[ The Majesty of God ] A Friday song, composed by King David after being resettled in the land. Look! Yahweh now reigns as King! He has covered himself with majesty and strength, wearing them as his splendor-garments. Regal power surrounds him as he sits securely on his throne. He’s in charge of it all, the entire world, and he knows what he’s doing! Psalm 93:1 TPT

Oh my! What an awesome and mighty God we serve! We made it to another Friday and I love that David wrote a song specific to this day. How cool is that? It gives us a chance to give God the glory and majesty He deserves.

He sits securely on His throne! Nobody can impeach Him or push Him off. He’s in charge of the entire world and knows what He’s doing.

What a wonderful reminder. We may not see it all or understand any of it, but God knows what He’s doing. It’s the whole song and rhythm of relationship and trust. Like a child who reaches up for the hand of their daddy as they walk along together. They don’t need to know anything more then the fact they are safe and secure with him.

That’s you, my friend. You’re safe and secure with Daddy God. He’ll never leave you or forsake you. He’s got you in the palm of His hand and kisses all your ouches. Tenderly watching over you each and every day.  Don’t spend another minute worrying about things you can’t do anything to change.

Have a wonderful weekend! Until Next week,

Sandy G

After they were severely beaten, they were thrown into prison and the jailer was commanded to guard them securely.  So the jailer placed them in the innermost cell of the prison and had their feet bound and chained. Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship. Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and the chains of all the prisoners came loose. Acts 16:23-26 TPT

There are times in life when it seems as though the winds of opposition blow hard and strong around us. Maybe not exactly as the story above, but there was something that occurred to me as I read this story once again. It wasn’t until they sang praises in the middle of their situations that the chains that held them fell off.

They had every right to be upset, hey, they were doing some good stuff in that town. It says they were severely beaten-extremely unjust! But they found their song and not only did it set them free, it set the others free as well.

Whatever you’re up against, find your song! Sing it loud and strong. Ignore the winds, the pain and the circumstances and sing. Sing in the face of your opposition. Sing through your tears of sorrow. Sing to your unpaid bills and your lost children. Sing so loud you can’t hear the voice of the enemy condemn you.

“I sing praises to Your name, Oh Lord. Praises to Your name, Oh Lord. For Your name is great, and greatly to be praised. I sing praises to Your name, Oh Lord. Praises to Your name, Oh Lord. For Your name is great, and greatly to be praised.”

Find your song and find your freedom.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“You have wearied the Lord with your words. ‘Wearied him?’ you ask. ‘How have we wearied him?’ You have wearied him by suggesting that the Lord favors evildoers since he does not punish them. You have wearied him by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?'” Malachi 2:17

As I walked the beach yesterday, I began thinking about Job and his comforters and I wondered, how many times I’ve wearied God? I’m sure it’s more often than I want to admit. I have overanalyzed situations, problem solved my share of problems and criticized my fair share of people.

In my quest to figure out Gods plans, I’ve questioned His ways and methods. That my dear friend is called a lack of wisdom! I seemed to hear Him say, “Where were you when I created the heavens and earth?” What makes me think my opinion matters in the scheme of Gods plans?

I believe that whining is merely a demonstration of our lack of trust in God. It leads to frustration, which is simply a result of our inability to control the outcome of what we’re hoping to accomplish.

When we trust God, we are transferring the care of that thing we’re hoping for onto Him.    It’s understanding that His ways are better, that He sees what we do not. It’s trusting His perspective over our limited one. It’s tossing our hands up in surrender and leaning on His everlasting arms.

Let’s stop whining and wearying God! We know He cannot lie! When He sends His Word, it doesn’t come back to Him until what He said is finished, it’s just a matter of time. The Lord ALWAYS has our best interest in mind. When we trust, we also learn to listen, correct our path and press on.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God or make us believe He is not a good and faithful God. It’s against His nature to be anything else so let’s trust Him.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

Trust. What is trust? To commit to the care of another with assurance. I’ve heard people say, ‘I trust God!’ but when it doesn’t turn out as they thought, their confidence is shattered.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Stop trying to figure out the why, what, when and where. Just acknowledge His ability to light up the right path at the right time and rest. Keep your eyes in the Word and your thoughts on His ability to deliver on His promises.

Trust is where the truth of Gods Word speaks louder than the trial we face. When we refuse to allow pain to push the Word from our heart. When we stare death in the eye and laugh because our confidence in God is just that sure. O grave, where is your sting? Death, where is your victory?

Two weeks ago, I watched a friend travel the trust path with his wife. She had been diagnosed with a brain tumor over 10 years ago and they had stood on the Word and trusted God for healing. He came home from church to find his wife in a coma and unresponsive. 3 days later, the doctors removed most of the tumor and told them not to expect any response for 3 weeks.

After surgery as the nurse got her settled, he asked for a few minutes alone with her. He made a remark about how hot she looked with all the tubes coming out of her mouth and she turned and glared at him. 2 nights later, all the tubes were removed and she was following commands. Now at two weeks, she’s walking, talking and eating on her own.

Trust is big with God. The more you intimately know Him and His Word, the deeper your level of trust. My friend intimately knew that. Didn’t mean it wasn’t hard. Didn’t mean he didn’t need people surrounding them with the Word and prayer. But his continued trust in God even when things didn’t go the way they planned, has met the exponential curve of the grace of God on their lives.

Until Tomorrow-Keep Trusting,

Sandy G

“Even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear, my heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave you, and my covenant of peace with you will never be shaken,” says Yahweh, whose love and compassion will never give up on you. Isaiah 54:10 TPT

I was thinking of the many times Walt and I have sat in the same room, doing our own thing, never saying a word to one another. I know he’s there and that brings a sense of safety and security. I know if I need to talk, he’ll talk with me. If I ask him to do something for me, he would gladly do it. We’ve always committed to out giving each other.

It’s the rhythms of life, the knowing each other after almost 44 years of marriage. The fact that when we made a covenant with each other, we meant to keep it whether it was easy or not, whether we felt like it or not. Life hasn’t always been kind to us, but God has!

That’s similar to how my relationship with God is. I know He’s always near, even when He’s not talking. If I call on Him, He answers. If I ask Him things, He shows me things I don’t yet know.  Even when things get hard, He’s there to carry the load with me. It’s partnership. It’s a promise.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says that we walk by faith, not by what we see with our eyes. This keeps us grounded when we feel we’re alone but know He would never leave us or forsake us. It assures us that when we call, He will answer!

God doesn’t keep promises like we keep them. “They don’t deserve it!” isn’t a factor with Him. The blood of His Son removed our sin. It wasn’t temporary, it was permanent. Just like His Word, what He said He will do. When I lay hold of His promises and walk by faith not by sight, it will make it’s way into the sight realm because He promised.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God. I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” Psalm 42:5 NLT

Everyday things are changing around us. Weather patterns, economy, health care, just life in general. Will we have the same job next year? Will we have the same home? The things that used to make us feel secure are quickly being yanked from our grasp. Who do you trust in? Where is your hope?

Sometimes you just have to turn from what is visible and return to what you don’t see. Stop spending so much time trying to fix what you can’t and spend more time in the Word, setting your confidence in the only One who can.

My thought is this, if God loves me SO much that He sent His only son to die for my sins, that’s alot of love. If He did that for me, why would He ever leave me with no hope, no peace and no promise? Everything he did to deliver His people long ago, He will do it for me (Psalm 84:11b).

He doesn’t withhold any good thing from me. Now THAT is something to think about. THAT will never change. Gods love is a forever thing and I will keep my heart set on that. So when you become overwhelmed (and you will), quickly turn your eyes back to those great promises of Love. Let His peace consume you today. May your ‘Black Friday’ become a Bright Friday!

Until Next Time,

Sandy G

Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 TPT

Sometimes we get so caught up in the holiday, the preparations and making sure everything is perfect, that we forget to be thankful. You may even be too busy to actually read this because of all the prep-time for this day.

Let me keep this short and sweet for you. Be thankful!

Thankful for family and friends. Thankful for a home to eat in. Thankful for a stove to cook on, a refrigerator to store food in, a table to put the food on. Thankful for your ability to stand, the use of your hands, the use of your eyes.

Thankful for life.

Thankful for the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Thankful for what we understand and what we don’t.

Thankful that God sent His Son as a one-time sacrifice so that you can come before Him and give thanks.

Until Tomorrow I remain Thankful!

Sandy G

“Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also.” John 14:1 TPT

Whatever you’re facing, God has it! He’s way ahead of you! He not only knows the problem, he has also provided the answer. It’s like an open book exam, they don’t put a question on the test if the answer isn’t in the book, you just have to take hold of the book, open it and read.

Something else happens when you read Gods Word. Your confidence in Gods ability goes off the chart. You can’t gain confidence in someone you don’t know. His Word is life to those who hear it and health to all their flesh. If you want life and health, read His Word.

“So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.” Hebrews 10:23-28 TPT

Don’t freak out at test time! Trust the One who gives the answers. Surround yourselves with others who are going in the same direction. When you’re struggling, find someone to encourage. When you’re depressed, reach out. Your enemy wants to keep you secluded and focused on yourself because what you focus on grows. 

Your problems won’t go away, but they’ll be lighter if you allow others to help you carry them. Keep casting your cares on Him because He truly cares for you.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“How long, Lord?” Have you ever have those days when you wonder how much longer before you see breakthrough? How much longer before healing manifests? How much longer before what you’ve been believing for comes to pass?

I’ve never claimed to be proficient in the patience department. The fact is, I HATE TO WAIT!!!! Usually I opt to get busy and do it myself because waiting is torture for me and watching someone else try to do it makes me want to scream.

Some of us are just wired like that! Control freaks, they call us. But what makes us think we can control God? We can’t make Him move faster, work harder or ‘help’ Him out. Oh it doesn’t mean we don’t try.  Trust me, been there, done that!

My least favorite verse is found in Psalm 27:14, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” SERIOUSLY? TWICE?

Today during devotions I heard the Lord laugh. Yes, He laughed. I think He does that often, at least with me. I’m sure I give Him great joy! These were His words to me, “You look so uncomfortable in your waiting position. Like a child waiting to unwrap her gift. Perhaps if I give you a glimpse of what’s inside, it would suffice you, but no, I see your desire to possess it all so I say to you, press into My presence. Draw near to Me. When you seek Me with all your heart you will find so much more of Me. I am your gift to unwrap.”

So this morning, I unwrap another portion of my gift from the Lord. I’m undone in His presence, sitting in the midst of wrapping paper and ribbons, tossing them up in the air and enjoying a laugh with the Lord. Ok, I will double wait on You Lord.  But let’s lose the ‘patiently’ part!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

The starting point for acquiring wisdom is to be consumed with awe as you worship Jehovah-God. To receive the revelation of the Holy One, you must come to the one who has living-understanding. Proverbs 9:10 TPT

Since I was a child I’ve used my voice to sing about Jesus. Over the years, those songs have become more than a melody, they’ve become a revelation of who God is and an expression of my love for Him. At times when words are not enough, I sing in my spirit language a song that only He can understand.

If I want a deeper understanding of who God is, I simply ask Holy Spirit to show me. He’s good that way! Anytime He can demonstrate the attributes of the Holy One by revealing them to those who love Him, He will. Those who seek Him with all their heart will definitely find Him.

Here’s a simple sample of being consumed with awe in worship. As you say/sing the words, let the knowledge of what He has done bring joy and gladness to your heart.

“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.” “Oh how He loves you and me. Oh how He loves you and me. He gave His life, what more could He give. Oh how He loves you. Oh how He loves me. Oh how He loves you and me!”

Holy Spirit, reveal the depths of love Father has for me. May these words turn into understanding. May the understanding turn into experience. And that experience, may it be transferred to others so that they too may know Your love.

Every morning when I wake up, You’re waiting for me so that You can show me more. At times, you wake me in the night because You can’t wait to show me something new I’ve not yet discovered. I love that about You. You’re like a little child on Christmas morning who can’t wait to open their gifts. “Hurry!” I hear You say, “I can’t wait to show You this because your heart has been crying out for more. I’ve come to show something you haven’t seen yet!”

So Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G