When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm.  How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us? God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever you go, defending you from all harm. If you walk into a trap, they’ll be there for you and keep you from stumbling.  You’ll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling every one of them beneath your feet! For here is what the Lord has spoken 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!” Psalm 91:9-16 TPT

I felt that since we took most of the first part of this Psalm yesterday, we’d take the rest of it today. I’ve called this post, ‘Your Mind Sanitizer.’ because although it’s important to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer in this season, it’s more important to sanitize your mind.

I was recently at the hospital waiting for the physical therapist to arrive and instruct me on the home care routine. As he walked into the room, he squirted a generous amount of hand sanitizer in his hands and rubbed them together as he talked. As he turned and left the room to read something, he repeated this procedure. Two minutes later he reentered the room and once again, hand sanitizer. Forgot something…..yep, once again.

This was repeated 6 times (12 generous squirts) in and out of the room within a 10 minute window. It took everything in me not to burst out laughing because he was in such a habit of doing this routine, that he wasn’t even aware that part of the stuff was spilling onto the floor because it couldn’t absorb into his hands. Not only that, but he could hardly pass one in the hallway without doing it again. A bit obsessive I thought, but I get it.

Here’s what I don’t get–why don’t we do this with our minds. In this day and age, I think a little bit of obsessive mind sanitizing is in order. Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians (4:8) that we are to think on certain things, and fear is not one of them, neither is sickness, pain, lack or loneliness.

Jesus told us that in this world we would face trials and tribulations, but we should always remember that He overcame the world so that we could too. That should give us joy right there. Whatever we face, we don’t need to run away in fear, we can stand up against it knowing it can’t come near us, or our homes or families.

Taking a good dose of the Word in the morning and the evening is the equivalent of washing your mind with the water of the word. It’s like taking vitamin C as a way of building your immune system. I hope you’re getting my point here.

Please don’t think I’m trying to make light of what’s happening in the world today, I’m not. But I am trying to get you to turn your eyes upon Jesus and remember who you were created to be, and whose child you are. We represent His glorious power in the earth and the world should be seeing it in the peace we carry and hear it in our faith-filled words.

Be Blessed and Well My Remnant Friends,

Sandy G

His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under His covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you.  Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic powers of evil launched against you.  Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed.  You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for the will be paid back for what they have done! Psalm 91:4-8 TPT

This past Sunday, our pastor addressed the wide-spread fear and panic concerning this new strain of virus. He mentioned that Psalm 91 is our God given covenant promise that we are covered, connected and kept. It’s been on my mind all week and for good reason. Twice now, God has opened a door for me to share this with new believers.

You know, I understand fear in unbelievers. I even understand fear in new believers because they haven’t been taught yet. But when I see seasoned saints talking fearfully about the virus, that’s very concerning to me. It makes me wonder exactly how much time they spend thinking about what the news media is saying verses the Word of God.

As believers, we hold the answers for the world. The truth is in us because Jesus is in us and He called Himself the Way, the Truth and the Light. Jesus points the way to the Father and no one can come to Him any other way. Instead of joining in on their fear, let’s point them in the direction of Psalm 91 and tell them to read it every day out loud to themselves.

Both of these ladies began by asking me, “Aren’t you afraid? So many are getting sick!” One even read a report from her phone that there are 8 confirmed cases in Florida. My response was the same for both of them; Psalm 91 says that when I place my confidence in God, I have nothing to fear. Read it for yourself. They both grabbed a pen and wrote it down.

Remember that the next time you’re tempted to fear or overhear others talking fearfully. You have the ability to walk in love and cast out fear. Psalm 91 each day keeps the doctor away!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT 

Oh my, does this not describe the world we live in today? May none of us fall into this category, but may we remain focused on what God has called us to; a life of godliness, faith and trust in Him. May we appear different from the world, so much so that there is not a doubt we are Christians.

I’ve met people like that. The Spirit of God leapt in me and I knew they were believers. It was so obvious to my spirit that they had separated themselves from the things of the world, choosing heaven as their destination. What a beautiful example of coming apart and living unto the Lord.

I pray for those who have stepped into the realm of this world had allowed the pull of ‘fitting in’ to cast a cloud over the truth of Gods Word and ways. I’m shouting out, “Eyes open! Come back to truth and love! Don’t be sucked into the deception, to take the wide road that leads to destruction!”

I’m deeply saddened by those I know who call light, darkness and darkness, light. Who have been played like an off tuned fiddle, yet their ears hear it as a beautiful melody. Those who allow the media to speak into them as if it’s the truth of Gods word, yet refuse to listen to other prophets who have been proved over the years because their words have come to pass, every time.

Father, once again I declare that I am Yours alone. My heart is set on loving You, trusting You and being only Yours. When the lure of the world becomes a temptation, You will keep me, for my eyes are on You and You watch over me day and night. There is no room for second place with You. You have asked for all of me and I respond that I am all Yours. Beautiful Savior! Precious Redeemer! You have bought me but set me free. I will follow You all the days of my life and dwell in Your house forever.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Don’t continue to team up with unbelievers in mismatched alliances, for what partnership is there between righteousness and rebellion? Who could mingle light with darkness?  What harmony can there be between Christ and Satan? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What friendship does God’s temple have with demons? For indeed, we are the temple of the living God, just as God has said:

I will make my home in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. For this reason, “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord. “Touch nothing that is unclean, and I will embrace you. I will be a true Father to you, and you will be my beloved sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Yahweh Almighty.                    2 Corinthians 6:14-18 TPT

As I read this passage, I felt a clear directive to take inventory of who’s on my team. Who is it that I allow a voice in my ear? Who is depositing in my well and has it become polluted? I’m not saying the people in my life are bad people, but perhaps they don’t add to, but rather take away from the deposits God has placed in me.

I heard the Lord say, “If you truly want to be my daughter in every sense of the word, you must watch who you surround yourself with. There are those who want to be around you because you’re a carrier of the oil and fire. They love you for what you carry, but want to keep you close for their benefit. I’m calling them higher but they think they can come through you, not me.”

That shook me. I am not the way to God, Jesus is. Everyone who believes on Him will be saved. The Holy Spirit was promised to all who believe and if you ask for Him to fill you up, the same fire that fell at Pentecost will also fall on you. He will set you on fire so that the world will be drawn to Him. The cry of your heart should be the cry of every heart, “Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain, that I can’t control. I want move of you, God. I want more of you, God.”

If the ones closet to you are sucking the life out of you instead of speaking life and encouragement into you, perhaps it’s time for a new team. Ask God to add people into your life who challenge you to grow, not who try to keep you in the same boat, with the same stagnant water around you. Break free from unholy alliances and see what the Lord will do in and through you.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. (I believe we are living in that day) All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We too wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently. Romans 8:19-24.

I know I’m going out on a limb here, but I don’t believe this is a ‘sweet by and by when we get to heaven’ promise. God wants us to live like this in this age to usher in the return of Christ. I have felt an increase in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit like never before. I have felt I’m giving birth to some pretty intense things. This bears witness in me that we are indeed living in the age Paul was speaking about in these verses. Please don’t let religious mindsets keep you from allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to your spirit. 

Jesus was very clear in saying, “All things are possible to the believer.” (Mark 9:23 TPT) He also taught us to pray, “Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” It’s always been Gods will that we operate in the earth as He operates in heaven. He gave instructions to rule and dominate the earth. He did it all with His Words and we should do the same.

To believe for humanly impossible things is how God created us. The problem doesn’t lie with Him, it lies with us. We’ve allowed the world to set the level of our expectations and limitations. We wait for the latest report on the news to tell us what’s going on, instead we should be reporting what the Word says and He will back it up with signs following.

Dare to ask big and expect big. God is a big God and there’s nothing impossible for Him. It’s the Fathers good pleasure to give us, His believing children, the Kingdom. Not for when we die and go to heaven, but while we’re living, ruling and reigning in the earth. He didn’t call us to think like this world, act like this world or be like this world. His Word has called us out to think like Him, act like Him and be like Him. Time to change!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

I, yes I, am the One and Only, who completely erases your sins, never to be seen again.  I will not remember them again. Isaiah 43:25 TPT

Have you ever been told, “You’re forgiven completely!” only to have it brought up the next time you screwed up? That seems to be how we humans do things, don’t we? ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!’ We seriously have trust issues!

But that’s not how God does it at all. His forgiveness is so complete that He erases them with no residue on the chalk board. He said they are never to be seen again. How does He do that? It’s as if His deep and abiding love for us covers every sin of our past, our present and our future.

You see, God lives outside of time so His one time forgiveness covers it all. He knew what you would do before you did it and still chose to cover that as well. He saw a way to redeem us all and gladly gave His son so that we could be reconciled to Him. As the song says, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

Such love. How can we show that kind of love to those around us? James 5:19-20 says; Finally, as members of God’s beloved family, we must go after the one who wanders from the truth and bring him back.  For the one who restores the sinning believer back to God from the error of his way, gives back to his soul life from the dead, and covers over countless sins by their demonstration of love! 

We can even cover sin by demonstrating the love of God. That’s what I want to do, don’t you? To bring those who’ve lost their way, back to the truth of God’s grace. I’m not talking about difference of opinion or doctrinal differences, I’m talking about the truth that there is one way to God and that’s by believing on the name of Jesus. That’s the only way to be saved, not by what we do, or how we dress, but that we believe.

So my friends, if anyone tries to convince you otherwise, bring up this amazing truth found in Isaiah 43:25. God has forever forgiven you, and there’s nothing you can do to make Him remember it ever again.

Until Next Time,

Sandy G

When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you When you pass through raging rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you, for I am your Savior, Yahweh, your mighty God, the Holy One of Israel! Isaiah 43:2-3a

Have you ever been burned? I’m sure all of us have at one time or another. I’ve burned myself with an iron, curling iron (LONG time ago!), iron skillets, steam burns and most recently the oven rack jumped out and bit me! I used to have an aloe plant for the sole purpose of medicating those nasty things but I killed that years ago.

My mom happened to be home one time when I had a nasty steam burn on my finger that hurt like the dickens. She grabbed a vitamin E, snipped the top off and squeezed it onto my finger. Amazingly, the pain went completely away. Moms are SO awesome!

This morning my mind turns to another kind of burn; passion. We’re all passionate about something. It’s what drives us to get up in the morning, it could be a a person, career, education, hobby. My passion is God.

No, I’m not trying to be hyper-spiritual. It wasn’t always that way, trust me. I had my dream of being a wife and mother, thats all I ever wanted. But after that happened, I realized how short sighted I was. My vision had to include others and had to come from God. So, I began to call out for more. More passion for Him, more love for Him and I was willing to do whatever it took to have it.

I never thought for a moment that my pursuit would cost me everything, but it did. God and I had a burning party of our own, putting down all my selfish desires, dreams and goals. I began to cry out, “Burn like a fire that can’t be quenched. Fire of God, burn in me!” and the shaking began, the violent shaking! But when it was over, though stripped of all I was, I was still rooted deep, I had not moved.

Only God knows how to strip us to get us ready for the new leaves and lush foliage. Only God knows what our next season will hold and what it will take to prepare us for that. It never happens the way we think, and if we could figure it out on our own, we wouldn’t need Him.

Therefore I will hold fast the confidence I have gained throughout my journey that ALL things work together for good to them that love God and confidently trust in him. Romans 8:28

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you! Psalm 27:14 TPT

Have you ever been disappointed? I have! When I read this verse, my first thought was, well that’s not true, because what I just heard brought me great disappointment. It was then that I heard a still small voice ask, “Were you disappointed in me, or were you disappointed because it didn’t happen when you thought it should?”

Lord, I was disappointed it didn’t happen when I thought it would. I’ve been waiting for this day, had my hope set on this day, had my house ready for this day, only to hear it won’t happen till tomorrow. But how could I be disappointed in You? Your perspective has saved me so many times! You know all the plans You have for me and choose when and where to reveal them to me. No Lord, I’m definitely not disappointed in you.

I believe that sometimes we transfer our disappointment onto others, simply because it didn’t happen when we felt it should. Our need to blame someone, often ends up on God when there’s nobody else around. This was just a great reminder to me to keep my eyes on Him and trust Him with the timing. I don’t need to know the details, He does and that’s enough.

The thought of trusting someone that much, is super foreign to many of us. But that’s our issue, isn’t it? We trust more in what we see, touch, hear and feel in this natural realm, than we do in His realm, the realm of the Spirit. But if we truly believe that we are a spirit, living in a body, that realm must be more real to us than the natural flesh realm we live in.

The bible says clearly that hope deferred, makes the heart sick. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my heart to be effected by disappointments that I casually place on someone else. Be assured that God knows the plans He has for you and they are good plans. He has a future and a hope for you, trust Him with the way it happens.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 GW

You are responsible for what you allow into your head. You can receive or reject it, your choice. What you allow, determines who you become. Some of us have been thinking on the wrong things way too long. It’s confused us into believing we are less than God created us to be; kings and priests.

Every thought captive! Sometimes you have to say, “Hold up there! That thought doesn’t line up with the Word of God, so I’m not receiving it!” Than find the scripture that is true and speak it out. That’s how Jesus handled the devil when he encountered him in the wilderness. “It is written….”

Whether it be in response to a pain in your body, a diagnosis from the doctor, a bad report from your boss or people in your face about politics, recognize the distraction for what it is and cast it down. I choose to discard anything that tries to take precedence over the Word of God. If what I feel is contrary to the Word, I say, “Not today devil! This is what the Word says about that.”

When fear comes–God has not given me a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind.

When need knocks–My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches, not mine.

When pain comes–Jesus himself took all my sickness and pain with him to the cross so that I wouldn’t have to, because by the stripes He took on His back, I was healed.

Father, Your Word is alive, powerful and sharper than any scalpel a doctor would use. It’s proven, perfect, a shield to all who trust in You. Thank You Lord that today, Your Word is manifested in my body, my mind, my finances, my faith and future.  You are more than enough for me. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant.” Galatians 6:7 CEV

I’ve been thinking about how many resources are available to help us with any problem we face. Lets not even mention the #1 book, the Bible-available in every color, translation, cd, dvd, audio, kindle and app on your phone. There are books on improving relationships, communication, emotions, grief support books, devotionals, prayer, intercession, prayer and intercession, children, boundaries.

You get the picture, right? Why is it that most people want fast answers by seeking to get a counseling appointment with a pastor or professional, expecting them to give them a microwave answer or to quickly wave a wand and in one hour, fix all their problems as they do nothing. They don’t have time to read books, they’re too busy. They don’t have time to do homework or don’t think they need it, because after all, it’s the other persons problem. Their refusal to look in the mirror and entertain the idea that in all the mess they’re in, they may be the common denominator.  

My friend, if you’re too busy to let the Word wash you, renew your mind and reveal truth to you, than you’re too busy. It’s time to unplug from the cell phones, computers and TV for an hour and pick up a book that will help you with some of the things the Holy Spirit has gently been trying to get you to deal with. You can read it along with the Word so that you have the discernment and wisdom on how to apply what you’re learning.

My commitment to read is to simply expose myself to things that will help me be a better person, wife, mother and friend. It’s not that I’m any less busy then you are, I just MAKE myself do it. I want to challenge myself to do hard things and not neglect my time with the Lord. I read a few pages at a time, at lunch, after dinner, at the park, on vacation. No excuses. You’re talking to a woman who until a few years ago wouldn’t touch anything but novels. Then the Lord began to deal with me about living in fictitious world and it’s influences on my expectations.

We’re never too old to add tools or weapons to our arsenal. Please don’t think any of this comes easy, it doesn’t! But the Word says to be diligent, to study, to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves and that doesn’t happen by plugging into a usb port and having it downloaded, we have to actually read!

So I will pass on the challenge. READ! Let God show you how to start and make adjustments that work for you, but do it! Then implement little changes until those adjustments correct your course and you arrive safely at your destination.