our world with Him, I believe He likes it best when everything else in the world is set aside and tuned out and He gets some SERIOUS one-on-one time with His child in the quiet. Why would the God of all Creation be “content” with taking the backseat in our lives?

I’m just an average woman with an above-average Faith in the Living God, and the Priorities in my very busy Life are in order. He’s my FIRST priority, and it shows in all that I am and all that I do! It’s because of Him that I know how to Love others. It’s because of Him that my Faith is Unshakable. It’s because of Him that I Persevere no matter what. It’s because of Him that I hurt for the Lost ones, and I do my part to “save” them. It’s because of Him that I have a Future laid out for me that is more beautiful than the mind can imagine – a place where there is no more sickness, sadness, or pain. With all that said, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I NOT make time to sit in silence before the Throne of a Mighty God?

There is no doubt about Who my Heart belongs to, and there’s no competing with my time because my world Knows that He always comes first. I always have a mile-long list of things to do, and I’m (at least) as busy as the next guy, BUT before I get busy on any new day, I get “still” in His Presence, and in those “still” moments the world isn’t even a blip on my radar screen. He gets the One-on-one time that He tells me I need to live the Life He Created me to Live.

The King of all kings WANTS to spend time with His child, and there is no greater Joy in my Life because of it. I’m being still!

How about you?

I Have High Expectations! Do you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I stepped out onto the front porch to enjoy a hot cup of coffee with a Heart filled with Gratitude and High Expectations about this new day with the Living God. This isn’t just any old day – it’s a New Day of a new week – and I’m not just any old Servant – I’m a Willing one with High Expectations about the Journey. My God has no boundaries, and it shows in my Life as He continues to use me in ways I could never have imagined could be possible…IF I look at my Life with my mind instead of my Heart, that is. As I stumble through the Journey called Life – as I fall down and get back up time and time again, I KNOW HE KNOWS my Heart for Him and I KNOW He’ll use me all the days of my Life because I Love Him. I am a Willing Vessel with High Expectations about doing the work of my God. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey, too?

These days, it seems to be so easy for people to lose hope in the face of adversity, but that’s because they don’t have High Expectations for the Journey of Life. Sometimes we focus on the surface of Life that can often resemble a train wreck with a million broken pieces – but that doesn’t slow down the God of no Boundaries, and He’ll always work it for Good IF we let Him. When we have High Expectations about the Work of His Hands, we Understand that there is always something Beautiful going on behind the scenes, and we look through the RUBBLE for the RUBIES every time. When we have High Expectations about His Purpose for us, we don’t allow ourselves to think that things are impossible, because we Know that ALL THINGS are possible with Him, so we Celebrate the Victory long before we see it. When we have High Expectations, we’re quick to hit our knees to ask for Forgiveness because how He sees us is FAR more important than how the world does. We Understand the importance of getting rid of anything in the Heart that has the potential to damage our Relationship with the King of all kings, and that if we want to be found Worthy to be used by the King, Humility is a Key Characteristic. With High Expectations, we don’t put God in a box and we NEVER quit believing in Miracles.

I don’t know ALL the ways my Redeemer will be using me here on this earth until He calls me Home – all I Know is how He’s using me right NOW. I’m an “alien in a foreign land”, and I’m here on Temporary Assignment on behalf of the King. I have High Expectations because I’m a Willing Vessel (with limited time) and I’m Ready to go where He tells me to go, and do what He tells me to do. I won’t be afraid, and I’ll never feel inadequate, no matter what He Calls me to do – not because I’m confident or capable – but because I have High Expectations for the Journey and I’ve already been Tenderized for the Job. I found the RUBIES in the RUBBLE, and it shows in my Life. I’m “pressing on” and I’m running “in such a way as to get the prize!” just like Paul did. When I receive my crown (reward) for what I’ve done in His Name during my time here on earth, I’ll be tossing it at His feet as fast as I can because it’s my HONOR to Serve Him and NONE of it would be possible without Him. What I do for Jesus Christ can’t be measured by human standards, and my Rewards won’t be seen on this side of Heaven. What I do for Him is done out of Love…and it’s that Love that keeps me going with High Expectations.

How about you? Do YOU have High Expectations for your Journey?

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

All it Takes is a Courageous Mockingbird…

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I set out to spend my time with the Master of all Creation this morning, but I didn’t last long outside because of the scorching sun. The heat wave in Virginia is taking its toll, so I’ve gotten serious about praying it out of here soon. In the meantime, I thank God for cooler places. From this photo, you can’t tell it’s scorching hot, and it looks so calm and quiet, but don’t always count on what you see with your eyes. A relentless crow was giving it all it had to give from a limb high up in the tree, and for a while, all I could think about was the noise. It cawed and cawed as if it was telling the world to sit up and take notice, that is, until a mockingbird – a fraction of the size of the crow – ran it off. One little attack from the much smaller bird, and that old crow ran off like a wussie. As I watched the exchange, I thought about the Journey of Faith and how the Enemy likes to make a lot of noise in an attempt to stake his claim too. But all it takes is the Courage of a mockingbird to send him running off like a wussie, just like the crow. Isn’t that the way you see the Battle too?

We are living in the state of “lawlessness” the Bible warns us about, and the Devil is raging. We’re living in the days “when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear”, and the Devil is raging. We are living in the days of Noah, where “man exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator”, and the Devil is raging. We’re experiencing the Written Warning, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”, and the Devil is raging. We’re living in the days where, “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law”, and the Devil is raging. There’s no end to the things we’ve been warned about that are playing out right before our very eyes, and there’s no doubt that the Devil is raging. It’s sad to see so many people wrongly believe that the Devil is gaining territory and that he has the ability to crush us at will…but that’s not true. He’s no different than the big black crow that parks itself in high places to threaten the world with its cawing. He’s big, and he makes a lot of noise, and to some, he even sounds scary. But all it ever takes is a Courageous “mockingbird” to chase him away and put him in his place. All it ever takes is a Fearless one who Understands that “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world” and that the Devil DOESN’T have power or dominion over Creation, even when it LOOKS like he’s winning. All it ever takes is a Mockingbird who Knows the Word of God so well that it can repeat what it’s heard a million times before, and before you know it, the Devil runs off like the wussie he is. This is the Key to Victory.

God used a relentless crow and a (not so) sweet mockingbird to speak to my Heart this morning. The Battle is real. The Warnings are spot on. The Time is near. The King is coming…SOON. He won’t find me hiding when He comes calling for me. Instead, He’ll find me fighting the battle like the Courageous Mockingbird I am. I’ve been Trained for Battle. I’ve already Claimed my Victory. I Know the Word of God, and I use it often to send the Devil packing. He might rage…But he doesn’t win. He has NO dominion over me or my family, and I’ll be Fighting until the End to keep it that way.

It might be hot in Virginia today, but otherwise, it’s just another day in Paradise for me.

How about you?

Tune out the World…Tune in the King!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s going to be another scorching day in Virginia today, and my Time on the front porch was brief because of it. That’s okay – although nothing replaces being on the front porch, I’ve prayed over every inch of this farm for decades, so I can “see” it even with my eyes closed. I’ve been an eyewitness to nature being obedient to His Call as He wakes up the world thousands of times, and I can visualize play by play because of it. I’ve walked this Journey hand in hand with the Master of the Universe, and no matter how many times I see a sunrise, I’m in awe of Him, and because I am, I want to be Obedient to His Call. At the sound of His voice, the earth was formed. At the sound of His voice, the land was separated from the sea. At the sound of His voice, Adam was put into a deep sleep, and Eve was formed from his rib. At the sound of His voice, the stars were scattered in the sky. At the sound of His voice, the sun stood still. At the sound of His voice, the sea parted. At the sound of His voice, the rain was withheld for years. As I considered the Power of the sound of His voice and how nature so easily responds, I thought about how often man…the most Valuable Creation of all…willfully ignores the sound of His voice, and we struggle with Obedience when we do.

It can be so easy for us to tune out the Voice of God, especially when He Instructs us to do something that makes no sense to the human mind, but we miss out on the Opportunity to Serve and to Please the God of all Creation when we do. Somehow, when the rational mind kicks in, we convince ourselves that God would never Instruct us to do something that doesn’t make sense to us. But if it makes sense to God Almighty, that’s all that ever matters. God’s ways are not our ways, and His ways don’t need to make sense to us for us to be willing to be Obedient. I’m pretty sure not much made sense to Moses, or Elijah, or Daniel, or Joshua, or a host of other saints we read about. But the biggest Miracles the world has ever seen were born out of Obedience to things that didn’t make sense to the human mind- and the same is STILL true today. Being willing to be Obedient to His Instructions, ESPECIALLY when they don’t make sense to the human mind, is the KEY to a Rich Relationship with the God of Miracles. The surest Sign of Trust is Obedience through it all.

The Bible says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me” – this isn’t referring to age, but to Maturity instead. Most of the rules we teach a child make no sense to the young human mind, but when they’re taught to listen to the voice of their father and mother and they see the rewards of obedience, they mature into rule-following people able to accept authority, and they don’t hesitate to do what they’re told to do. If only people Walking through the Journey of Faith would do the same when they Hear the Voice of the Master of all Creation! IF only they would “let go and let God” the way they claim to! If only they would step out in Faith when God Instructs them to do something that makes absolutely no sense to the human mind. If only they could Trust Him. This is the Key to being a Willing Vessel – a Participant in the Master Plan that might not make a whole lot of sense to the human mind on this side of Heaven, but one that makes Perfect sense to the Perfect God.

When I was a child in my Journey of Faith, I “passed” on plenty of things because they didn’t make sense to my human mind. Today is a different story – today I’m Mature. At the sound of His voice, I’m Obedient and I Trust what He wants to do through me. My world sees the God of all Creation work in my Life in ways that sometimes leave them breathless – but what they see in my Life over and over again has nothing to do with me. What they see is the Hand of God working Miracles…Miracles born out of Obedience. Every single day, I work on “dying to myself” – to set aside my own will so that I can do His instead. Every single day, I ask Him to examine my Heart to see if there is anything inside that I need to purge and repent of. I can’t hear His voice if I have sin in my Heart (and neither can you!) I listen to His Voice with an open Heart and I set out to Serve the One Who died for me, ESPECIALLY when it doesn’t make sense to me at all. That’s what Trust looks like!

How about you?