Changes Just Happen

Every day, things are changing around us. Weather patterns, economy, health care, 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?

“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

Sometimes you just have to turn from what you see and turn towards 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: God loves me so much that He sent His only son to die for my sins. That’s a lot of love. If He did that for me, He won’t leave me with no hope, no peace, 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!

Sandy G

Intense Fire


Hebrews 6:10-12, “God is fair, and he will remember all the work you have done. He will remember that you showed your love to him by helping his people and that you continue to help them. We want each of you to be willing and eager to show your love like that the rest of your life. Then you will be sure to get what you hope for. We don’t want you to be lazy. We want you to be like those who, because of their faith and patience, will get what God has promised.”
We all experience times when we grow weary in doing good things, especially when nothing good ever seems to come to us. But just as Paul said to the Hebrews, I say to you, don’t ever stop doing what God has told us to do, love. Don’t ever stop looking for ways to bless others, to stand in the gap, and pray for them. Don’t ever stop doing and being what God created you to be and do, for if you do, the world will miss the blessing your life holds inside of it, the blessing of the Holy Spirit’s power to change lives. If you don’t do it, no one will. Your life makes a difference! It has to because the all changing power of Gods Word lives in you.
I John 4:17 NLV, “Love is made perfect in us when we are not ashamed as we stand before Him on the day He judges. For we know that our life in this world is His life lived in us.” Our life in this world is His life lived in us. Wow. It’s never been about how much money we can make or how many possessions we could accumulate. It’s always been about showing the world the love of God just as Jesus did.
What made the difference for you? What was it that drew you into the Kingdom of God? Was it not his deep love for you shown by others? The intense burning, living love of God. Knowing that, he selflessly gave his only son to die so that you could experience His love? Let us then show the world that we are not ashamed to love the vilest of sinners, those bound by addiction, bruised and broken by sin. Let us be light in these dark, unreached places, where only the light of Gods love will filter through.
Father, I want to stand before you unashamed. I want to be sensitive to your voice, always doing what you say, going where you tell me to go. I can’t do it alone, I must do it with you and others who will be the remnant, losing their life in yours. So lost in your love, so blinded by your light that we never see the world the same again. This is my desire to honor you. To humble myself under your great hand, bowing before you, offering myself my inabilities to you. Use me today to show love. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
Sandy G

Plan A


Romans 8:28-30 GW; We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. This is true because he already knew his people and had already appointed them to have the same form as the image of his Son. Therefore, his Son is the firstborn among many children. He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of.
One of the most quoted verses, Romans 8:28, We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom he has called according to his plan. But did you know God has a plan and that you fit perfectly into that plan? As children of God, he has made provision for our lives. Even when we don’t see it, it’s there. Whoever we are, wherever we’re from, whatever we’ve done, we can trust Him, our Father who loves us.
Made in the image of His son, our eldest brother, Jesus Christ, who has given us all power and authority over everything in the earth, who is sitting beside Father, interceding for us. Our very own mediator. Wow. He not only died for us, but he lives to stick up for us, stand in for us, and watch over us. He took our punishment for us. When we deserved the whipping for disobeying, Jesus stepped up and took it for us. What a family to be linked with. I have some pretty sweet earth family, but none that would die for me just so that I could live free of guilt, shame, and condemnation.
So why would we live in condemnation? Why would we allow our enemy to convince us of our guilt when Jesus took it for us? It’s like someone giving us a brand new car, free and clear, and we try to pay for it. You can’t pay for something that’s been paid for. It’s a gift! And with that gift comes a plan. It is an intricately woven plan for our lives that the Father has made to suit Him, not us. I love the last part of that passage; He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of. See that? He has set you on this earth, called you, appointed you, approved of you, and placed His glory in you.
Father, help us not to focus on the circumstances we face or the situation we find ourselves in, but to focus our attention on you and trust your plan. We don’t even need to know the details of the plan, we just know we’re in it and you have a purpose for us on earth. I’m excited, Father! To be a part of something so big that my mind can’t wrap around it, but my faith in you can see that it’s going to be awesome. You have a big plan for each person on this earth, we just need to humble ourselves and trust you. Direct our steps today. Cause us to be obedient to your still small voice so that we will always be in the right place at the right time. It’s in Jesus Name we pray. Amen
Sandy G

Leaking Like a Sieve

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John 17:1-5 ERV; After Jesus said these things, he looked toward heaven and prayed, “Father, the time has come. Give glory to your Son so that the Son can give glory to you. You gave the Son power over all people so that he could give eternal life to all those you have given to him. And this is eternal life: that people can know you, the only true God, and that they can know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth. And now, Father, give me glory with you. Give me the glory I had with you before the world was made. (24-26)24 “Father, I want these people you have given me to be with me in every place I am. I want them to see my glory—the glory you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. 25 Father, you are the one who always does what is right. The world does not know you, but I know you, and these followers of mine know that you sent me. 26 I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them.”

With all he would face that night, he prayed for us.  I wanted to post the entire prayer and I encourage you to read it because it shows us that Jesus set us up, not for failure, but for success. He showed us a better way to access Gods great grace and mercy, through him. The price to pay for our eternal life was his own life. He showed us that death is not the victor, because he overcame death when he rose again. He came from heaven to earth to show the world what great love the Father has for us. What a beautiful gift.

“I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them.” How will he show us again? Through his Word. Through signs and wonders. Through miracles. Through unconditional love. The same love the Father had for Jesus is the same love that now lives in us. How generous. How spectacular. The affect of love on a sin darkened heart is like turning on a bright light in a cave. It’s like pouring water on parched soil. “How marvelous, how wonderful is my Saviors love for me.” We can’t hoard this love! We are commissioned to give it away, it’s in the giving that it multiplies.

Your love, oh Lord, is so deep, so high, so wide, unfathomable, strong, tender and completely satisfying. How amazing to be carriers of such great love. May I be a suitable container today. One with lots of holes and cracks so that the love you have poured into me, seeps onto everyone I come in contact with. My husband, my children, my boss, my co-workers, our patients, the cashier at the grocery store, the neighbor next door, the stranger I pass by. May the light of your love leave a lasting impression on all who cross my path in Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Every Need Has a Seed


Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to Heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward Heaven, and blessed them. Mark 6:41

I heard the Lord say to me, “Take what you have in your hands and lift it to me that I may bless and multiply it.” Yesterday, I came close to posting this, but I felt the Lord had more to say on it, so I saved it for today. Perhaps this speaks to you as well. There are times when I just don’t have enough to pay my bills and get groceries. Sometimes what I have on hand or in my bank account is way short of what it needs to be.

A few weeks ago, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me that He needed me to have radical faith. The kind of faith that would see nothing as impossible, but a way for the Lord to show Himself strong in the earth. He also gave me a vision of something He wanted me to have that in the natural, made me laugh. When I laughed, I felt like Sarah, Abrahams wife when the Angel of the Lord said she would be holding a baby in her hands by this time next year. NO, the vision had nothing to do with babies, not for me anyway!

I’m sure that the disciples just looked at each other dumbfounded when Jesus told them to feed the large crowd He’d been teaching. They ended up dumbfounded, at the audacious display of miraculous provision with leftovers. It all began with a need and a search for a seed. The need was lunch for a multitude, the seed was lunch from a small boy. When placed in Jesus’ hand, He was able to bless the little and make it much.

Have you ever had a totally ridiculous vision or dream? Something that stretched you so much you felt like Gumby? What is it you need to accomplish the thing God has called you to do and where is your seed. My seed is in my savings, tucked away for a desperate need that’s due in 48 short days. It’s not close to being enough, but it’s taken awhile to save it up. Human reasoning would say, “Don’t give it to God, he has enough!” But faith says, “Here is what I have, bless and multiply it, then return it to me so that I may do what you’ve said.”

I want Mary faith that says, “Be it unto me according to your Word.” Who allowed herself to carry the seed of God. I want Abraham faith, who believed what God said and never doubted. I want Joshua faith, that marched around Jericho until the walls came down. I want David faith, who took the five smooth stones in his hand and declared he would take Goliath’s head off. I want Jesus faith, who believed every Word his father spoke and did it. What is your need? Where is your seed? Will you allow for God to take it and bless it? Without the blessing of God on what you have, it will be useless to you. It just won’t be enough.

Isaiah 43:16-19 “The Lord is making roads through the sea. He is making a path for his people, even through rough waters. The Lord says, “Those who fight against me with their chariots, horses, and armies will be defeated. They will never rise again. They will be destroyed. They will be put out like the flame in a lamp. So don’t remember what happened in earlier times. Don’t think about what happened a long time ago, because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert, and rivers will flow through that dry land.”

Father, what I have won’t be enough unless you bless it! You said you would bless all the works of my hands and I have taken you at your Word. Lord, you’ve been working on me for a very long time and I thank you for your patience. I’m leaning on your everlasting arm of faithfulness. Like Jabez I ask you to bless me indeed, enlarge my territory that I may be a blessing to others. It’s in Jesus’ Name I ask this. Amen

Sandy G

God’s Commanded Blessing

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Did you know that God has commanded a blessing over you? Deuteronomy 28:2-14 is a covenant promise God made to bless us for obeying him. Seriously, read it for yourself; If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours: “He will bless you in the city and in the field. He will bless you and give you many children. He will bless your land and give you good crops. He will bless your animals and let them have many babies. He will bless you with calves and lambs. He will bless your baskets and pans and fill them with food. He will bless you at all times in everything you do. The Lord will help you defeat your enemies who come to fight against you. Your enemies will come against you one way, but they will run away from you seven different ways! The Lord will bless you and fill your barns. He will bless everything you do. The Lord your God will bless you in the land that he is giving you. If you follow the Lord your God and obey his commands, he will do what he promised. The Lord will make you his own special people. Then all the people in that land will see that you are called to be the Lord’s people, and they will be afraid of you. And the Lord will give you many good things. He will give you many children. He will give your cows many calves. He will give you a good harvest in the land that the Lord promised your ancestors to give you. The Lord will open his storehouse where he keeps his rich blessings. He will send rain at the right time for your land. He will bless everything you do. You will have money to lend to many nations. And you will not need to borrow anything from them. The Lord will make you be like the head, not the tail. You will be on top, not on the bottom. This will happen if you listen to the commands of the Lord your God that I tell you today. You must carefully obey these commands. You must not turn away from any of the teachings that I give you today. You must not turn away to the right or to the left. You must not follow other gods to serve them.

I speak these verses over my children, my finances, my home, my church, my pastors, my job, my friends. God promised these things and I believe them. He cannot lie. He ALWAYS keeps his promises. The coolest part of all this is, because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, I no longer have to do good to get good, I am clothed in HIS righteousness, not my own. Jesus made me right so that I could inherit the blessings he promised. WOW!

I’m redeemed by the blood and that covers every mistake I’ve made, every wrong turn, every poor decision, every sin committed. Don’t believe it? Try putting something in a bucket of blood. Can you see it? It’s there, but you can’t see it because it’s covered. Jesus has done that for us.

Thank you Father for this completely, perfect gift of salvation. No one can duplicate it. It was freely given and freely received. Without that blood, every sin would remain obvious and the ugly guilt and shame would be visible for all to see. But your blood was enough to take it all away. I receive that gift and every promise you’ve ever made to me. Promise of provision, forgiveness, prosperity, wisdom, healing, everything, I receive it and thank you for it. It’s in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

Sandy G

Cry Out–He Hears

Sometimes, when we’re in the middle of a tremendous, overwhelming situation, we lose sight of how faithful God has been to us in the past. My God is able.

Thats where Israel was when their enemies threatened them. They fell on their faces and cried out to the Lord, and He answered them.

II Chronicles 20:15-17, “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

And what a mighty victory it was. They rested in Gods Word to them and went and gathered up the spoils. God did it all. Stop fighting battles that you weren’t intended to fight. There’s a time to fight. There’s a time to rest. Learn what season you’re in. Provision has already been made for your situation. Stand on the promises of God, even when you don’t see it happen for a while.

Sandy G

Sweet Rest

“Jeremiah, I am the Lord. I am the God of every person on the earth. You know that nothing is impossible for me.” Jeremiah 32:27

This morning as I read this verse, I felt that the Lord was speaking to me, “Sandy, I am the Lord. I am the God of every person on the earth. You know that nothing is impossible for me.”

Perhaps you should put your own name in there and remind yourself that He is the God over all and nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible for Him.

Nothing. Not the sickness in your body, not the negative balance in your account, not the loss of a job, not the loss of a home or the rebellion of your children, Nothing is impossible for God.

I think that every once in a while, we just need to take some time and remember; nothing can compare to our God. We recently suffered loss in the area of finances, yet the balance in our account never dropped, and all our bills are paid. How does that happen? Nothing is impossible for God. I paid my tithe and gave offering; nothing is impossible for God. I had enough to put gas in my tank; nothing is impossible for God. I had enough to buy groceries; nothing is impossible for God. My pain is gone; nothing is impossible with God. I have a house to live in; nothing is impossible for God.

When things happen in life that threaten to knock the wind out of our sails, we must remember that it’s our God who made the wind. We don’t speak to the sail, “Why aren’t you moving?” We speak to the wind, “BLOW!”

God gave us the rights to control our world, not let our world control us. We need to think like God, our Father. If nothing is impossible with God, then nothing is impossible for us in God.

I take authority over every evil force that would try to bring discouragement and distraction. Devil, you’re a liar, and I simply choose not to believe your lies. My God reigns in every area of my life. He is more than enough in me to win over you every time.

I won’t be distracted by what I see in the news. I won’t allow fear to have a place in me at all because my God is greater, more powerful than any plan of man, and He alone is my provider. I will walk in the peace and assurance that whatever happens, you, Lord, will take care of me and direct my steps. You will give me the answers and the words I need to speak in every situation I face.

Psalm 91:1 says that the person who rests in the shadow of the Most High God will be kept safe by the Mighty One. That’s me! Well rested, and I will continue to rest. In fact, I’m so rested that it appears I’m sleep walking. Ha! Why should I fear? My God is greater! My body is just a container for the Holy Spirit of God who is big in me and renews me daily so that I can be His witness in the earth.

Let’s practice that today. Focus on how big God is and how small our problems are to him.

Sandy G

We’re Good

“You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.” Deuteronomy 5:27

Just like back in Moses’ day, people just aren’t interested in hearing from God themselves. They look to anyone and everyone else to do it for them.

My friends, God created us to talk to, yet we’re too caught up with everything else and just don’t have time. It’s sad, really. That we would choose to hear from God only once a week from a man or woman who spends time in Gods presence for a word for us.

If He spoke to the rebellious men in the wilderness, how much more does He long to speak with us in our homes. He’s waiting.

Sandy G

When All Else Fails

“I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3 NASB2020

There are times when things look so bad that you begin to wonder if you’ll ever see your miracle. Will you ever hear the word healed? Will you ever have more than enough?

Treasure in darkness? Hidden wealth of secret places? I’d feel greatly encouraged if I just got a good report for once. Where there was an increase in my paycheck instead of my insurance.

But Gods unfailing love still wraps me in a blanket. He’s the rock I stand on when all around is sinking sand. He’s enough.

So as I wrap up another week, let me ask you if He’s enough for you? Jesus said we’d have trials and tribulations, but He overcame. Is He enough? Is what He did enough for what you’re going through?

I’ve yet to have my children murdered. I’ve yet to have my husband taken away to prison. I’ve still got food on the table. I’m still alive and breathing, and I’m thankful. Let Him be enough. Keep a thankful heart even when that heart is broken.

Sandy G