With a heart brimming with gratitude, my feet hit the ground each morning.  I wake with the aroma of possibility stirring the air.  I see more than the human eye can see, as I lean into the promise of each day.  I am ready. 

When our hearts are trained toward gratefulness, then nothing can stand in our way.  When we decide to look for the good in each day, and find the blessing in all circumstances, we will always be successful. 

It is from a position of thankfulness that we present our requests to God…and He hears.  No parent enjoys an ungrateful child. 

When we are thankful for the small, it opens the door for the large.  When we are thankful even in the midst of trials, we are positioning ourselves to receive miraculous breakthrough.

Over the last 5 years, I have learned what it is to be grateful in the middle of trouble.  There have been multiple occasions when I find myself sitting in the middle of a huge storm and finding gratitude.  It’s a wonderful thing.

If you look around at your friend circle and discover you are in the midst of a lot of complaining and ungrateful people, it’s time to seek out better friends.  It’s also the time to examine your own heart and ask if you are a grouch.  Like speaks to like, so if you attract grumbling complainers, then it just may be that your own heart needs a shift. 

I am constantly shocked as I watch people walk through challenging seasons and when they reach the end…they don’t praise God because they feel it just worked out.  Or they don’t see the answer as truly miraculous because it didn’t fit into some sort of box they believed miracles fit into.  They think they got through because of a variety of other reasons that have to do with earthly circumstances and relationships…when nothing could be further from the truth.  God delivers.  We should be programmed in our hearts to always seek to thank Him first.

I don’t ever want to be like nine of the lepers…

As He entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.  One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”  He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done.  This man was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men?  Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”  And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go.  Your faith has healed you.”  Luke 17:11-19

I want to be the one.  The one who always acknowledges that God alone is my Deliverer.  Don’t you?  Let’s make it a practice to always praise God when we see a situation working out.  We don’t have to prove to anyone that God did it, because we know He is the only One capable of doing good things.  There is always a reason to praise Him.  Let’s be people who look for that reason in all seasons.

If the Lord had not been on our side- let Israel say- if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.  Praise be to the Lord, Who has not let us be torn by their teeth.  We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.  Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 124

Not all who wander are lost.  That’s a famous saying, and I believe that sometimes it’s true…because what we’re really doing is looking for the place we fit.  We’re searching for our place in the puzzle of life.  Each piece fits in one location of a giant jigsaw, and some of us take longer than others to discover our place.

I have had many wandering seasons…but lately even in the wandering, I feel very…found.

In a time when many would say we are in transition, and they may wonder where this is all leading.  Some may question our relationship with God as we pull back from church as normal.  Others likely gossip about how long it’s taking for us to move and may think we were being dishonest about doing so in the first place.

All of that is just noise.  It doesn’t matter.

What does matter is that we are deep in a season of listening and obeying.  At every juncture, God has given specific instruction for us to follow, and has not afforded us the luxury of explanation or foreseen outcome.  We’ve been knee deep in a simple obedience.

When my kids were young, we taught them the “all the way, right away, with a good attitude” method.  Some parental instruction doesn’t require explanation.  It’s important for children to learn to simply obey sometimes.  This can be life saving training…because when you’re out and see eminent danger before your child…if you wait to explain it could be too late.  Some moments require simple trust.  Trusting that, as a parent, you have their best in mind.  Trusting that you are protecting them.

That’s our season with God right now.  Trust.  Trusting that He has a good plan for us.  Trusting that when He gives direction that requires immediate course correction, we don’t worry about others’ feelings, but we simply follow Him. 

I have seen in retrospect, multiple ways that God has protected us in this current season, by acts of immediate and unexplained obedience.  He’s been guarding and protecting our hearts and our family unit/unity.  He’s been moving like a Father bear to guard us.  Like a roaring Lion, He has corralled us in one specific direction and out of the grasp of the wrong way.  It’s humbling and exciting.

He has a plan. 

This is why in the midst of so much change, I’ve never felt more found. 

Are you found?  Are you wandering?  Are you willing?

God, thank You for taking us on adventures.  Thank You for loving us enough to lead us into the best You have for us.  Thank You for choosing us.  Draw us, Lord.  Never let the voice of the earth resonate in our hearts.  Let us always and forever be led by You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.  You guard all that is mine.  The land you have given me is a pleasant land.  What a wonderful inheritance!  I will bless the Lord Who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.  My body rests in safety.  For You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.  You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.  Psalm 16:8-11

It is so easy to get into the rhythm of life and just begin to do all the same things, over and over.  It’s so normal to get into routine of church, quiet time, and standard worship and just live in that place.  It’s a normal thing to begin working a job and just stay there because it’s where you’ve always worked, whether you love it or not.  These things above are all the normal standard of things…but are they God’s standard?  Are they God’s best for you?

In this season of the earth…I believe our only way to successfully move forward is to make changes…be open to change…look for areas of change…press into change…

Be different.

This is the way…the only way, as far as I can see it.

Every vision placed before me from God looks increasingly different from what I’ve known.

It’s time to allow God to remove the veil so we can see the sunrise…see the horizon…look for the opportunities rising from the ashes of all we’ve known before.  There is a phoenix rising from the ashes…it’s newness.  It’s a place to grow and stretch and awaken.  It’s time for new life to be borne.

New life, as in trying new things, learning new talents, discovering a new way forward.

I see myself standing in a large field covered with snow.  In this field I am looking around and feeling the cold, crisp air blowing around me.  I see a giant circle marked around me.  This circle is all the known area.  God comes in and in a powerful motion…like an explosion or giant stamping machine, and my circle increases.  This powerful vision is a reflection of all that God is working in me right now.

The moves out of normal life, into a home focused life were not just for me and my family, they are also for our life as a ministry…to draw others in and represent a way forward.  We are pioneers…we always will be and coming to terms with that has been the most life altering moment. 

We are all created for something…I have known for many years that I’m a pioneer.  A waymaker following the Waymaker.  I see.  I see into the distance with a sight given to me from God.  I understand that now.  It’s the thing about me that some people really love, and others can’t stand…because those with something to hide, hate to be seen.

As I dig deeper into the dirt to discover the new way forward, I am fully aware that reaching deeper is the way for everyone now.  We will stand or fall based on our willingness to go where we’ve never gone before.  Are you ready?  The seasons have shifted, there’s no denying it or avoiding it.  It’s a season of change.

God, help me to embrace the changes that are happening.  Open my eyes to see beyond all that I have previously known.  Help me to lay aside the previous way of doing things and be open to Your Way.  I want to be with You.  I want You more than I want any earthly thing.  I desire to know You better.  To walk with You more honestly and freely.  I choose You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die.  A time to plant and a time to harvest.  A time to kill and a time to heal.  A time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to cry and a time to laugh.  A time to grieve and a time to dance.  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.  A time to embrace and a time to turn away.  A time to search and a time to quit searching.  A time to keep and a time to throw away.  A time to tear and a time to mend.  A time to be quiet and a time to speak.  A time to love and a time to hate.  A time for war and a time for peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

You never know which moments, habits, or tasks you ask of your children will become influential.  That’s why it’s important to not neglect any moment.  Every moment of parenting should be held as sacred.  Every decision should carry the weight of responsibility.  I mother all day, every day and in everything that I do.  They are always watching me.  Paying attention to small inconsistencies.  My life speaks truth or lies to them.

That’s a lot.

Yet, there are moments when I feel the beautiful ballet of life fall over us and we dance in step with one another and I realize that it’s not in my perfections that children of character are borne…rather, it’s in the good, bad, and indifferent moments.  Here’s an example…

About a month ago I randomly asked Naomi to make me a cup of hot tea.  It’s become my habit to drink hot tea after dinner every night and that particular night I was worn out with the day and thought, “It would be so nice to have Naomi do this task for me.”  While at the same time I began to feel that familiar pang of guilt and wondered if I was being selfish.  The resounding answer was, “No!”, and as it turned out I was creating an opportunity for servanthood.

Naomi agreed to make the tea after I gave some brief instruction.  She handed me the hot cup moments later and I felt so grateful for this small act.  The next night, I asked her again.  She scoffed a bit, but she complied…making an off-hand comment, “Am I going to have to do this every night?”  My reply, “Would that be so bad?” and we laughed it off.

Fast forward to last night, well over a month later, and she has begun asking me every single night, if I would like a cup of hot tea.  This simple and seemingly largely insignificant action has become so poignant, as she and I both realized that I’m teaching her to serve…by first serving me. 

I never imagined it happening in this way, but I realize that not only is it important for her to learn service, it’s equally important for her to know how to serve her own family…and it’s healing to me.  It’s reminding me that I too am valuable enough to receive.  I serve my family, day in and day out…but I don’t serve them well when I don’t allow them to reciprocate.  They must be allowed to have opportunity to give back. 

Sometimes as parents we are so used to making life happen that we neglect the little things like teaching our children to serve.

We serve Christ.  We must teach our children to serve Him as well, and one foundational step in this is for them to serve us first.  As parents we must realize that our children’s first concept of God the Father, comes from the household.  We undoubtedly spend our lives using our earthly father as a basis for the way we see Abba.  Many of us require healing in that area because no man can measure up to Abba.  But we can begin to teach reverence to God, by teaching our children to have healthy reverence for family too.

Naomi has remarked multiple times that she is serving me, and how much she enjoys it!  Never be afraid to lean into servanthood…even teaching your children to do so beginning at home.  It’s all about family.

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.  Galatians 5:13

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.  But among you it will be different.  Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.  For even the Son of man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:25-28

For many years, I didn’t understand that it was okay for me to ask God to bless me.  I thought it was selfish to do so and only prayed for His blessing over others…until I thought about this scripture and others that are very similar to it…

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.  May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You.  May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nation of the earth.  May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You.  Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.  God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.  Psalm 67

In this Psalm, David asks for God’s blessing so that the nations know of Him.  Later, he says when we praise God, and our land yields its harvest…all the earth will fear God. 

We ask for and receive blessings to show the world the character and goodness of God.  I don’t know about you, but I think that is truly amazing.  No other “god” actually wants to give to people and allow that goodness to flow.  No, they demand and only want from others. 

The one true God doesn’t have a need for anything.  He’s God.  He has all things already.  He simply desires to partner with us and bless us and love us.  It’s a choice for Him, not a necessity.  A god who needs isn’t a god at all.  There is only One God, and He is all things.  Has all things.  Lacks for no thing.

It is important for us to discover the blessings of God.  It is important because the world is in such stark lack.  The emptiness we see when we watch the far left and progressive Christians is shocking.  There is a huge deficit in our world…and you won’t be surprised to hear me say…that it stems from the breakdown of family. 

We need family.  We were created for family.  It’s God’s design for our lives. 

With so much divorce in the world, as well as, all the missing fathers…it’s no wonder society as we know it is threatened.  We need fathers and mothers.  We need boundaries.  We need the family dinner table.

But while we wait for the world to catch up and realize this desperate need, we should focus on living well, enjoying family, and asking for blessings that will cause the world to notice God in our lives.  Our lives are meant to be living testimonies of God.  Our lives should direct others to the goodness of God. 

If our lives are constructed around the “don’t” and “have nots”…then how exactly does that display the glory of God? 

God is abundant in all things.  He is good.  He is faithful.  He is more than enough. 

Set out today to display the blessings of God.  Never be ashamed to share with others when God has blessed you.  Never allow others struggles to cause you to fall silent when God does something wonderful in your life.

What if your testimony is the catalyst for their belief?  It just might be.  Don’t ever discount that.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard testimony from someone, and suddenly something clicked in my heart, and I could suddenly believe for more.  My faith increased. 

So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.   Romans 10:17

Never hold back praise to God.  Always let His praise be on your lips.  He is worthy!!

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!  Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious!  Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds!  So great it Your power that Your enemies cringe before You.  All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You, they sing praise to Your name.”  Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf!  He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot- come, let us rejoice in Him.  He rules forever by His power, His eyes watch the nations- let not the rebellious rise up against Him.  Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard; He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.  For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.  You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.  You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance.  I will come to Your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to You- vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.  I will sacrifice fat animals to You and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats.  Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.  I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue.  If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.  Praise be to God, Who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!  Psalm 66

We are heard when we keep our hearts pure.  We are heard when we fear the Lord.  He hears our hearts even when others say we are doing wrong…but really, we’re just obeying His direction.  He doesn’t hear us only on the merits of what others think or say about us.  He hears us through love.

For too many years, I allowed the words, directions, and actions of others to eclipse God’s light over my life.  What I am now seeing is that He’s the only One Who truly knows what is right for us…and what is right, in general. 

What if we truly listened?  What if we laid aside all the dreams, expectations, and demands of man?  What if instead, we really leaned into God and sought out His dreams for our lives.  What if we allowed Him to be the Architect of our future?

When I think about this, I imagine the world looks like a very different place.  If we all just let God direct our paths, how different would our own lives look?  What would change in our value system and how would we spend our time?

I am in the midst of a giant reset of my life, my priorities, my definition of success, and my time…and I’m feeling consistently shocked as I see God align things that I had no idea were out or place in my life. 

If you choose to lean in and experience this aligning process, I warn you…it’s dangerous…many things will change, but it’s the MOST rewarding and peaceful thing I’ve ever done.

I encourage you today to take a little time and ask God to show you His system of priorities for your life.  Allow Him to have access to your daily schedule and see if there are things that are out of alignment.  I promise, even though it can be painful, it’s also extremely beneficial.  His ways are higher than our ways.  He truly does know what’s best for His children. 

We praise the God who will never withhold His love from us!! Praise the Lord!!

Over the next few days, I feel deep in my spirit that we are to read chunks of scripture, then discuss them.  This first Psalm is full of good things.  What sticks out to me first, is that the entirety of it recognizes the source of ALL good things.  The One Who we serve is the mighty God.  Greater than all other things, He is.

Praise awaits You, O God, in Zion; to You our vows will be fulfilled.  O You Who hear prayer, to You all men will come.  When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions.  Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts!  We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your holy temple.  You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, Who formed the mountains by Your power, having armed Yourself with strength, Who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.  Those living far away fear Your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades You call forth songs of joy.  You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly.  The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so You have ordained it.  You drench its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its crops.  You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance.  The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.  The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.  Psalm 65

There are times when…well at all times…it’s good to acknowledge God and how wonderfully good He is…if there is one thing we can expect in all seasons, it’s that God is good.  He is the giver of all good things. 

When times are hard and we feel we are facing one challenge after another, it’s a great exercise to sit and remember.  Remember all the good things God has done.  Remember all the times He’s seen you through.  All the times He’s provided when there seemed to be no way.  Remember childhood and all the wonder of it.  All the many blessings that have made up the fabric of your life. 

Isn’t He a good God?!

I’ve noticed that one trick of the enemy is to block my memories, seemingly cutting me off from the power of my own testimony…but I won’t allow him to do so…when I feel blocked from the goodness record of my days…I sit and close my eyes, allow my mind to wander back in time, and search out the good days gone by…as strength to face this day.  It’s a wonderful practice. 

Time spent remembering God’s goodness and using it as fuel for today and tomorrow is ALWAYS a great idea!

I encourage you to do just that today.  Take time to close your eyes and remember.  Look for all the times when God has blessed, protected, and provided for you.  Let that good report lead your day.  Close your ears to fear and listen to the love song He’s been singing over you since the day you were born!!

Let’s examine a concept from two different vantage points…

“A tree is identified by its fruit.  If a tree is good, its fruit will be good.  If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.  You brood of snakes!  How could evil men like you speak what is good and right?  For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.  A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.  The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”  Matthew 12:33-37

And

“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.  A tree is identified by its fruit.  Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.  A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  What you say flows from what is in your heart.”  Luke 6:43-45

What are you filling your heart with?  What do you focus on throughout the day?  If you’re being fed by a bitter stream, then you will inevitably begin to have bitterness flow from you.  If you are being fed by the Stream of life, then you will definitely overflow fruit of the Spirit. 

Today, I encourage you to reconnect with the Spirit of God.  Go out and drink from the Stream of Life.  The Living Water.  Holy Spirit. 

Take your Bible and ask God to speak to you through His Word.  Sit outside and close your eyes as you drink in the stillness and busyness of nature.  It’s funny how it’s never really still or quiet, even outside.  There is always something moving or making noise…but that natural noise feels so different from the noise of electronics.  Step out into God’s masterpiece of nature.  Feel the grass under your feet.  Listen to the leaves and twigs crunch as you walk.  Breathe in the fresh air and look at the clouds.  It’s impossible to not feel God outdoors.

God, thank You for creation.  Thank You for the beauty all around us.  Lord, fill my heart with your goodness.  Fill my mind with thoughts of You.  Reset the rhythm of my soul today.  Shut out worry and fear and allow the beauty of Your Presence to flood my thoughts.  I lean into You today.  I chose You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

I love You, Lord; You are my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in Whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.  I called on the Lord, Who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies.  Psalm 18:1-3

The Word…the Word is alive…it has always been…it will always be…in the beginning, it was already here.  It is God.  Everything was created through the Word.  The Word gives life.  The Word brings light.  Let’s read this scripture together…

In the beginning the Word already existed.  The Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He existed in the beginning with God.  God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.  The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.  John 1:1-5

If all of creation revolves around the Word, then don’t you think our own words are important?  God didn’t only make His Word powerful.  We are taught that the power of life and death are in the tongue…words.

I know we’ve already talked about the power of our words…but this morning, God is reiterating to me the power and importance of our words and the Word as we face our current obstacles.

We must reign in our tongues.  We have no path to success outside of learning how to better tame our tongue and take responsibility for our words.  Speaking words of encouragement to others has enormous power.  When we speak things out loud, it activates things.  It engages our mind, body, and spirit.   We can think good thoughts all day long, but when we speak those things…something shifts.  It’s amazing.  Words bring agreement and that’s another reason that we must carefully guard our mouths.  We must also guard what we hear and agree with.  When someone speaks a lie or defamation to me, you will not see me nod my head or even grunt in agreement, no…you’ll see me stand still…and that is purposeful.  There are many instances when I refuse to show any agreement.  Physical nods and uh-huhs bring a spirit of agreement.  This may seem silly to you, but just try it.  

Today, pay attention to the things you agree with and how you show that.  Think about it when someone speaks about things in a negative way, notice how your body responds and intentionally hold back agreement…then see what happens.  It’s very interesting.  When you refuse to agree, whether vocally or physically, with a negative word it shuts it down. 

Everything on earth is looking for agreement.  Agreement is like fertilizer.  That’s why you will notice people who carry offense are drawn to others with the same spirit.  People who are full of life and success are drawn to others who are the same.  

People love to say, “Like speaks to like.”  What that really means is, we are all looking for agreement and when we find it, we naturally congregate with that agreement, and it grows. 

To take this further, don’t you believe that being in the Word daily is of paramount importance?  We MUST be deeply engaged with the Word of God.  When we are daily engaged with the Word, then we are standing in agreement with it.  We agree with scripture during church with amens and uh-huhs.  Our whole life is about agreement.  We agree with God’s Word when we live like it is the Truth.

I want to stand in agreement with every word spoken from God, don’t you?

“I also tell you this:  If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you.  For where two or three gather together as My followers, I am there among them.”  Matthew 18:19-20

As I sit here, on this overcast morning, waiting to hear from God…I close my eyes and ask, “What do You want to say?”  This question is normal for me to ask, but the responses are never the same.  He always has something different to say.  It’s become a truly wonderful experience to lean in, listen, and hear words that I either don’t know or are simply not “normal” words to my vocabulary.  Each time I hear one, I immediately go to my phone and type it in to receive a definition.  This morning’s word is:  foundry.

Foundry:  a workshop or factory for casting metal.

An unusual word for me to think about…I can say with certainty that God released it to me.  but upon reading the definition, I know He’s doing two things…speaking to me personally and giving me a devotional topic to share. 

We are in the foundry right now.  Our family is, but also America.  At the same time, we are all being forged in the fires of discomfort, uncertainty, and wonder over our future.  We wonder what America will look like in a year.  We wonder how we’ve declined so quickly, unless it’s intentional.  And if it’s intentional, then how do we separate from those treasonous individuals who are bent upon destroying our country from within?  How can we stand?  Who will stand?  Will the church ever notice they are under attack?  The games of distraction, disinformation, and disconnection are strong.  “Look this way!”, we are told.  “Believe this, not your eyes.”, we are lied to.  “This could never happen here.”, we are deceived into inaction with this thought.

Whether we realize it or not, we are in the foundry being forged by the fire.  But overall, this is a really good thing.  Forging removes impurities and imperfections.  It’s necessary to reveal what needs to be removed from metal so it’s as strong as it needs to be.  We are being perfected in the fire.  Yes, I know perfection cannot be fully attained, but we can most definitely keep taking one step at a time toward it.  And we should.  We should always be moving toward Jesus.  The Author and Perfector of our faith.

God has been removing chaff for some time now.  It takes time to remove what’s been deeply engrained.  He’s steadily renewing our minds.  Taking us out of our slumber.  Awakening our hearts to Truth.  Giving us courage to stand against those who are under demonic clouds of deception and leading masses astray.  We are not alone.  We have a great cloud of witnesses standing with us, when we stand for Truth.  We lean into the unseen, as the world demands we believe what we should not see.  Spiritual eyes are opening to see the demonic for what it is.  The time is now. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfect our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.  After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.  Hebrews 12:1-4