My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!  For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.  And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. James 1:2-4 TPT

I see three things here: difficulties, invaluable opportunity, greatest joy.

Do you remember Sesame Street and the song they would sing, “One of these things are not like the other?” Well, that it what runs through my mind when I see these 3 words together. Difficulties just doesn’t seem to fit with ‘invaluable opportunity’ or ‘greatest joy’.

Ok, well if you’ve spent any time reading what I’ve ever written, you pretty much know that my perspective isn’t like most. Some would say it’s skewed, or screwed up, but I choose to think of it as seeing things differently. Maybe it’s what we all need now days, a new perspective!

So when I see the word ‘difficulties’, I see it as the fertilizer for the ‘invaluable opportunity’ which brings ‘great joy’. I also see it as opportunity to turn mourning to dancing, sorrow to joy. Let’s just call it optimism in it’s highest form.

That’s kinda what my world has looked like for the past 7 months. I told my pastor that I felt I was in a shit-storm (or for all you religious folk-fertilizer fest). It’s been like standing in the middle of a field and the farmer doesn’t know you’re there. He gets out the big guns and begins to spray fertilizer on the field. It doesn’t smell pretty and definitely looks even worse. I don’t just need a shower, I need to swim in tomato juice just to kill the smell.

Not only does it affect my smell, but I can’t see anything. I’m not sure where to move to get out of the way. I’m not sure that my yelling will be heard over the noise from the machine. I feel gross, look gross, smell gross and I’m pretty sure I’ve just lost my sense of sight.

Are you there with me? Am I describing how you feel in the middle of all this mess? Do feel helpless, hopeless and incredibly lost? I have good news for you. Stand in the presence of Jesus knowing that He has already cleaned you up, made a way where there seems to be no way and that He will direct your steps.

He will take what the enemy meant to harm you with and use it for good. It will be the fertilizer that brings the most incredible opportunities that in turn bring you great joy. Just as fertilizer grows a garden, so difficulties grow opportunities. Do you see it?

Sometimes it’s hard to see the way God uses losses to bring gains, but when you spend time thinking on it, it makes sense. The same person that frustrated the stew out of you, when they’re no longer there, you miss them. It’s hard to find joy in the middle of the process, but when you keep your eyes on Jesus, He helps you see it as it should be seen.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“At the time my coming draws near, heaven’s kingdom realm can be compared to ten maidens who took their oil lamps and went outside to meet the bridegroom and his bride. Five of them were foolish and ill-prepared, for they took no extra oil for their lamps. Five of them were wise and sensible, for they took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.  When the bridegroom didn’t come when they expected, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.  Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, they were awakened by the shout ‘Get up! The bridegroom is here! Come out and have an encounter with him!’ So all the girls got up and trimmed their lamps.  But the foolish ones were running out of oil, so they said to the five wise ones, ‘Share your oil with us, because our lamps are going out!’

“‘We can’t,’ they replied. ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. You’ll have to go and buy some for yourselves!’

“While the five girls were out buying oil, the bridegroom appeared. Those who were ready and waiting were escorted inside with him and the wedding party to enjoy the feast. And then the door was locked.  Later, the five foolish girls came running up to the door and pleaded, ‘Lord, Lord, let us come in!’

“But he called back, ‘Go away! Do I know you? I can assure you, I don’t even know you!’

“That is the reason you should always stay awake and be alert, because you don’t know the day or hour when the Bridegroom will appear.” Matthew 25:1-13 TPT

As I read this story of the 10 virgins who camped out waiting for the bridegroom, I realized that 5 of them had planned for the occasion, taking extra oil for their lamps. But the other 5 were self-satisfied. They thought they had plenty and could get more by simply asking others. But that’s not how it happens, is it? It’s those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that will be filled.

In Luke 24:49, Jesus tells 500 people to stay in the city and wait for the fulfillment of the promise of power but only 120 were committed to partner with the Promise “until” they received power from on high. 120 our of 500. That is called lack of commitment.

I looked up the word, complacent in the dictionary and look what it says: pleased, especially with oneself or one’s merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger or defect; self-satisfied.

Which group do you fit in with? Are you satisfied with what you have right where you are or desperate enough to stay and pray until you get what you’re expecting? Are you always expecting things to be easy or are willing to wait even when it’s hard? Are you complacent or desperate?

I’m taking inventory of my life, my attitude and my hunger level. This is not a game to me, it’s my life and the outcome depends on my ability to trust in the One who is in me. So if I appear to be overly focused on the task at hand, please understand that I’m in it to win. The Oil that fills me will only remain full when I wait in His presence and spend time in the Word and prayer. I don’t fast 6 days and fill up on Sunday, I fill up each day and party and feast on Sunday.

I know this is a challenging word because it’s challenging me. You don’t have to ‘like’ it, but I hope that when you read it, your self satisfaction turns into desperation for Holy Fire that never burns out.

Have you ever had a ‘wow’ moment? You know, something happens that’s totally unexpected and just blows your mind? Well, I feel like that’s what Gods getting ready to do. He wants to wow us.

If you’re at your lowest point, scraping the bottom of the barrel, needing a breakthrough miracle like never before in your life, you’re right at the place where God can wow you. You see, if you were able to do it, you wouldn’t need the intervention of God so thats why I say, He has you where He needs you to be so that there’s no way on earth anyone will get glory but Him.

II Kings 4 tells a story of a widow who was deep in debt and about to lose her boys to work off her debt. The prophet Elisha showed up and asked her, “What can I do to help you?” He asked, “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.

So he instructs her to gather as many empty vessels as she can get, borrow from neighbors (who she probably owed already), shut yourself up in the house and begin to pour from your flask of oil until they’re all filled. So she did. She obeyed and got paid.

I wonder what would have happened if she had over thought the command? If she had reasoned out the impossibility of that ever happening? How many of us, because we just couldn’t ‘see’ how that could ever happened, have talked ourselves out of our greatest miracle?

Listen, I firmly believe that if we would simply spend time in Gods presence, listen and obey even when it makes no sense, not only would we see breakthrough for us, but we’d position ourselves to be part of breakthrough for others.

I don’t know about you, but I have no problem looking, acting or being foolish if it will bring glory to His Kingdom. I need a wow day and I’m ready, how about you?

Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them… Matthew 7:10-12.

God wants us to know Him as a giving God, but in order to know Him that way, we must give Him something to work with. He doesn’t hold on with a death grip, like we do when He asks us to give something. ‘How much more?’ That question right there begs for an answer.

Just how much more? I can’t tell you the many times we sacrificed to help our children. I would gladly fast a week so that they had enough food to feed themselves and their family. That pales in comparison as to how much more God wants to give to us. The difference is, He doesn’t have to do without, He owns it all.

There is absolutely no way to out give God, it’s impossible to do because it just keeps multiplying and coming back in superabundance. God calculates our seed differently. He has his own math and we haven’t quite figured it out yet. One thing I do know, He loves a cheerful giver, so when you give, put a smile on your face and be like your Father. Give like you have an endless supply, because you do.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Then Jesus exclaimed, “Father, thank you, for you are Lord, the Supreme Ruler over heaven and earth! And you have hidden the great revelation of your authority from those who are proud and wise in their own eyes. Instead, you have shared it with these who humble themselves.  Yes, Father, your plan delights your heart, as you’ve chosen this way to extend your kingdom—by giving it to those who have become like trusting children.  You have entrusted me with all that you are and all that you have. No one fully and intimately knows the Son except the Father. And no one fully and intimately knows the Father except the Son. But the Son is able to unveil the Father to anyone he chooses.” Matthew 11:25-27 TPT

Can I just say how much I love this prayer? I LOVE this prayer! God reveals the deep things of His heart to the humble of heart. Jesus is able to unveil the Father to anyone he chooses. I sure hope he chooses me!

His way to expand His Kingdom is by giving it to those who have become like trusting children. Is that you? Is that me? Do you possess that simple, child-like faith that He’s talking about? The kind that doesn’t look at the storm, but rather looks at the hand holding the umbrella? The kind who knows a mask will never do what His blood has already done?

Too simple? Well that’s what He’s looking for. Those who would pay the price of obedience, even if it means doing what the ‘law’ does not permit. Taking literally the words, “Go out into the world and preach the gospel,” even when you’re told by man to stay indoors. Making a joyful noise to the Lord even when man says don’t do it. Wrapping your arms of love around those who are suffering even when it goes against ‘social distancing’.  Risking it all for the sake of the Kingdom.

Unveil Father to me, Jesus! I want to know Him, I want to see His face, I want to know Him more. To lift my voice in adoration and sing songs of His faithfulness. Oh yes, that’s what I want to do. I’ll trade all my fears for simple faith and trust in Him. He is well able to keep me in any situation. I love You so much! I wait patiently for You in the stillness of the morning, knowing that You always come to those who wait on You.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Jesus left Galilee and went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.  But John kept objecting and said, “I ought to be baptized by you. Why have you come to me?”

Jesus answered, “For now this is how it should be, because we must do all that God wants us to do.” Then John agreed.

So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove.  Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.” Matthew 3:13-17 CEV

Just a few short chapters later, John was put in prison and the bible tells us this:

When John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ had done. So he sent his disciples  to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?”

Jesus answered John’s disciples, “Go back, and tell John what you hear and see:  Blind people see again, lame people are walking, those with skin diseases are made clean, deaf people hear again, dead people are brought back to life, and poor people hear the Good News.  Whoever doesn’t lose his faith in me is indeed blessed.” Matthew 11:2-6 GW

So he sent his disciples  to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?” But he already knew because of what we read in chapter 3. He saw the Spirit of God come on Jesus. He heard the voice of God announcing, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.” So why did he do this?

Perhaps John saw what Isaiah had prophesied differently. We all have our own preconceived ideas as to how things look like they should happen. The only thing that separated chapter 3 from chapter 11 was that John found himself at the end of his ministry, his purpose had been fulfilled. He had done what God had sent him to do and I think deep down, he knew it. He just didn’t expect to be in prison. Didn’t expect his end to come like this.

So in his prison, his thoughts began to run wild. Didn’t Isaiah say that the Messiah would set the captives free? That’s me! I’m being held captive and so I’ll send my followers to let him know where I am. Perhaps he just doesn’t know? Surely he will come and rescue me from this prison because hey, that’s what Isaiah said and I know he was talking about the Messiah.

I wonder what he thought when his messengers returned and told him what Jesus said? Down in that dark prison, alone, realizing that everything he had thought would happen wasn’t going to happen that way at all.

Hello? Is that you? Expecting things to go in one direction because that was your understanding but all the while, you interpreted it wrong? Your expectations met a reality you weren’t quite ready for. Why did they die? Why did that happen that way? Why did he/she leave me? “God, you promised!” Did He? Or did you just see it differently than He meant it?

Let’s get the glass cleaner out and clean off those lenses, John. The words Jesus spoke next were indeed His eulogy for John. (Matthew 11:7-18)

As they were leaving, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. “What did you go into the desert to see? Tall grass swaying in the wind?  Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear fine clothes are in royal palaces.

“Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet.  John is the one about whom Scripture says,

“I can guarantee this truth: Of all the people ever born, no one is greater than John the Baptizer. Yet, the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it. All the Prophets and Moses’ Teachings prophesied up to the time of John. If you are willing to accept their message, John is the Elijah who was to come. Let the person who has ears listen!

“How can I describe the people who are living now? They are like children who sit in the marketplaces and shout to other children,

“John came neither eating nor drinking, and people say, ‘There’s a demon in him!’  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, ‘Look at him! He’s a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

“Yet, wisdom is proved right by its actions.”

We know by reading that God’s plan was so much bigger than just John. He was a part or a much bigger plan. I keep hearing the words, “My ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are much bigger than your thoughts!”

Give us eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to obey, even when we just don’t see it the way You meant it, Father. I feel my heart bursting with trust right now. Even in the middle of this mess I’m looking at in the natural, there’s so much more to it than I can see. Your words were, “More blessed are those who haven’t seen but yet believe!” I believe!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Jesus’ Prayer For You:

“And I ask not only for these disciples, but also for all those who will one day believe in me through their message.  I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one.  I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me.  For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me.

“Father, I ask that you allow everyone that you have given to me to be with me where I am! Then they will see my full glory–the very splendor you have placed upon me because you have loved me even before the beginning of time.

“You are my righteous Father, but the unbelieving world has never known you in the perfect way that I know you! And all those who believe in me also know that you have sent me! I have revealed to them who you are and will continue to make you even more real to them, so that they may experience the same endless love that you have for me, for your love will now live in them, even as I live in them!” John 17:17-26 TPT

Did you know that the last prayer Jesus prayed before Judas betrayed him was for you? You were on His mind and in His heart and He prayed for you. His whole prayer seemed to be that we know God as He knew Him. A Father. A righteous Father filled with endless love.

How can His endless love live in us? Through the same Spirit who adopted us and resides in us so He could constantly lead us into the truth of that love. That is the prayer seed that was planted all those many years ago. That we know the love of God as He did. That we know Love.

1 John 4:11-13 says it best: Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life!  No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor. But if we love one another, God makes his permanent home in us, and we make our permanent home in him, and his love is brought to its full expression in us. And he has given us his Spirit within us so that we can have the assurance that he lives in us and that we live in him.

And there it is. It’s as if Love is not just a part of my nature, it’s my true nature because I am His. My last name is no longer Gregory, it’s Love. It’s what happened the day I gave my heart to Him and decided my life was no longer my own, it was His. I lay down my desires and traded them for His. It’s His love I carry. It’s in my DNA. I’m a carrier of Love because of Who is in me.

Unless I open myself up to Love like Jesus did, I cannot be His. Love is the deciding factor. Every time I run up against opposition–Love. When men hate me–Love. When they accuse me falsely–Love. If they spit on me–Love. If they try to kill me–Love. That’s why most of Jesus’ teaching centered around this single truth—Love covers a multitude of sin because that is just what He did.

Until Next Time,

Sandy Love

“Let me make it quite clear: You will weep and be overcome with grief over what happens to me. The unbelieving world will be happy, while you will be filled with sorrow. But know this, your sadness will turn into joy when you see me again! Just like a woman giving birth experiences intense labor pains in delivering her baby, yet after the child is born she quickly forgets what she went through because of the overwhelming joy of knowing that a new baby has been born into the world.” John 16:2–21 TPT

Don’t you wish Jesus was here today ‘making it quite clear’ just what we’re in for? Even when he spoke these words to his disciples, they hadn’t a clue what he was talking about.  It’s not that they were stupid, they just imagined it was going to happen differently or that Jesus was once again talking in a parable.

I mean really, everyone loved Jesus, right? He healed everyone, who wouldn’t like him? He fed them all, who wouldn’t like him? But those same people who followed him from town to town, from healing to healing, those same people when offered money by the religious leaders of that day, turned on him and yelled, “Crucify him!”

It’s always been about an unbelieving world, hasn’t it? He gave his life for an unbelieving world in hopes that someday, they would turn to him, acknowledge him and understand that he did it all for love. Yet even today, an unbelieving world would crucify him yet again. They don’t want anything to do with him. How very sad!

I can’t help but think that as we cry out in our labor, as we sense the pain of what we’re about to deliver is coming to an end, we will too rejoice in the birth that takes place. The birth of so many who enter the Kingdom and find the faithful love of God. This world that is so ripe for harvest. May we have ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to obey through the painful contractions until we hold in our arms the reward of our birthing.

As the contractions grow close together, don’t be distracted by what you see in the natural. Don’t forget that those who endure to the end, those same will be saved. The time to bear down is coming. Keep your eyes on Him.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

What a God you are! Your path for me has been perfect!
All your promises have proven true.
What a secure shelter for all those
who turn to hide themselves in you!
You are the wrap-around God giving grace to me. Psalm 18:30 TPT

Lord, if I’m going to be totally honest, which I’ve found is always best because you know anyway, my mind is actually saying, “Are you joking? If this is your perfect path for me, can we just take a rest, a detour, anything? I don’t like this path!”

Yesterday as I posted my blog about the first contraction, the Lord began speaking to me, showing me some things I’d never seen before. Hope you don’t mind if I share. Doesn’t really matter if you mind, I think I’ll do it anyway and perhaps someone out there will benefit from it. Here’s a bit of our conversation:

“Sandy, you’ve been asking me about what you’ve been going through, I believe your words were, “God, what the heck is going on? Am I missing something? I can’t believe this is part of your plan, is it?”

“Daughter, is labor easy or is it painful? Who can measure the time it will take to birth the child you carry? Each one carries a profound part of my plan for these last days, but I never said there wouldn’t be pain involved. I never said it would be easy. I simply said to keep your eyes on me, the author and finisher of your faith.

“What you’re experiencing are simply birth pains. Each time you cry out, it’s the cry of a woman in travail. The pains are getting closer together because what you’re carrying is close to being delivered. No one knows the hour, but you can feel the lunging in your birth canal as the baby is crowning.

“No longer do you cry out, “I can’t do this!” You’re crying out that I’m your present help in your time of trouble. No longer do I hear you say, “ENOUGH!” You are truly focused on the process, careful not to abort the thing you labor to bring forth. You can do this, daughter. My Spirit is in you to help you in this moment. To strengthen you and uphold you.

“Everything I have placed in you is coming to completion. Your purpose is to birth the unseen so that those who watch will be challenged to do the same. It’s never about what you see, it’s always about so much more.

“So in this time of labor, press into me. Keep your resolve. Don’t be distracted. Don’t be tempted to figure it all out because you can’t. My ways are not your ways neither are my thoughts yours. They are so much higher and they will only be revealed as you press into me. I have released angels to minister to you in this time. Take courage and know that I am God. I reward those who diligently seek me.”

For this is the hope of our salvation. But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have? Romans 8:24 TPT

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Later, when they arrived at the Mount of Olives, his disciples came privately to where he was sitting and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what supernatural sign should we expect to signal your coming and the completion of this age?”

Jesus answered, “At that time deception will run rampant. So beware that you are not fooled!  For many will appear on the scene claiming my authority or saying about themselves, ‘I am God’s Anointed,’ and they will lead many astray.

“You will hear of wars nearby and revolutions on every side, with more rumors of wars to come. Don’t panic or give in to your fears, for the breaking apart of the world’s systems is destined to happen. But it won’t yet be the end; it will still be unfolding.

“Nations will go to war against each other and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be terrible earthquakes—seismic events of epic proportion, horrible epidemics and famines in place after place.  This is how the first contractions and birth pains of the new age will begin!” Matthew 24:3-8 TPT

Since I was young, every time believers would gather together they would say the words, “Jesus is coming soon!” Songs were written, songs were sung, prayers were offered up and the cries of the righteous went up before God, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” But as I was reading Matthew 24 this morning, I believe we’re merely in the first contractions of a new age that Jesus spoke about.

You can agree or disagree, but read it for yourself. Jesus himself said it very clearly in these verses when He answered the questions His disciples asked. Yes He’s coming! Yes He’s coming soon! But there’s some things that have to happen first and those things aren’t good things, they’re just contractions that are starting the birthing process.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not liking the ‘new’ things that are happening in the earth. I don’t like them at all! Neither did I like the labor I had to go through to birth our daughters, but I had to go through it. Not just one contraction, but hours of contractions before I gave birth.

If you want to help birth the coming of Jesus, get ready for some pretty intense labor pains. You might be screaming for an epidural before you’re finished, but stop saying, “I can’t do this! Just give me a C-Section! I want it over!” Keep your thoughts on heaven and the appearing of the Son of man. There’s a process to this and aborting it isn’t an option. Jesus is indeed coming and you have a choice to make. Will you continue to push through or will you decide to abort?

For me there are no choices. Like the old song says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. No turning back!” Jesus didn’t say, “It’s going to be easy because I did it all for you.” No, He said,  to pick up your cross and follow him. He also said that in the world you’ll have tribulations but be of good cheer, I overcame the world. It’s called constant surrender.

Lord Yahweh, we were like a pregnant woman going into labor pains—Isaiah 26:17 TPT

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G