Lift up a great shout of joy to the Lord! Go ahead and do it—everyone, everywhere! As you serve him, be glad and worship him. Sing your way into his presence with joy! And realize what this really means—we have the privilege of worshiping the Lord our God. For he is our Creator and we belong to him. We are the people of his pleasure. You can pass through his open gates with the password of praise. Come right into his presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to him and affectionately bless his beautiful name! For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you—so kind that it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation! Psalm 100 TPT

WOW! Have you ever bypassed the long lines of people to get into a concert because of who you were or who you knew? Me neither! But David said we can pass right on through Gods open gates with a password of praise. Right on into His presence with thanksgiving.

Oh Father, I give you praise! Glorious and gigantic praise for all You’ve done. Such a great Father who is constantly lavishing love on me wherever I go. It’s not based on my good works, but merely because of what Jesus did.

You had a plan that was so great and so intricately thought out that I don’t know the half of it. The details! The colors! The threads woven through the tapestry that are barely visible to the naked eye. Creator of color, my eyes have not seen even a 1/4 of all You’ve designed.

And the sounds from around Your throne, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!” The laughter, the dancing, the singing and music. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!” Yet all of heaven listens when I lift my voice to give You praise. You’re astounding! I adore You!

My heart skips a beat at the very thought of Your presence. When You rush into the room of my heart, I become breathless and tears fall from my eyes. I will never understand the depths of Your love for me, but I gladly receive it and give You praise for it. Let everything that is in me Bless Your Holy Name. Amen and Amen.

Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God! Luke 1:37 TPT

Have you ever been asked the question, “You don’t really believe that the Bible is true, do you?” Yes, I’m one of those people who believe that the Word of God is true. But more importantly is that it shows the very nature of God, His deep abiding love and His faithfulness to those who trust in Him.

Now you understand that I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority. Luke 10:19 TPT

Yes, I even believe that He created us in His image and likeness and gave us authority over the enemy, not so we could boss people around, but identify the spirit behind the behavior and come against it. Jesus took back the authority from satan and gave it to us so that we could once again rule and reign in the earth.

Gods Word is powerful, it always has been and it always will be. There is only one requirement for us and that’s to believe. In Mark 9:23 Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

If it’s impossible in mans eyes, it’s possible for God. When I come into agreement with His Word and speak it over my situation, it just can’t not work. Don’t ever limit the success of your prayers on what you see with your natural eyes or your current situation. When everyone says, “NO WAY!” God is saying, “MY WAY!” He’s waiting for you to believe.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

I love the story of Daniel. What an example he set to consistently place God as highest priority. Daily he rose early to pray even after a law was passed to stop. What he received for his seeking the face of God is found in Daniel 9:20-23:

I went on praying and confessing my sin and the sin of my people, pleading with the Lord my God for Jerusalem, his holy mountain. As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.”

There are lots of things here, but two that spoke to me personally. When you prioritize the Lord and the things that are dear to his heart:

1. You gain insight and understanding.

2. You become very precious to God.

There seems to be a high price tag that comes with seeking the face of God. Although you’re given insight and you’re precious to Him,  you’re not real popular with man. They don’t understand why you’re not more like them, why you don’t value what they value, why you don’t fit in. You become a social outcast and a misfit. People plot against you and set you up for a fall, sometimes it’s your own family, even members of your church. They tell you not to be so extreme and they don’t understand why you weep for the lost, why you carry such a heavy load, why you’re loud or so passionate.

Can I just encourage you for a moment, my remnant friend? Set your face toward God and carry what He’s called you to carry. I’d much rather serve God alone, void of friends and family and hear Him say, “Well done!” The choice I made to be obedient to the voice of the Lord is probably the most rewarding choice I’ve ever made.

Am I perfect? Not by a long shot. God’s probably the only one who truly understands me because He made me.  Sometimes I think even our pastors shake their head and wonder what to do with me. I still blurt out inappropriate comments, still get upset and still vent about ‘stupid people’, but my heart is set on God and little by little He’s changing me to care more about what HE wants and less about what’s mine.

This decision isn’t a fad or a style change that if you decide you don’t like it, you can take it back and exchange it. This is for keeps! Don’t try this at home and live something else on your job. It’s not like make-up that you take off at night, it’s permanent! You won’t find it in a church, you find it on your knees.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Those who are good have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they say good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they say things that are evil. Matthew 12:35 ERV

You’ve heard the commercial for a popular credit card; “Whats in YOUR wallet?!” When I hear this verse and think, whats in YOUR heart?

Some weekends, I take 2 1/2 hours and listen to some great Word I’ve recorded. Some Saturdays, I just have too much going on to take that much time out, but I find that when I do, my faith is stirred and my heart is challenged to be a doer AND a hearer of the Word.

I must evaluate how I spend my time, because when I spend my time like this, I walk in peace and assurance that the things I’ve spoken in agreement with Gods Word will indeed come to pass. It’s not based on what it looks like or what it feels like.

It’s not based on the ending balance in my bank account or how big a house I have or the size or value of my car. It’s not even about the job I have or my current academic achievements. It’s about what I do with what is in my heart.

It’s about walking in our place of victory, speaking not what we want, but what the Father tells us to speak. Lets not go about our busy lives oblivious that we’re a part of a greater Kingdom which lives in us. Lets take this day and live it like God intended for us to, speaking freedom, showing love, having compassion, reflecting our Fathers heart.

Make this more than a good read, make it a great lifestyle.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” Matthew 14:31 MSG

We all know the story of Peter walking toward Jesus on the water, right? What happened when he took his eyes off Jesus? He began to sink and then what did Jesus do? He reached out and grabbed his hand.

Six years ago during worship, a strange thing happened to me. I had my hands lifted, lost in worship when suddenly I felt a hand grab my hand and pull me out into the isle. It startled me a little because when I opened my eyes, no one was on that side of me but it was so real.

The next morning while searching the Word for some clue of what happened, I ran across this verse and heard the Lord say this, “See why it’s so important not to be distracted by things around you? I have said to you many times to keep your eyes on me but it’s easier to say it then to do it. Don’t be distracted, even by ministry or the needs of others. When you’re focused on me, you’ll never sink, you’ll never be weakened, you’ll always be ready because you will be drinking from the Living Water which gives life. Walk in a way where people draw from Me that is in you, not from you alone.”

So I would encourage you, my dear and precious friend. It may not seem possible, but trust me, God can work so much better through us when we stop giving our attention away to things that tomorrow, will not even be in our view.

So I leave you with this; “Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. “So don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34 MSG

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Then at last, eyes that are ready to see will finally be opened! Ears that are ready to hear will finally be opened! The hearts of those who were once hasty to form opinions will finally understand and know. And those with stammering tongues will speak dazzling truths! Isaiah 32:3-4 TPT

I believe that these words spoken long ago by the prophet Isaiah are being seen today by those who long to know and understand their God. Those who sit at His feet to hear Him speak and to intimately know His voice.

Is this your heart as well? Have you heard the call of your bridegroom as He whispers to you, “Come to me, I’m waiting! I long to reveal truth about my Father that you’ve never known. Let me wipe away the religious rhetoric and expose in the light the deep things that have been hidden until this time.”

“Come,” says the Holy Spirit and the Bride in divine duet. Let everyone who hears this duet join them in saying, “Come.” Let everyone gripped with spiritual thirst say, “Come.” And let everyone who craves the gift of living water come and drink it freely. “It is my gift to you! Come.” Revelation 22:17 TPT

May you be drawn into His presence as He wraps His loving arms around you to draw you in. May He shower you with the intensity of His gaze as His love washes over you and may you be forever changed.

Forever His,

Sandy G

We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Turn back to God and be reconciled to him.      2 Corinthians 5:20 TPT

Have you ever read something and find yourself taken in by a word, a phrase or had a ‘wow’ moment.  Here’s a tidbit of trivia for you this morning: Did you know that way back when someone was sent to represent their king to a nation, they wore a mask in the likeness of that king? Yeah, I did not know that! But as soon as I read it, my mind began to go in so many directions on how this applies to us as representatives of Christ our King.

Can you even imagine the intense training involved? I mean, if you’re going to represent someone, you have to know them, share their vision, be loyal and be passionate about their vision. Some have seen a movie depicting the crucifixion and received Jesus as Lord of their lives and don’t get me wrong, thats a beautiful thing, but you can’t represent what you don’t know.

Some of us have known God for years, but we don’t wear His mask, we aren’t committed to His vision of rescuing the world with Love. It’s not a mask you remove when its inconvenient, when you’re weary or you just want to do your own thing. No, once you put it on, you must have the passion to lay down your own life and live for Him.

That’s what the body of Christ is missing today. That’s why there is talk of a remnant who walks the earth wearing the mask of the King of Kings. They look alike because they wear the glory of the Lord. We are blinded by their countenance and it convicts us to lay down our own life and pick the mask of Love.

Father, I have been crucified with Christ. I don’t live any longer for Christ lives in me. My faith in the Son of God helps me to live my life in my body. He loved me and gave himself for me so I will freely put on my mask and represent You today. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.  Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:19-23

Leave it to God to go in the completely opposite way of the world. ‘Bless those who curse you, do good to those who spitefully use you.’  WHAT YOU SAY? Yes, you heard it right. When you respond as the world does you become like the world, but when you respond Gods way, you show the world you’re different. We show them we are children of God.

We’ve all been there and it’s never an easy place to be. To be falsely accused, hated, ridiculed, taken to court, doesn’t seem fair at all, does it? Let me say this, I’ve watched God turn the most hopeless situations around when they responded in love. It didn’t happen right away, it may have taken 10 years, but God will always keep his Word, not in our time, but His.

Trust Him, it will turn out in your favor if you do what’s right. On Gods scoreboard, we’re always winning.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison,  because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.         2 Corinthians 4:17=18 TPT

It seems when there is a problem in our lives, it consumes our thoughts and sucks our hopes and dreams out of us as if a tornado had passed over us. Beloved, it’s only temporary. Don’t spend so much time focused on the problem, instead, keep your eyes on Jesus who has all the answers to every problem.

Whenever I run into something that seems impassable or impossible, I think to myself, ‘This is such a small thing to He who created the entire universe. He’s so much bigger than any problem I can or cannot see and because He’s my Father, He will show me the way around it or through it. I trust Him! Even though I can’t see what’s ahead, You do and I’m right behind You.’

After I remind myself of who God is, I begin to praise Him for all He’s ever done for me. ‘Father, thank You for saving me and setting me free from all sin. I was bound for hell, but you set me on the right path. Thank You for the blood of Jesus. That blood didn’t just deliver me from sin, it healed me of all disease, took away the smell of death, gave me the power and authority over all the power of the enemy so that nothing would by any means hurt me. Thanks for knowing all the plans You have for me and leading me down the right path at the right time. There is nothing too hard for You.’

We may not understand our path, but if our purpose is wrapped up in Him and we trust that He directs our steps, than whatever obstacles are found, we have confidence He knew they were there. Stop studying & analysing the obstacle and begin looking to Him to show you the way out. It may not make sense, it usually doesn’t, but obedience will place you in position to overcome & set you up for blessing.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. Mark 4:14 NLT

I was listening to a message the other day when this verse was used in correlation with the things we’ve become so accustomed to, that we’ve accepted it into our way of life.  It’s become resistant to the seed of the Word and so we just don’t bring it up anymore.

Everyone has a footpath. It’s an area that’s been walked on by so many people that nothing grows on it anymore. It could be just a shortcut through your yard that after awhile, there’s no grass there.

When I was in elementary school, we would take a similar path to school through the woods. It would wind around the trees but I could always find it because it was hard. Even in the summer when all the leaves were on the trees and it was hard to see my destination, I could always find that path.

What area of your life has become a hard footpath for you? What is it that’s been a part of your life and you just don’t even bother going to God about it because it’s just who you are?

For me it’s probably allergies. I was born with them and though most have gone, some stubbornly hang on like they have the right. I’ve just tolerated them because after all, it’s just a part of my life. But what if I worked the Word into that hard path until it began to take the seed and begin to grow into something? What if I tilled the soil of my heart, spread some fertilizer, put up a fence to keep out foot traffic? What would happen to that hard footpath?

Verse 20 sums it up; “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Father, I bring to You my hard heart and ask You to make it pliable again. I want to walk in every promise in Your Word, not just some of them. I don’t want to tolerate any kind of sickness or disease in my body when You paid the price for healing. You are well able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all I can ask or even imagine according to Your power that works in me. Spirit of God, I invite You to transform my hard footpath into pliable soil so that Your Word will continue to produce fruit in me. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen

Until Tomorrow

Sandy G