living waters farm

Standing on the Promises of Christ my King…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. This time of year, I meet with the Author and Perfector of my Faith from inside a warm house instead of on the front porch, but I don’t miss the morning view, no matter what. It is cold and (usually) windy this time of year, but God provides a shield of protection over it all…even our furry friends. We have lots of deer around the farm that find everything they need for a high-quality life, just like we do. There is peace. There is shelter. There is food, and there is water. So, they bed down in the wooded area across from the porch, they get their nourishment from the fields, and when they wander to the pond, they find water. Although they “depend” on God to provide all their needs just like all of nature does, they don’t need God the way I do. They don’t long for God the way I do. They don’t run after God the way I do. The Bible says, “As a deer panteth for the water, so my soul pants for you, Oh God”. Does your soul panteth for the Living God, too?

There are plenty of things we all THINK we need, especially this time of year, but nothing that can be purchased in this life is something we really need at all. If you’ve ever spent time with me, you’ll hear me say things like “I need coffee”, or “I need sunshine”, or “I need peace”, but in reality, all I ever NEED is God. Because I panteth for the Living God, He brings favour into my Life and because His Word says “The righteous will never go hungry”, I am confident that He’ll provide for all of my needs. Because His Word says “Joy cometh in the morning”, I am confident that if I find myself downcast for any reason whatsoever, if I just continue to panteth after Him, my Joy will return in the morning. Because I know that HE KNOWS the Plans He has for me, all I need to do is take His Hand and let Him lead, and I don’t need to concern myself with all the in-betweens. Because I know that He has gone to “Prepare a place” for me, I don’t have to concern myself with where I’ll live in the Future. Because I know that Victory is MINE, no battle I face will overwhelm me, and because He says that “No weapon formed against me shall prosper”, I don’t need to run and hide. Because He says that whatever I “bind on earth, will be bound in Heaven”, I don’t concern myself with the darkness that surrounds me…I bind it all instead. Knowing His Word and standing on His Promises is the only way to genuine Peace in the Journey of Faith.

I enjoy my furry friends around the farm, but I don’t admire them. They live as so many people do – wandering around aimlessly with a short-sighted perspective on wants and needs, forever focused on their survival.

I am blessed beyond measure for all that He is and all that He’s done for me, and I’ll be standing on His Promises until I draw my last breath. I panteth after the Living God day in and day out…I live FOR Him, and not just with Him. He’s everything I need, and BECAUSE my Heart remains inclined toward Him, He always takes care of all the rest.

How about you?

The Stinky Sheep…

/ www.LivingLarger.life / 2 Comments

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week and the minute I opened my eyes I gave thanks for another day to Glorify my God before He calls me Home. It’s beginning to warm up a little in Virginia and Spring will be here in no time at all. Everything that looks so barren today will spring forth with life soon and the barren will be replaced with beauty. As I sat in the presence of a Mighty God, I thought about how it’s the same way with God’s people. We were once barren and lifeless, but with the touch of the Master’s Hand, we can spring forth and bear fruit all the days of our lives…IF we love Him, that is. Love is where the courage to Share comes into play and Love is where we die to ourselves and begin Living for Him. Love is where we love the lost and the broken ones, and Love is where we lose our judgment. Isn’t it just like my God to use a few barren trees to spark a reminder to me of what Walking in Faith really looks like WHEN I walk with Love.

Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. I’m not sure why He asked Peter three times – maybe because it was three times Peter denied knowing Jesus. The same Jesus he followed…the Jesus he saw perform miracles…the Jesus he walked on water with…the Jesus he jumped out of the boat to rush to after Jesus was transfigured…THAT Jesus he didn’t hesitate to deny when he faced potential consequences for doing so. Peter loved Jesus! Still, in the face of turmoil and threat, Peter denied Him. I’m sure when Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” He already knew the answer to the question the same as He knew Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. When Peter heard that rooster crow “he wept bitterly” because he realized that despite his argument that he would never deny Jesus…He did! So, Jesus pressed Peter a little harder and He asked the same question three times. Although Jesus didn’t say “prove it” the way we might be inclined to do today – He made it perfectly clear to Peter (and to the world through His Word) “IF you love me – feed my sheep.” Love is where it ALL begins and Love is what springs us forward to “feed” His sheep…with Joy and Honor.

Sheep look good from afar but they can be nasty things. They’re dirty and stinky, and they’re not the smartest of the animals in the kingdom. They’re clueless, rebellious, and not easy to contain. Every once in a while one will run off from the flock, and that same sheep might do the same thing over and over again. For these reasons, most people would never want to shepherd a flock of sheep. But Jesus wasn’t referring to a flock of stinky sheep – Jesus was referring to a world full of stinky people, and He’s saying IF you love me you’ll pour Good Things into them. Anybody can throw food and water at an animal…4 legged ones and 2 legged ones -but it takes LOVE to nurture in His Name. IF you love Him, you’re not just willing to – you’re honored to – Love, nurture, tend to the needs of His sheep even if it means chasing them down over and over again. In the flesh, we’re inclined to pick and choose who we believe is worthy to be loved. In the Spirit, we Love (and feed) them ALL…especially the rebellious, stinky ones. “IF YOU LOVE ME feed my sheep” doesn’t leave room for our own discretion or judgment. Love is where it all begins and LOVE is what springs us forward to “feed” His sheep with Joy and Honor…especially the “stinky” ones that need Him the most.

It’s a piece of cake to love people “like us” – the real “test” of the Spirit of God is when we can love the stinky, clueless, and rebellious ones enough to Feed them in His Name. Only when we LOVE HIM, can we genuinely LOVE them. So, Love is where it all begins and Love is what causes us to spring forth. Love is where we die to ourselves and we begin to Live for Him. Love is where we feel honored to be found Worthy to Serve whoever He puts in our path. Sometimes we offer them food and water – but more importantly, we Offer them Everlasting Truth and Unconditional Love…the kind of Nourishment that lasts forever. So, I’ll be feeding His sheep today whenever He puts them in my path, and I’ll do it with Love. “Lynn, do you love me?” YES, LORD! “Feed my sheep.”

How about you?

I Know Where Victory Is Found…Do You?

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The wind howled through Virginia last night and I was pleasantly surprised to see no damage done when I stepped outside this morning. While the wind howled outside, I “howled” to the heavens, spending half the night in prayer – another night before the Throne of God appealing on behalf of others. By the time the sun showed itself, it was more like a signal to the end of a restless night than a celebration of a new day. It’s always time for Battle in the Life of a Christian…especially the vocal ones like me – but every once in a while the battle becomes BIGGER, so I turn up the heat through prayer and sharpen my Weapons for Victory. I didn’t fret and wring my hands throughout the night…I FOUGHT like the Warrior I am and I shouted the name of Jesus Christ to put my Enemy on notice and to Proclaim my Victory long before I see it. Isn’t that what you do when you’re fighting a BIG battle too?

It can be so easy for us to fold under the pressure of Battle but it NEVER has to be that way. Since we’ve already been told that “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” so WHY in the world would we rely on flesh and blood tactics to Fight a Spiritual Battle? No matter what we face in this Journey called Life, we have the Weapons for battle, and we have the One who Intercedes on our behalf. Keeping this in mind is the Key to using the right Weapons for the war and it’s the only way to find Peace (and Victory) in the Battle. I don’t fold under the pressure and I don’t succumb to what I see with my eyes, because “logic” has no place in the Kingdom of God. There’s no way to rationalize God’s Master Plan and, although I don’t always get my way, I always Trust His Ways no matter what. Isn’t that the way a Father wants His Children to Live?

When I pray I don’t spend a lot of time asking for His Will to be done because I know that it always will be; I spend a lot of Time speaking Victory instead. I shout out His Promises that are written in Black and White, and I Celebrate the outcome that I’m Trusting Him to work out according to His Master Plan. When I’m doing battle over BIG things I’m like a Spiritual maniac. I pray and pace and I’m oblivious to time. I don’t worry about the sleep I’m “losing” because I know that when I spend the night in the Presence of God, He’ll give me supernatural Strength for the new day. I Proclaim Victory with my voice and in my Heart and I don’t doubt for one second that Victory will come…Victory according to His Master Plan. Sometimes I even laugh at my enemy and I remind him that he DOES NOT WIN – and I laugh because I KNOW that every demon in hell is shuddering because of this maniacal Pray Warrior. How can I NOT win when I know how to do Battle?

I surrendered a little sleep last night to step into a Battle that (sadly) most people don’t even Know how to Fight and today I’m overwhelmed with Peace because of it. My “howls” were Heard by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and I am sure that my prayers were like “incense” to Him because the Bible says so. There’s no need for me to “dwell” on the things I prayed about, and I sure don’t need to worry about the people I’m praying for because the Creator of All holds everything and everyone in the palm of His Hands. God hears my every prayer BUT that doesn’t mean I’ll stop praying. Until I see Victory over these things, I will not cease to pray…but more than that…I WILL NOT surrender and I WILL NOT doubt the outcome. I’m a Warrior. I’m Victorious. I’m a Spiritual maniac. I’m A WINNER because of Him – He taught me how to Fight and Win by using the Weapons He’s already given to me..and I Know how to use them well because He Instructed me.

How about you? Do Know how to do Battle in the heavens and find your Victory? If not, reach out to me and I’ll show you the way to Peace.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Be Still…He’s Waiting For You!

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My first thought was of the Living God when I opened my eyes this morning – He’s my first thought and my Biggest Priority in this Journey called life. I couldn’t wait to get in His presence so I headed out to the front porch eager to see what He had in store on this new day. What I saw took my breath away and it prepared me to sit in the presence of my Mighty God. I went from feeling “small” and insignificant in the big scheme of things to Praising the One Who Created me for His Purpose and Who Calls me by name! Hallejulah! Just like everybody else, 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 – more than Christian music playing in the background or a long walk to commune with His creation – it’s when we’re “still” that He is able to 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 spend your morning 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 from start to finish 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 in their recliner. Some people multi-task by listening to a spiritual message while they work out at the gym or take an early morning walk or run. Some pray on their way to work or listen to a spiritual message along the way. 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.

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. 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 Share. 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. There’s no competing with my time because my world Knows that He comes first. I’ll 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” 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 in order 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?

Claim Your Victory…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

THIS POST WAS WRITTEN SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT IT WAS A TREMENDOUS ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME THIS MORNING. I PRAY IT BLESSES YOU TOO!

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith before the sun came up but this morning was a little different than my average morning, this morning instead of seeking His Will, I Claimed my Victory instead. I marched around this farmhouse and I marched across the front porch, and the longer I marched the louder and bolder I became. Sometimes I struggle with life but I never struggle with Faith – so when I’m feeling “shaky” I begin to shout out all the Promises of my God and I claim my Victory as if it has already shown itself in my Life. He’s my God and I’m His child, and He’s already Told me how the Story ends. So, for all the in-betweens I face in this Journey Called Life I just keep claiming my Victory and I’ll persevere until the end. Isn’t that how you handle your struggles too?

“Taking captive every thought” is easier said than done when we’re facing “trials of many kinds.” If the trial is big enough, all the “what ifs” could drive us insane if we dwell on them, and before you know it we give the enemy an edge to push us over the edge because of it. But there isn’t a trial that God isn’t already aware of and there isn’t a problem He can’t solve. The real problem is that we can’t see the Victory as long as the mind is a muddled mess! Our ability to stay focused in His Word or in prayer is nearly impossible because our mind keeps going back to the mess instead. So when that happens to me, I eventually begin to SHOUT out the Victory He’s already told me would come. I know when I shout out the Victory He hears me for sure…but I know my enemy does as well…and the more I SHOUT the Bolder I become as all those fiery darts set out to destroy me are diminished…at least for now. When I SHOUT out I’m overriding all those things that have been consuming me and I Stand Taller than ever before! This is the Key to battling the spiritual war and it’s the Key to Victory over it all.

If anybody saw me shouting out they’d probably call for help. I’m loud, and bold, and determined. You might hear me SHOUT things like; “MY GOD parted the sea, healed the sick, and raised the dead THIS IS A PIECE OF CAKE for Him!” – MY GOD placed the stars in the sky and knows them each by name – and He calls me by name when He says “you are mine!” – MY GOD knit me together in my mother’s womb for SUCH A TIME AS THIS” – “MY GOD Prepared me for this battle before the foundations of the earth!” – MY GOD will use everything to “work together for Good” because I love Him and I’m called according to His Purpose” – MY GOD says “no weapon formed against me will prosper!” – “WATCH my God bring Resolution!” – WATCH my God bring healing!” – WATCH my God stomp out conflict!” – WATCH my God Strengthen” – “WATCH my God bring Peace that surpasses all understanding!” – “WATCH my God make all things Perfect” – “WATCH my God bring Miracle after Miracle over my life!” – “He’s the same yesterday, today, and forevermore and HE’S GOT THIS!”- and so the SHOUTING goes, with countless proclamations of VICTORY and the Goodness of my Perfect God.

There is no end to the things I can proclaim as I shout out my Victory to my Amazing God…the God of Miracles… and sometimes I wonder if He gets a little more pleasure out of my SHOUTING Victory throughout the Heavens…shouting out like the Warrior I’m Designed to be…than He does when I have a muddled mess going on in my head as I search for answers like a child. I don’t know for sure, and I don’t know His mind…but I do know that the SHOUTING Victory Strengthens me no matter how weak I felt before it began…and I KNOW MY GOD hears me.

How about you?

Go Tell It On The Mountain…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I had an Intense meeting with the Author and Perfecter of my Faith this morning and He spent some time Refining my Heart. The One who Created me is Kind and Compassionate BUT when He is doing business on the Heart He doesn’t pull any punches. He shined a Heavenly highlighter over a few of my weak spots and He reminded me of His Might. Part of my Lesson this morning made me Repent and weep with shame, and part of the Message made me overflow with Joy – but none of the Message would have been possible, nor would it have any impact on my Life whatsoever, had I refused to be willing to be Molded by my Maker again this morning. When it comes to things like Heart and Character, there’s no such thing as being “complete”…at least not on this side of Heaven. There’s always room for Improvement and I’m driven to be all that I can be for Him. Isn’t that the way you look at your Lessons too?

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

I’ve been slapped around by people of Faith more often than I can count when they hear me confess my weaknesses or when I share my trials or temptations. I’m a Child of the Living God but that doesn’t mean I’m flawless – I’ll always be a Work in Progress! It’s actually their pride that would have them believe that if you are a person of Faith, all those things are “in the past” and shouldn’t be shared with the world. They’re only fooling themselves. All of us were instructed to “go tell” – unless I “tell my story” the world will never know how Powerful my God is! Unless I tell them how He Transformed my Life and molded me into a usable Vessel they may never Know how Good He is and what’s possible for them!

I have no pride when it comes to being a Vessel for the Living God, and I know that the more I Share about my Life and His Work, the more inclined God will be to use me to help someone else. My History isn’t just a pile of junk…even though it’s felt that way sometimes…my Life is a Powerful, Living, Breathing Testimony, and I’m not too proud to share it. Every single piece has Grown me, and every pain has made me Stronger. But most of all I know that “all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose” …so ALL of my “mess” has been used for Good in my life too.

My Life has Purpose, and I’m humbled to be used by the King. I’m a Loud Voice for His Majesty and Grace. My Testimony is shared without shame OFTEN and I’ve learned just to pray for the ones who Profess my Faith but believe “good Christians” don’t talk about “bad” things while they refuse to SHOUT praises to the God who saved them from things they’re likely “ashamed” of too. Whenever the devil tries to sneak pride into my thoughts and I’m inclined to take credit for things in my life that I have no business owning at all…it’s time for a Lesson on Humility straight from the Throne of the Living God. The more He Teaches…the more I Tell…and I shout His Goodness from the mountaintops! I don’t necessarily like it when it’s Lesson Time, but I’m Ready and Willing to be Molded by my Maker so that I can be ALL that He intends for me to be for as long as there is breath in my body.

How about you?

Isaiah 52:7

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

On High Alert…

/ www.LivingLarger.life

Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Master before the sun came up and I sat in His Presence for the longest time. My eyes were closed as our time was coming to an end and when I opened them up I saw that I was surrounded by deer on all sides. There were fourteen in total. Most of them were grazing but a few were on high alert. As I sat there enjoying the scene, God reminded me of how this is the way it is with His people today. Many people are nonchalantly walking what they claim to be the Journey of Faith but they’re too busy filling their own needs to notice what’s happening around them…while far too few are on High Alert. If I made a sudden move and issued a loud sound all of the deer around me would notice me and all of them would scurry away. One Day Jesus will make His move, and a loud Trumpet will sound to announce Him, and His Presence will not be mistaken even by a lost world. Some of us will join Him when that happens and we’ll be happy the Day has finally arrived. But those nonchalantly “grazing” with no care in the world for Him will be left behind. Isn’t that the way you see it too?

It’s not easy to understand how so many people seem to be nonchalantly grazing through life or why they don’t understand the Urgency at hand. A Focus on the Word of God would surely set them straight, but they prefer to focus on other sources instead. Whining about world affairs, the economy, “bad” people, and crime are merely a means of entertainment as long as they overlook what’s going on behind the scenes in the Heavens and they refuse to Proclaim the name of Jesus Christ in this dark world. The darkness we see raging all around us could so easily be snuffed out if enough Light would shine in its presence because darkness cannot exist in the Light. Every evil thing could be blown away if only we Believe in the Power that God has graciously given to His people…but few people believe that to be true. How people can Believe in a Supernatural God but not in the Supernatural means to fight the Supernatural Spiritual war is not easy to comprehend. As long as they believe they’re powerless…they are. As long as they believe they can’t do anything to Fight…they can’t. As long as they believe that they’re “doomed”…they are. But that’s not the way it’s supposed to be for God’s people. Anybody with the desire to be equipped Supernaturally to do their part in this war in the Heavens just needs to BELIEVE that it’s so…and it is. This is the Key to Victory and the only way to Win the War.

The complacency I see all around me keeps me very busy. I’m like a “watchman on the hill” doing my part to wake up a sleepy church and to help it find its way bay to its First Love. I’m doing my part to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ every chance I get and I’m doing my part to send evil back to where it belongs because I’m Empowered by the Creator of all. I’m doing my part to extend Compassion to the ones nonchalantly grazing and I’m doing my part to Speak the Truth…even if it sometimes hurt. I’m doing my part to Share the Gospel every time God opens the door for me to do so and I have no fear of the consequences when I do. As long as there is breath in my body I’ll be doing my Part and if the Living God calls me to do more, I’ll do that too. I’m on High Alert. The King is coming and One Day every knee will bow in His Presence. My Part is to do whatever I can do to “save” as many as I can from what’s in store for those who don’t believe. The way I see it, that’s what we’re ALL called to do.

My Mission has been Refinforced this morning and God used a small herd of deer to do it. I KNOW what He’s called me (and you) to do and I am Armed and Ready Supernaturally for the Job. I BELIEVE I have all that I need to do what He’s called for me to do and I believe that my Supernatural God has equipped me with access to Supernatural things to authenticate that I am a child of the Living God and to show the dark world what I’m Made of. I have no fear of what’s in store and I don’t fear the consequences of boldly proclaiming my Faith. The way I see it, if I should die for Serving the One who died for me, there is no greater honor.

How about you?