“Lord! I’m bursting with joy over what you’ve done for me! My lips are full of perpetual praise.  I’m boasting of you and all your works, so let all who are discouraged take heart. Join me, everyone! Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous! Let’s make his name glorious to all. Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears!  

“Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again. When I had nothing, desperate and defeated, I cried out to the Lord and he heard me, bringing his miracle-deliverance when I needed it most. The angel of the Lord stooped down to listen as I prayed, encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape. He will do this for everyone who fears God.  

“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.  Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy! For all who fear him will feast with plenty.” Psalm 34:1-9 TPT

Like David, let’s make the name of the Lord famous today. Let’s brag on His goodness and tell about how His great love rescued us from the storms of life and set us on the Solid Rock.

When people look at us, may they see a smile spread from ear to ear and when they ask why we’re smiling, let’s tell them how good God has been to us. Because God is simply a good God and to serve Him is a pleasure.

Have a great weekend!

Sandy G

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV.

What a mouthful of instruction right there. Don’t you worry bout a thing! Just look, He said to pray and ask God for EVERYTHING you need but the key is “always giving thanks for what you have.”

In all the stories in the Old Testament, whenever the children of Israel fought in a battle, they gave God praise first. Why do you think that’s important? Because it exalted God over the enemy they faced. 

Right now, in the middle of the mayhem, think about His goodness. Thats right. Think back to THAT day when he saved you and lavished His great love on you. Think back to THAT day, you know, the day you deserved to be fired but got forgiveness instead. Think back to THAT day when the doctor told you it wasn’t possible, but God in the great mercy He’s known for, showed you what He did to take care of that.

Remember when your children went after the things of the world? Remember the day they came back to God? What rejoicing. Now look at them, serving God in all His glory!

And the last part of that verse says that because we belong to Jesus, Gods peace stands guard over all our thoughts and feelings. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! Lets sum it up then; Don’t worry. Ask. Give thanks. Peace.

Thank you for this, Lord. That I can cast it all on You because You care for me. There’s no sense in both of us carrying around all this stuff thats going on when Your shoulders are big enough to carry it for me. You are a great and mighty God and I love You!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

“God gives you favor, you don’t need to scheme to get it and you won’t have to owe or thank anyone for it. God is going to make sure that He is the one who bestows favor.” Bill Winston

I love it when the favor of God hits your life. You can’t turn it off like you can a faucet, it just keeps coming. Almost like you’ve lost your capability to turn it off. Thats whats been happening to me lately.

I was recently reminded of July, 2013 when I had my appendix removed. I was told by the hospital administrator, that my portion of my one night stay for my appendix would be $1080 and if I paid it that day, she would discount it 20%, to which I laughed and said, “My paycheck doesn’t come till Friday and I’m pretty sure it’s spoken for already, but thanks anyways!”

My mind began to go into freak out mode as I tried to figure out how I would cover THAT expense. I’ve done insurance billing for longer then some of you have been alive and I know how to negotiate, so I thought, I’ll call them and see if they’ll take 50% and I know God will supply.

I felt a check in my spirit and knew that it wasn’t the right time so I waited and just focused on Him. Each time it would come to my mind, I would dismiss it into His hand and could hear Him say, “I’ve got this, don’t do a thing. You won’t have to fight this battle, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” I didn’t forget about it, I just chose not to dwell on it! I just kept reminding myself of His promises and went back to focusing on Him and His Word.

Friday night after getting home from dinner with Shannon and Llana, I pulled the mail out of the mailbox and in it was a bill from the hospital. I didn’t have my glasses on, but knew it didn’t say $1000 so I asked Shannon to double check the balance. $397.94. I thought, THATS doable, and again heard the Lord say to me, I’m not done yet. Wait and see what I will do for you.

It wasn’t long and through an unexpected source, the entire amount was paid in full. Listen and obey, thats my part. Seek His face, thats my part. Provision…thats HIS part. I have learned that if I will allow Him to, He will show himself strong on my behalf and if he’ll do it for me, He will definitely do it for you.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Yes! Look how you’ve made all your lovers to flourish like palm trees, each one growing in victory, standing with strength! You’ve transplanted them into your heavenly courtyard, where they are thriving before you. For in your presence they will still overflow and be anointed. Even in their old age they will stay fresh, bearing luscious fruit and abiding faithfully.  Listen to them! With pleasure they still proclaim: “You’re so good! You’re my beautiful strength! You’ve never made a mistake with me.” Psalm 92:12-15

As I’ve already entered the latter half of my life, my vision has changed physically, but more importantly, my spiritual vision has become much clearer. Which makes me so love what David said: Even in their old age they will stay fresh, bearing luscious fruit and abiding faithfully.

I always want to stay fresh, never stale. Just as I partake of His fresh manna each day and ask for new revelation, so that I will always have a Word in season for someone along the way.

I also want to bear luscious fruit for Jesus. What are the fruits of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23 in The Passion Translation says it like this:

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.

So today as you go your way, remember that God is your beautiful strength and rely on that strength to get you through the day. Allow Him to fill you up with fresh bread so that it will make you strong enough to stand against the enemies attack on your life, finances and family. Allow HIM to be what you cannot be for yourself.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

It’s so enjoyable to come before you with uncontainable praises spilling from our hearts! How we love to sing our praises over and over to you, to the matchless God, high and exalted over all! At each and every sunrise we will be thanking you for your kindness and your love. As the sun sets and all through the night, we will keep proclaiming, “You are so faithful!”  Melodies of praise will fill the air as every musical instrument, joined with every heart, overflows with worship. No wonder I’m so glad; I can’t keep it in! Lord, I’m shouting with glee over all you’ve done, for all you’ve done for me! Psalm 92:1-4 TPT

Faithful! You’re always faithful! My soul sings out my worship this morning. You’re forever my God and forever faithful to me. Your mercies are new each morning and I just want to bathe in it today.

Each and every care, I place it in Your capable hands for You are well able to deliver me from every trap the enemy would set for me. You’re my Healer, Strong Tower, Mighty Fortress, Deliverer and Your grace is like compounded interest on my account with You.

You constantly play the strings of my heart like a harp, allowing me to sing songs to You as I sleep and awake with a melody on my lips. You have gathered all of my tears and bottled them up to be poured out before You a sweet incense. May You delight in me today oh Great Lover of my soul.

I stand before you robed in Your righteousness and clothed in Your glory and strength. I’m a yielded and ready warrior, ready to carry out Your orders for me today. I delight in serving You with my whole heart, for You are mine and I am Yours. May my steps be ordered and everything I do reflect Your great Love. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“You can expect to be persecuted, even killed; for you will be hated by all the nations because of your love for me. Then many will stop following me and fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.  And many lying prophets will arise, deceiving multitudes and leading them away from the path of truth.  There will be such an increase of sin and lawlessness that those whose hearts once burned with passion for God and others will grow cold.  But keep your hope to the end and you will experience life and deliverance.” Matthew 24:9-13 TPT

I felt a strong impression to post this warning from Jesus this morning. I’ve watched with heavy heart as I’ve seen friends and pastors alike lose their passion and grow cold. My cry sounds out in the early morning hours, “Come back to God! Holy Spirit, set a fire down in their soul. Fan the flames of passion once again that they may blaze again with Your glory.”

And for those who are being persecuted because of their faith and trust in Jesus, I pray that they lean in heavy on the strength of God as He proves His strength in their weakness. Don’t be weary or afraid, the Lord your God is for you and regardless of who stands against you, He will stand for you.

Psalm 91:14-16 is for you today: 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!”

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2

Yesterday I wrote a tiny portion of the trial we went through with our youngest daughter. I would love to say that was the end but it wasn’t.  Satan is always on the prowl and I personally believe that he targets those who he sees or recognizes, a calling or anointing on them to do great things. Or perhaps I should say, “Many are called but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14

When she brought home the 2nd man, there was something about him we liked but we were leery.  We embraced him and began mentoring him in Gods expectations of a man, especially since he’d been married previously. We walked them through pre-marital and the closer the time of the wedding came, I noticed Shannon becoming more distant. Something wasn’t setting right with my spirit, so I prayed God would expose hidden things.

It was as we sat with friends who would cater her reception that she informed us she had found he had relapsed into addiction and would no longer need their services. It was tough to watch her go through heartbreak again, but we were so thankful that God exposed it before the wedding.

It’s so hard to watch your children go through things that hurt them, but this passage from Isaiah became something I personalized for her during this season.

“When you, Shannon, pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

As I’ve watched her mature and grow in her own walk with God, she’s unfolded like a beautiful rose. Just like the pencil sketch she made me of a rose on Mothers Day years ago. Through the water and the fire He was with her, developing her into the bride of His passion. Heightening her gift of discernment and giving her a heart of compassion for others.

I’ve been blessed with two beautiful daughters who have both fought their own battles within and without. Both have come through the fires with scars but both realize that without those scars, they would never have developed skills in spiritual warfare.

As for Walt and I, we have become rock solid in our trust in God, knowing that He who began a good work in us, is faithful to complete it. We’ve allowed what satan meant to destroy us with, to weave a beautiful tapestry in our lives.

Whatever you’re going through, remember that He is more than able to keep you and your children, even your grandchildren in the palm of His hand. It’s your trust in Him that makes all the difference, my friend.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Proverbs 3:5-6 TPT

A few years ago, Walt and I watched as the devil tried to tear our family apart. While we were busy doing the Lords work, the enemy had lured our youngest daughter away, leading her to question the call on her life, her own design and beauty.  This man had pretended to be a Christian, but we discerned he was not and began to pray, hard!

She phoned us to say they had set the date to get married a few months from then and would dad walk her down the isle, I had to inform her that her dad would never give her away to a man he couldn’t trust to care for her. She was understandably hurt and angry. I warned her yet again what God had showed us, but she refused to listen.

A couple months later on a Sunday morning, I had woken with Shannon on my heart so strong that I went into the other room to be alone in the secret place with God. As I opened my bible and looked down, Ezekiel 37 was there and I heard the Lord say, “Can Shannon live?” I used Ezekiel’s response, “You alone know, God!” To which He replied, “Then speak to Shannon!”

At that moment the Spirit of the Lord fell on me and I began to call out to Shannon, “Wake up, daughter of God! Wake up and turn back to God! You will live and not die and declare the works of the Lord! Hear me Satan, you will not have our daughter! You turn her loose in Jesus’ Name!”

I heard the Lord say, “Make your trip to Michigan and be at peace, for I will work on he and before you return, you will see me at work.”

Two days before we returned to Florida, Shannon called Stacy crying, she was afraid because he had tried to do her bodily harm and in his anger, he had missed her and punched a hole in the wall next to her face. She ran from their apartment and had a neighbor call the police.

That was the beginning of turnaround for her. It was not an easy journey and the devil did not leave her alone because he keeps trying to grab her away. But I trusted completely in the Lord. He is always faithful to His Word. I am intimately acquainted with His voice and I quickly obey when He leads me to speak over someone or a situation. I may not always speak it to them, but when I speak, the power of His Spirit goes with it to accomplish whatever He needs done.

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G

Compared to all this cosmic glory, why would you bother with puny, mortal man or be infatuated with Adam’s sons? Yet what honor you have given to men, created only a little lower than Elohim, crowned like kings and queens with glory and magnificence. You have delegated to them mastery over all you have made, making everything subservient to their authority, placing earth itself under the feet of your image-bearers.  Psalm 8:4-6 TPT

David understood how God saw him and the authority he was given. How did he know? Because he communed with God as a boy under the stars, singing songs and talking with Him on those lonely nights. He was a friend of God. Acts 13:22 says; ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

As sons and daughters of God, we have been crowned like kings and queens with glory and magnificence to rule and reign in the earth, not cower in fear and intimidation when the enemy threatens us. We instead should be a threat to him! Simply by knowing who we are and the authority we possess, we should be using our words to pull down strongholds the enemy set up in our cities, our neighborhoods and yes, even in our churches.

We bear a striking resemblance to our Father and it’s time we acted accordingly. We must use our words to call peace where only chaos is felt, love where only hatred is spoken.  You don’t need a mans permission when you have direct authority in the Spirit realm to do what God has commanded us all to do….reign!

Here’s an idea; let’s walk or drive our neighborhoods and call people back to God. We all came from His Spirit to the earth for purpose, it’s just some of us have lost our way. Call them back! Say, “In the name of Jesus and by His shed blood, I call you back to God. Now I release angels to surround them. Unstop their ears that they may hear Your voice. Open their eyes that they may see the truth and may it set them free!”

I guarantee you one thing, change is on the way! Expect salvation and you will see it. Expect healing to come to your neighbors, and God will give you opportunities to pray for them. When God moved you into that area, it was to rule. Some of us need to get our eyes off what Satan has distracted us with and get our eyes back on our mission.

Father, forgive us for not obeying and doing what you’ve instructed us to do. We yield to Your plans and we surrender our lives to Your mission. Help us to not be intimidated off our territory until we possess it all. It’s in Jesus name and for Your glory, Amen.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G