Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s bright, beautiful, and unseasonably warm (55°) this February morning in Virginia and I could have stayed on the porch all day. Once again the Living God lit up the farm with Majesty, and no matter how many times I witness the Work of His Hand, I am in awe of Him. When I went before the Throne of the God of all Creation this morning He did a good Work in me…work that I desperately needed for the Journey. I’m troubled by this troubled world but not for reasons most people are. I’m troubled to see SO MANY of my brothers and sisters far more interested in speaking out about the troubled world than they are in speaking to the troubled world about the Good News of Jesus Christ and I find myself whispering “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” more and more each day. This magnificent sunrise was a firm Reminder to me to focus on His Majesty…the Light of the world…and to be a Testimony through it all – NOT just for the lost – but to my brothers and sisters too. Isn’t that the way you see you Purpose too?

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” are the words spoken by the Savior of the world when he was wrongly accused and ultimately murdered by the rulers of the land. If anybody ever had the right to speak out against the political wrongs it would be Jesus Christ…the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. If making sure the troubled world heard about its wrongs was of any importance to Him at all, He would probably still be hanging on the Cross to get the final accusations out. Instead, His heart broke for them and He cried out to His Father to forgive them “for they know not what they do.” Jesus died for ALL including the ones who hung Him on a cross like a common thief. He died for the thieves, the rapists, the abusers, the abductors, and all the politicians the world whines about today. The final words of Jesus were beautiful words…Compassionate words…words of Love, Hope, and Forgiveness. That’s the story of Jesus Christ; the one whose very nature we are called to take on. “Be holy as I am holy”! It’s not humanly possible to be without sin like He was, but it IS humanly possible to care a whole lot more about the Final Outcome than we do the troubled world itself, and having the “last word”…words of Love, Hope, and Forgiveness is always a choice.

Sometimes I close my eyes and try to imagine what it would be like if my brothers and sisters, so determined to spread what they believe is happening behind the scenes would begin to spread the Good News with the same passion and conviction! I wonder what it would sound like to hear “Jesus is Coming!” or “Have you heard what Jesus did?” a whole lot more than we hear character assassinations in every shape and size. I wonder what the world would be like if it could hear personal Testimonies of what Jesus Christ has done in our lives instead of a repeat of the latest political rhetoric and how we’ve been wronged by man. I wonder what it would be like if we longed to see Heaven a whole lot more than we long to see justice here on earth. I wonder what it would be like if God’s people would cry out “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” instead of shouting out insults at those they hate as if God gave them special permission. I wonder what it would be like if my brothers and sisters understood that they’re being used by the enemy – like pawns of Satan – just as surely as their enemies are, and they’re not messengers for the Living God the way they think they are because they fail to speak Love, and Forgiveness right along with all their “truths.” Hmm…

Watching how so many of my brothers and sisters are weighing in on the world breaks my heart…it is one of the saddest times of my life, for sure. But there’s more. Watching them trade Fellowship with their brothers and sisters for a remote control sermon as if all they need is entertainment sure explains how we got where we are. The flipping back and forth between their favorite pastor and their favorite news channel must be challenging at times for those who don’t understand that God is a “jealous God” and there is NO CONTEST for time with Him. Sometimes I wonder if we read the same Bible or serve the same God at all, but more than that, I find myself whispering “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” more and more each day…a prayer for all those lost people too ignorant to know what they’re REALLY doing, and for my brothers and sisters who ought to Know better but choose to be caught up in the war.

As surely as God brings the sun each morning, I’ll do my best to make sure that the Light of my Faith outshines the darkness around me and I’ll DETERMINE to be the Witness He’s called for me to be. Oh, and because I LOVE HIM, I’ll continue to feed His sheep too. He’s my Priority. He’s my Good News. He’s my Savior. He’s my Rock. HE IS THE TRUTH and that’s the ONLY TRUTH this troubled world needs to hear about.

Amen?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’m so grateful to have met with the Living God in the warmth of this old farmhouse, and although I stepped out onto the porch to take in a breath of winter air and snap this photo…that was enough for me. It’s just like the Author and Perfecter of my Faith to use those few seconds of “pain” to send a Firm Reminder to me this morning about how it takes stepping into the “uncomfortable” to make a Difference in the Bigger Picture of Life. There is Peace in my home and warmth for the coldest of days…thank God. But unless I’m willing to step into the uncomfortable in the Name of Jesus Christ, all those things are just blessings that never make a difference at all. Isn’t that the way you look at your Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy to settle into our lives and become dependent on our creature comforts as if the Living God wants us to sit back and be fat, dumb, and happy. The more comfortable we become the more excuses we make for staying put. It’s a blessing to have a warm home and a wonderful family, but complacency is born when we focus all our attention on things inside the walls where we’re the most comfortable while refusing to step out for Him. When Christ calls us to Himself, He doesn’t call us just to be warm and safe and comfortable within the confines of our homes. He makes sure that we know that our family is the first priority as we raise up a Godly generation…but He never intended for us to sit back while He Works. In fact, His Instructions are just the opposite – we’re told to GO FORTH and He doesn’t discriminate for age and sex…we are without excuse. Yes, He wants good things for us! After all, He’s the Provider of the home and our warmth. But warm couch potatoes don’t serve a Purpose in the Kingdom of God and they can’t have an Impact on the world UNLESS they’re willing to get uncomfortable for Him.

Not everybody is intended to serve in the mission field in places I’ve never even heard of, but EVERYBODY claiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ is expected to be Serving and sharing the Gospel. God doesn’t call us to do nice things that make us feel good. He calls each one of us to Bold things in His Name so that we shine the Light where it’s needed the most. Jesus spent some quality time with people along the way…from the disciples to His closest friends, and He was a guest in many homes where fine food and wine flowed freely. I’m sure He spent some time teaching when He was inside and I’m sure He had a little fun too. But that’s not where His Greatest work was done and Jesus sure didn’t stay put. He went to where the hurting people were and He ministered to them in His Name. Jesus set the example for all of us! First, He met their practical needs with Compassion SO THAT HE COULD open the door to minister to their spiritual needs…the most important part of Serving others. Jesus didn’t beat around the bush. He didn’t leave them with “God bless you.” Instead, He made sure that each one knew where to place their Trust and how to find their Hope. How much of that are we doing these days?

What good purpose does it serve to “minister” to the needy or to meet a practical need of a suffering soul if we NEVER MENTION JESUS CHRIST in the process? Handing the homeless a pair of boots in the middle of a winter storm is a very nice thing to do – but sharing the Message of Hope is a whole lot nicer and it will last a whole lot longer than the boots. Saying “God loves you” is one thing – sharing the MESSAGE of Salvation is another. How many lost opportunities do each one of us have to answer for one day? How many times have we failed to mention the Greatest Hope of all to a total stranger? How many times have we cowered down because we cared more about what someone thought of us than we did about their Eternal life? Of all the things that we can do to help someone in need, the Greatest Gift we could ever give to them is to share the Gospel…the Gift of Life. How sad that Jesus gave us one job to do while we’re here drawing breath on earth – but we’re so comfortable in our warm homes that we refuse to do it?

The cold air was painful enough for me at daybreak but the Reminder I got felt like ice water to wake me up all over again. Jesus IS coming…and He’s coming soon. There’s no time for us to sit back in a warm home and REFUSE to share Hope with the world. I don’t have to “get out” as much as I need to REACH OUT and you’ll NEVER find me ASHAMED of the Gospel of Jesus Christ or being too much of a coward to Share Him. I’ll meet every practical need that I’m able to meet, but you can be sure that when I do the Focus will ALWAYS be on how to fill the biggest Need now and forever. A warm pair of boots is one thing. The Gospel is another.

Will you be sharing Him today?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s below freezing again this morning and the little bit of snow that fell days ago is still lingering on the ground. As I sat in the Presence of the Most High this morning, I thought about how sometimes just a little dusting of sin or adversity can fall upon life and if we’re not careful it can linger for way too long too. That small layer of snow and ice can cause more problems for us than a foot of snow ever could because it appears to be so harmless and yet it’s nearly impossible to find your footing. What an amazing God I serve that would use a layer of ice and snow to drive home a Message about how anything standing in between me and my God is ALWAYS a problem no matter how harmless it appears to be on the surface. Isn’t that the way you see your Journey of Life too?

It’s interesting how man is inclined to gauge sin like the weatherman gauges the accumulation of snow and ice. Many people deny that sin is sin to very the One we profess to Serve, and that a “little white lie” is no different than murder in His eyes. The “big sin” isn’t always easy to hide, and if it’s big enough, the world will have a front-row seat to watch the journey. There isn’t usually much debating over “big sin” because the offense is crystal clear to all. But when it comes to those “little sins” – the countless things that can stand in the way between us and our God, now that’s a different story to many of God’s people. They’ll excuse away things like an angry heart, a bitter tongue, judgment, or gossip as if they’re somehow superior to a drug addict or adulterer in the eyes of the Lord. But they’re only fooling themselves, Those thin layers can be a slippery slope that can linger for a very long time (sometimes an entire lifetime) and they definitely stand in the way between us and our God…until we repent and turn away, that is. If we want to be pleasing to the God of all Creation, we need to care as much about doing away with the thin layers as we do the blizzards. They ALL stand in the way between us and the Author and Perfecter of our Faith.

There’s a lot that goes into a Rich Relationship with the Living God…time, praise, service, etc., but the way to true fulfillment isn’t what we do on the outside, it’s the willingness to Examine ourselves on the Inside that matters the most. It’s when we Examine our own Hearts that we’ll see those layers for what they REALLY are, and when we see them (to the extent possible) the way God does, we can’t get rid of them fast enough! We see the long-term ripple effect of our harsh words that can sometimes last for generations. We see the damage we do by pointing out wrongs to our loved ones as if we’re the judge and jury. We see what a bad Witness we are in this dark world by behavior we excuse away as if it doesn’t matter to God but every layer matters to Him. Pride and arrogance have to be buried for us to be willing to Examine our own Hearts. Those thin layers of ice don’t usually melt away over time, they need to be forced away instead. If we want to be pleasing to the God of all Creation, we must be willing to Examine our Hearts for anything standing in the way of the Rich Relationship He wants with every child.

There’s no action needed to do away with the thin layer of ice and snow at the farm – it will melt on its own eventually. But when it comes to my Heart and my Rich Relationship with the One Who died for me, I won’t be buying time hoping thin layers go away on their own like the ice on the ground. I don’t want ANYTHING standing between me and my Amazing God and I’m willing to face whatever I need to face and to repent of whatever I need to repent of so that I can have THE BEST Relationship with Him until He calls me Home. After all, the King of all kings died for me, it only makes sense that I would Live for Him!

How about you?

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The farm was blanketed in another layer of snow yesterday and the temperature is dangerously low this morning. It’s always quiet after a snowstorm as the snow absorbs the sound and the wildlife takes cover and it’s a beautiful sight to behold the winter in the Winter Season of this thing called “Life”. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall – all is well with my family, this farm, and the world around me because El-Shaddai (God Almighty) protects it 24 hours a day. The Bible says, “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength” so I rarely attempt to fight battles on my own anymore. Instead, I put my Trust in the One Who “scattered the stars in the sky and knows them each by name” and I “work out my Salvation with fear and trembling”. It’s no small thing to call out to El-Shaddai for help and it’s no small thing when He answers. As I sat in His Presence this morning I was overwhelmed by His Might. The One Who opened up the heavens for the snow to fall on the farm LOVES ME and He holds my Life in the palm of His Hand. I feel His Love and Protection every day and I’m forever grateful for Him. But when I pause to consider His Might – and I understand the outcome of any situation isn’t in my hands at all – it’s an indescribable feeling. When I pause to consider the Power of the Living God it doesn’t make me feel small in comparison to Him…instead, it reminds me of just how much Power is right at my fingertips ALL because of El-Shaddai. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey too?

It can be so easy for people of Faith to lose sight of what it means to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” and they overlook the Power of a Mighty God when they take matters into their own hands MORE than they place the matters in His. But our Power doesn’t come from our own actions, and no matter how resourceful we think we are, we’re never the ones to “fix” whatever it is that’s wrong. It’s always the amazing El-Shaddai at work even for the most “trivial” things. There are plenty of horrific things going on all around the world these days, and it would be easy to get caught up in them, but El-Shaddai sees it all…cares about it all…is with us through it all…and He’s got it all in the palm of His Hand. There’s a tremendous sense of Peace and Power that comes just by knowing that El-Shaddai is ALWAYS there and ALWAYS listening. Hmm…He’s Jehovah Shammah too! The best part is that He doesn’t need social media to speak to His people and nobody can twist His arm or thwart His Plans. There is Power in His Name.

The Bible says, “You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” Even the most evil shudder at the mention of His Name and yet we hear His name mentioned more in vain than we do in Praise. So many people have bought into the “God is love” concept but they refuse to Believe that God is to be feared too even though the Bible warns them that “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Believing He exists is one thing – Living as if you Believe is an entirely different story. When you Believe, you Surrender, and you understand the Power that is within you because of Him. You find Peace in Knowing that “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.” When you get out of your own way and Surrender to El-Shaddai instead, you call upon His Name for everything. When you Surrender, you fearlessly mention His name and you’re excited to share Who He is. When you Surrender it’s easy NOT to become overwhelmed because you see His Hand in everything and it’s overwhelming to know that El-Shaddai…the God of all…the Prince of Peace…the Great “I am”… is there with you through it all. When you Surrender, the tears of Joy flow freely at the mere thought that El-Shaddai will never leave you nor forsake you. When you Surrender, you KNOW there is Power within you – all you ever need to do is tap into it. There is Power in His Name.

I spent Quality Time with a Mighty God this morning surrounded by snow and I gave thanks for His Power and Might. The more I considered how “big” He is, the Stronger I felt. ALL things are possible through Him and I know He doesn’t grow tired of me asking for the “impossible” and Believing those things will come to pass…all because of El-Shaddai – my Mighty God…the omnipresent and omnipotent God of my Life that sees it all…cares about it all…is with me through it all…and the great I AM has it ALL in the palm of His Hand. “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength”

How about you?

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?