In His shelter in the day of trouble, that’s where you’ll find me, for He hides me there in His holiness. He has smuggled me into His secret place, where I’m kept safe and secure— out of reach from all my enemies. Triumphant now, I’ll bring Him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy! Yes, listen and you can hear the fanfare of my shouts of praise to the Lord! Psalm 27:5-6 TPT

Ah the awesome power of praise. It wells up in you until it spills out like water breaking over a dam. It’s indescribable. Your heart seems to swell until you just can’t contain it a moment longer.

Praise. It’s what Paul and Silas did when they were locked in prison and their chains fell off. It created an opportunity for the salvation of the jail keeper and his entire family.

What will praise do for you? Psalm 8:2 says it like this: You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies. Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children. This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth. Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you.

That’s powerful right there. And it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, planned or perfect. If a childlike praise will silence the madness of opposition and shut Satan’s mouth, I don’t just want it, I NEED it!

If you’re going through anything at all, jump in and sing a silly song, yell out at the top of your voice, “I-LOVE-YOU-JESUS!” So what if someone in the next room hears you. If your praise does all that, don’t you want it too? Sing it out in the shower. Sing it out in your car. Let your children hear you. Make it a teaching moment that it’s what we do so that they can learn to do it too.

Be assured that God the Father has a secret room where you remain hidden in His presence. Lavish your love on Him and just like a wave in the ocean, it will wash back onto you as well. In that moment, ecstatic joy will be yours.

Until Next Time!

Sandy G

Nehemiah 2:18; And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Let me give you a little back story on Nehemiah. He was taken from Israel and made to serve as wine bearer to the king. He must have been known for his great attitude because the king noticed when he had a heavy heart. “Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”

I have determined in my heart to obey whatever you say, fully and forever! Psalm 119:112 TPT

I believe that this is why David was so special to God. He had determined in his heart to obey. That’s not to say he always did, because we know for sure he didn’t. But at the core of his heart was a deep love for fellowship with God.

Think about that for a moment. David wouldn’t go into battle unless God went with Him. He constantly prayed, asking for direction, advise and wisdom. “Should I go or should I stay?” Then he waited for the answer and obeyed the voice of the Lord.

It always boggles my mind when I hear people blame God for things He had nothing to do with. They argue that if God was really a good God, He would have stopped this or that from happening. What they fail to recognize is that God gave you and I authority and dominion over the earth. He will not interfere with the choices we make.

Instead of pointing a blaming finger at God when things go wrong, perhaps we should be praying, “Give me a heart to obey!” If we don’t have that, we will never have eyes that see or ears that hear. If our hearts cry out for more of the presence of God in our lives, if we hunger and thirst for more of Him, He will rush in and be our Savior.

2 Chronicles 7:14 comes to mind right now. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

This is typically used to get our nation to repent and turn toward God, but if each of us would do this for ourselves, think of how great our nation would really be. It’s easy to blame others, but if we want a heart that obeys, we must head in another direction and that direction is toward God.

Father, I can’t change others, but I can change me. If there be anything at all that is blocking me from hearing Your voice or receiving revelation on Your Word, I ask that You forgive me and heal me. I release all un-forgiveness, bitterness, anger, malice, selfish ambition to You right now. I have determined in my heart to obey whatever you say, fully and forever! It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.” Ezekiel 40:4 NASB

Recently the Holy Spirit has been reminding me of the prophetic voice of old and the importance of the prophetic voice each one of us carry. I’m not talking about the gift of prophesy, I’m talking about calling those things that be not as though they are.

Romans 4:17 speaks of Abraham who is an excellent example of one that believed God was well able to call those things that didn’t yet exist, into existence by the words of His mouth. You and I are the mouth piece of God, saying what He tells us to declare even before we see its existence in the earth. That’s not wishful thinking, that’s our prophetic nature.

I wonder how the world would change if we chose to see it as God does and call it as He sees it instead of how we do? I wonder the same thing about our friends and family, those who are in darkness groping to find their way to the light.

I need Gods perspective on the people He has placed in my life. To call them into their rightful place of authority and dominion in the earth. Not to judge what they’re currently doing as stupid, but to call them into the plan God has for them. I must focus on what I don’t yet see so that I can see it manifest, rather than to continually say what I see in the natural and never change the future.

Will you be the one that says what they see or say what God sees? Will you take time with Him today to ask what He would have you call from His realm to yours? If not, do us all a favor and keep your mouth closed until you can.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Their minds are dull and slow to perceive, their ears are plugged and are hard of hearing, and they have deliberately shut their eyes to the truth. Otherwise they would open their eyes to see, and open their ears to hear, and open their minds to understand. Then they would turn to me and let me instantly heal them.
Matthew 13:15 TPT

Jesus used this passage from Isaiah to describe the people he taught that day. He told the disciples that people like to listen to him and though they listen to what he says, they do not understand a thing he speaks. They look and pretend to see, but the eyes of their hearts are closed.

He said that those who don’t listen with a teachable heart, even the understanding that they think they have, will be taken from them. He said that’s why he taught them in parables, because they think they’re looking for truth, yet because their hearts are unteachable, they never discover it.

I wonder how many people that describes today? They listen to the top preachers and teachers almost daily but never take time to seek Him with their whole heart. All they are is educated but never gain revelation of who He is or how to apply the words they hear to their everyday life.

They have physical ears to hear but their spirit ears are stopped up with too many earth words so they can’t discern the difference. They’re unfamiliar with the voice of God, and the voice of reason has taken His place. Like the children of Israel, they prefer a second hand relationship with the King instead of intimacy with Him.

Oh Father, unstop our ears and allow us to hear what the Spirit is speaking. Intensify the longing of our hearts for You and You alone. We cry out to You, heal our deafened ears so we may clearly hear Your loving voice. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Until Tomorrow

Sandy G

He then reached down from heaven, all the way from the sky to the sea. He reached down into my darkness to rescue me! He took me out of my calamity and chaos and drew me to himself, taking me from the depths of my despair! Psalm 18:16 TPT

This morning as I read this verse, I saw someone floating alone in an ocean, crying out for help and ready to give up. I have good news for you, God sees you and He’s reaching.

I see a mom alone in bed reaching for her alarm to snooze it one more time before facing the wave of responsibility once again. Three little ones to get ready before you go to work. I have good news for you, God sees you and He’s reaching.

I see a man sitting at the table in front of a pile of bills. You’re not currently working for whatever reason and you’re asking God, “What should I do? I need Your help today!” I have good news for you, God sees you and He’s reaching.

I see a couple holding hands and looking into each others eyes. You’ve been given a bad report by the doctor and are trying to make sense of it. You’ve been asking what you should do next and who to turn to for advise. I have good news for you, God hears and sees you and He’s reaching.

Lift your hands to the sky and hear the words of Isaiah 59:1, Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. 

If your despair is sucking you down into the deep, reach! Close your eyes and reach! Tell the Father, “I’m desperate for You. I’m hungry for You. I’m in need of a Savior and You’re who I’m reaching for. I believe You are mighty to save, mighty to deliver me from this immense sea that’s attempting to swallow me up. I place my hope and trust in You alone. You are well able to rescue me so I reach for You.”

I come into agreement with you my friend. Today I’m reaching with you. I’m pressing toward the finish line with you. You are not alone because God is reaching toward you. Get ready to see everything turn around.

Have a great weekend. Until next week,

Sandy G

Every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect, streaming down from the Father of lights, who shines from the heavens with no hidden shadow or darkness and is never subject to change. James 1:17 TPT

I absolutely love hearing and telling stories of Gods faithfulness. I love seeing it in our lives and the lives of our friends and loved ones. He is a wonderfully faithful God and I’m so thankful that He is.

I was thinking of the meaning of that word, faithful and found this: true to ones word, dependable, loyal, steadfast fidelity. Isn’t It great to know that the God who created you is also true to His Word? That He’s dependable and loyal to you even when you’re not to Him?

Did you know that God has connections? He can bring people together to meet a specific need in someones life, give a perfect word of encouragement at just the right moment, it doesn’t matter where you are, He is forever faithful. He will use anyone at anytime.

I remember living in Haiti and being down to our last bit of food. We did what we always did, we prayed. Soon there was a knock on the door and a little old Haitian farmer stood with a basket of food for the only whites in the village who had made his wife well.

There was the time we needed a specific amount of money to continue building the orphanage and a letter arrived from the States, written 3 months earlier, with a check for the exact amount we needed.

Whether you live in a remote region or a crowded metropolis, God is faithful. Sometimes when we’re down to our last dollar and aren’t sure if we’re going to make it to the next paycheck (come on somebody!), God will show us a need and we’ll go through our own pantry to scrape together enough to plant a seed in someone else. When we see the smiles on their faces and tears of joy and know we were a part of that God connection, it makes it all worth it somehow.

God, use our seed today to meet a need somewhere. You don’t ask us at convenient times, but You always ask and we’re always willing. Time and time again You’ve been faithful. We want to be faithful to You today, Lord. Faithful to give, to sow good words, good deeds, a smile or a touch. Use us for Your good pleasure. We choose to be faithful!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

So why would I fear the future? For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! Psalm 23:6 TPT

Afterwards? After what? When my life is over and I’ve drawn my last breath, I will return to His presence and be forever with Him. That sure sounds good, doesn’t it? I simply breathe deeply and smile because that my friend, is how it ends for us.

So David ends this famous Psalm with the words, “So why would I fear the future?” Indeed! If we truly believe Gods Word, we know that He’s planned out our lives from the beginning, He never leaves us, He always provides for us, He watches over us and protects us, and He’s prepared a place for us so that when the time comes, we’ll be with Him forever.

I think I could stop right there and end this blog because that says it all.

When fear rams into us on our journey today, let’s respond as David did, “Why should I fear?” This too shall pass! This is only a speed bump, maybe we should slow down a bit so we don’t bottom out! Who is this giant that stands before me? He is tiny compared to the God who fights for me!

What’s the absolute worst thing that could happen to me today that God hasn’t already planned a way of escape for. My job, stay in His presence, keep my peace, listen to His direction for He will work all things out for good to those who love Him.

And I do! So Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows. Psalm 23:5 TPT

I love the symbolism in this verse. Nothing like sitting down to a feast at the table of the Lord when there’s warfare all around you. I don’t know about you, but that right there is right where I’ve been.

Turmoil and strife on every side. Drama from this person, and that person. A phone call. A bad report from the doctor. Death knocking loudly. An empty bank account with a pile of unpaid bills.

Then you take a break, open your bible and read the verse above and instantly you think of another.

Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him. Psalm 34:8 TPT

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 NKJV

And quickly you smile because you’re partaking of the food He’s provided and your heart is stilled. Your trust is re-established and your hope renewed. Suddenly a sweet fragrance fills the room as the Holy Spirit anoints you and the worship flows from your heart.

Like a bubbling brook, your joy finds it’s way to my mouth and laughter heals my body and strengthens my mind. I will remain here with You until everything is touched by Your presence. Debt must bow. Sickness must bow. Stress must bow. Drama must bow. Death has been defeated and fear has lost it’s grip.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. Psalm 23:4 TPT

Have you ever been in a cave with no light? I have and believe me when I say that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face! They turned the lights off for affect because most of us have never been in a place that dark before.

As I read this verse I thought about that moment of total darkness and realized that even in the darkest times of my life, I could always close my eyes and see the light of Gods love. You see, hidden deep within each of us is the light of His love. When He said that we are the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden, it was His light in us He was speaking of.

Without God, we are in total darkness. Just like the millions of souls on this planet that live in a cave where the light has been extinguished and they wander aimlessly from place to place looking for something to fill the void.

As believers, this verse was written to remind us that fear will never conquer us because He already has. Give that same hope to someone else today. Let the light that Jesus placed in you, lead someone else to find the hope and love that you walk in every day.

Tell them that the comfort of His love takes fear away. You’d be amazed at how many want what you have. That they’ll never be alone because once they choose to follow Jesus, He will always be there with them. They’ll never do life alone again.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G