Never Ever Ever

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5 AMPC

This is one of my favorite translations of this verse because it just keeps repeating, I will not! I think what God is saying to you this morning is that regardless of what things look like, feel like or how bad it gets, He is holding tightly to you, so tight that there is no way you will ever escape his grasp.

What a beautiful promise. That’s something you can speak over your situation, over your body, your children, your finances; “God will not let go! He will hold me until every promise He’s ever made to me comes to pass.”

My dear friend, keep God as your central focus. Make Him the one who matters most. Pledge your allegiance to Him. He loves you so much and wants what’s best for you. He will not in any degree leave you without support, helpless or forsaken, ever!

Sandy G

Remember

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. Isaiah 46:9-10

It would take me forever to recount all that God has done for me and I’m sure each one of you would have so much to add that we’d be talking for eternity. But in the remembering, we are assured that He is a delivering, redeeming, providing God and that there is no one like him.

He knows and orders all our steps and as long as our focus rests on Him and His Word, that is enough to carry us through every obstruction we face, every road block, every bridge out, every unexpected delay, every loss or gain. For everything He plans for us, not we plan for us, will come to pass.

I choose to remember to trust You, Father, with all that concerns me today. My feelings won’t direct my steps–You will. Regardless of what I see in my path, when I remember who walks with me, I can make it to the otherside. Knowing You’ll never leave me is enough.

Sandy G

The Word That Watches

Then said the Lord to me, “You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12

Giving thanks today for the Word in me. It’s alive. It’s powerful. It stands as a mighty fortress, where I run when my enemies surround me.

We so often think of the Word as a thing spoken, but Revelations 19:13 tells us the Word is a person: “The robe he wore was covered with blood. His name is “The Word of God.”

No wonder when I speak His Word, things change. He’s alive! I believe that if we could see the Word moving in the realm of the Spirit, it would change our way of being. Every time I speak what He says in faith, Word runs to perform it.

I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I’m sure of His Word. It holds my future and assures me of victory. My hope is in the Word. My strength is in the Word. My health is in the Word. My provision is in the Word. My peace is in the Word.

Father, thank you for watching over my words today. May I only agree with Your Word. I’m excited and expectant.

Sandy G

Let It Go

What you do with what you have determines your outcome. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 TPT

Sow seed, it’s the only way to obtain a harvest. No seed, no harvest. Regardless of the size of the field, the only way to gain additional seed is to sow what you have. You will always end up with more than you started with.

Here’s my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest. Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.

My friends, I don’t believe this is just about money. It’s about what you do with your talents, your words, your life, and your time. As a parent, you may be sowing into your children right now. What you sow in them today will manifest in them later. It may be much, much later, but it will show up.

Whatever it is you’re sowing, do it to please the Father and do it with ‘hilarious generosity’. It all belongs to Him, so don’t hoard it, give it away. Know that everything you’ve planted will produce more of its kind and allow you to continue giving. You’ll never run out of seed!

Father, today I plant again so that my future will be full of seed to harvest. You’re such a giving Father. How can I not duplicate all that You have displayed and taught. Cause me to be more aware of what You would have me sow into so that the seeds You’ve given me will be an optimal harvest. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sandy G

Think About His Goodness

Remember singing this song in church? “When I think about His goodness and what He’s done for me. When I think about His goodness and how He set me free, I can dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, dance all night. All night!” (by Clint Brown)

Every morning, I wake up thinking about the Lord and His goodness. Every night I lay in bed and think, He did it again! He kept me safe, provided for, healed, and delivered from trouble. I’m still under His wings, still on the right path, and still in my right mind.

What a mighty God. What an awesome God. There’s no one like Him in all the earth. Every detail of my life is ordered by Him. He takes bad and turns it into good. I’m blessed! My children are blessed! My husband is blessed.

May this same God that I serve be as good to you as He is to me. May you trust in Him and know Him as I do. Regardless of what the enemy plans for you or throws at you, God is right there to defend you. Have a wonderful day!

Sandy G

Clear Your Mind

Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. I Peter 5:7-8 GW

I believe we are all familiar with those verses, but how many know the ones that follow, verses 9-11: Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while. Power belongs to him forever. Amen.

If you start going to the gym to work out, the muscles do not come in a day, nor do they come without pain. When you work them, they cry out, trying to get you to stop doing them because it hurts. The next day, you can barely move, but you get up and go at it again until the pain eases and you feel strength coming to you.

The saying, ‘No pain, no gain’ is actually true in both the physical and spiritual realms. Jesus said we would have trials and tribulations, but cheer up, He overcame the world. Sometimes, our muscles of faith must be built up by pushing through things that hurt. If we give up each time there’s a battle, we will merely be observers, not participators.

My desire is to win so that I can help others win as well. Paul said to fight the good fight of faith, implying that it’s not a cake walk, it’s a battle. I don’t know how Christians get it into their heads that once they get saved, they just float through life on a glory cloud. Reading the Word daily is training our minds for battle with the mind games the enemy puts on us.

Remember what Jesus did when He was tested? He came back at him with the Word! That’s how we resist. That is our weapon.

Father, today as we take up our sword (your Word), help us to recognize the enemies’ schemes and plans. We will be overcomers today by the Word that’s in our mouths. We will speak your truth, not confirm his lies.

Sandy G

Demonstrate

God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 Message

If we’re too busy to speak freedom to those who are bound, to pray for those who are sick, to bring hope to those imprisoned by their past, then we are just too busy.

Years ago, I listened to the Holy Spirit and spoke peace to a woman diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, bipolar, depressed with thoughts of suicide. 6 hours later, she returned to thank me with a smile on her face. It only takes a moment to put the Word to work in the lives of those we touch.

Jesus said go! Show! Speak! He wants us to be His hands, feet, and mouth. There are just too many ‘christians’ sitting in the pews not doing the do’s! It’s time to put to use what we’ve learned in our workplace, marketplace and schoolplace. Stop being intimidated by political correctness and live the life Jesus intended you to live.

Demonstrate Jesus.

Sandy G

Lift Your Head

And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”  When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17:10-11

Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28

We all know the story of David and Goliath. It was one of my favorite stories growing up. As I was reading this again, I thought about how much fear surrounded the men Israel that day. It says that even Saul, the king, was afraid. Fear causes people to react differently. Especially if they enemy has been taunting them for some time.

I don’t know who you are or what’s happening to you but let me just say this; the devil is on the prowl, trying to devour your hope, your promise, your faith in God and even your victory. Don’t allow his voice to speak louder than Gods. Pull out the stone God gave you. That’s right. Now put it in the sling and begin to twirl it round and round. Take aim. Release!

Now see your enemy on the ground under your feet, his head in hand, defeated. That’s right because that’s what Jesus did for you. Don’t walk with your head down, focused on your feet. Lift up your eyes. Help is on the way. Jesus! By your side, hand in yours. You are never alone!

Sandy G

Priorities

“But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33 GW

I’ve seen so many people give up on the promises of God simply because it’s been years and they have yet to see it fulfilled. I was reminded of this verse that seems to go well with this. When you find your mind consumed with these words, “When is it my turn? When will I get what’s been promised to me? Why is it taking so long?” than perhaps your gaze has shifted from Him to ‘me’ without even realizing it.

I want to be consumed with the presence of God, but situations arise that are challenging and I get shoved off track. It’s times like these that I need a reminder of what’s really important and what I need to let go of. If I’m spending more time on the ‘cares’ then I am on the Word of God, those cares need to go.

Luke 21:34-35 NLT Jesus warns us, “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.”

Father, I shift my focus to you, thankful that You’re aware of everything coming my way even before it gets here. I don’t have time for all that! Let me obey Your voice, go where You lead me, say what You need me to say and trust You to take care of everything else. Thank You for Your promises to me. I trust you to bring every one of them to pass at the appointed time, until then, I will press on toward You, my prize.

Sandy G

How Do You Limit God?

“Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted.” Revelation 21:5 CEV

Wait, did He really say ‘every’ word? What about healing, can His Word be trusted in healing? Yes! He made provision for that. “Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:3

What about my needs? Can His Word be trusted for my needs? Yes, for He is called the Great Provider! Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Is there anything He can’t do? Jeremiah 32:17 says, “‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.'”

Father, I understand why You can’t be limited, You who set the stars in place, who created the earth and everything on and in it. You who formed man out of a mud pie and breathed into him the breath of life so that man became a living, breathing soul. You who taught us how to speak things into existence just as You did. I wonder how it makes You feel when we agree with the dark side, any report that opposes Your Word? The times when your children choose hate instead of love.

Father, forgive me. I have sinned and fallen short of your glory. But you made provision for that as well. Ephesians 2:8-10 GW says, “God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It’s not the result of anything you’ve done, so no one can brag about it. God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.”

Father, may I be filled with good works today, faithful to do what You’ve prepared me for. My life is not my own, it’s Yours. Do with me according to Your plans and purposes. I trust you and your Word.