But now, as God’s loving servants, you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that ends with eternal life! Romans 6:22 TPT

Today is traditionally known as ‘Good Friday’ and what a good Friday it is indeed! An amazing opportunity to rejoice in what Jesus accomplished on what could have been known as the darkest day in history. Why do I say that?

If you had been one of his followers back on that day, you would have watched as the one you loved was arrested, stripped, beaten, spit on and ridiculed by some of the very ones he had fed and healed months, weeks and days earlier. You would have watched him drag his cross up a long and hilly road where he was nailed to a cross and hung as a common criminal.

All the warnings, the words He’d spoken–lost to the emptiness and hopelessness you felt at that moment. What you had imagined would happen, didn’t happen that way at all. It was over. Finished. He was gone.

But so often we don’t see what’s going on behind the scenes. We only see what we see with our natural eyes and judge accordingly. We couldn’t see the war in hell as Jesus stripped Satan of his authority, took back the keys of death, hell and the grave and with a final blow, thumbed his nose at him by coming back to life.

Oh my dear friend, He didn’t stop with that! No, He would never just leave us powerless! He sent the Holy Spirit, the very life of God to fill our bodies so that we could have the same power to overcome all the works of the enemy. Oh Hallelujah! Glory be to God!

Things may not look good right now, but you don’t know what God’s working on behind the scenes. You may be quarantined right now and unable to be with other believers in flesh form, but because of the Spirit of God in us, we are linked together and as one powerful body, we can worship together and give glory to His Name.

It doesn’t take a building to have church, it takes believers to have church because we are the church. Let your voices rise in worship today because 3 days can make all the difference to changing the trajectory of your circumstances.

In three short days, things will be very different.

Sandy G

Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Ephesians 6:17 Passion Translation

When I read this today, I had a mental image of someone whose mind has been under attack, to the point where they have given up on life. I want to remind you that if you are that person and have believed in Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you’re a part of God’s family. That also means that you’ve become a target of the enemy of God, Satan, who comes to kill, steal and destroy you.

He hates you because he hates God! He doesn’t want you to succeed at anything, but guess what? He can’t take what is yours unless you give it to him. That’s why you need to ’embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies.’

You ask, “Sandy, how do I do that?” You do it by reading the Word, becoming familiar with the covenant promises of God and then when Satan comes to mess with you, you know the truth and it sets you free.

I make it a habit of reading and memorizing Psalm 91 and when fear tries to come on me, I take authority over that fear by saying out loud, “According to Psalm 91:6, I won’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble me, nor will the powers of evil launched against me.”

You don’t have to get it perfect and you can use any translation, even your own. A promise is a promise but it’s only useful to those who know it and take their place of authority to use it. Trust me, the devil knows who knows and who doesn’t. He can be like a pesky mosquito, buzzing in your ear and trying to suck blood from you but let me say this, you have the ability to smack his sorry self or spray him with the Word-he may come back at another time, but he knows when he’s been exposed as the liar he is!

So grab up your helmet and tell him to step back 6 feet! I’m hiding out in the secret place of the Lord my God who says this to me, “Because you have delighted in me as my great lover, I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast. You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you.
For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!”

Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer.  And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Passion

Interesting choice of translation in this passage. I love the visual of making joy your continual feast. Sitting at a table, regardless of what the table looks like, regardless of the service you receive, ordering joy from the menu and eating continually.

Then for the main course, make your life a prayer, or as other translations say it, praying always. I believe to take full advantage of this, it must be focused outward rather than inward.

Prayer works best when you pray for others. If you have needs in your life, focus on the needs of others. This life is not about you, God put you here to worship Him and serve Him by loving and serving others.

If you’re unfulfilled, more than likely it’s because you’ve been more concerned about you than who lives next to you. Anytime your thoughts turn inward, it should be in response to the Holy Spirit showing you where you’ve gone off course and making corrections. He will never accuse you or make you feel you’re less than who He created you to be.

Time to turn things around. It takes practice, but you’ll love the outcome. Today when you find yourself feeling down, depressed or lonely, ask the Lord to show you someone who needs to be uplifted. Serve them some of the joy you’ve been partaking of. Share what you’ve so freely received.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. Isaiah 45:19 NLT

What a way to start my day, knowing He is the God who publicly proclaims bold promises.  And guess what He’s designed me to do? Boldly declare His promises and come into agreement with His Word of truth.

He’s not playing ‘hide n seek’ as we did as children. He’s just waiting for us to cry out to Him and He will answer. He won’t just answer what we ask, He’ll show us things we didn’t ask for.

He’s such a good, good Father! When I find a promise in His Word, I know that what He said, He will do. There is absolutely nothing about Him that I cannot trust. He honors His Word above His name. That is a bond that cannot be broken. Nothing can shake my trust in God’s Word.

Father, measure the words of my mouth. Anything that tries to come out that is contrary to Your Words, Your will and Your ways, stop them at the gate. I will not speak against Your Word. I will not speak my feelings, the facts of my circumstances, the things I see in the natural. Your Word changes all of that!

My words will not sound like the worlds words. My thoughts will not be like the worlds thoughts. Everything must bow to Your living Word of truth. Thank You that as I seek You this morning, I will find You. You’re not hiding from me. I call Your name and You respond.

Oh how that fills me, thrills me & chills me. All hail King Jesus! We welcome You into our words and our ways today. Change us into Your image and likeness that all men may be drawn to You.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

My darling bride, my private paradise, fastened to my heart. A secret spring are you that no one else can have— my bubbling fountain hidden from public view. What a perfect partner to me now that I have you. Song of Songs 4:12 Passion Translation

When I first read this, I quickly typed it in a text to a special young lady God has lovingly placed in our lives. It so aptly described how I see her. Someone God has hidden away from public view, someone with a select purpose for His eyes only.

But as I read it again, I realized He’s speaking to all of us. The ones who have separated themselves to Him, so in love that nothing else matters. There are things in each of us that no one else can duplicate because we’ve each been created for a unique purpose. It’s easy to see this in others, but so hard to see it in yourself. Yet here it is. His own private paradise where He retreats to spend time alone with you and me.

What will you do with the invitation to come to Him? I see so many trying to find satisfaction in a human relationship that they will only find in God. They leave one for another only to be disappointed. My friend, that is why Jesus said, “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.” (Matthew 6:33 Passion)

I have nothing in myself that is of any value that hasn’t come out of God’s presence. Nothing! Every bit of this is all from Him. Every revelation. Every word that comes out of me that’s an encouragement to others, from Him. I must give credit where credit is due. Without God, my words would be flat and miss the mark. It’s out of the secret place, the cuddle space, my Jesus time, that’s where it comes from. How can I say no to an invitation like that?

“Come away my sweet bride! My heart strings are fastened to yours forever. I have so much to tell you, so many secrets for your ears alone. Come sit with me and let me whisper my love to you. When you put me first, I will fill you full to overflow onto others so that their desire for me may burn as well.”

Here I Come Lord!

Sandy G

For when I was desperate, overwhelmed, and about to give up, you were the only one there to help. You gave me a way of escape from the hidden traps of my enemies. Psalm 142:3 Passion Translation

I recently had a conversation with my daughter, Shannon about her dog, Sassy (yes this is her in the picture). Poor SassyFrass is extremely fearful of thunder and lightening. Shannon usually puts a blanket in the closet where she shelters till the storm is over, but this particular closet seems to amplify the sounds. Sassy will jump up behind her and Shannon just leans back against her to apply pressure and assurance of her presence. It takes awhile, but soon she stops shaking and relaxes into sleep.

When I am desperate, overwhelmed, and about to give up…..is that you? Do the words that David penned centuries ago, seem to echo the cry in your heart? Perhaps it’s time to lean into the Father and allow the pressure of His presence to change your fear to peace and joy.

In our effort to squelch fears and anxious thoughts, we try to stay busy and distracted. But what if this is an invitation to come sit in the Fathers lap. There’s just nothing that can describe the feeling of security and comfort that brings. To teach our children the Word of God and the plans He has to give them a future and a hope.

If you can relate to this in any way, listen to the call to come away. Don’t get warped by the world views or statistics. Allow God to shape your reality into how He sees things. Come up higher where the air is clear. Run and jump up behind the Fathers back so that He can lean into you and assure you He is right where you need Him to be, keeping you safe and secure and waiting to show Himself strong on your behalf.

I speak peace to your storm! I speak peace to your circumstance! That you would get a divine revelation of the God you serve and that He is well able to keep you in the situation you face. There is nothing too hard for Him and not one thing that surprises Him. He knows what you have need of even before you do. Find Him today and snuggle up until you stop shaking and fall asleep in His presence.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“You unhappy one, storm-tossed and troubled,  I am ready to rebuild you with precious stones and embed your foundation with sapphires.  I will make your towers of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious, delightful stones.  All your children will be taught by Yahweh, and great will be their peace and prosperity.  You will be established in righteousness.
    Oppression—be far from them!
    Fear—be far from them!
    Yes, terror will not come near you, nor will you be afraid.
If anyone dares to stir up strife against you, it is not from me! Those who challenge you will go down in defeat.  See, I am the one who created the craftsman who fans the coals into a fire and forges a weapon fit for its purpose, and I am the one who created the destroyer to destroy.
But I promise you, no weapon meant to hurt you will succeed, and you will refute every accusing word spoken against you. This promise is the inheritance of Yahweh’s servants, and their vindication is from me,” says Yahweh. Isaiah 54:11-17 Passion Translation

This is yet another piece of the covenant promises over my children that I have spoken over them for years. As I read it again in this translation, I decided to share it because some of you moms, dads and grandparents need to be speaking this to your family when they call you afraid.

When I feel the least bit of anxiety of fear try to creep in and raise it’s ugly head, I address it like this: My Father said fear will be far from us, so don’t try to show your face here, you’re not welcome here! Oppression, go! Worry, go! Anxious thoughts, go! My God will supply all my need, not some of my needs, not a few of my needs but ALL! So I cast the care of it back over to the Lord and I stand, firmly grounded on the Solid Rock of my Salvation.

You can ask anyone who knows me, I absolutely refuse to believe anything that opposes the Word of God. I don’t care what fancy words you try to use to describe how you feel, feelings have to change, they are subject to the Word of God. You can label it PTSD, but it can’t stand up to the Word of God. You can call it cancer, still has to bow to the Word of God. It could be congestive heart failure, still no match for the Word of God.

God sent His Word and healed you and delivered you from ALL disease. If it has a name, it’s under the blood. God made accommodations for everything that would try to come against you. Even this virus is subject to the Word of God.

Let’s read that last verse again: “But I promise you, no weapon meant to hurt you will succeed, and you will refute every accusing word spoken against you. This promise is the inheritance of Yahweh’s servants, and their vindication is from me,” says Yahweh.

That seals the deal right there. Even if the virus is leveled against me, it can’t succeed. Trust me, I’ve been accused of being too literal, being too radical, not following the ‘rules’ but let me tell you this, I believe that God’s Word is the final say and Jesus said I could have whatever I believe. I’d rather believe God who I know, then you who I don’t.

About 3 years ago, the Lord told me there was coming a time when a chasm of division would open up between those who believe and those who don’t. Those who trust and believe in the power of God and those who only use God when they need Him.  Let that not be you. It’s time to believe with everything in you. It may not be popular, you may loose friends, people will laugh at you and you may doubt your decision, but know this, when the time comes, you will refute every accusing word spoken against you.

That’s a Promise,

Sandy G

Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. Genesis 42:23

As I sit thinking of all the financial turmoil around the world, people affected by this quarantine, no work, offices closing or closed, the money they had saved dwindling to zero. I was tempted to become overwhelmed and stressed just like everyone else is when suddenly, I remembered this verse and heard the Lord say these words;

“Peace to you! I have placed treasure in your sacks! Trust in me and my provision for you. Many of you planted in the time of famine instead of eating your seed. You planted in good soil and it’s producing now. The return on your investment is greater than you could ever see coming. Your future is secure. Look and see, for I have placed treasure before you and it will not only sustain you in this time of need, but others will be blessed by your harvest.”

I might be the only one who needed to hear those words, but I’m a sower, so I’m just going to sow them into your lives as well. If you need it, receive it. If you don’t, pass it on and share it with others.

Isn’t that the coolest thing to hear when your accounting says the opposite? It’s almost like He’s saying, “Relax! Don’t stress out over things you can’t control. Leave it my capable hands and I’ll take care of this one for you.”

Remember when the disciples were stressing about the taxes because they needed to be paid? Jesus sent Peter to catch a fish….with a coin in it’s mouth…..to pay the taxes with! Don’t get all logical on me now!

If Jesus could call a fish to pay taxes, and God can have Joseph place treasure in sacks to care for his distant relatives, is He not able to supply for you as well? Take all that worry, anxiety and focus and place it on the knowledge of who God is and what He’s able to do in your time of need. Take that tiny seed of faith and plant it where it’s better served.

I’m trusting You, Father. I will lay down the load I carry and exalt Your great name. You are more than able to keep what I’ve committed to You. I place my hand in Your hand and I ask You will open the eyes of my brothers and sisters around the world. May they see You in ways they’ve never seen before. Stir up people around the world to look to You once again and restore unto us the joy of our Salvation. It’s all for Your glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Until Tomorrow-keep Trusting,

Sandy G

I hadn’t had an eye exam in 4 years and knew I needed to get my prescription updated. Besides, my lenses had a couple scratches in them and it bugged me once in a while. I made an appointment with the same eye doctor Walt sees. I’ve accompanied him many times and I just really like the doctors and the staff.

The day of the appointment, I was ushered back to a tiny room where a young man began to use a new machine to take pictures of my eyeball. It was so cool! He showed me the picture and I kept thinking, God made that! WOW!

Then I went to another room where they did the familiar, ‘look through this and read whichever line you can.’ I rattled off the 5th line down and he was impressed. We did the other eye and then the doctor came in, took a look and said, “I can make a small change in your prescription to bring you up to 20/20. Otherwise, keep doing what you’re doing because your eyes look great!”

I’ve been a bit busy over the past month so I haven’t filled the prescription yet, but I’ve been thinking about what he said, “Keep doing what you’re doing, your eyes look great.” I was wondering how my spiritual eyes look? Are there scratches on my lenses or is it something deeper? Perhaps I’ve lost my ability to focus.

Whatever it is, open my eyes that I may see clearly. Give me eyes that see how You see, Father. When I look at people around me, may I see their hearts and not their actions. May I respond in Love so that hope may rise up inside of them. May they have revelation of You, to know You in all Your fullness and Glory. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,“Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6 NLT

God descended in the cloud and took up His position beside him and called out the name, God. God passed in front of him and called out, “God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion and sin. ” The Message Translation

What a beautiful portrait this paints as God announces himself to Moses. It reminded me a little of a royal family as each person who enters is announced by title and country. This was a part of God that Moses didn’t know, a part of God that some of us have yet to discover.

The God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Just repeating that to myself causes something to explode inside of me like fireworks against a dark sky. 

“Hello, let me introduce myself. My name is Jesus, the son of God. I died for your past, present and future sins all at one time and once and for all. There’s no mention of them in heaven. When you need me, all you have to do is call on me. I sent the Holy Spirit to you so that you would have the power you need to do what I left you to do. I am deeply and madly in love with you, forever.”

That’s what God announced to Moses and that message is for you as well. I don’t know how you were introduced to God, but He’s not a mean, gruff Father who is waiting for you to screw up so He can knock you up side the head. If that’s your idea of Father’s love, read those verses again. Because the God of Moses is Your God and He loves you.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G