Have you ever had something happen to you that so devastated you that each time you tell the story, the same anger rises up. Thats what happens when we give more attention to the problem. God never meant for us to do that. We are to exalt God, to think on Him, not the problem.

In Mark chapter 6, after Jesus had fed about 18,000 (5000 men plus women and children) with a snack, Jesus put his men in a boat and sent them ahead to the other side. Now these men were mostly fishermen and they knew how to read the sky to tell if a storm was brewing because that had been their previous job. The disciples were looking at the storm, talking about the storm, probably remembering all the friends they’d lost at sea, until fear came on them so strong they forgot who sent them.

They were so focused on the problem that when they saw Jesus walking on the water, they freaked out! Matthew 6:52 says “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.” They forgot about the snack that had just fed the masses. All the miracles they’d seen went right out of their heads because their focus was wrong.

That’s what God’s trying to get us to understand. When we give more thought to anything other than God, we exalt the problem and it becomes a god, mightier in our thoughts than God himself. JESUS! Help us get this right. Every time that problem you face comes to your mind and you dwell on it, worry about it, wonder about it, you’re not trusting God. (I hope you understand I’m talking to myself as well!). It hardens your heart to the miracle working capabilities of God.

Don’t you know that in the middle of your time with the Lord, when your mind is on Him and you’re talking about Him, He can give you the key to change something? Don’t you know that when we take our hands and minds off the problem and focus on Him, it enables Him free reign over every problem in our lives?

Remember the time when you had no food in the cupboards and someone showed up with groceries? Did it happen because you were worrying about it? NO! It was when you began to remind God of His promises to you, when you began to remember His goodness and His grace.

Is there ANYTHING too hard for God? Ok than! We will obey Him when He says, FOCUS ON ME! SEEK MY FACE! He has things to show us that will help someone He’s going to send our way today, tomorrow and we need to be ready to give out of the increase of our heart. How can I be ready when I’m focused on me? Lets be treasure hunters in the Word. Lets find His promises and remember what a great and mighty God we serve. Nothing is impossible when we trust in Him.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

So hear me now, Lord; show me your famous mercy. O God, be my Savior and rescue me! Then he broke through and transformed all my wailing into a whirling dance of ecstatic praise!
He has torn the veil and lifted from me the sad heaviness of mourning. He wrapped me in the glory garments of gladness. How could I be silent when it’s time to praise you?
Now my heart sings out loud, bursting with joy—a bliss inside that keeps me singing,
“I can never thank you enough!” Psalm 30:10-12 NLT

What a perfect way to end the week, with a shout of praise! You see, regardless of the twists and turns, the threats and challenges, life’s ups and downs, God is forever faithful. I refuse to wait until things look perfect before I worship. In fact, when there is a sacrifice to our worship, when it comes from a broken and contrite spirit, it seems to do so much more–it get’s God’s attention.

Sometimes at the most difficult moments, when my tears over-rode my faith, I saw God step in as if to say, “Remember when you worshipped me this morning? Your thankfulness in the chaos caused me to look closer. It got my attention and I sent my angels to elevate you to a better vantage point.”

I don’t know about you, but elevation has it’s advantages. When you stand above, you can more easily see what’s going on and sometimes, that’s all you need to survive. It’s like Psalm 91:1 says; They who dwell in the secret place shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. When His wings cover me, I don’t need to see or understand, it’s just nice to feel safe and secure.

Like David, I come before You with thanksgiving and enter into Your courts with praise. I’m thankful for Your hand on our lives, for the moment by moment sense of my hand in Yours. You constantly lead me beside still waters and restore my soul. I may walk on a cliffs edge, but because You’re with me, I won’t fear because I know You’re with me. Your rod of correction comforts me. Time and time again, You’ve prepared a feast for me in the middle of the battle field to assure me of the victory that is mine.

I cannot go anywhere where You are not there. I cannot escape Your watchful eye nor run from Your goodness. Your unmerited grace and favor are constant companions wherever I go. There’s no place I’d rather be than here in Your Love.

Forever Grateful,

Sandy G

“The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11 NLT

As I was interceding on Wednesday night a few years back, the Lord dropped this verse in my spirit. I believe we are indeed in a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People run to everything and everyone for an answer, but the last place they go is to the Word.

I believe that the load on our pastors would be lighter if people would look to the Word and spend time in the presence of the Lord rather then run to the church office to get an answer. We are such a microwave society. We want it NOW. Waiting on the Lord just takes too long.

When was the last time you stepped away from the noise of life, took your bible, notebook and pen and actually spent time with God? I can’t even tell you half of what it will do for you if you would just do this simple thing. I started with 15 minutes each morning, now I’m finding an hour isn’t enough. Sometimes I tell myself I should set my alarm a 1/2 hour earlier because that time with the Lord makes all the difference in my day, my week, my month, my year.

“Oh Sandy, I’m not a morning person. I just couldn’t do that!” Really? What if you were to do a 911 prayer to the Lord just to hear him say, “This really isn’t a good time for me! Come back later when I’m not so busy!” If we don’t prioritize our time with God and make Him first, not last, we should not be surprised when we have to wait to get our answer.

Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” Don’t miss your appointed time with the Lord. Seek Him now! Give him the first fruits of your day and watch the return on your investment come back with so much interest you’ll be blown away.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

You rise up early, you go to bed late, and work hard for your food, all for nothing. For the Lord gives to His loved ones even while they sleep. Psalm 127:2 NLV

Let me just share how I personally heard this verse. ‘You work from morning to night, full of stress and worry, listening to the news which stresses you out more. You worry about how you’re going to pay your bills, if you’ll keep your job, all for nothing, because I the Lord your God, love to provide for you even while you sleep.’

In the King James version it says; bread of sorrow, which can be interpreted vain and non productive or useless things. Proverbs 4:20 says, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.”

Some of us eat more from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil than we spend with the Tree of Life. The truth is that if we eat poison, we’ll die, yet we don’t think this applies to what we partake of on a daily basis. Can I just break it down for you? The more time we spend with Jesus, the more like him we become. The more time we spend watching secular programming and the news, the more like the world we become.

We need to make better choices with our diets, don’t we? I’m finding that if I keep my mind on Jesus, true to His Word, He leads me into all truth. That when I get up a little earlier and spend time with God, cutivating relationship with Him, I recognize when He walks into the room, when He speaks, I know it.

We need to be tuned into the WORD not CNN. We need to read the WORD not the Tampa Tribune. We need to listen to our God, not our president or government. If we don’t understand His Word, we won’t know if our leaders are leading us astray. It’s not wrong to be aware of what’s happening in our nation or around the world, but we must prioritize the Word of God and when we sense we’ve heard enough, turn it off and spend time with the Lord. Seeking Him gives us answers the world needs.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Amp

I’ve been thinking a whole lot on this passage lately. We know the Word of God is powerful. I mean, He created everything by speaking and it doesn’t stop with what we see, but it continues creating. Scientists state that they are constantly discovering new galaxies and universes. Why is that? Because it never stops working.

His Word does more than our tiny minds can even comprehend. Have you ever watched a sunrise or sunset? Have you seen how He constantly paints masterpieces for our enjoyment? Have you ever watched a woman give birth? Fascinating! Watched a flower unfold in the morning and close at night? Amazing.

And if we’re so captivated by these things, what makes the Creator any less to imagine. So kind and loving that He has engraved each of our names upon His fingers. He is always mindful of us and has great plans for us. Psalm 37:23 says that our steps have been ordered and He takes delight in the plans He has for us. That is mind boggling!

You’re not insignificant by a long shot! God has deposited important stuff in you. You actually share His DNA and since God is all knowing, all seeing and omnipotent, there is no way He will ever forget about you. He knows your name, your face, your voice and your worship. If you call on Him, He will answer you and show you things you don’t yet know.

How can you not choose Him above all else? He’s worthy of all the glory, honor and praise and His Name is above all names in heaven and earth.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

I normally don’t post other people’s posts on my blog, but as I read this from 2018, I realized I wasn’t the only person who needs the reminder. I hope it encourages you as much as it did me.

THIS WEEK, VIOLENTLY GRAB HOLD OF THE PROMISES OF GOD!!!

Lana Vawser

Today I have had a strong sense of this prophetic word for many in the body of Christ who have been facing intense battle right now.

The enemy may have come against you violently and there is such a violent attack of discouragement, despair and other things to move you AWAY from the promises of God for your life.

I saw many who have become “heartsick” and really feeling like the battle over the promises God has spoken to them in this season has ramped up, but I want to encourage you today.

The enemy has come against you violently to attempt to shake your faith, cause you to doubt and let go of your promise, because of the RADICAL recompense and explosive power of God that is meeting your circumstances, landing on the promise He has given you to bring great and significant breakthrough.

Many have been feeling like there’s something significantly wrong because of the intense battle over the promise, but I want to encourage you, the battle has come, because of the imminent breakthrough.

You must hold on, hold on tight to His promises and don’t let go.

I heard the words “This week, violently grab hold of the promises of God”.

There is something very significant for many of you this week and it’s crucial that you violently decree the Word of God. Grab hold with authority and conviction what is yours, what He has spoken and what is yours in Christ. I felt strongly this week to take a stand and decree and don’t let go. There is a shift coming for many this week that will bring significant breakthrough and turnaround and the enemy will be reminded again that he is defeated and the power of God in that will break through into your circumstances releasing the divine turnaround, recompense, justice and breakthrough of God will make the enemy sorry he ever came against you. There is significant increase and turnaround this week, but go after what is yours! Don’t allow the attacks of the enemy, the discouragement and despair to sway you from the promises of God. Go after them! Pick them up again if you’ve laid them down and go after what is yours.

The time is now & significant shift, turnaround and breakthrough await you. Don’t believe the lie the enemy is trying to tell you that it is about to get ‘dark’ again. Many of you need to hear this..

THE NIGHT IS OVER and the SON is rising on your circumstances!!! Jesus is interceding for you and you are going to see a significant shift. The SUN of a new day, hope, grace and turnaround is imminent!

Watch things come into accelerated alignment this week!!

Don’t give up!

Sandy G

Though all your wanderings wearied you, you never said, ‘I give up.’ Your strength was renewed so that you did not faint. Isaiah 57:10 TPT

I lay in bed for an extra couple hours this morning. Walt was resting in his chair after taking another tumble yesterday, pinching a nerve in his back. I was looking out the back slider we had just installed in the new master, watching the branches sway in the gentle breeze. A blue jay flew onto a branch and flittered from leaf to leaf, so beautiful.

As I enjoyed this scene, I began to think on how long it had been since I’d allowed myself to just lay in bed, let alone enjoy such a view. It was necessary. I felt like this year has been longer than any other year we’ve gone through. Oh, we’ve endured trouble before. But this seemed relentless. Like every time we get a break, something comes along and tries to knock us down again.

When my eyes landed on this verse, I felt like it was written just for me. I’ve wanted to say, ‘I give up!’ so many times, but I’m no quitter.  Sometimes it just takes a little talk with Jesus to renew my strength. So when He stopped by this morning, I heard Him sweetly whisper, “Child, I know it seems like a long time, but I’ve not forgot the promises I made to you. It won’t be long and you’ll see everything I said, come to pass.”

Those words were like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. It blew strength into every fiber of my being, revitalizing my energy to carry on one more day. The wait may seem long, but if you’ll just allow the sweet voice of the Spirit to strengthen you, you too can make it.

I pray for each one of you as you face your own personal battle today. May the angel of the Lord encamp around you, strengthen you and give you peace. May you feel His light shine on you and warm you with the assurance that everything will happen in His time.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—The fruit of their thoughts, because they have not heeded My words nor My law, but rejected it. Jeremiah 6:19

This morning as I was journaling, I began to write about Gods Word and how I love thinking on Him and His faithfulness. He led me to look up ‘my thoughts’ and I ran across this verse in Jeremiah. The part that jumped out at me was, “The fruit of their thoughts.”

I felt the Lord begin to teach me, “Whatever you constantly think on will yield fruit, good or bad. When you magnify My Word and it becomes what you think on and speak about, it may seem strange to the world and they can’t ‘relate’ to you, but the fruit you will bear will speak of Me. It’s easy to think on what you see, the world is ruled by their thoughts, but you must train yourself to think on what you read.”

John 15:8 says, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” So if our thoughts yield fruit, then perhaps that is why we have what we have. Perhaps you can better relate to the following: ‘What if I lost my home?’, ‘What if there’s disease in my body?’, ‘What if I lost my job?’, ‘What if I never get married?’, ‘What if my house catches on fire?’ We don’t just think these thoughts, we entertain them.

We play out each scenario until we’re sick with worry. It’s not easy to retrain yourself to think right, but if we want to change the fruit, we must change our thoughts. That is how change begins, one thought at a time. Romans 1:21 “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Father, open the eyes of our heart that we may know Your truth, meditate on Your truth and be fruitful to bring You glory.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G