As I sat down to write my weekly article, the first thing that came to my mind was how thankful I am and should be! Several years ago, a friend of mine paused our conversation and invited me to give thanks to the Lord for something that came to mind. He had set a reminder on his phone for a certain time of the day and his reminder chime went off in the middle of our conversation. He explained it was a quick and simple reminder to pause long enough to acknowledge to God how thankful he was.

I started that habit almost immediately and no matter what is going on at the moment, I will at least turn my attention to the Lord and, if possible acknowledge something I am thankful for. Today I am thankful for God’s divine intervention in my physical body.

Just a little over two weeks ago I went through open heart surgery. My recovery has been nothing short of miraculous as I have exceeded every time line they consider “normal.” I attribute this to several things. I knew that my heart was in need of intervention – miraculous or through the skills of those dedicated to healing our physical bodies. I changed my prayers months ago from healing my heart to recognizing I need a “new heart.” All the way up until the surgery I continued to keep my focus upon the promises of God for healing. Jesus paid the price for my wholeness, no matter how it was going to manifest. I was very careful about keeping the words of my mouth in alignment with the truth stated in the Word of God. I went into the surgery knowing I was going to get a physical heart that will serve me another 45 years (until I am 120). I can already tell and feel confident that my heart will serve me well for as long as the Lord wants me here! I believe there was also a divine impartation of a new heart spiritually to face what lies ahead. I probably have 75-100 direct or indirect prayer connections and they were aware of my needs and desires and were interceding for me.

A friend of mine, who is also a believer, was going into hospital for a different kind of surgery at the same time. The Lord directed her to write out her own statements of what she believed for and encouraged me to do the same. My one page of scripture promises and expectations I was trusting God for included a recovery time that would astound everyone! Every single thing I listed on that paper has come to pass and she said she was seeing similar results. One of the keys to walking in a place of God’s peace and joy is a thankful heart. Recognizing God’s mercy, acknowledging His goodness and trusting in His faithfulness has kept me in a place to receive healing.

When the prophet Elijah was being used by the Lord to demonstrate to King Ahab that truly the Lord God of Israel was the one, true God, he was accused of bringing disaster upon the nation more than once. It was at Elijah’s word that God promised to withhold the rain and then release the rain a few years later. When God’s timing was right, Elijah began to intercede for the rain to begin. When he (his servant) saw a cloud the “size of a man’s hand” he sent word to the king to hasten back to his home before the rains overtook him. Then Elijah outran the king’s chariot and horses on the way back to Jezreel! (17-25 miles away). Running with the horses is “to be stretched and challenged in our capacities and abilities, and yet be able to overcome and live victoriously.” (Google quote)

That is the kind of supernatural strength I have been contending for. There was a question posed by the prophet Jeremiah (12:5). God was saying, “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” We have entered the times and seasons where it looks apocalyptic — the book of Revelation where the four horsemen are revealed – conquest, war, famine and death. Have we prepared ourselves for the future as well as we could/should have? So many in the church are looking for Jesus to come back at any time and deliver us from this present age by being caught away or raptured. I certainly would not object to that happening, but do not live from that perspective entirely.

There are too many examples in both scripture and history to indicate that to take that view to its extreme makes people ineffective for the present age we are now living in. There are many more scriptures and life examples about overcoming in the midst of tribulation or standing in the storms of life.

I have been an avid student of the Word of God for 60 years when I gave my heart to Him. I have probably investigated many of the doctrines of the faith as much as anyone. I have to say, the overall understanding and conclusions I have come to is that we are here upon this earth to be “salt and light,” to push back the darkness (light always overcomes the darkness), to press through the battles, particularly in our minds.

Is heaven real? Yes! Is it above and beyond our wildest dreams and imaginations? Yes! But to be disengaged from this world and His heart for hurting humanity while we are here does not seem right. That motivates me to continue on in the race – God’s love for humanity as it can be expressed through me. I have written many times about living from heaven’s perspective. Time is only a small segment of our eternity. Our spirits live forever even though these physical bodies will die. Every man but two have been recorded in history to have died at some point in time. Those who were believers are still amongst us as the “great cloud of witnesses.” They are cheering us on to finish our portion of God’s ultimate dream. His dream includes those of us that are living in these serious times.

I have done what I could to lengthen my impact upon this earth by getting a new heart. I want to be known as one who lived out the fullness of her days, running full speed ahead! I want to be known as one of the Joshua’s or Caleb’s who outlived all of their peers and embraced the promises of God and was fully able to enter the new land and take the territory that God has specifically promised them. What about you?