jesus

The Master Goldsmith…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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?

Don’t Get Lost in the Fog! Focus on the East!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. Things cooled down a little overnight, and when the cool air met with the warm earth, the fog began to roll in. One minute, I could see the trees off in the distance, and the next minute, they were masked in fog. I didn’t just watch the fog roll in at sunrise, I could feel the heaviness in the air too! The longer I sat there observing the fog, the more it reminded me of what it feels like to navigate through this dark world at such a time as this. One minute you can see things so clearly, and the next minute life is “masked” by oppression that is so dark and so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. As a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I don’t focus on the fog – I don’t fret over what’s masked – and I sure don’t scramble around in the “dark” or blame the politicians for the Spiritual state we’re in. I am certain of what we’re up against and I am Confident in how the Story ends, so I focus on the Eastern sky – rain or shine, fog or clear – because that’s the Direction Jesus will come Calling from for me One Day. The Time is near, and I have just a few goals as I live out these perilous times on earth. First, to be sure that I’m READY to meet my Maker, AND next I need to be sure to Help get as many souls as I possibly can Prepare to meet Him One Day too! Despite the insults thrown around the world right now, despite what you think someone deserves (or not), the King doesn’t want anyone to perish…although sadly, many of them will. There’s no time to linger in the fog when there’s Kingdom Work to do! Isn’t that the way you see these last days too?

The Bible says that in Hell there will be eternal “weeping and gnashing of teeth” for those who don’t believe – imagine that – torment with no ability to find rest or peace ever again. I’m sure it’s much worse than anything we can imagine, but I think we’re getting a small glimpse of Hell today. There is no rest in our world. There’s no end to the “gnashing of teeth” as the battle over “good and evil” goes on. There’s no end to the shaking of fists in anger. There’s no end to the violence. There’s no end to the lies. There’s no end to the immoral acts. There’s no end to the tactics some use to be heard. There’s no end to the greed. There’s no end to the selfishness. There’s no end to the violence. There’s no end to the harm that’s being done to “these little ones.” There’s no end to so many things that can discourage the Heart because of this small glimpse of Hell we’re seeing today, as the battle between “good and evil” goes on right before our very eyes. BUT I know the rest of the story. I Know that the Devil hasn’t been unleashed yet and that the Light of the world is the only thing holding him back. We need more Warriors – we need more Light and Salt in the world! Fortunately, I KNOW Who Wins and I Know how the story ends…and it ends well for those who have Surrendered to Jesus. Until then, I’m doing my own kind of fighting to share the Good News with this dark world so that the glimpse of Hell doesn’t become an eternal reality for them. This is the Key to living out our Great Commission…before it’s too late. This is the Key to being found worthy by the King!

The Bible says that “no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him,” and I’m looking forward to Heaven. I’m going to that Place where there’s no more sadness or sickness – a place where there are no more tears….EVER. A place where “evil” doesn’t exist, and Peace is Everlasting. Though I can’t imagine it, I long for it, and I want everybody else to long for it too! I am confident that “greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world,” so I’m Living out my Faith with boldness. I refuse to take part in debates over meaningless things that make no difference in the Bigger Picture of eternity. Instead, my Light will be shining brighter than it ever has before in the middle of a dark world getting foggier every day. I KNOW Who wins…and I’m on the Winners Team, so I can’t partake in that “glimpse of Hell” – I can only outshine it with Him – and FOR Him. Darkness can’t exist in the Light, and I know that if more people Believed in my God the way I Believe in my God they’d be shining their Light in this dark world too…instead of partaking in the war against “good and evil” on earth – so, I’ll be busy trying to (re)ignite their Faith while I’m at it. I’m looking East and I’m longing for Heaven. This is the Key to walking through the Journey of Faith with Peace in ALL circumstances. When I have Heaven on the horizon, why in the world would I focus on the fog?

There’s so much going on in the foggy world, but you could never prove it by the Peace I have within me. To some, it looks hopeless on the outside, but it’s not hopeless at all! To some, the main goal is to save the most amazing country in the world – to me, it’s to save the Heart of the Lost. Ready or not, the King is Coming, and when He does, believe it or not, EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! I mourn for the ones who aren’t ready to meet Him. Yes, even the crazy ones who have taken to our streets to “rob, kill, and destroy”. Hmm…looks like their “agenda” is the same as the Devil’s, and there is only One Way to fight him and win! To be Ready for the journey through the fog, we need to be sure that we are Strengthened for Spiritual battle every single day, and we need to focus more on the Eastern sky where the King will appear than on the condition of the dark world or the latest word on politics. Those things are just a distraction the enemy uses to keep us in the fog! It doesn’t work on me – will you let his tactics continue to work on you?

I’m busier than I’ve ever been in my Life Serving the King, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can easily cut through the fog with the Word of God, and I Receive my Direction from the Holy Spirit. He’s my Strength. He’s my Shield. He’s my Deliverer. I’m looking to the East with great anticipation! Fog? What fog?

How about you?

When Brokenness Transforms Into Testimony…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I approached the Throne of the Living God to offer my Praise, my thanks, and to make my requests known, I began to weep over where I’ve been and where I am today. I thought about the brokenness that has washed over my Life and I saw a clear Picture of how that brokenness shaped me for my Service to Him today. When God Decides to do a deeper Work in our Lives, Brokenness is always part of the Process, so He’ll bring Circumstances to drive us to our knees. BUT God doesn’t force us to a place of Brokenness…and we can’t force our way there on our own…we CHOOSE to Surrender to it instead. What an Amazing God I serve who Loves me enough to Grow me to a place where I can see the Power behind the Brokenness. Isn’t that the way you see it, too?

It’s mind-boggling to consider the brokenness people go through without ever reaching that point of Surrendering to Him by choice. Oh, plenty of people will Proclaim that God saw them through a tough time – or that He was always there – but very few ever PROCLAIM that they reached the absolute end of themselves and that they willingly Surrendered to the God of all Creation for a Purpose much greater than themselves. We’re more inclined to brag about being “survivors” instead of Proclaimers of Victory…because of the Brokenness, NOT despite it. Paul had to be led to Brokenness on the road to Damascus…that place where we stop excusing or rationalizing…that place where we KNOW He is EVERYTHING and we Surrender our all to Him. Joseph had to be taken to that place when He was thrown into a pit and left to die. Jacob had to be taken to Brokenness when He left his homeland a destitute and needy man. Every single beautiful Vessel we read about in His Word – every beautiful Vessel we’re fortunate enough to meet in this Journey of Life, has reached the place of Brokenness, and they CHOSE to Surrender. This is where Powerful Testimonies and rich Work for the Lord are found.

If I had to guess the reason WHY so many people have been led to Brokenness and yet REFUSE to be Broken for the Lord, I’d say it’s P R I D E. We would rather take credit for how strong we are than take credit for how Broken we have become in the Process. We’d rather hold onto the reins as we desperately try to control our lives than to drop those reins in the dust and Confess that we are absolutely Powerless without Him. We’d rather tell Him what we want the future to look like than to “blindly” Trust Him with it…and to be Excited without even knowing the Details. We’d rather move on from the Brokenness and live as if it never happened than to shout from the Mountaintops about the God who loves us enough to Break us. Brokenness is how He Builds His Vessels – but His people ALWAYS choose to be broken OR they blow it off as merely a “tough time.” Brokenness is where Powerful Testimonies are threaded together in His Name. Brokenness is where Strong Vessels are shaped and ministries are born. The Greatest Work of our Lord comes through His people WILLING to be Broken and then built back into something Beautiful. This is the Key to being Refined for the King, and yet, P R I D E keeps so many people from shamelessly sharing the Work of the Lord in their lives.

I wouldn’t trade the Brokenness experience in my Journey for anything in the world, and I’m glad I Surrendered my all to Him. When I share pieces of my life…and it’s been a wild one…sometimes people are shocked that I share without shame as if it has no Purpose now that it’s in the past. But Jesus paid the Price for my sin and my shame, so why would I still be carrying it around? Jesus Christ allowed me to be Broken to Glorify Himself! He Knew before the foundations of the earth that One Day I would crawl out of the valley and climb to the mountaintop to PRAISE HIS Holy Name to the world. Pride went out the window a long time ago when I made the choice to be Broken so that I could be Built back up into a Usable Vessel for the Lord Jesus Christ. I KNOW that there is “no good thing in me apart from Him,” and I KNOW that I am absolutely Powerless on my own. Freedom, Love, Joy, Peace, Strength, and Victory are ALL the result of having been taken to the breaking point and CHOOSING to be Broken.

What about you?

I Have High Expectations! Do you?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

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

Gratitude in the Simple Things…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My porch time has been cut short lately because of the heat wave, and I’ve been hungering for my early morning Meeting with the King of all kings outside. A thunderstorm passed through last night, bringing cooler temperatures, so this morning, I crawled out of bed as the sun was rising, and when I stepped outside and onto the porch, it was as if I was seeing it for the very first time. That’s what Gratitude looks like. No matter where I go or what I see in this journey called Life, nothing beats time with just me and my God at sunrise from this front porch. It’s there where I find my Solitude and my Peace. It’s there where I Receive my Greatest Lessons. It’s there where I bask in His glory. It’s there where I shed my tears. It’s there where I reckon my wrongs. It’s there where I sing praises to Him. A front porch…a beautiful sunrise…a willing woman…and a Mighty God – could there be a more perfect combination? Sometimes it’s the simplest things that have the utmost impact on me. Isn’t that the way it is with you too?

There is so much to see and so much to do in this journey through life, and sometimes people have wondered why I don’t see and do more. I’m adventurous…I’m inquisitive…and I love to learn and love. But of all the things I’ve seen and all the places I’ve gone, the simple things bring me the most pleasure in life. I can be more entertained by sharing a cup of coffee on the porch with a friend or ministering to a suffering soul than I could ever be by visiting any other place in the entire world. I’d much rather look into a set of eyes than see any other sight there is to see. I’d rather tune in to the voice of someone I love (or of someone God sends my way to love) than hear any concert by any artist in the world. I’d rather belly laugh on the front porch with my family or friends than visit any comedy club on the planet. I’d rather wipe away the salty tears of someone else than tip my toes in the salt water of any of the oceans in the world. I’d rather discuss History from the point of Creation and ponder my God than visit any museum of history or art or any place else in the world. My Life isn’t as simple as it is Rich, and from where I sit, everything is beautiful to me because I savor this Journey of Life. BUT my Joy could leave as quickly as it came, IF ever I allow my life to become dull.

I’m not exactly sure how this new day will unfold, but I won’t be idle, and it won’t be “boring.” One thing I DO know for sure is that my day will be Shared with others…some of them my family, and some of them my friends, and some of them I’ll see for the very first time, and that each one will be certain of how Special they are to me. I’ll probably tune into a sermon spoken by someone Called to Speak it, and I’ll hear a few words of Wisdom along the way. It’s going to be another long day at the farm, and I’ll be making the most of every minute. You won’t find me looking for fun or striving to be entertained. You won’t find me whining about being bored or disappointed over something that wasn’t “fun” or people who weren’t my cup of tea. Instead, you’ll find me walking through this day with Excitement no matter who or what comes along, because I know that this day and everything in it has been Ordained by the Living God and that His Plans for me on this new day beat anything else I could ever have added to my own agenda. He’s a God of Perfection, and He’s the Master of my Life, and as long as I keep Him in First Position, every “simple” little thing will always have a huge impact, and those “simple” little things will always cause my heart to overflow with Gratitude and Joy.

My life is filled with simple things, but there’s nothing simple about my Life on or off the front porch of this old farm. I see my Life as an Adventure and my steps as a Journey, and I want to be sure that I savor the “simple” things until I draw my last breath because it’s the simple things about me that mean the most to Him.

How about you?

Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.