But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

In my study about covenants, I ran across a profound truth that covenants were designed to eliminate weaknesses. Each time I think about it, I remember what God spoke to Paul regarding the ‘thorn in the flesh’ he had to deal with. Another version says, “My strength is made perfect in weakness,” which always brings me back to what our covenant with God was designed to do.

You see, our weakness only gives way to showcasing the power and strength of a mighty God. Where we can’t, He can.

Listen to what Paul says in verse 10; “So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.”

Because Christ is in me, I have access to everything I need to accomplish impossible things. Miracles, signs and wonders follow me not because of me, but because I have a covenant keeping God in me. I rely on Him for the crazy things He asks me to do. Any area I’m weak or experience an insufficiency, He steps in and supersedes my puny strength with impressive power.

Lord, I am so thankful that You’re in me making me one with You. I’m aware of my weakness but choose to focus on Your strength because I know that nothing will be impossible for me when I do. I yield to Your plans and purposes today, knowing that I can do all things through You makes me strong. It’s in Your name and for Your glory, Amen

What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat. His pleasure and passion is remaining true to the Word of “I Am,” meditating day and night in the true revelation of light. He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of his life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous. Psalm 1:1-3 TPT

I had to share this beautiful observation of Davids this morning. This just mirrored my heart in so many ways.

1. It’s truly a delight to follow Gods ways. I get so excited when I can demonstrate His unconditional love. It takes mean people off guard when I respond with a smile and offer to help them. Following in His footsteps, even if it takes me so far out of my way and takes me twice as long as planned.
2. To choose to be different from the world. To go left when everyone else goes right. To say a kind word when everyone else is bullying. To stand up and walk away from gossip even if it makes you look bad to them. I’d rather look good to God!
3. My passion-His Word. Oh a thousand times YES! It’s the air I breathe, the foundation I stand on, the only truth I buy into. His Word is alive, fluid, moving here, fitting into there. Like a puzzle, it reveals itself as it all comes into place, and each time I look, I see something new and amazing. When I’m wounded, it heals. When I’m tired, it energizes. When I’m lost, it directs me. His Word is in me, even in my mouth and in my heart. It takes my breath away, then breathes into me so that I’m again alive and renewed.
4. Standing firm like a flourishing tree. Now there’s a picture! Deeply rooted, not easily moved, a tree brings fruit so that all who gather may eat of it. A tree provides shade in the heat of the day and acts as an umbrella when it rains. It’s not easily uprooted and can survive strong storms. Planted by the water where it drinks daily and doesn’t get thirsty or dry. Always blessed. Always prosperous.

Father, thank You for the feast prepared for me as I sat at Your table this morning. It’s so satisfying, so filling and keeps on giving nourishment to myself and others. I’m so thankful. Every Word You’ve spoken will come to pass in my life and the lives of those reading this. Your Word of health to all our flesh. Your Word of provision for everything we have need of. You are my pleasure and my passion. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.” Exodus 14:13

If the Israelites had not listened to Moses, but responded to the fear inside of them as they saw the Egyptians pursing them, they would never have reached their promised land. It’s impossible to see victory in battle when you’re running away from the front lines, you must stand your ground, face the enemy and trust God for victory.

Different battles are fought differently. I believe the key is, sitting in the presence of the Lord, asking for His plan and being obedient with His instructions. David learned the secret of this when he was a boy. All throughout this life he would ask God, “Should I fight? Should I pursue? What do You want me to do?” And God would always respond! ALWAYS!

I believe that someone needs to hear this right now. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, don’t be impatient with God. He has a plan and wants to share it with you, but you, you need to have faith in God, listen and obey.

Your deadlines are not His deadlines! Your ways are not His ways! What you hear may not make sense to you, it wasn’t meant to. If you could have figured it out, you wouldn’t need Him and He needs you to need Him.

Push in. Press in. Don’t be anxious. Don’t wring your hands and wonder. Just turn your face toward Him and worship Him for He knows the plans He has for you. They are good plans. They are plans that if you could see it, you’d be way down the road by now doing it all by yourself. Consider Him your team lead and let Him do just that; LEAD!

Let Him become what you think on, what you speak about. Let people worry you’ve lost touch with reality, it’s ok, you’ve touched Truth and it’s consumed you. You’re no longer moved by what you feel, your faith has made your situation move.

While you’re standing, be aware of who’s standing with you. You’re not alone! The God who created the universe stands with you and if He is for you, who can stand against you?

Let the ground shake, He’s in you and He’s victorious. Let the lion roar, He’s in you and He will shut the lions mouth. Let the rain fall and the wind blow, it’s not match for the Power in you. Don’t be intimidated by what you see around you, stand still and see the salvation of your God.

Keep Standing!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy

When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16 MSG

There are times when it’s nice to be affirmed by others, but it should never be the determining factor of who you truly are. In the natural, I’m Sandra (Hulbert) Gregory, daughter of Glenn Thomas Hulbert and Doris Joann Smith. But in the Spirit, I’m a child of God, made in His image, strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Nobody can take that from me because nobody’s opinion matters but His.

1 Peter 2:9-10 says it like this; “But you are God’s chosen treasure—priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world  For at one time you were not God’s people, but now you are. At one time you knew nothing of God’s mercy, because you hadn’t received it yet, but now you are drenched with it!”

It doesn’t matter how others see you, what matters most is how you see yourself. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for all sin so that you could be adopted into the family of God, then it’s a done deal! No one can take that from you. No one. Their opinions don’t matter. Their qualifications don’t matter. Their comments don’t matter. You matter most because you are His.

God put a deep passion inside of you that burns to do something no one else can do as well as you. His seeds planted to develop the best in you so that you can plant seed in others, that they too can produce fruit for His Kingdom. His Spirit lives in you to enable you to do so much more.

Don’t let any one derail you or set you off course. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to direct you where He needs you. If it’s writing, write. If it’s praying, pray. If it’s singing, sing. If it’s talking, talk. Allow God to develop your gift and it will be so productive it will blow you away and everyone else who thought you were a mere human.

Keep Moving!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy

For He sows seeds of light within His lovers, and seeds of joy burst forth for the lovers of God! Psalm 97:11 TPT

Have you ever wondered if people truly see Jesus in you? I have. Let me share an incident that happened 6 years ago on a typical day at work.

An elderly man walked in to ask if we took his insurance. When we finished, he walked to the door, turned and looked back and said, “God Bless you, in Jesus Name, because we all need His blessing on our lives.” To which I responded, “The same to you and you’re correct, we all need Him in our lives and because of that we are blessed.”

The phone got busy, several patients came and went and as I resumed making up new charts, I got to thinking, Lord, can people tell I’m a Christian? Does my light shine bright? As I seek You with all my heart,  do You light me?

A little while later, two more patients arrived and went back to start their routines. The wife of one sat alone in the waiting room and I greeted her, asking how she was. She looked at me and said,  “I need apologize to you. The other day when I was here, you were on the phone talking quietly and I was eavesdropping on a conversation you were having. You were reminding someone of who lives inside of them and what a difference He makes in their lives.

“You see, I lost two babies a long time ago and God took me through that, but I had forgotten until you reminded me. I just wanted to thank you, I prayed for the first time in 20 years and it felt good.”

How sweet of the Lord to quickly answer the questions of our heart. How precious that His seeds of light grow with each moment we spend in His presence.

“And who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light.  So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 TPT

Until Tomorrow-Shine on!

Sandy

Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All the authority of the universe has been given to me. Now go in my authority and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.” Matthew 28:18-20 TPT

We have just celebrated the most wonderful event known to man; The resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each time we take communion, it’s again a reminder of the sacrifice and the victory. But my dear friends, it didn’t end there. He gave us instructions to faithfully follow all of His teachings and to remember He would accompany us every day to the very end.

Are you faithfully following?

This past weekend, our church decided to do an Easter egg hunt for the children in the community. Our small group of roughly 25 people expected 100-200 people to attend. 200 hotdogs were prepared, Kona Ice, a bouncy house, face painting and lots of candy filled eggs. The event would go from 10am to noon with clean-up till 12:30. By 10:15 the hotdogs were gone and our pastor ran to McDonalds for 200 burgers.

Our commission was to show the love of Jesus to our community. To let them know that we’re available to serve in anyway we can.

By the time it was finished, we estimated 400-500 people had shown up for this event. Not one of our workers were overwhelmed, and the comments from our visitors were, “Everyone is just so nice!” “Thank you for doing this!” “This was one of the best we’ve attended!”

There were 400-500 people who experienced light and love. No sermon was preached, no pressure applied, we just turned on our lights and God drew them to that light. Jesus said, “I am light to the world and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.” (John 8:12 TPT)

God supernaturally infused 25 people with brilliant light so that HE could draw the weary, the lame, the lost to Him. That’s mind boggling!

Tired? Yes! I’m pretty sure that over 1/2 of us were well over 50, but age is never a factor in the Kingdom. God will light up all who surrender to His plans and purposes. Young, old or middle age, everyone has been commissioned to broken so that the light will shine out into their neighborhoods, their work places and communities. Never in our own strength, but in the One who promised to be with us to the end of the age.

May Jesus be lifted up all around the globe today!

Till Tomorrow,

Sandy

Then he walked a short distance away, and overcome with grief, he threw himself facedown on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if there is any way you can deliver me from this suffering, please take it from me. Yet what I want is not important, for I only desire to fulfill your plan for me.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen him. Matthew 26:39:TPT

There have been a few times in my life where I lay on the floor, overcome with grief, crying out to God for help. It’s not the most comfortable place to be, the floor, but there are times when getting to the lowest place on your face is the only place to be.

You’ve probably experienced those times as well, where you’ve sought the lowest place in the house, far away from everyone and everything, just to cry out in your time of uncertainty, doubt, anger or despair. It’s ok. I just want you to know that. You’ve come to the right place.

That evening, they came and took Jesus. They beat Him beyond recognition, made Him carry His own cross up a hill where they lifted Him up and crucified Him. But that’s not the end of the story. He was raised from the dead and is seated in the Highest place of honor, next to the Father. Philippians 2:9 says, “Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names!”

You see, God never leaves you in your low place. You may have to go through some stuff you’re not looking forward to, but remember this, regardless of how low your low is, the Spirit of the Living & Loving God is right there with you. He’s strengthening you for what lies ahead. He has plans for you and purposes beyond your comprehension.

My friend, your low place is about to become your high place. In your weakness, let Him be your strength. The word submission means to support a mission or plan, so submit to His plan. He knows exactly what needs to be done so that Jesus’ name may be lifted high in the earth. He won’t leave you where you are. In fact the Bible says God already sees you seated in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness.

Jesus, You said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.” You did just that. For those who look to You are drawn to You. Thank You for the price You paid for me. I submit and surrender my will, my wants and desires over to You. I know that the work You began in me, You are faithful to complete it. It’s in Your name I pray, Amen.

Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 TPT

That word, impulse, is an influence of a particular feeling, something that urges us to action. That’s what the Holy Spirit does, He motivates us to pursue spiritual realities instead of physical realities. When the things of the Spirit become our primary focus, we enter into a wonderful sanctuary of peace.

More and more I find myself thinking on revelation God continually pours into my spirit.  It used to be I’d get an occasional peek into a larger truth, but now it’s as if I live there in that place of the Holy Spirit speaking and revealing things to me I’d never seen before. In all my days, I’ve never tapped into this before.

Simple truths have become multi-faceted diamonds, dazzling in the light of His presence. I can’t stop looking. Just when I think I get it, He shows me something new and amazing. I’m mesmerized by how alive His Word really is. His Word is alive, powerful and sharper than a scalpel, cutting away misconceptions and misunderstandings, religious rhetoric, rules and bondages so that I may walk free in the truth of His Word.

To be led by His Spirit, to feel His prodding and hear His whispers as I walk this earth is amazing. But to obey and feel His approval, that is worth it all. When I plug into Him, He gives me peace like I’ve never known. I’ve never been so wrapped in love before. It’s not based on what I do right, it’s based on who He is-LOVE.

If you’ve never experienced this love of God before, I invite you to step in. Simply believe in Jesus as your one-time sacrifice. He died so that you could live in this place of freedom. Freedom from guilt and shame is now yours.

Step two; surrender. Ask for His Holy Spirit to fill you, teach you and lead you into all truth. Begin reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to see how Jesus did life and what He said to do. Then move onto the rest and get ready for your life to radically change as God begins to take the reigns and you learn to yield to the impulses of the Holy Spirit.

Until tomorrow,

Sandy

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. Proverbs 3:5 TPT

“I just don’t know what to do! If I do it this way, this could happen. If I do it that way, that could happen. I just need someone to tell me what I should do. I’m so tired of not knowing!” Have you ever been there? I have! It’s truly a struggle and sometimes you just want to throw in the towel and quit!

But there is someone in you that is there to help you with that. When Jesus left his disciples, He told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. He was sending them the Holy Spirit to fill them with power and teach them all things needed to do their assignment on the earth. He didn’t leave them ill equipped nor would He you.

My friend, if you’re struggling with an answer right now, trust in the Lord completely. Don’t allow turmoil and strife to keep you paralyzed in fear of making the wrong move. God can’t guide your steps if you’re not moving! Take that first step, if it’s in the wrong direction, God will turn you.

It’s ok to make mistakes! Romans 8:28 (TPT) says, “So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.”

Do you see that? Every single detail of our lives has a purpose in His master plan for us, even the bad ones. He just asks that we trust Him in the process. I don’t even look at them as mistakes anymore, I try to see them as building blocks. Some way, some how, God will find a use for what I see as a botched up mess, to make something beautiful with it if I just trust His plan.

My opinion doesn’t matter! Your opinion doesn’t matter. Only God knows the plans He has for us and He is well able to use the things meant to destroy us, into things that make us beautiful and useful in His Kingdom.

I’m thankful Father for the plans You have for me. You’ve taken my chaos and turned it into beauty, a master work of art that only You could see value in. Every day, I trust You more. I don’t have to see the end because I know You do and if I listen, I will hear Your gentle voice directing each one of my steps. I will not live in turmoil any longer, stressing out over what I should or shouldn’t do. Your peace will be my compass. It’s in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. Proverbs 19:20

There are a whole lot of educated people in the world today who are just that; educated. People who are great at debate but lack the ability to apply it to everyday life. Lots of folk out there who have adapted the ideas and opinions of professors and teachers, but so few who have taken the time to truly educate themselves at the feet of Jesus.

You see, wisdom doesn’t come from a school or professor, that’s merely knowledge. True wisdom comes from God. It comes through the Holy Spirit as we sit with Him and allow Him to show us things our intellect will never pick up on. It’s learning to be quiet and listen as He demonstrates how to apply what we’ve learned so that we can be proficient in the very thing He’s called us to do.

Now I will tell you that I have gained insight and knowledge through some great teachers along the years. But I always go back and ask the Father what He wants me to do with what I’ve learned. There are other times when I hear Him say, “This isn’t for now, store it in your heart for I will show you more on it later when you’ll need it.”

I’ve heard people say, “You should never question God!” Part of that is true. You should never question Gods way of doing or being. You shouldn’t question His plans because He sees far more then you ever will. You shouldn’t question His ability for He is well able. However, asking God questions is a good thing. If you need clarity, ask.

Jeremiah 33:3 says, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’  He’s not withholding answers, we’re just not asking.  And for those who need to see it in the New Testament, John 16″24 says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” He wouldn’t have said ask if it wasn’t the thing to do.

So if you’re looking to be wise, ask the Father for wisdom. If He gave it to Solomon, he will give it to you as well.

Until tomorrow,

Sandy