Remember the prophecy God gave in Hosea: “To those who were rejected and not my people, I will say to them: ‘You are mine.’ And to those who were unloved I will say: ‘You are my darling.’ ” Romans 9:25 TPT

Be still my soul! What a beautiful and timely word for so many who have felt unloved and overlooked. Those who have felt rejected for whatever reason, hear the Word of the Lord over you today. “You are mine. You are my darling.”

Now you may argue that this Word was for someone else, spoken centuries ago in a very distant land, but can I just remind you of a song we used to sing when I was a child. “Every promise in the book is mine. Every chapter, every verse, every line. And I’m standing on His Word divine. Every promise in the book is mine.”

Every story was written with me in mind. God wanted me to be assured that I could have the same relationship with Him that my father Abraham had. When Adam walked with God, that walk was restored when Jesus rose from the dead so I can walk with God as well. When Moses interacted with God on the mountain, I can have that too. When He said, “You have not because you ask not, ask largely that your joy may be full,” that too was for me.

I am His darling! Here’s what the dictionary says about that word; a person very dear to another, someone dearly loved; a person or thing in great favor; a favorite. I always say to people, I’m his favorite Sandra Kay Gregory. There is only one like me because He uniquely made me for a special purpose. I am His darling!

I learned a long time ago to hold onto the Word, plant it deep in my heart and spend time in God’s presence so He could show me His perspective on it. You may see it differently than I do and that’s ok, you may need to see it differently because of how He created you. Doesn’t mean it’s not true, it may mean you just haven’t needed to hear it like I did.

Regardless of your feelings about it, you need to know that God loves you and you are his favorite. He has such sweet plans for you and He can’t wait to open Himself up so you can see them. Don’t be too busy that you miss the moment. Stay in His presence until you know that what He says about you is true.

Until Next Time,

Sandy G

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Yesterday, the Lord whispered this verse to me and asked, “Why is it people ask for more of me but won’t read, study or meditate on my Word? Don’t they understand that I am my Word?” I’m pretty sure He wasn’t looking for an answer but rather posing a question that we should each ask ourselves.

Seems like one more reason for the devil to keep us too busy to do it, right? He knows that when we are filled with the Word of God, we are actually filled with Him. I mean, think about it for a moment, If I had a glass of murky water and continued to pour clear water in it, what would eventually happen to the water in the glass? What was in it would be exchanged for clear water. If I continue pouring into the glass, it would overflow, right?

I love what Paul says in Ephesians 3:19 Amp; “[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!”

There it is again. ‘filled and flooded with God Himself.’ Here’s another thought I’ll leave you with today. You can’t piggy back off someone else’s revelation or relationship. The revelation God gives to me of Himself, I share with you to instill a desire to go after Him yourself, but to intimately connect with that Word, you must read it, think on it, study it. It must be personal to you so that it never leaves your heart or mind.

Thats what Paul did, he wrote letters to the churches telling what God had showed him, encouraging them to run after God also. No, I’m not comparing myself with Paul, I’m only using that as an example. Remember when Jesus spoke of those who said, “We prophesied in your name….” and he said, depart from me, I never KNEW you. When we use what others have instead of getting our own, we’re merely piggy backing off someone else’s relationship with God.

I WANT MY OWN INTIMACY WITH GOD! DON’T YOU? I want to know Him in every deep sense of the word. I want relationship with His Word in me. What is relationship? One translation puts it this way: Relationship can be applied to connection either by birth or by marriage. I’m a born again, blood bought child of the King and He lives in me by His Word.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Have you ever been in a battle that you KNEW you weren’t going to win? The fear, frustration and anger at the unfairness of it all comes over you like a flood. All the accusations, all the drama, all the pain is overwhelming, isn’t it?

It’s almost worse when we watch our spouse or children be wrongfully accused. It makes me want to go all ‘postal’ on the attacker!

I was thinking that it must have been how the Father felt when he watched his Son be wrongfully accused, spit on, then suddenly I realized that’s not how He felt at all. He knew the end result. It was a part of a bigger plan that He saw outside of time.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 gives us the key, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” There it is, the place of perfect peace is a place of trust.

Have you ever done the ‘trust fall’? You know, when you fall backward into the arms of people who catch you? Yeah, me neither! Well, that’s what God is asking us to do; do the trust fall. Fall into His arms of love and trust Him. He knows how it’s going to turn out.

Do you trust Him? Even when it looks REALLY bad, when you have to stand there and take all that, do you trust Him? When you get fired, do you trust him? When you lose your house, do you trust Him? When it looks like they’ve won, do you trust Him? I believe that when things are at their worst, the rescue looks the best. When things are at their lowest, the arm of the Lord is outstretched.

Remember when Elisha was surrounded by the army and he wasn’t stressed a bit by it, but his servant was freaking out? Elisha asked the Lord to open his eyes and he saw the chariots of the Lord surrounding them. The battle isn’t ours, it’s Gods. Stop trying to fight this battle, rest in His peace and presence and trust in the Lord. When you are in the secret place of the Most High God (Ps 91), thats when He will show you His salvation.

It’s a habit we all must develop if we’re to be a light in this very dark world. Find your hiding place and stay there till the storm passes. Trust that He’s big enough to take care of this and you.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Psalms 91:14-16 NLT The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Do you love the Lord? He will rescue you! Do you trust the Lord? He will protect you! Have you called on Him? He will answer you! Are you in trouble? He will be with you to rescue & treat you as His most prized possession. Long life is yours, not just enough!

He will show you His salvation. What does He save you from? Not just sin, but lack, sickness, disease, trouble, fear, your enemies, worry, distress, did I mention EVERYTHING? He is your rock, fortress, deliverer, shelter, mighty God who saves.

There is none like Him in all the earth, but lets not stop there. None like Him in the heavens, the galaxies. No problem is too big for our God.

So awesome in greatness and power yet He cares so much about you that He never misses your worship. He scoops it up and smiles. He would do anything for you. Oh wait, did I mention how much He loves you?

Think on this for the day! Especially when things go contrary to what you’re believing for. God is not deaf! He has a plan and He’s working in your situations right now. You just have to trust Him.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

But the faith-righteousness we receive speaks to us in these words of Moses: “God’s living message is very close to you, as close as your own heart beating in your chest and as near as the tongue in your mouth.” Romans 10:8 TPT

I headed down to a quiet area to spend time in the Word but couldn’t pull up the Bible app on my phone. I was about to put everything away and head back to the room when I heard the Lord whisper, “The Word is in you, even in your heart.”

What a beautiful reminder that the powerful, living Word is alive and working in me. That, my friend, is like a treasure, a savings account for rainy day or an ultimate pay-out. Each time I access that Word, it provides the very thing needed at that moment.

Wow! Think about that for just a moment. I can access healing by the Word, “He sent forth His Word and healed them and delivered them of all their diseases.” Thank you Lord for healing in my body. There is NOTHING you’re incapable of healing! Your Word has already done it. Woot woot!

So today, dive deep into the river of God and partake of the Kingdom of God that’s in you. Live like the king He created you to be. 👸

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet, like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress, my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape, my tower of rescue where none can reach me. My secret strength and shield around me, you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside, always the champion of my cause. Psalm 18:2 TPT

Ever need a rescue? You know, when you’re on your way to an appointment and the tire on your car goes flat? Or you’re driving to work and hit a patch of ice and off in the ditch you go. Perhaps your need for rescue has come in a way where you’re heart was broken, the thing you feared most was being spoken by a doctor, friend, spouse. The money is due and it’s just not here.

We all need a rescue at some point in our lives, so let me introduce you to my rescuer, His name is Jesus. He’s a strong tower, deliverer, healer, provider, protector, rescuer. He sees all, knows all, shows His secrets to those who ask. He hasn’t taken a break, gone on vacation or checked out for the day.

He’s a friend that is closer than a brother, He’s aware of everything going on in your life. His name is Jesus. The mention of His name calms storms, heals the sick and raises the dead. He’s not broken, you can still say His name and it still works the same today as it has and will forever.

Go ahead, close your eyes and say it outloud, Jesus! Say it again, Jesus. LOUDER-JESUS. Keep saying it until you feel His presence, receive His peace and assurance that He is watching over His word each and everyday. Jesus! I tell you this; regardless of what you face today, His name which is above every name, still works today.

Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 TPT

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 TPT

Ever been in a tornado? Perhaps not physically, but spiritually? When you’re sucked up into a cyclone of words which lead to fear, doubt and unbelief? I don’t care how big of a Christian you are, everyone has been there. Now imagine being there for a long period of time, bombarded by not just words, but the thoughts that lead to your own words agreeing with those words, thoughts and feelings. It’s definitely not a pretty place to be in. Perhaps thats why my hair always looks messy.

It was the day after surgery and I couldn’t reach Walt on his cell phone. I knew the battery had died because it went right to voicemail. Since we’re in the season of closed hospitals, I can’t be there with him. In fact for the last 3 hospital stays I’ve not been allowed in to see him or be with him. This is the way we stay in touch. I call and encourage him, pray with him, sometimes we talk, sometimes we’re quiet but we’re together with that tenuous connection.

I called the nurse and asked her to plug in his phone and spoke to him for a brief moment from her phone. I waited for a few hours because I had some errands to run. When I called but it went straight to voicemail again. I called the nurse again and explained the situation. She said the plug must be bad because it wasn’t charging so she found another plug across the room, plugged it in and left.

Just before shift change I called back. She was busy with a discharge and would call me right back. That didn’t happen. I called my daughter and told her my frustration and we talked for awhile. Right in the middle of this, I decided to blog and found this verse. I don’t think it was an accident at all.

If you’re there right now and no amount of Word or prayer seems to help, you’re not alone! No, I mean you’re really not alone! Right in the middle of your mess, the Holy Spirit has you wrapped in His sweet arms comforting you and giving you peace. Close your eyes and whisper, “Jesus.” He’s not just in the tornado with you, He’s bringing order to the mess and bringing beauty to the chaos. Focus on Jesus and watch to see what be makes of your madness.

Until Next Time,

Sandy G

You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you. Psalm 91:1-2 ERV

There are days when I just want to hide, to not tell anyone where I’m going or what I’m doing, just hide. I’m sure we’ve all felt like that or perhaps you feel like that right now. Those feelings come when we’re not ‘hiding’ in who God is. We try to do it all by ourselves and when we can’t, we feel like a failure.

There was a day I felt like I was a full time mom, wife, employee, lay leader, rescuer, trying to be all things to all people all the time and it was exhausting! But then I discovered the best hiding place! It was with my Father, hidden in the knowledge of who He is and what He can and will do on my behalf.

What a great place! The coolest thing is, no matter where I am in the world, I can snuggle up to him and sense His great big arms around me, carrying me when I’m just to weary to do it on my own. Protecter, provider, defender, healer, deliverer, strength, peace-giver, I just don’t have to worry about anything because He’s promised to take care of me. What a perfect Father!

It’s like being hungry and finding money hidden in your pocket. It’s like being pulled out of the path of a train, or getting an extended arm when you’re drowning. I love having knowledge of who God is and what He’s capable of. Daily I will magnify His name and exalt Him with my life.

Verses 14-16 ends the Psalm like this: The Lord says, “If someone trusts me, I will save them. I will protect my followers who call to me for help. When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.”

I’m hiding and He knows where to find me.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. Philippians 4:6-7 ERV.

What a mouthful of instruction right there. Don’t you worry bout a thing! Just look, He said to pray and ask God for everything that you need but the key is “always giving thanks for what you have.” Just as we see whenever the children of Israel fought in a battle, they gave God praise first.

Right now, in the middle of the mayhem, think about His goodness. Thats right. Think back to the day when He saved you and lavished His great love on you. Think back to that day, you know, the day you deserved to be fired but got forgiveness instead. Think back to that day when the doctor told you it wasn’t possible, but God in the great mercy He’s known for, showed you what He did to take care of that.

Remember when your children went after the things of the world? Remember the day they came back to God? What rejoicing. Now look at them, serving God in all His glory! Remember when that friend left and years later you found out God was just protecting you and gave you a much better one.

And the last part of that verse says that because we belong to Jesus, Gods peace stands guard over all our thoughts and feelings. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! Lets sum it up then; Don’t worry. Ask. Give thanks. Peace. That looks like a formula we can all benefit from.

Thank you for this, Lord. That I can cast it all on you because you care for me. There’s no sense in both of us carrying around all this stuff thats going on when Your shoulders are big enough to carry it for me. You are a great and mighty God and I LOVE YOU!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths smooth. Proverbs 3:5-6 GW

That word trust is defined; reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence, a person on whom or thing on which one relies; the obligation or responsibility imposted on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed.

AMPC version of this passage is; Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways, know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

We say we trust in God, even our money says it, but our hearts reflect worry, fear and uncertainty. Our actions or the direction we take also shows us what we trust in. Do you see that? That scripture is perfectly clear–we are not to rely on our own insight and understanding, but rather on His.

Even in this tumultuous time we live in, it’s clear those who trust in the Lord and those who incessantly listen to the news for their version of truth. He didn’t say it would be easy, but He said it would be worth it. But may I add this? You will only trust in who you have relationship with. If you don’t, you won’t.

It takes training your mind to think right thoughts about God and knowing His Word and His ways. It’s understanding who He is and that He has good plans for you. It’s knowing that God is God and there is no one else that can do it like He can.  It’s taking the ‘my way’ out of the equation and trusting that regardless of what it looks like now, it’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished.

The road you’re on right now may be filled with rocks and holes, but do you hear that? God has a bulldozer on the way to clear your path so that where you’re walking right now will look a whole lot different if you’ll step out of the way and trust Him. It’s going to be seen by all so don’t fret, just trust Him.  He is faithful, true and perfect in all of His ways! He is watching over you to keep an protect you. He’s your provider, healer and deliverer. Nothing is too hard for Him.  It may not look like you pictured it, but it will be exactly what you need because He loves you!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G